I did an eco congregation inspection of Caversham Heights Methodist Church at the weekend to decide if the would get the award and join the other 100 eco congregations around the country - www.ecocongegation.org. In their own words:

"Eco-Congregation is an ecumenical programme helping churches make the link between environmental issues and Christian faith, and respond in practical action in the church, in the lives of individuals, and in the local and global community."

The inspection consisted of the other assessor Joanna, and I, doing a bit of reading up on what the Church had been up to, followed by a tour and a question and answer section. It was great to see the action taken and hear their plans for the future.

This scheme seems like a good way to engage congregations on environmental and development issues and take action locally. I can‘t say whether they got the award or not as it hasn‘t been announced yet, so you‘ll have to watch the local press.

I know of some other churches in Reading that are both taking part in the process and thinking about it and it would be good to see more - so if you get a chance spread the word. The scheme would also seem adaptable to other faiths. So maybe at some point in the future we‘ll see an eco mosque scheme?