The Diocese has established an Environmental Commission in response to a resolution passed at the last Synod requesting the Diocesan Council to explore proposals for enabling sustainable environmental practices to be put into practice within the Diocese.
Bishop Graeme Rutherford heads the Commission and is currently assisted by John Priestley, Judy Walsh, John Hazeldine, Bill Nicolle and Dr Geoff Rigby.
The Commission has developed its current role based on the resolution of the Lambeth Conference of 1998 which recognized that “the servant hood to God’s creation is becoming the most important responsibility facing humankind”.
In accepting this as its focus, the Commission considered that as Christians, we accept and affirm;
the faith and concern that we have to care for all of God’s creation
the respect that we have for the world around us
the love and dignity that we have for one another
the desire to share the benefits of our earth’s resource
the acceptance that some practices and actions may not be sustainable in the long term, and
a desire to take some action to enhance and make a difference to our environment and its sustainability.
As a result, the Commission formulated its present aim as:
encouraging and inspiring one another to become aware of issues affecting our environment and to take responsibility, both spiritually and practically, for our actions so that we can make a difference toward a sustainable future.
A joint initiative with the Hunter Region Landcare Network and Diocesan Environment Commission is underway and will focus on concerns for the environment and issues facing Women in Rural Areas.
The group seeks to plan a future with pathways to sustainable living.
The first seminar held in June at Cessnock saw a small group of women discuss their concerns for the environment and the implications of those concerns.
The topics dealt with were varied and although a couple of weeks ago the main concern would have been the drought, suddenly floods became a major concern.
Either way, the impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of women made for interesting discussion. We are ever mindful of our sisters further west in the state who are still enduring the worst drought for many years, and our focus quickly became how our Rural Women could help other Rural Women and by so doing in fact help themselves.
The gift of sharing God’s love with others invariably results in even greater rewards to the giver. Money, health, education, transport and fuel prices are all aspects of major concern and our challenge is now, “How can we support each other in these stressful times?”
If your parish is interested in hosting a similar workshop in your area please contact a member of the Diocesan Environment Commission.
Geoff Rigby 4943 0450 or
Judy Walsh 4998 7597
Elsewhere in the Diocese
Parishioners at Merriwa walked to Church to raise awareness of Global Warming.
The Parish of Gorokan held a “Sustainable Showcase for the Future”.
See The Encounter for a full story.
The Parish of Dungog held a special Environment Sunday Service which included watching Al Gore’s recent documentary.
The Parish of New Lambton focused on the Diocesan Environment Prayer in its services.
Australian Anglican Environmental Network Website of the AAEN designed to excite people with the many possibilities open to us and to encourage an active grass roots response throughout the Australian Anglican Church.
Environs Australia Not for profit non-government organisaion working in partnership to achieve local sustainability.
Community Biodiversity Network Non-government organisation aiming to increase community awareness and understanding of biodiversity.
Lake Macquarie City Council Information to protect environment around Lake Macquarie. Information on Landcare in the Lake Macquarie area and the Landcare Resource Office in Fassifern (84 Macquarie Road - 4959 5080)
Trees in Newcastle Information and supplies of local native trees for planting in the Newcastle and surrounding areas-252 Parry Street, Newcastle.
New South Wales Fisheries Information on invasive seaweed, Caulerpa taxifolia in Lake Macquarie and other waterways.
Planet Ark Information on a whole range of initiatives that have been taken to reduce waste and encourage recycling of plastic bags, mobile telephones, printer cartridges etc
Visy Recycling Info on recycling of various products and Visy operations
Canberra/Goulbourn Diocesan Environmental Commission Information on activities in Canberra Goulbourn Diocese.
Greening Australia Practical information about doing something about the environment.
Clean Up Australia Info on all of the Clean Up Australia programs, co-ordinators and Communities
Australian Plants Society Info on growing and propagation of Australian native plants details of Newcastle group activities and meetings
National Heritage Trust Information about National Heritage Trust and details for applying for Envirogrants to assist with environmental and sustainability projects.
Land and Water Australia Information about LWA and water resource and management issues.
Australian Greenhouse Gas Office Details on government issues and policies related to greenhouse gases and effects on our environment
Department Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Australia Information on governmental issues, policies and programs associated with Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.
Australian Trust for Conservation Details about about ATCV and associated programs.
Australian Conservation Trust Information about ACT, reports, actions and News Releases
World Wide Fund for Nature Info about projects and programs
Friends of the Earth Australia Info on current issues, actions and news releases
Wilderness Society Info on Society and current interests
Native Fish Australia Details about Australian native fish.
Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association Info on recycling of mobile phones and batteries.
Catholic Earthcare Australia Set up by Catholic Bishops to create environmental awareness-information on rojects and events.
CREATE- Catholic Brisbane Archdiocese Environment network Christian and details of Programs, events and other links
City of Newcastle Details of Council’s programs and Clean and Green News
The Earth Bible Project
Earth Charter Australia
Season of Creation
Central Coast Community Environment Network
