St Agnes Policy on the Environment
The 5th Mark of Mission adopted by the Anglican Communion calls us to
“Strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth”.
The parish of St Agnes fully supports this call to action.
The role of the St Agnes Environment Portfolio is to create awareness within all members of the parish, and beyond, that this world is God’s creation and we have been tasked to care for it.
The parish aims to be significant in contributing towards ensuring that God’s earth is used in a sustainable way for all people and all life. Creation stewardship needs to be part of the ‘DNA’ of St Agnes.
The focus areas of
Ministry (prayer, worship),
Management (our day to day activities towards sustainability, both individually and corporately) and
Mission (teaching, setting the example, intervention in the community)
are core to this policy.
St Agnes Church Policy on management of the Church Campus
In terms of the Policy on Environment and Climate Change adopted by the Parish Council, St Agnes intends to register as an eco-congregation. As such we are committed to live more ‘lightly’ upon the earth and show care for God’s creation by ensuring our places of worship, meeting places and homes conserve resources like water, consumables and energy, as well as by making a positive impact on the environment around us, setting an example for others to follow.
Much of this has already begun at St Agnes. Recently members of the congregation started the replacement of exotic hedge plants by planting a new indigenous hedge.
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The gardens should be attractive and welcoming.
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Indigenous plants should always be planted before exotics, particularly those indigenous plants that attract birds and insects. Use plants that improve bio-diversity.
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Planting of exotics may be used where appropriate for a specific purpose, such as the Garden of Remembrance.
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Unless there is good reason not to, use only 'water-wise' plants.
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Demonstration gardens for education purposes are encouraged, taking into account the limited space available and parking constraints.
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Ideas and proposals are welcomed and should be channeled through the members of the Environment Portfolio.