Nailsea Methodist church is eco-friendly and that's official

A church in Nailsea has been officially named as an Eco-Congregation after four years of work to 'go greener'.

Nailsea Methodist Church, at Silver Street, members were presented with an award at a Sunday morning service by environmental radio, TV and internet producer Mary Colwell.

Mrs Colwell has worked extensively with the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol.

To qualify for the award, the church had to provide evidence that it takes environmental concerns seriously and is taking steps to care for creation through good practice in everyday life.

Some of the activities that members of the congregation have taken part in include:

• Providing bins for recycling batteries and Christmas cards;

• Reminding everyone to switch off lights, radiators and taps;

• Recycling paper;

• Providing a compost bin for the 'leftovers' from the church's popular weekly lunch club for pensioners;

• Holding themed services looking at what the Bible says about creation and caring for the earth; and

• Making models from junk and rubbish to show how much plastic, paper, metal and glass we throw away.

Many of these initiatives were organised and encouraged by congregation member Alan Emery, a keen supporter of environmental issues.

The Eco-Congregation award is a project of Christian environmental organisation A Rocha UK.

It was awarded after local assessors visited the church and is issued for three years.

So in 2014, the church will have to provide more details of its environmental activities to gain the award again.

Nailsea Methodist Church is one of just 203 churches in England and Wales to have been named as an Eco-Congregation.

Nailsea Methodist Church minister, the Rev Mandy Stevens, said: "We are delighted to be presented with this award. In the Bible, God calls his followers to care for creation not trash it – and we've been trying to follow that instruction.

"We are conscious that we still have lots more work to do though and we will continue to look at our buildings and activities to make sure they continue to be as green as possible."

The church is exploring the idea of installing solar panels on its roof as its next environmental venture.

• Nailsea Methodist Church is staging a GCSE art and sculpture exhibition by students from Tuition Services North on Saturday afternoon, July 2. The artwork, by teenagers who do not attend mainstream schools will be on display from 2-3.30pm. Entry is free and there will be a chance to wander round and enjoy the artwork. Tuition Service North is part of North Somerset's Education other Than At School Service (EOTAS). The Tuition Service educates and supports young people who may have a variety of medical reasons for not being able to access a mainstream school.