Environment Sunday this year falls on June 3, two days before World Environment Day (June 5) and two weeks before the Earth Summit.
Is your church holding a special service or event to mark Environment Sunday? A walk/cycle to church Sunday? A nature walk? A litter pick? Or a work-party in the church grounds or locality?
The international Christian environmental organisation, A Rocha, has produced materials for Environment Sunday in recent years. See http://en.arocha.org/uk/index.html.
A Rocha chose the first Sunday in June, or the nearest Sunday to World Environment Day, for Environment Sunday for three reasons:
The time of year – early summer is most suitable for outdoor events. It is easier to see and enjoy flowers, butterflies, birds and other wildlife at this time.
The Wildlife Trusts – a national network of country and regional trusts in the UK, promotes the first week in June as Wildlife Week. A great opportunity for churches to link up with their local Wildlife Trust and plan joint events – nature walks, practical working parties, or perhaps an interview with a Wildlife Trust officer in your Conservation Sunday Service.
World Environment Day – the United Nations have declared June 5th as World Environment Day.
To obtain this year’s A Rocha pack send £10-00 to A Rocha UK, 18-19 Avenue Road, Southall, UB1 3BL. Tel: 02085745935 (Website http://en.arocha.org/uk/index.html . The 2012 pack is on the topic of Trees and Forests.