The Diocese of Ely Environment Co-ordinator, Clare Redfern, will be cycling 100 miles on the weekend of 12th/13th August to highlight green projects and initiatives taking place in churches across the Diocese.  She’ll be cycling 50 miles south of Cambridge on Saturday 12th August and 50 miles north on Sunday 13th August., joined by others for some of the way too.   Stops along the way will be at St Andrew’s in Cherry Hinton who are collaborating with CoFarm (http://wecofarm.com/) to develop a city farm on church land; St George’s Church in Thriplow who are managing their churchyard to encourage biodiversity and wildlife; St Mary’s in Mepal, reviewing their energy suppliers with a view to buying 100% renewable electricity and Bar Hill Church who have recently been awarded a bronze Ecochurch award (https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/). Orwell Church are monitoring their energy usage, and members of All Saints’ Croydon play an active role in Croydon’s Sustainability Group. Clare is keen for folk from other churches to get in touch to tell her of any green projects, plans or ideas being pursued. (clare.redfern@elydiocese.org)  “I really want to encourage those who are wanting to make a positive contribution, be it in their church or their homes. As Christians, part of our worship is to respect and cherish the Earth, which God created. God loves it, and so must we. As individuals it can seem our efforts are insignificant, but in community, expressing our faith in practical ways, we can make a huge difference.  I’m looking forward to celebrating all our efforts and finding our more, whilst cycling through the fens and fields of the diocese.”   Through the cycle ride, Clare is also raising money for her home church of Great St Mary's, the University Church in Cambridge, to support their own eco- project. The church’s south aisle roof is leaking and urgently needs repairing. Money raised will go towards the roof repairs and (pending planning permission) the installation of Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. So whilst making the ancient roof at Great St Mary’s wind and waterproof again, the care of the church building will also reflect a wise use of the Earth's resources.   To add your name to the Ely Diocese Environment Group list or tell Clare about your church’s plans and hopes, please email clare.redfern@elydiocese.org Donations towards the roof project at Great St Mary’s can be made online at https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/greatstmarys David Thomson | August 4, 2017 at 4:28 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: http://wp.me/poSLL-3sc |