TWO churches in Tavistock have taken steps to improve their environmental impact and been awarded Eco Church certification.

Tavistock Methodist Church and Tavistock United Reformed Church are now part of conservation charity A Rocha UK’s national Eco Church scheme, which was launched in 2016 and highlights churches that recognise their environmental responsibility and opt to care for God’s earth.

The Eco Church award covers five areas of the life and witness of a church.

To gain the award, Tavistock Methodist Church has recognised its calling to care for God’s earth in what it teaches and sings.

It has installed a more efficient boiler and uses environmentally friendly cleaning materials and has installed flower beds for passers by to enjoy and bee-friendly plants around the back of the church.

It has groups that get together for walks, serves locally sourced food, supports Christian Aid’s work on climate change and has started to encourage each other to ‘live lightly on earth’ sharing ideas of what that might mean for choices like shopping and travel.

Tavistock United Reformed Church has spent time at its Away Day and in Sunday worship thinking about further steps that can be taken to be more eco-friendly.

It has installed solar panels, replaced old lighting with more efficient LED lighting, improved recycling of its waste, has introduced flower tubs for passers by to enjoy, supports the use of Fairtrade goods, serves locally sourced food in its Lower Deck Café and at events and encourages members to carry out an energy audit, sharing information about ethical investments.

The Rev Rob Weston, from Tavistock United Reformed Church, said: ‘Members of both churches recognise that the care of the environment is not just relevant to the faith communities but to all of humanity.

‘We seek to ensure that the steps that are needed to reduce climate disruption may be taken for the sake of our children, our grandchildren and our great grandchildren.’

Andy Atkins, chief executive of A Rocha UK, said: ‘Over 250 churches, from small, rural parishes to St Paul’s Cathedral have already been certified as bronze, silver or gold Eco Churches.

‘The work that they’ve carried out to receive their certificate not only has a positive environmental impact, it touches and involves the community around them and makes a great statement about how faith impacts actions.’

Eco Church is A Rocha UK’s award scheme for churches that want to demonstrate their care for God’s earth in their everyday work and witness.

The scheme celebrates the good work already happening around the country and guides churches in selecting their next steps.

The scheme is run in partnership with Christian Aid, the Methodist Church, the Church of England, the United Reformed Church and Tearfund.