According to the Uniting Church's Basis of Union, the church is called to help bring about the reconciliation and renewal which is God's ultimate desire for the whole creation.

The mid north coast presbytery has established an ecoministry to help further those aims, with part funding from the Synod.

The ministry has three main emphases, the energy being put into each varies over time.

My name is Jason John, and I have been called to establish and nurture this ministry with and for the churches in the presbytery.

Throughout 2012 the involvement of the whole presbytery is set to continue to grow, as we move toards being practitioners together. You can see what I've been, or will be up to, here.

An abbreviated powerpoint of the ideas behind the ministry can be found here, and the three areas are listed below.

Collaboration with other groups of good will

The Uniting Church has a consistently collaborative approach to seeking justice, and the reconciliation and renewal of creation. From 2008-2011 I have been involved with several groups in Bellingen, including the local food network, the Bellingen transition towns initiative, the Bellingen Institute, and a wide ranging community group which stopped the RTA running a road upgrade through part of Cameron's Corner wetland.

Congregations in our presbytery has asked that from 2012, my role shift towards helping them collaborate with their local communities: so that they become the practitioners and I become more a resource person.

New faith communities

The bellingen ecofaith worshipping community met regularly from 2009- 2011 to explore the links between ecology and faith. In 2012 those who are still aroudn bellingen will meet ad hoc, as I focus more time on...

Greening existing church communities.

This area is coming into focus in 2012 (and hopefully beyond)

In September, churches around the world participate in the Season of Creation. I produced some resources for 2008/2011 (here).

Presbytery has explored the idea of ecofootprinting. The footprinting resources are located here, which also has a link to the video we watched. My presbytery report is here.

We have tried to link in with the Church Resources Greening Communities demand register. Bellingen Uniting Church signed up, but being in a small country town, we were not able to find the nine other church/NGOs we needed to qualify. It may be of use to you especially if you are in a larger town or city.

We also held a Faith. On Earth gathering in Bellingen.

I am also the minister of the Uniting Church in Bellingen, and you are very welcome to join us for worship at 9:30 on a Sunday, and/or chat to me after the service. Worship is every week, and I am ususally there on the 1st and 3rd Sundays.

Seeya,
Jason

Rev Dr Jason John Minister, Bellingen Uniting Church Ecominister, mid north coast presbytery. jason@ecofaith.org 02 6655 1050 (more about Jason) The ecominister position is jointly funded by the presbytery and the Synod Mission Resource Fund. A powerpoint of the funding proposal can be viewed here