Our beautiful Little Library is the work of many people and many months.  It was suggested in 2021 at the first meeting of our Eco Church Committee. It is the 67th little library built by Real World Living,  a charity that teaches practical skills (such as carpentry) and life skills to severely disabled young people. The box is made from recycled materials.

The story of Te Ringatini began in 2018 during one of my runs along the river. As I was going through the Donkey Track reserve, I was struck by the stark contrast between the established riparian planting and the invasive tradescantia weeds that were choking the understory. At that moment, amidst the beauty and the brokenness, I felt a divine nudge - a sense that God was calling me to help restore this piece of creation. I felt myself saying “Someone should do something about this” and I felt God respond “You should do something about this”. Yet I felt totally unprepared for the task that I sensed God was calling me into. 

I joined with a dozen or so other Eco Church champions for the first online Kaihāpai Kōrero last week. I have come to know that Eco Church sessions are always worth attending whether in person or online, as I get to meet others who are facing similar challenges to those I face and so get encouragement. I have also observed that they are meticulously organised with lots of short varied activities that hold my attention.

On June 22, 2024, The 40 Hour Challenge Good News Project, brought together A Rocha, Eco Church and World Vision in a collaborative effort to regenerate native bush at Spencer Park in partnership with Christchurch City Council. This event aimed to engage local youth groups and inspire young Christians to take part in practical environmental action, creating a space where participants could hear the Good News and actively be the Good News through environmental restoration.

Church on Ingestre in Whanganui found out about the RAD initiative through their well-established partnership with Te Ora Hou Whanganui and saw it as a great opportunity to empower youth to be involved in a project with a great kaupapa. Working collaboratively with Te Ora Hou, they've created space at their church for RAD refurbishing workshops. At these workshops, young people learn to repair and refurbish devices, gaining valuable technical skills, with adults alongside providing encouragement and support.

For Puanga this year, St Peter’s Anglican Church Whanganui created a worship service for all ages which was reflective and interactive, weaving elements of Creation Care into the liturgical flow of the service. Our service used a liturgy to take us on a journey of reflection. We had space to remember those who had passed, and a space to offer thankfulness for the year gone. Instead of a sermon, we split into kēmu/mahi toi (games/art), confession and reflection stations.

In a recent conversation, Professor Simon Kingham, a leading urban geographer from the University of Canterbury, shared his extensive knowledge on wellbeing, transport and the common good. With six years of experience as the Chief Science Advisor at the Ministry of Transport, Kingham's expertise offers valuable insights into creating more sustainable and equitable communities.

Takapuna Methodist Church and the Puriri Centre are engaged in a journey towards sustainability that honours the profound interconnectedness between humanity and te taiao (the environment). Our recent "Arotakenga Para | Waste Check" initiative, is a significant step in our commitment to reducing waste and safeguarding our environment as a key element of our spiritual and community practices.

Christchurch's Urban Forest Plan is a Council-led and community-driven effort to create a greener, more equitable city. By planting, nurturing, protecting, and involving the community, Christchurch is well on its way to becoming a greener city - ensuring all of the benefits of trees are available for us and for generations to come. Churches are encouraged to contribute to a thriving urban forest by planting trees on their properties and engaging their congregations in environmental initiatives.

At Eco Church, we believe that caring for creation is a divine calling, one that connects us with God, creation, and our neighbors. Grow Forrest Hill is a beautiful embodiment of this mission. The project which was started by Dave and Phoebe Atkinson, is nestled in the heart of Auckland’s North Shore. Grow Forrest Hill is more than a garden — it's a space that nurtures and nourishes connection and community. Dave said “This garden is a physical space within a community, recognizing that placemaking is really part of human flourishing. It's a place where our kids can experience what it feels like to be loved, to be connected to your place, to know your neighbours."

Ponsonby Baptist Church shares their eco-church journey and in particular how they used the 360°Carbon Calculator tool to understand their emissions and communicate them to their congregation. They also discuss how they are strategising ways to reduce and offset their emissions.

Cashmere Presbyterian Church in Christchurch have recently installed a bike rack at the front of their church. It’s a simple but impactful step which they hope will encourage both church members and community groups who meet at the church to choose a transport option which is healthier for people and kinder to the environment.