Caring for Creation with Walkern & Sandon United Reformed Church
How We Became a Bronze Eco-Church
It was with great pleasure that we received the Bronze Eco-Church Certificate—a milestone that marks the beginning of a hopeful, practical journey to care for God’s world on our doorstep.
Eco-Church is a national scheme run by A Rocha UK, and it helps churches reflect on how they care for creation through five areas of life: worship, buildings, land, community engagement, and personal lifestyles.
As a church, this is the promise we try to live by — and we hope it resonates with others in the village too:
“We commit ourselves… to making thoughtful, ethical, and environmentally responsible choices in our daily lives, supporting one another in simple steps that care for God’s creation.”
This mission statement has shaped our journey from the very beginning.
A Gentle, Hopeful Beginning
It was back in the spring of 2025 that we were inspired by a small church in Cardington, which is part of our URC North Herts Local Area Group, as they gained their Bronze Certificate.
So, the Elders at Walkern & Sandon United Reformed Church logged on to the Eco-church survey and completed it to the best of our knowledge. There were several areas where we had already achieved Bronze status, some areas where we needed to make some checks and others where we simply had to answer that we didn’t or couldn’t do certain things because we weren’t in the position to do them.
What does Eco-Church focus on?
The focus of Eco-Church is not just about recycling and reducing waste but helps churches think about how their grounds can be used as places that support and encourage wildlife balance conservation; for us, we already had the natural ivy-covered tree stump which was a natural Bee & Bee or now a Badger & Bee ‘hotel’ and this complimented our existing ‘wild scrubby area’ at the back of the church. Our policy never to use any chemicals on our land also supports the natural balance.
On a more practical level, we looked into whether our energy was being provided from renewable sources; how we were supporting the local community and the wider world through using Fairtrade Products (something we had already been engaged in).
Whilst we might not be in a position to install heat pumps we have ensured that the chapel in draught proof, that the walls, roof and floor space are insulated (in line with the requirements of a heritage listed building)
Big obstacles overcome
One of the requirements to achieve Bronze certification was to communicate Eco-Church to the wider community in Walkern. We recognised that this could be partly achieved through articles in the Walkern Journal, but there was still a greater obstacle of reaching out to as many people as possible within Walkern, especially when resources are small.
Wilder Walkern was an answer to a prayer as we realised that being involved in this wonderful initiative would enable us to share any ideas that had come from Eco-Church.
Using the knowledge and focus of Eco-Church encouraged us to contribute to Wilder Walkern through the Walkern Terra-Carta which we have shared with many people in the village. Even small changes help us in our journey to find ways that honour the earth and the beauty of creation.
“Even the smallest actions, offered in love, can shine with hope.”
Worship That Notices the World Around Us
In our services we now light an Eco‑Candle — a simple reminder that caring for the environment is part of our shared life in Walkern and reminds us of our responsibilities for the environment and for those working to protect it. We are also encouraging each other to think more environmentally in our own homes and gardens (a requirement of Eco-church is to live it, to the best of our ability, in everything we do). We also recognise that our Eco-Church journey isn’t just about us, it’s part of a wider village effort to care for the place we share.
Sharing the knowledge of Eco-Church
There is much that can be shared from our understanding of Eco-Church which may help others in the wider community. As I’ve always said, the aim of such projects is to do what you can and not turn this into an impossible task.
Our homes
The aim in our homes is to do what we can, not what we think others expect us to do; the list below is intended as ideas if the resources are available.
- Draught-proofing the building
- Insulate walls, roof, and floor spaces
- Switch to a renewable electricity tariff
- Install a heat pump if practical or financially viable
- Add smart meters and improve lighting
- Introduce water-saving devices
Our Gardens
We can think about providing:
- Bug hotels
- Log piles
- Wild, scrubby areas
- Long-grass zones
- Wildflower-friendly mowing
- Planting native species of flowers and shrubs to attract insects such as, bees and butterflies
- Take part in wildlife surveys such as the Big Garden Birdwatch.
These simple actions help support biodiversity right in the heart of Walkern.
Our Community
We can:
- Work with other community groups and local environmental networks
- Attend public meetings
- Support anti-poverty campaigns
- Use Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance products
- Use search engines such as Ecosia which plants trees based on the number of searches we do.
Encouraging Everyday Sustainable Living
Through Eco-Church we know that big changes start with small steps.
Therefore, we are learning to
- Promote simple, achievable actions
- Encourage ethical and sustainably sourced products
- Support members—especially older adults—in making manageable changes
- Share tips and promoting Fairtrade
- Encourage car-sharing and active travel
- Helping people reduce waste at home
These are gentle, realistic steps that anyone can take.
Why This Matters for Walkern?
Becoming a Bronze Eco Church isn’t just a church achievement it’s a community one which means that over time we can, together, create more wildlife-friendly spaces in the village; partner with Wilder Walkern and other local initiatives, and share a commitment to caring for the land, water, and wildlife around us.
What Comes Next
Bronze is only the beginning. We know we have already achieved Silver in some areas, so we need to create an action plan to improve our scoring and start our survey for Silver and remember that:
“Even the smallest actions, offered in love, can shine with hope.”
This is the heart of our Eco Church journey – and the gift we offer to our village, our neighbours, and the generations who will come after us.
If you want to find out more please contact Steve Mason at stevemason62@virginmedia.com
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