Clitheroe United Reformed Church was the 1st church in the Northwest URC Synod to achieve an Eco Church Gold Award, in June 2023. You can see our plaque on the wall by the entrance.Clitheroe URC has always considered the impact of our behaviour on the environment, locally and worldwide. This has been a central theme of worship and leadership of Clitheroe URC for a number of years. Stewardship of land and buildings in terms of this, and living by example are felt to be important aspects of our worship, land management and day to day living.
At the inspection visit on June 8th, Rose Gosling from A Rocha UK shared that her visit to Clitheroe URC “was very inspiring and that she enjoyed meeting a large and enthusiastic team, who had embedded environmental principles in everything that they do.”
The journey started in 2007 with a wish to develop a “street level church” and make changes to our building to meet this need. These changes also improved its energy efficiency. Further motivation came with achievement of a silver EcoChurch award in July 2020. At this time development of our wildlife garden from a piece of wasteland had begun.
One of our members is on the organising group of the new Ribble Valley Climate Action Network. This has led to the church hosting a well attended Climate Conscious Hustings for the local elections, and to the first "Citizens Summit for Climate and Nature" in the Ribble Valley, at Trinity Methodist Church in July 2023.
Clitheroe EcoChurch group is made up of a small group of people with additional members of the congregation also providing help when required. During our EcoChurch journey we have also appreciated the enthusiasm of our recently retired minister Rev Michele Jarmany, and our NW Synod Green Apostle Rev Daleen ten Cate and Clitheroe URC congregation.
There is a talking NW Synod podcast available with Lawrence Heath-Moore if you want to hear more about our Eco Church journey use this link below:-
https://nwsynod.org.uk/2023/01/27/244879/
Clitheroe URC becomes first church in North West Synod to achieve Eco Church Gold Award.
