Environment Group
The Environment Group is a group of church members who seek to understand and promote good stewardship of God’s Earth both within the Church and in the wider community. The group meets regularly to discuss ways in which the church as a community can play its part in addressing the climate crisis, and can resource and encourage church members to do the same. The group works closely with the ministry team, operational staff, and other volunteers to help shape policies and day to day operations to a sustainable future - everything from how we buy and use items such as paper, cleaning products, and food and drink, to how we generate and consume energy, the way we maintain our churchyard, and how we pray.
To this end we especially welcome members who can bring expertise in this field to our work. We are fortunate in having members with expertise in a number of related fields including conservation, ecology, sustainability, horticulture, plants, birds, and animal welfare. Other members bring their interest, commitment and willingness to serve. If you are interested in joining the group, email office@gsm.cam.ac.uk
Sustainable living
‘Eco Tips’ feature in each edition of the Great St. Mary’s eMag to encourage everyone in the wider church community to make sustainable choices in the way we use energy and water, food, promoting biodiversity, and more.
Worship and teaching
Concern for the environment is included regularly in worship, through prayers and sermons, and in the resources used by some of our groups, including in our ministry with children and young people.
Education and learning
Following a successful first project funded by ECLAS (Equipping Christian Leaders in an Age of Science) and CSOC (Church Schools of Cambridge), we are about to embark on a further educational project, focusing on sustainabilty, environmental issues, and faith, again thanks to funding from ECLAS and CSOC.
Buildings and Utlilities
Making a grade 1 listed medieval church eco-friendly is a challenge! The church has installed solar panels and much has been achieved in reducing the church’s carbon footprint, with a long term aim to increarse our own energy generation and potentially to participate in local renewable energy schemes - watch this space!
Churchyard and outdoor spaces
Building on the long term care of the churchyard, a new phase of the work will help maintain and develop the churchyard as a beautiful, restful space to encourage visitors to connect with Creation and with the Creator.
Planting choices are shaped by the desire to encourage pollinators. We are also committed to installing swift boxes in the church tower, following the completion of current restoration work.
Fairtrade
Great St Mary's is proud to be a Fairtrade Church. Fairtrade promotes economic and financial justice, and helps to ensure that the products that we buy and use are produced in a way that is sustainable for both people and planet.