Christian Ecology

How We Are Making A Difference by Ruben King

The Manchester Evening News, 17^th June 2002

One of Manchester’s finest landmarks is St Mary’s Catholic Church off Albert Square – otherwise known as The Hidden Gem. Its exterior looks like any other parochial building but once inside, you can’t help but be impressed by its architectural splendor.

The thing is of course; it’s hidden away. Not intentionally, since the City Council advertise it and signpost it more than sufficiently. It’s just that people tend to ignore it, set as it is in a hive of offices, cafes and shops.

And that’s how I see Manchester’s Christian community – a powerful, people-based concern that is doing much to improve life within our city and in particular help those in need, but rarely gets the credit or support it deserves. Until society starts realising how significant this contribution is, its potential for growth will be stunted to the undoubted detriment of the quality of life in our communities. And right now we really need to bring people together, if we are to have any chance of combating the many problems – such as drug addiction, crime and racial discrimination - that beset society.

If you’re not convinced of the potential of the Church to reach out to the people, then consider this: how many other groups do you know that have a base at the heart of the community, that have strong leadership and meets so regularly? How many organisations today have facilities for residents to use and network regularly, playing an active part in helping youth and uniformed groups? And crucially, while many community groups are well meaning, how many have a doctrine that teaches them to care for their neighbour, with a bias to the poor?

Put simply, we’re here and can make a considerable difference - as churches across Manchester have shown in activities ranging from supporting Credit Unions and drug projects, to setting up drop-in centres. And with a bit of support and encouragement, we could actually be achieving far more.

Take for example, the project I am co-ordinating – The Black Majority Churches programme. This scheme aims to engage with what is already a strong, community based concern in improving the streets, green spaces and air around them as well as encouraging churches to then take that message out to the wider community. It will be quite a battle, not least because people in urban areas believe they have greater concerns such as poverty, lack of adequate transport, health care and education facilities and problems such as global warming can feel like a lifetime away! Yet if the media and politicians in particular, were to emphasise the intrinsic link between these issues and the environment – we could start making ground and start encouraging people to make the small changes to their lifestyle necessary to make a significant contribution to helping protect what we Christians believe is "God’s Creation."

And once people start caring for their local environment they come together and the knock-on benefits can be surprisingly good.

Take for example, the urban community that clears up litter from its streets or plants a garden for everyone to enjoy. That’s protecting the environment and is also bringing neighbours together. Or the Church group that holds a jumble sale to raise money for those in need. That may sound worthy but how does that help the environment you may ask? Because it stops you contributing to the nine hundred million items of clothing that are sent to landfill sites each year. Or what about the residents who join up to pressurise the council into improving the local park? Their strong voice works, changes minds and in the process brings together the most diverse people under one banner. It used to be called civic pride and its no coincidence that communities that care for the environment are likely to benefit - even experiencing a drop in crime rates.

But this process cannot be achieved without the support of the wider community. The Black Majority Churches Programme has been backed by Government, as has Eco-Congregation, an ecumenical scheme to encourage and reward those churches that go the extra mile in caring for the environment. We hope that our award scheme will help the voice of the church be heard, because by working closely with people it can represent their views and articulate their concerns.

One of the biggest factors in the Black Majority Churches programme is to make sure that when a community is concerned about vandalism, litter, racist graffiti or dangerous, polluting roads it feels empowered enough to make those who can alter that situation sit up and listen.

My remit will be to help turn Manchester – which, with its multi-faith communities is undoubtedly a spiritual city, into an environmental city. And the lessons learned here will also be applied to Birmingham and London. I firmly believe in the best traditions of the church, we can be a powerful agent for social change, encouraging our members and the wider community to care for the environment – and each other. And all we need to achieve this is your prayers, support and encouragement. Which isn’t too much to ask, is it?

Ruben is currently involved in developing the awareness and response of Black Majority Churches to environmental and social inclusion issues within inner city communities in England. He is a part of the ministry team at the New Testament Church of God in Handsworth, Birmingham, UK.

A timely word is like apples of gold in a setting of silver, Proverbs 25:11

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