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.

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

1. New faith communities

In February 2009 I started an ecofaith worshipping community which meets Sundays at 11 in Bellingen Park, NSW. This experiment will hopefully be followed by additional communities in the area, which I will be available to help local groups create.

2. Greening existing church communities.

In September, churches around the world participate in the Season of Creation. I produced some resources for 2008 (here) and hope to collaborate with some congregations for 2009.

At the October presbytery meeting we 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 haven't been able to find the nine other church/NGOs we need to qualify yet.

3. 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. I am involved with several groups in Bellingen, including the local food network, the Bellingen transition towns initiative, the Bellingen Institute, and an informal group which is trying to get the RTA to consult properly and explore less environmentally destructive options for their planned Cameron's Corner "upgrade." You can get involved with these and other groups around here through www.ecobello.org.au

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. I usually lead worship there on the 1st and 3rd Sundays, but attend most weeks, when we are ably led by other members of the congregation, or visitors.

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