Families can plant strawberries, revamp bug hotel and get closer to nature at St Mark’s eco picnic
“It's so encouraging and supportive to feel that thousands of people care about these things, just as we do”
Sheffield families are being invited to swap traditional pews for a forest church at St Mark’s Broomhill & Broomhall this Sunday, as they hold an eco picnic in celebration of Great Big Green Week.
Community members have been urged to bring their own picnics from midday to 2pm on Sunday 9 June and join members of the church on their urban wildlife haven next to the church itself.
There will be activities for all the family, including a nature survey, revamping a bug hotel, and wild strawberry planting which children can then take home.
Margaret Ainger, one of the event organisers, says the picnic will be a celebration of St Mark’s commitment to sustainability and bringing people closer to nature, after it was awarded Gold in the national Eco Church scheme last year.
“Looking after the environment is underpinned by all the theology of creation care, which we celebrate often in traditional worship,” Margaret says.
“We’re really excited to welcome members of the public to our wonderful green space – it’s so important to have time in nature together, building connections and having conversations that might not happen otherwise.”
One activity people of all ages can get involved in is the Churches Count on Nature wildlife survey, which will reveal how much the church’s work has increased biodiversity in the area.
Margot Fox, also a member of the church’s environmental group, says the green is popular with children. “They love it,” she says. “There’s more freedom to run around and always fascinating things to see like bugs, birds and interesting flowers.”
Margaret says it feels “powerful” being part of the 7,000-strong network of Eco Churches around the country and they are excited to share their progress.
“It's so encouraging and supportive to feel that thousands of people care about these things, just as we do,” she says. “We're playing our part but we're not battling on our own.
“We’re excited to showcase what we are doing as a church, why we're doing it and why Christians are bothered about the environment and the climate.”
Swapping is the main theme for Great Big Green Week, which runs from 8-16 June. Thousands of events will take place across the country including beekeeping and craftivism in South Yorkshire.
People will be making swaps in their lives, from neighbours swapping skills in repair cafes or allotments, businesses swapping fossil fuels for solar panels and friends swapping fast fashion for second-hand treasures. Last year, more than a quarter of a million people took part.
Taking place midway through the General Election campaign, Great Big Green Week will be a reminder to candidates that climate change is a top 5 issue for constituents, with 83% of people in the UK thinking that whoever is in government should do more.
You can find other events near you on the GreatBigGreenWeek.com