Eco-Congregation

St Aidan’s was very proud to be the first ever church in the Diocese of Manchester to be given an ‘Eco-Congregation’ Award in 2006. As an Eco-Congregation this means that we, as a church, link environmental issues and Christian faith  and respond in practical action in the church, in the lives of individuals and in the local and global community. Aspects covered are worship and theology, children and young people, managing the church and wider church concerns in the community.

Some things we have done recently and some ongoing items include:

• A monthly Fair Trade stall.
• Collecting items in church to be recycled by various charities/organisations.
• Increasing awareness to others regarding ecological issues by way of information leaflets and Eco books which can be borrowed from the Eco Corner.
• Work done by and with the children which incorporates a wildlife garden, placing birdfeeders around church, planting snowdrops and gaining an understanding of the importance of caring for God’s creation. 
• Strawberry Tea in aid of the village of El Tular.
• Out of Africa/Body Shop/Traidcraft party
• Recycling Christmas Cards for the Alzheimers Society.
• Christian Aid collections.

An application for the renewal of the Eco Award is due to take place in late 2010, therefore it is extremely important for us to strive to achieve this honour for a second time. In order to do this, St Aidan’s Eco Team aims to continue the work already being done and to expand upon the same.  Future plans include:-

• Birdwatch to be organised in the spring.
• Making ‘grassheads’ and/or growing sunflowers.
• Bird boxes and bat boxes to be placed in Springfield Park.
• Strawberry Tea in aid of the village of El Tular.
• Recycling Christmas Cards for the Alzheimers Society.
• Christian Aid collections.
• World Map with flags with messages of peace/hope/love etc for the world.

 Useful Web Sites

http://www.ecocongregation.org/