The Diocese of Bristol congratulates St Peter's, Henleaze on receiving the Eco Church Gold Award this month and becoming the first church building in the Diocese to be awarded this status from the Christian conservation charity A Rocha. St Peter’s is also the second congregation in the Diocese, alongside Hazelnut Community Farm, to receive the Gold Award and the 40th church in the country.
The Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, Bishop of Bristol said: “I am so glad to hear that St Peter’s has become the second congregation to receive the award in the Diocese of Bristol, alongside Hazelnut Community Farm, and so be the first parish to achieve the Gold Award. This is testimony to the great things that the church community is doing in response to the cry of the Earth. I am delighted that their hard work and dedication, have been recognised in this way.”
Revd Mark Pilgrim said: "St Peter's, Henleaze, is delighted to be the first parish church in Bristol Diocese to receive the Eco Church Gold Award. We have been encouraged by and worked with Bristol's first Gold Award, the Fresh Expression Hazelnut Church, to do this. Each stage of the Eco Church Award scheme has enabled us to review and develop our stewardship of God's Creation. Receiving the Gold Award is a stage on the road to responding to the climate crisis and working towards Net Zero by 2030 that we look forward to taking further."
This celebration reminds us that, with determination and a shared vision, we can transform our churches into beacons of hope and environmental stewardship. We hope that this Gold Award will inspire other churches to prioritise sustainability initiatives, embrace the Eco Church process and join us in reaching Net Zero by 2030.