Resources

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Below you will find the latest environment resources from the Diocese of Oxford.

GENERAL

Enironment Leaflet

An introductory leaflet about the environment and the Diocese of Oxford. View as pdf…

For Creed and Creation: A simple guide to greening your church is a great little book produced by the Diocese of Oxford full of practical suggestions for making your church more energy efficient. From the way the building is run, to how rubbish is recycled and the light switches used. It will help to reduce your bills and put you on the right track to tackling your churches carbon footprint – a great starting point for any church exploring how to be a ‘greener church community’. Read more…

Eco-Congregation Scheme

The Eco-Congregation is a scheme, managed by A Rocha UK, to help churches demonstrate that the gospel is good news for God’s earth. The scheme helps churches explore environmental stewardship, audit their current practices and work towards an action plan as part of achieving the Eco-Congregation Award, and is supported by resources covering a range modules that encompasses the spiritual, practical and missional aspects of church life, and provides a mentor to work with your church.Read more…

Environment map

The environment map shows you many of the environment based projects and groups active in the Diocese of Oxford – from eco church building projects to biodiversity in churchyards and local community groups focussed on environmental issues.

Find a project or group near you – or add your own project to the map. Read more…

Speakers, facilitators and courses

Does your church or group want to explore ways to engage with environmental issues? How could you include the environment in the life and mission of your church? We may be able to help you find speakers, facilitators and resources to help you think through the options. Contact the Diocesan Environment Officer for further information.

ENERGY

Energy Monitoring Scheme

The Diocese of Oxford and the national Church of England Shrinking the Footprint campaign provide churches and schools in the diocese the opportunity to use, for free, energy monitoring software that will help track and reduce their energy use. The energy audit scheme aims to build a better understanding of our energy usage and total carbon footprint of the church so that we can support energy saving actions and meet our commitment to protecting God’s creation. Read more…

Switch your church to green electricity

Electricity can be the most significant spend for churches therefore good pricing is important as is good contract management to ensure tariffs remain competitive and parishes are not “rolled over” into uncompetitive contracts. Switching suppliers can, however, not only save you money it can also be complicated – so the Diocese of Oxford and CofE have negotiated schemes with leading green energy providers that make switching to green electricity easier. Read more…

Bulk Oil Purchasing scheme

If your church has a oil boiler you may be able to join a Bulk Oil Purchasing scheme and save money through. Read more…

RENEWABLE ENERGY INFORMATION

Your Church and Solar PV

Information to help churches exploring installing solar PV. The Diocese of Oxford has produced an information sheet that introduces how solar energy could be used to generate electricity in your church, as well as help you assess the suitability of your church and provides a list of things to consider as you develop a project to install solar panels.

There is also advice about how your church may be able to benefit from the government Feed-In-Tariff. Read more…

Your Church and Wood Fuel (Biomass)

Information to help churches exploring woodfuel or biomass heating systems. The Diocese of Oxford has produced an information sheet to introduce how biomass could be used to heat your church buildings. It will help you assess the suitability of your church and provides a list of things to consider as you develop a project to install a biomass boiler.
There is also advice about how your church may be able to benefit from the government Renewable Heat Incentive. Read more…

Your Church and Heat Pumps

Information to introduce how air-source and ground-source heat pumps could be used to heat your church buildings. It will help you assess the suitability of your church and provides a list of things to consider as you develop a project to install heat pump technology and benefit from the government Renewable Heat Incentive. Read more…

Suggested Eco-Professionals Directory

The Diocese of Oxford compile a directory of suggested eco-professionals who provide eco-advice and services, such as energy efficiency audits and renewable energy, to churches. Read more…

CHURCHYARDS

Supporting biodiversity in a churchyard

This case study, from St Mary and St John Church in East Oxford, presents the story of turning a churchyard that had become a forest of overgrown trees and tangled undergrowth, convenient for prostitution and drug taking, to be a much appreciated quiet green space in the middle of a busy urban area. Read more…

OTHER RESOURCES

Inspired by Creation postcards

To mark creation-tide in 2010 the Earthing Faith website and the Diocese of Oxford ran the Inspired by Creation competition, which asked people to share through a photograph or poem the place where they find inspiration and a connection with God. The winning photographs have been made into a pack of postcards. Order copies…

National CofE Shrinking the Footprint Resources

You will find lots of other resources on the national CofE Shrinking the Footprint website at: www.churchcare.co.uk/shrinking-the-footprint/