Harrow Baptist Church

 Harrow Baptist church has undertaken these activities:

‘Spiritual’:

·  Environmental concerns are frequently included in worship. This includes praising God the creator, saying sorry for the harm done to the environment and praying for healing.

·  We regularly sing hymns or songs that celebrate the wonder of creation or express the calling to care for the environment

·  Uniformed organisations undertake environmental work and projects: The church hosts Beavers, Brownies, Cubs, Guides and Scouts. Projects in each section include environmental topics. Talks by the local council have been arranged. Environmental issues have been raised at Church Parades.

·  Sunday school undertake environmental projects and themes.

·  Youth services have included environmental themes.

 Practical:·  Gas consumption has been monitored every week over the last few years and shows a significant reduction over the last year.

·  Electricity consumption has also been monitored. But more detailed analysis is required.

·  Boiler and motorised valves were replaced in 2005/6 as part of project to improve control of the church’s heating

·  Building was completed in 1970’s and has modern windows and draft exclusion.·  Bulbs have been replaced with low energy bulbs.

·  Passive infra-red switches have been installed in toilets to reduce un-necessary lighting.

·  Infra-red control of flushing of urinals in men’s toilets have been installed.

·  Water consumption is monitored and show annual reductions over the last few years.

·  As part of Action Plan is trialling the use of recycled paper.·  The church meeting has voted to use Fair Trade tea and coffee for all church activities – including coffee mornings and after Sunday morning services.·  Traidcraft sugar sticks are used for sugar.  Waste of packaging was discussed and balanced against the reduction in sugar wastage and the positive effects of publicity.

·  Is a Fair Trade church

·  Uses crockery for majority of catering events including coffee mornings (three times a week) and coffee after the Sunday morning service. ·  Provides church lunches one Sunday a month.·  Already collects stamps as part of the Home Mission scheme.·  Glasses collected for Vision Aid Overseas.·  Coffee mornings sell second-hand books in support of St Luke’s Hospice.·  Foreign and old coins collected for Save The Children fund.

·  As part of Action Plan is trying obtain recycling facilities for the church and set up printer cartridge recycling system.

·  Holds jumble sales etc to raise funds and encourage the reuse and recycling of goods

Mission – reaching out to the local and/or global community 

·  Has church member who works for local council and is responsible for recycling policy: members of congregation frequently request information and advice.

·  Green tips in church magazine.

·  Showed “An Inconvenient Truth”.·  Supports initiatives such as Stop Climate Chaos.

·  Donated £10,000 to HCHA in 2006 to support work among homeless young people. Donation was part of the Bicentennial Fund appeal.

·  Hold BMS Sunday each year.·  Traidcraft stall sells Fair Trade goods once a month after the Sunday morning service.·  Traidcraft stall sells goods at coffee mornings during Fair Trade Fortnight.·  All tea and coffee used in the church is Fair Trade.

·  Hold annual Fair Trade fortnight events.

·  Trade Justice: church actively supports trade justice campaign via activities as attending rallies; participating in postcard campaigns to prominent political leaders etc.

·  Climate change: church actively supports climate change campaign via activities as attending rallies; participating in postcard campaigns to prominent political leaders etc.