Congratulations to St Christopher’s, Springfield on becoming only the second church in the diocese to achieve A Rocha UK’s prestigious Gold Eco Church award, and the first to attain the accolade since the framework was updated and strengthened last year.
In their multicultural urban setting, St Christopher’s has demonstrated how Eco Church can help frame our care for God’s creation and our neighbours wherever we are. The church has reached out to, and collaborated with, its local community in responding to identified local needs. These include being a Place of Warm Welcome, help with accessing grants for energy and money saving, promoting ethical finance, providing a healthy community meal made from supermarket surplus and Community Action Days with eco tips.
Through its close links with the Springfield Project, originally set up by the church, a wide range of support is provided for children and families. St Christopher’s has transferred its energy providers to those who provide renewable electricity or ‘green gas’ where the carbon impact is offset by other measures. There are also steps to reduce further energy use by installing LED lighting and using energy as economically as possible in the church kitchen, as well as investigating the bigger projects such as solar panels and double glazing. Despite having limited outdoor space, the church community has found ways to encourage young and old to appreciate and enjoy nature both in their grounds and in the local area.
Their vicar Tom says,
“It has been a journey to achieve this award and I am really grateful to those who championed this in our congregation. We found that it was far more about doing small things well, rather than being overwhelmed by huge glamorous projects like solar panels.’
Want to learn more about how St Christopher’s achieved their award? Members of their team will be sharing their experience in a Zoom webinar and Q&A session on Tuesday 27 January,
Going for Gold! - learning from St Christopher's experience
Tuesday 27th January 2026 7.30 – 9pm (Link open from 7.15pm)
To join the Meeting either click on this link or use the following meeting details
Meeting ID: 876 1941 1315
Passcode: 530647