Our Quaker Meeting shows its commitment to sustainability in a number of ways:
“We do not own the world, and its riches are not ours to dispose of at will. Show a loving consideration for all creatures, and seek to maintain the beauty and variety of the world. Work to ensure that our increasing power over nature is used responsibly, with reverence for life. Rejoice in the splendour of God’s continuing creation”.
(Quaker Advices & Queries No 42)
The Meeting House
We are trying to make our 17th century Meeting House as energy-efficient as possible ! We use low-energy light bulbs, purchase renewable electricity, our new boiler is more efficient and we have insulated the building where we can to reduce heat loss. We encourage each other to think about a responsible use of the earth’s resources.
Garden
We are making a garden where birds, bees, insects, flowers and trees can thrive. We leave the grass to grow, we compost, encourage wild flowers, and feed the birds. We try to keep on learning and in August we visited the Knepp Estate, where the land has been re-wilded over 20 years. We saw nesting storks, rare butterflies, longhorn cattle and beavers living in harmony.
Food and recycling:
We use Fairtrade and eco-friendly products, recycled paper products, avoid disposable cups and plates and provide facilities for recycling. We encourage Friends to eat sustainably and our shared meals are usually simple but tasty vegetarian or vegan food.
Our Carbon Footprint
We aim to reduce our carbon footprint. Friends aim, where practical, to walk or cycle to Meeting, to use public transport or to car-share. We aim to minimise our individual air travel. We are a bicycle-friendly venue and provide bike racks.
Individual Friends support local and national organisations, such as Friends of the Earth and the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans), which campaign for improved and safer facilities for cyclists.
Climate Justice
In 2024 we formed a study group to consider Climate Justice, meeting over 6 sessions. This gave us the opportunity to learn together and study more deeply. Some of our meeting have lobbied against the government's policies on climate issues. We want to show we care about the future of our planet and reduce our dependence on fossil fuel.
Speaking Truth to Power
Quakers have a long history of lobbying for reform and taking action to show our care in and for the world. From our work in prisons, action on food poverty, and more recently non-violent protest about Climate Justice, we work for a fairer, sustainable future for all.
Our Eco Church Award
A Rocha UK https://arocha.org.uk is a Christian charity working to protect and restore the world, equipping churches in the UK to care for the environment.
In 2023 we received their Silver Eco Church Award, in recognition of our efforts to care for God’s earth in our garden and our building, our lifestyle and our community engagement.