Creation Care

Sheldon Road Church is committed to do all we can to care for God’s Creation in our worship, lifestyle and engagement with our community.  We include this commitment in our church vision: Caring for the whole of God’s creation so that it thrives now and into future generations. We are part of A Rocha UK’s Eco Church programme, and we are currently working towards the Gold Award.

 Focus For July 2025
 
Living Lightly 24:1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
 
Summer time, when the living is easy...: Resting is part of the process. It’s how we absorb what we’ve learned and deepen our appreciation of the natural world.

Why not spend some quiet time outdoors today, just sitting and noticing? Or make a cup of tea and settle in with a nature book, podcast or documentary. There’s something deeply comforting about hearing others speak about the wild world. It reminds us that we’re part of something much bigger.

Find a podcast here to learn more about wildlife from the Wildlife Trusts in different parts of our country, perhaps in your holiday destination.
 
More on the Oceans: The UN Ocean Conference offered signs of progress in the race to save our oceans, with more nations ratifying a global treaty to protect 30% of the high seas by 2030. It means that 50 countries have now ratified – just shy of the 60 needed to make it law. “It’s within touching distance,” said Greenpeace. Keep praying for action, not just words. ocean
 
Stash Swap: Saturday 26th July at church - an opportunity to turn out cupboards and re-purpose your craft materials. Bring those craft supplies you aren’t using, to swap for others you could use. It reduces your hoard and gives others the chance to try something new.  Set up your stash on a table at 9:30am, start swapping at 10:30am. See Jan for more information!
 
Precious water: We are delighted that we were given a free water butt for the church courtyard garden and wildlife, but of course we haven’t had much rain recently to make sure there is enough water to use.  If you think the plants look a bit dry, or the water for birds and hedgehogs needs replenishing, then please use the watering can to help.  But if there is no water in the water butt, we’re a bit stuck... so please treat this resource with care, and make sure it’s not wasted. The wildlife will thank you! rainwater
 
Plastic-free July: This is a great opportunity to review where you might be able to reduce single-use plastics in your life. Being part of Plastic Free July will help you find great alternatives that can become new habits forever.  Paying attention to what we consume and its effect on God’s earth, can lead us not into guilt, but into action and prayerful determination to see change where it’s possible.

Read more about the effects of plastic at arocha.org.uk/plastic-summer, or even more radical, sign up here to pledge a plastic free action for the month of July.  Just a small change or two in our daily habits will add up to make a practical difference.

For more practical ways to enjoy, nurture and defend nature, sign up to A Rocha UK’s Wild Christian email: arocha.org.uk/wild-christian