Joining communities around the country, churches across our diocese took part in this year’s Great Big Green Week (6 -14 June 2026) to celebrate the richness of God’s creation on their doorstep and take practical action to care for it.
Activities throughout the week ranged from nature surveys in churchyards, to environmental stalls at summer fairs, gardening projects, film screenings and a whole host of other events designed to help people connect with their local environment.
Many churches used the week to participate in Churches Count on Nature – a national initiative encouraging people to discover and record the wildlife living in churchyards and burial grounds. At St Paul’s, Clapham, children took part in a bug hunt – exploring the churchyard and nature garden with sweep nets, binoculars and magnifying glasses.
Bug hunt at St Paul’s, Clapham
Elsewhere, churches used the week to bring people together for conversations about creation care and climate action. St Thomas with St Stephen, Telford Park, hosted a screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing – a short film designed to help communities understand the latest facts of the climate and nature crises and explore practical action. The event included discussion and reflection spaces, attracting people both from within and beyond the church community. Reflecting on the event, The Revd Nicki Pennington, Vicar said, “People with no connection to the church came along and lingered at the reflection spaces. The discussions were really energised and some amazing ideas and perspectives were shared. Some asked about partnering with us in future, not out of a sense of obligation, but because they recognised shared concerns and wanted to do something together. We also discovered local groups already working on issues we care about too, opening up possibilities for future collaboration.”
St Peter & St Paul’s Chaldon Eco Church Stall at Caterham Carnival
A screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing, supported by Caterham Eco Churches
Garden Fair at St Mary’s Lewisham
Sophie Roberts, Diocesan Environmental Officer said, “Overall, the week demonstrated the many ways in which churches can care for God’s creation while building connections within their communities and opening doors for partnership and mission. Thank you to everyone who took part and shared their stories and photographs.”
