Pioneering Environmental Stewardship at St Mark’s Church

In a remarkable achievement for faith-based environmental action, St Mark’s Church in Oulton Broad has become the first church in the Diocese of Norwich to earn the prestigious Eco Church Gold Award from the Christian environmental charity A Rocha UK. This milestone represents the culmination of a dedicated journey that began with a bronze certification in 2021, followed by silver in 2022. The congregation has systematically integrated ecological consciousness into every aspect of church life, demonstrating that spiritual devotion and environmental stewardship can form a harmonious relationship. Their success illustrates how a community of faith can respond meaningfully to modern environmental challenges while remaining deeply rooted in their spiritual mission. The achievement sets a powerful example for other congregations across the region and beyond, showing that even traditional institutions can become leaders in sustainable practices when they approach the work with dedication and purpose.

The Bishop of Norwich, The Rt Revd Graham Usher, who serves as the Church of England’s lead bishop for environmental matters, expressed enthusiasm for St Mark’s achievement, highlighting how the parish has successfully woven climate and nature care throughout their ministry and mission. His challenge—”Now, who is going to be next in the diocese?”—frames this accomplishment not as an endpoint but as the beginning of a wider movement. The Revd Canon Helen Jary, Rector of the Oulton Broad Team Ministry, shared how the process has been personally transformative, connecting their environmental efforts directly to the Anglican “5th Mark of Mission,” which calls for safeguarding creation’s integrity. This perspective elevates environmental work from a secular add-on to a central spiritual practice, demonstrating how modern churches are reinterpreting their ancient traditions to address contemporary challenges. For St Mark’s, ecological responsibility has become a matter of faith expressed through action.

Harvey Bradley, speaking on behalf of the church’s Green Team, emphasized the importance of focusing on positive developments amid widespread climate anxiety. The church plans to use 2026 as a celebration year to highlight the promising environmental initiatives emerging both locally and globally. Bradley pointed to the encouraging reality that at least ten other churches in the Lowestoft area have registered with A Rocha UK, creating a growing network of faith communities committed to environmental stewardship. These congregations are engaging in diverse activities—from promoting recycling and repurposing materials to beach clean-ups and local government advocacy. This community-based approach reflects a profound understanding that global environmental challenges require collective action at every level of society. The Green Team grounds this work in a theological perspective that views the natural world as God’s creation deserving of human care and protection, uniting spiritual conviction with practical action.

The ripple effects of St Mark’s achievement extend throughout the Diocese of Norwich, which is itself working toward an Eco Diocese Silver certification. Barbara Bryant, the Diocesan Environment Officer, described St Mark’s as a “beacon leading the way” for over 200 other churches that have begun their own environmental journeys. This language of inspiration speaks to the power of leading by example, especially within established institutions where change can sometimes come slowly. Helen Stephens from A Rocha UK acknowledged the significant commitment required to reach gold certification, noting that St Mark’s exemplifies the “dedication and perseverance” necessary for such an accomplishment. By framing environmental stewardship as both a “biblical mandate” and an act of loving one’s neighbor, St Mark’s demonstrates how environmental ethics can be integrated into traditional Christian values, potentially reaching communities that might not engage with secular environmental messaging.

St Mark’s environmental initiatives span an impressive range of activities, demonstrating the comprehensive approach required to achieve gold certification. The church has organized community litter picks, hosted “Wander to Wonder” walks on Rogation Sunday (a traditional time for blessing fields and crops), engaged the wider community through eco fairs, arranged educational events like Gardeners’ Question Time, and installed bird boxes to support local wildlife. These diverse activities show how environmental stewardship can permeate every aspect of community life, from worship practices to educational outreach and physical changes to church grounds. By creating multiple entry points for participation, St Mark’s has made ecological care accessible and engaging for people with varying interests and abilities, fostering a truly inclusive approach to sustainability that bridges generational, social, and ideological divides within their community.

The story of St Mark’s Church offers both inspiration and a practical roadmap for other congregations contemplating their own environmental journeys. A Rocha UK provides resources and a structured pathway through their Eco Church program, with clear steps toward bronze, silver, and eventually gold certification. The Diocese of Norwich actively supports these efforts through networking opportunities, resource sharing, and recognition of achievements. Bishop Graham’s video message and the diocese’s dedicated Facebook group and newsletter create infrastructure for a growing movement of environmentally conscious faith communities. The invitation to “start your Eco Church journey” stands open to all congregations, with contact information readily available for those seeking guidance. St Mark’s achievement demonstrates that with vision, persistence, and community engagement, traditional faith institutions can become unexpected but powerful champions for environmental sustainability, blending ancient wisdom with contemporary ecological understanding to create communities of hope and positive action in the face of environmental challenges.