This winter the environment is staying high on the agenda as politicians, environmentalists and faith communities gear up for the Copenhagen Climate Conference in December.

Here in the Diocese of Birmingham I have convened a group to begin working on an environmental policy to both inspire our practice and give us practical ways forward to include care for creation into the core of our discipleship and mission.

There is a workshop at the Transforming Discipleship workshop that will help us think about these issues led by one of the church’s leading thinkers in this area, David Shreeve. (Still time to book if you have not already done so…)

I have decided that I need to make a firm and practical commitment to play a visible part in this important area of mission and have made a decision to walk through winter making fewer journeys that are powered by petrol and instead using my carbohydrates to cut down on carbon!.

I am committed to walking through winter for a number of reasons. Going by foot does not produce any carbon and shrinks my personal footprint; it gives me a chance to reconnect with the seasons and enjoy the variations in the weather and it is a chance for me to look closely at my local environment and understand what is happening on the streets, in the parks and on the High Street.

Once the weather changes and the nights become longer it is all too easy to stay inside in a centrally-heated room and then to jump straight into the car, bus or taxi without really spending any time outdoors. In this way we can become disconnected from the seasons and the climate patterns which in turn may begin to make us insensitive to the needs of the planet and the environment on a global scale.”

As Christians we believe that God’s work of love and generosity involves both making and repairing the whole of creation – and that our most important job is to work with him.

Caring for creation is an issue of stewardship, justice, mission and discipleship and I hope you will join me in this simple step to a greener Diocese of Birmingham.

If many of us make a conscious effort we will not only reduce carbon emissions but begin to change mindsets and habits. In the Green movement we have seen how small, simple acts have transformed people and places in a radical way.

To help us reflect on our responsibility and God’s loving concern for creation we are hosting an art installation based on Noah’s Ark at Birmingham Cathedral. The installation will be running from Monday November 16th to Thursday November 19th – do come and visit it if you can and has been produced by pupils at Bartley Green High School.

If you want to get inspired by what the church is doing nationally to shrink the footprint and cut carbon, get plugged into the Advent Calendar produced by Communications Unit at Church House which can be found at www.whywearewaiting.com

May God bless you and all that you steward,

Bishop David