Opoho Church: A hub of Christian hope and creation care
Contributed by James Beck
James and Selwyn with the Opoho Church Eco team by the seed box
Nestled in the hills of Dunedin, Opoho Presbyterian Church has become a beautiful example of how a faith community can embody Christian hope through practical action and environmental stewardship. With a strong commitment to creation care, the church is carving out a unique identity as a hub for sustainability and creation care in its community.
A hub for recycling and waste reduction
Opoho Church is establishing itself as a local recycling hub, known for its community-driven recycling initiatives. The church collects items such as tetra packs, aluminum lids, and recycled wool which gets recycled into blankets. They then make sure that these hard to recycle items find themselves being repurposed rather than in the landfill. This reputation has extended beyond the church congregation to other users of the church buildings and led to invitations to participate in wider waste reduction initiatives in the community.
Community recycling hub
Fostering a culture of eco-Innovation
Central to Opoho’s approach is the belief that hands-on involvement fosters deeper connections. From sharing seeds to building bug hotels, the church is finding practical ways to embody its commitment to environmental care as an expression of faith.
Seed sharing box on the church fence.
The Eco Church journey
Opoho’s journey towards becoming an Eco Church was catalyzed by the late Jane Anderson. Reverend Clare remembers Jane as someone with "a gift for seeing things before others could see them," recognising early on that the Eco Church movement would play a significant role in the future of the church. This foresight has led Opoho to actively integrate creation care into its spiritual practices and community outreach.
Integrating creation care into worship
At Opoho Church, environmental stewardship is not just an external activity but a central part of its worship and spiritual life. During the Season of Creation, the church has incorporated times within its services for sharing eco-friendly ideas and initiatives. This year, the church will host Alison Cree, a renowned tuatara expert, as a guest speaker during the Season of Creation 2024. Such events offer an opportunity to deepen understanding of ecological issues and inspire the congregation to act.
Building partnerships for conservation
Individuals from the congregation are already actively involved with other Dunedin eco projects. Looking ahead, Opoho Church is dreaming of stronger ties with these groups, and being open to building partnerships with other local groups to collaborate on earth friendly initiatives. Such partnerships fit the church’s commitment to community-based conservation efforts, aligning with its mission to embody Christian hope through tangible, practical action.
A community-led movement
Opoho Church’s eco-journey is fueled by the passion and dedication of its community members, many of whom are engaged in environmental projects both personally and professionally. Their combined efforts are transforming the church into a model of what it means to live out the biblical call to be stewards of God’s creation. Opoho Presbyterian Church is proving that the church can be a powerful force for good.
For more information on Opoho Presbyterian Church and its initiatives, visit their website.
James, Kristel and Selwyn with Opoho Church's Eco Church team