Category Archives: Green Church

Garden Bird Watch – Sunday 26th January

On Sunday 26th January at 11 am volunteers will be completing the RSPB Great Garden Bird Watch in the church yard at St Mary’s. One hour will be spent recording the type and numbers of birds that visit the grounds surrounding the church. Not only will this contribute to the nationwide survey organised by the RSPB but it will provide valuable baseline information for bird life at the church. Wildlife is under threat throughout the British Isles, not least of all our birds. By contributing to the larger survey we will be helping the RSPB in their monitoring and conservation work. It is hoped that over the coming year the grounds of St Mary’s will be further enhanced as a wildlife haven as part of St Mary’s drive to become more environmentally compassionate. The information we gather as part of this survey will assist in measuring the effectiveness of future habitat work.

Everyone is very welcome to come along on the 26th. Do look out for more opportunities to become involved in the habitat management of St Mary’s church over the coming weeks. If you have any particular skills, interests or knowledge that you think will be helpful we would also be delighted to hear from you.

You can read more about the environmental work taking place at St Mary’s and that of Caring for God’s Acre on the ‘Green Church’ page of this website.

St Mary’s – Eco Church registration

 

Today St Mary’s Church registered with the Eco Church Scheme which is an A Rocha UK project. More details of the scheme can be found on their website https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/how-eco-church-works/

As a member of this scheme St Mary’s has completed the Eco Survey which covers different areas of how the church contributes to God’s earth in different areas of its life and work. The answers we provided collect points towards an Eco Church Award – the more any church does, the more points they get! There are three levels at which an award can be made, they are bronze, silver and gold.

The survey covers five key areas of church life:

  • Worship and teaching
  • Management of church buildings
  • Management of church land
  • Community and global engagement
  • Lifestyle

From the initial survey St Mary’s Church, Billingsley already achieved ‘silver’ for the management of church land and ‘bronze’ in its teachings and worship.

With a little more work it is hoped that we can achieve a bronze award overall in the near future.

Do watch out for more news, events and information over the coming weeks as we make progress.

Billingsley Church is an environmentally friendly church!

Billingsley Church has installed a new rainwater harvesting system to gather rainwater for use in the church. The harvested water is cleaned using an ultraviolet light, so that it is drinkable. The water has been tested and has been certified drinkable. We now provide facilities for visitors to help themselves to hot drinks, so next time you’re passing, stop and have a look round and a drink!