In Summer and Autumn, two Churches in the Diocese hosted creative, climate-focused community events. BS3 Jammin and BS5 together gathered people from across their postcodes, celebrating the strength of collective climate action and raising awareness of environmental issues. To help others do the same, Kit Connell, Diocesan Environment & Sustainability Manager, has created a simple action plan designed to guide other Churches in planning their own events. 
BS5 Together
On Saturday 26 July, the East Bristol community came together for a vibrant cross-cultural, interfaith climate awareness celebration at Hazelnut Community Farm, nestled in the garden of St. Anne’s Church, Eastville. The event offered a joyful afternoon of connection, creativity, and shared experiences centred around food, music, sustainability, and culture.
Guests explored a rich mix of stalls, workshops, and performances. Weaving Change conducted a sewing workshop and there were inspiring talks on gardening, sustainability, and storytelling. Organisations such as Bristol Energy Network, Caring in Bristol, and Macmillan Cancer Support were on hand to offer information, resources, and support.
There were a diverse line-up of artists and performers created a warm, uplifting atmosphere, from choirs to local singer song writers.
Master storyteller Michael Loader enchanted the audience with his warm and witty tales, while face painting and nature crafts kept families creatively engaged. A free clothing swap encouraged sustainable fashion, and guests were treated to a complimentary vegan Moroccan curry, generously provided by In Hope, alongside fresh salads and an array of cakes donated from Asda and Cakesmiths.
More than 250 people joined the celebration, sharing food, stories, and ideas in the garden. The event fostered new friendships, strengthened community bonds, and will hopefully inspire collective action toward a more sustainable future.
BS3 Jammin
On the weekend of 13–14 September, St Paul’s Church in Southville, Bristol hosted the third annual BS3 Jammin’, a hands-on community event that brought people together to tackle food waste, share skills, and build connections.
Organised by local resident Cags Diep, BS3 Jammin’ has become a standout example of what can happen when churches open their doors to practical, creative climate action. Over two days, volunteers transformed around 800kg of donated fruit and vegetables, nearly double last year’s total, into more than 30 different products, including jams, chutneys, cordials and pickles.
A Welcoming, Collaborative Space
BS3 Jammin’ relies on a committed team of volunteers. Some sign up in advance, while others offer help on the day and are quickly given a role, whether that’s chopping, cooking, welcoming visitors, or managing supplies.
The event also highlights the hidden abundance in urban areas. Donations come from a wide range of sources: commercial growers, allotment holders, private gardens, and community growing spaces. In the lead-up to the weekend, Cags and her team coordinate with garden owners who want to donate surplus produce but aren’t able to harvest it themselves. Volunteers visit these homes to pick fruit that would otherwise go to waste, connecting people not only with each other, but with the growing potential in their own neighbourhoods.
Nothing Goes to Waste
BS3 Jammin’ is designed with circularity in mind. Leftover apples were donated to Patchwork Community’s Apple Day for pressing, other produce went to Square Food Foundation for use in cooking classes, and food scraps were composted by Generation Soil to support future growing.
Even the preserves found a second life: local resident Jenny created a Jam Shed a small cupboard at the end of her garden path, filled with free jars of jam for everyone to enjoy.
A Model for Other Parishes
Writing in the Church Times, Kit Connell, Environment Manager for the Diocese of Bristol, said:
“BS3 Jammin’ is not just an event: it is proof of what a united community can achieve with a shared purpose. By addressing food waste and food poverty head-on, it has delivered real, measurable impact, while sparking hope and action. With its innovative, holistic approach, it is a model that can be replicated elsewhere.”
If you're an Eco Champion or Church Leader, BS3 Jammin’ offers a powerful example of what’s possible, but it’s not a quick or casual undertaking. It takes months of planning, strong volunteer commitment, and careful coordination to bring together the right ingredients, people, and energy. What it shows is that with the right support and a clear purpose, churches can become hubs for practical climate action and community care.
Click here for a simple action plan to help you get started with planning your own event.