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During the Great Big Green Week (8-16 June) St Giles, Desborough held a number of events to raise awareness of environmental issues and to encourage the congregation to do as much as they can, both in church and at home, to help the environment. Raising awareness of environmental issues and the stewardship of God’s creation is an important part of the mission of St Giles’ church. The community have worked hard to have a positive impact on their church environment, making changes that have resulted in them being awarded in their Eco Church Silver Award.
One of the events held during The Great Big Green Week was The Eco-Quiz held on Friday 14 June, an incredibly popular family event with many members of the local community attending. The quiz contained many thought-provoking questions creating talking points throughout the evening. With the General Election looming, the local Green Party candidate also took part and spent time discussing environmental issues with those attending.
The following day an Eco-Fair was held with educational stands, recycling stations and even an exercise bike that used pedal power to make smoothies! Refill Revolution, a reduced waste shop based in Market Harborough, brought their van to highlight the importance of refillable items and gave visitors the opportunity to fill their reusable containers with them.
The Big Green Week culminated in an outdoor Sunday service which took place in the churchyard. Revd Hannah Jefferys says, ‘we are trying to do more and more outside to help people engage with eco themes and realise that there is so much to notice about God when we are outside.’ As part of the service children were encouraged to explore the churchyard and bring back items that ‘made them wonder’. They then discussed these items with older members of the congregation encouraging intergenerational relationships.
The outdoor service was well attended and there are plans to hold more outdoor services in the future including an outdoor baptism later this summer.