Churches are being invited to use prayers for times of extreme weather set out in a newly expanded Church of England service book, following the UK's hottest summer on record.
Recently, several churches were recognised for their outstanding achievements in transforming church grounds for nature and wildlife.
From 6–14 June, churches across Swindon joined together to host a Green Festival featuring special services, bell ringing, litter picks, a dog show, film nights and many other activities, all centred on the theme of being rooted in faith and growing a greener future.
During the recent Diocesan Pilgrimage (20th – 27th May 2026), the planting of seeds became a powerful and memorable symbol of hope.
Churches across the Diocese are making the most of a new opportunity to engage their communities with one of the most urgent issues of our time.
For the past three years, St John the Baptist Church, Colerne, and Wild Colerne have worked together to run a summer sewing project that brings creativity, community and care for Creation together in a unique way.
Through a partnership between the Diocese of Bristol and Wiltshire Wildlife Community Energy, 'Climate, Cake and Keeping Warm Cafés' are being were hosted by churches across the Diocese and are supported by the Diocesan Environment and Sustainability team.
In 2022, St Bartholemew’s, Wick, engaged in the Arocha UK Eco-Church initiative and achieved a Bronze Award for their practical action in caring for God’s earth. The award helped them to think further about their efforts to care for creation and, in 2024, Net Zero initiatives from the Diocese and a chance meeting with the Common Connections team in South Gloucestershire Council gave them a renewed energy to take positive action.
In Summer and Autumn, two Churches in the Diocese hosted creative, climate-focused community events.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.
Christ Church Swindon has received the highest level award for taking practical action on caring for God’s earth.
On Saturday, 6 September, the final section of the family-friendly Athelstan Pilgrim Way will be launched.
All Saints, Lydiard Millicent, Swindon, and St Philip & St James, Neston, have both utilised the Diocese’s Net Zero grant scheme to help them achieve significant milestones in their sustainability journey.
Earth Day – How the Diocese of Bristol is responding to the environmental crisis
BS3 Jammin’ at St Paul’s Church, Southville, Bristol, is a community event transforming surplus food into preserves and dishes to reduce waste and boost food security.
Amy Dartington, Environment and Sustainability Manager, and Kit Connell, Sustainability Outreach Officer from Diocese of Bristol attended the event and Amy gave a presentation on the successes and challenges encountered by the team so far.
St Peter's, Henleaze becomes the first church building in the Diocese to be awarded the Eco Church Gold Award.
Humanity is facing one of the most serious issues of our time: climate change. There is a threat to all forms of life on our planet and the poorest countries are the most likely to suffer. It is a matter of justice.
This weekend members of churches from Bristol Diocese are travelling to London to take part in a 4-day climate protest.
We are pleased to announce Dr Ruth Valerio as the keynote speaker for our upcoming conference: Creation Restored: Ministry in a time of Climate Crisis
Join us on Saturday 17 September at Pattern Church Swindon for an inspiring and challenging day for all in church leadership - lay, ordained, youth or environmental!
Today, Sunday 5th June 2022, is World Environment Day and we wanted to mark this very important occasion with a short prayer.
Trustees of charitable trusts, including schools and churches, are now allowed to prioritise the climate change outcomes of their investments
Bishop Viv's Eco Church Challenge, environment-focused Lent courses, Big Harvest and more
"It was a privilege to be a part of the Queen's Green Canopy†- Head of Youth Ministry at Christ Church Downend
The Potting Shed is a 6-month online course involving discussion sessions and classes taught by experts
Bishop Viv comments on the acquittal of climate protester Revd Sue Parfitt
This update looks back on some of the environmental achievements of the past year, to inspire us and give us hope for what we can accomplish together in 2022
How our local churches have been answering the call to create a just and sustainable world in the Diocese of Bristol recently
Beth John, a longstanding member of Holy Trinity Hotwells, was selected to take part in the Christian Climate Observers Programme at COP26 in Glasgow. Here, she shares her experience with us.
Diocesan involvement in COP26 and the fight for climate justice
There is so much happening as we move into autumn, celebrate harvest and prepare for a busy season of environmental action - here is just a taster of some of the goings-on across the diocese.
The BBC Radio 4 service included a sermon from Revd Canon Dr Martin Gainsborough and worship led by the church choir
As the temperature's been rising this month, so has environmental action across the Diocese. This round up shares the latest news.
More than 400 people have signed up so far to walk or cycle the Youth Christian Climate Network relay due to travel the UK this summer.
Wild Church enables people to worship and engage with God in a fresh way through creation.
Hazelnut Community Farm awarded £2,000 grant to create mobile art exhibition which reflects theologically on the climate crisis
The Bristol Diocesan Board of Finance is divesting from fossil fuel companies, and commits to its investments remaining free of holdings in coal, oil and gas in future.
Environmental news from parishes in the diocese
Environmental news from parishes in the diocese
This 'Practical Path to Net Zero checklist' helps you to create a clear and simple action plan to reduce the carbon footprint of your building.
An eco-stable has been built in the church yard at the front of Christ Church Swindon, made with wood from discarded fencing panels and local rubbish sites.
The Diocese of Bristol is excited to announce that it has been awarded two awards as an Eco Diocese— Silver for its operations, and Bronze in recognition of its wider engagement— from the national environmental charity A Rocha.
The planned Church Action in a Climate Emergency conference fell into the beginning of lockdown. But now it's moving online as a ‘deconstructed' conference throughout late October & early November.
We are now over half way through the Season of Creation, and many churches have planned services focusing on God's creation and our shared environment.
St Mary's Marshfield is working towards an Eco Church award, as they thoughtfully extend their Christian stewardship activities to care for the planet and for each other.
While the church has been closed during the coronavirus lockdown, members of St Peter's Henleaze have taken the opportunity to transform their church grounds into a more welcoming environment for wildlife and neighbours alike.
This September marks the Season of Creation. A wonderful opportunity for us all to pay special attention to the responsibility of humanity for the earth and for all that lives upon it.
The coronavirus outbreak has changed daily life for us all. This article gives 5 top tips to help us consider our environmental impact at this time.
On Friday 24 July, a film clip of the Rev Hazel Trapnell's garden was featured on BBC Gardeners World.
Green Christian have launched a new discipleship resource to help Christians consider the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the world from a fresh perspective.
Will you join thousands across the UK and speak to your MP on Tuesday 30 June as part of the first ever 'virtual lobby' created by the Climate Coalition.
If you've wondered what the size of your church's energy footprint might be, help is now at hand. The Church of England has launched a new, simple tool to measure the amount of carbon produced annually by heating and lighting your church buildings.
Five congregations in North Wiltshire have taken on a challenge to go green this Lent.
A day conference to support churches in taking further action to care for our shared environment.
One of the ways B+A Church in Bristol gathers together is through its Little Churches. These are communities of people that meet throughout the week on different days in the church, homes, pubs and other venues across Bristol.
This years focus is on the Environment. Get your copy of the Archbishop of Canterburys Lent book (with accompanying videos and group questions), as well as corresponding booklets with reflections for both adults and children.
Christmas is a time of giving - but it can also be a time of waste. From the plastic packaging to the piles of wrapping paper and wasted food filling our dustbins, festivities can have an unseen impact on our environment.
Children at St Helen's CE Primary School have been making their voices heard as they raised awareness of the Climate Emergency.
Going green proved the inspiration for members of St Martin's in Knowle when it came time to decorate the church building for Christmas. Clare Hensmen tells us how they came up with the idea - and how other churches could easily do something similar:
Four churches across the Diocese have received our first Eco Church awards.
As a head teacher, you may expect any number of questions from parents when you launch a new school uniform but does it crinkle? is a rather unusual one! Yet at The Deanery CE Academy in Swindon its a fair question to ask, as the uniforms are partly
When the vote was passed unanimously, the room filled with cheers, applause and even a whistle or two.
The Church of Englands Environmental Advisory Group has called for all parts of the Church to recognise the Climate Crisis and step up its action to safeguard God's creation.
During September, the parish of Wroughton and Wichelstowe joined churches around the country in celebrating the Season of Creation, with teaching and liturgy designed to help explore the diversity and wonder of God's creation.
Bishop Viv has chosen Saying Yes to Life by Ruth Valerio as the Diocesan Lent book for 2020. This forms part of a Church of England Lent campaign. Churches are encouraged to use the resources for their Lent courses and the spiritual and practical act
The Bishop of Swindon, Rt Revd Lee Rayfield, has been meeting environmental campaigners in Bristol to listen to their views on caring for the planet.
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we are currently facing. Strongest among those demanding action is the voice of our young people, calling on leaders from all walks of life to make a decisive response to the issue.
Keeping an historic church warm for community use while conserving its heritage features and minimising the environmental impact is a real challenge, especially at a time of rising energy prices.
