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

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

My name is Jason John, and I have been called to establish and nurture this ministry.

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

The ministry has three main emphases:

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 have asked that from 2012, my role shift towards helping them collaborate with their local communities: so that they become practitioners too.

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 around bellingen will meet ad hoc, as I focus more time on...

Greening existing church communities.

This area is coming into focus in 2012-13 (and hopefully beyond)

In September, churches around the world participate in the Season of Creation. I produced some resources for 2008/2011, and this year will be producing a DVD version for 2012, for ProjectReconnect.

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 hope to have congregations participating in the five leaf eco-awards throughout the presbytery. The website and materials are currently being revised.

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 skype jason.robert.john 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