Faiths4Change - A New Prospect For The Northwest Environment

A New Prospect For The Northwest Environment

Latest

St Mark's Wigan makes Sky news!

Congratulations to St Mark’s CE Primary School in Wigan who have won a national school food competition with Appetite for Action. Watch the film they made in school with Sky News!

Songs of Praise comes to Norris Green

A successful and inspiring community garden project “Norris Green Fingers”, is featured on Songs of Praise on Sunday 24th May. Norris Green Fingers is an initiative of St Christopher’s Church in Norris Green, Liverpool where the church grounds have been tranformed for people and wildlife. The once grassy area now boasts a poly tunnel, green house, community food growing space and a mini orchard.
The creators of Songs of Praise contacted Faiths4Change about projects in the Liverpool area which show people working together. We were proud to put them in contact with St Christophers, who were our very first project funded in 2005 by Operation Eden, (Faiths4Change’s pilot project in Merseyside.) Since then, St Christophers have worked closely with us developing their garden further and volunteers there are inspiring other churches in Liverpool to take up the challenge of a community environmental project and reap the rewards of such a venture.

Clem Pettitt Volunteer gardener at Norris Green Fingers in the greenhouse with Songs of Praise presenter Claire Sweeney

Faiths4Change DVD

NEW!
Take a look at what Faiths4Change is about , by clicking the link below and watching real live projects from Operation Eden and Faiths4Change. After following the link, scroll down to see the four choices of footage.

Faiths4Change DVD footage

Recent

CLEANLINESS IS PART OF IMAN

A consultation/public event was organised by Faiths4Change in partnership with Tauheed-ul-Islam Girls School and Tauheed-ul-Islam Mosque.

The aim of the day was to educate the community to participate in environmental activities and how faith can play a positive role In improving the local environment. The Faiths4Change project stand displayed information on energy saving, recycling, renewables and example models of all the community iniatiatives in Burnley and other F4C areas.

During the event on 9th January 2009 approximately 150 people attended and took part in the consultation “HOW TO DISPOSE OF THE PAPER WITH HOLY TEXT WRITTEN ON IT”

Meet our Project Officers

Faiths4Change has four project officers, allowing us to cover the whole of North West England. Helen Dawson based in Liverpool, Samia Shafqat in Burnley, Karen Andrew in Manchester and Tom Fyson in Preston. Go to our “contacts” page to get in touch with a project officer and see the “area” pages for what’s going on your area.

Events

Noah's Barge

NOAH’S BARGE – A LIVE SIMPLY CHALLENGE
Noah’s Barge will travel the full length of the Leeds – Liverpool canal, leaving on 25th June and arriving at the Albert Dock in Liverpool on Saturday 4th July, to coincide with the national and international rallies to mark the G8 summit in Italy later that week. Noah and wife and family are spending three weeks on the Leeds-Liverpool canal. They’ve come to ask us what sort of world the next generations will inherit. Noahs are asking people they meet to do something and to escape from doom and gloom-mongering and get on board to create a climate for justice.

We’re on water which is the stuff of life. Water is 70% of our bodies. Our slow journey will let us reach people, taking time, allowing time to talk with people along the way, instead of our usual headlong rush. This time we’re not zooming along the M62 at 70mph. The journey will give time to reflect and re-engage with our environment, a chance to buy local produce and to eat slow food. It is a chance to celebrate the beauty of our countryside. A chance to live simply. The canal winds through the middle of our area, linking us with our past. This journey aims to be symbolic, to raise political awareness, to give a chance for community building: the Ark represents our planet, our home and within it, it contains the whole spectrum of life which is threatened by the prospect of runaway climate change. Although organised by faith groups, it is a powerful, transcendent image that is capable of appeal to a wide set of individuals and green groups. The Noahs will be stopping to meet with groups on most days as well and talking to people along the way.

Everybody is welcome to come and meet Noah’s Barge: schools, church groups, Churches Together groups, youth groups, J&P groups, as well as family and friends. Help us get environmental issues at the centre of the UK political agenda prior to the negotiations in Dec 2009.

Interested? To find out more call 0151 522 1080 or 0151 924 8674. or email s.atherton@rcaol.co.uk

Find out when Noah’s Barge will be near you by contacting the J&P Office: s.atherton rcaol.co.uk; tel 0151 522 1080 or m.hardacrercaol.co.uk; tel 0151 522 108

The Big Lunch Sunday 19th July

THE BIG LUNCH ON SUNDAY 19 JULY.

Click icon for publicity for Big Lunch event in Liverpool

This is being organised by the Eden Project and aims to encourage as many of the 61 million people in the UK as possible to sit down to lunch together with their neighbours.

To quote from the organisers: “On the day itself, for three or four glorious hours, traffic will stop, technology will be switched off, and people will meet, break bread together, discuss, laugh, and feel hope. However the legacy of The Big Lunch is much bigger. Crucially we hope to make permanent changes in these rejuvenated communities by giving people the tools by which they can strengthen activities such improving local amenities and local environments, share resources and support local
charities .”

This is an excellent opportunity to involve your church or street in a “LOAF” meal – Do let CEL know if you could plan something like this.
Maybe you could forward CEL’s suggestion of a LOAF meal and David Shreeve’s letter below to your local “Churches Together?”

Search: Enter word[s] here:

Archives: 01 Jun - 30 Jun 2009; 01 May - 31 May 2009; 01 Apr - 30 Apr 2009; 01 Mar - 31 Mar 2009; 01 Feb - 28 Feb 2009; 01 Jan - 31 Jan 2009; 01 Dec - 31 Dec 2008; 01 Nov - 30 Nov 2008; 01 Oct - 31 Oct 2008; 01 Sep - 30 Sep 2008; 01 Aug - 31 Aug 2008; 01 Jul - 31 Jul 2008; 01 Jun - 30 Jun 2008; 01 May - 31 May 2008; 01 Dec - 31 Dec 2007

Burnley
Liverpool
Manchester: Contact details
Preston

Stories: Anglican School Food Programme Part 2; Anglican School Food Programme; Noor Mosque; Norris Green Fingers; International Day against Violence to Women; St Austin's Veg Patch; WALLED GARDEN; Unveilling The Walled Garden; SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENT; Do It Yourself!

Video: Video Title 2; Video Title

Northwest Latest

Bishop stands up for the Honey Bee

Our thanks go to the Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend James Jones, who spoke about the decline in numbers of honey bees on Radio 4’s Thought for the Day on October 1st. This environmental concern is something Faiths4Change covered in an awareness day over the summer at St Mary’s Church in Walton. We recommend the book, “A World without Bees” by Alison Benjamin, to find out more about this subject.

Christian Ecology Link

The Christian Ecology Link websie is a good way to keep up to date with what Chuches are doing locally and nationally on the theme of the environment. There is lots going on, so take a look at their website.

Christian Ecology Link website

Grass Routes Funding Opportunity

Grassroots Grants scheme now open

The Government’s groundbreaking £130million Grassroots Grants scheme is now open and is calling on small local voluntary and community groups to come forward and get their hands on essential funding.

Whether it’s helping local clubs get hold of new kit, coaching new volunteers or simply giving the village hall a fresh lick of paint, Grassroots Grants aim to make a real and immediate difference to the work of any small and local community groups with annual incomes below £20,000.

link

Northwest Recent

Wood Be Good: from Samia, Burnley Project Officer

This project involves managing woodland sustainably and diverting timber from landfill. The project received funding from Faiths4Change to purchase a mobile Planking Machine and associated equipment. 50% of volunteers receiving training will be unemployed. This project will also provide capacity building training opportunities for the ‘New Horizon Group’ with mental health and addiction problems. The training programme takes place every saturday at Offshoots Permaculture Project. Towneley Hall art gallery and museum in Burnley. For further details or to enrole yourself on the training programme please contact Samia 0n 01282 441255 or Phil Dewhurst 01282 450270.

Northwest Events

Burnley Latest

BUILDING BRIDGES - NOT WALLS - IN THE HOLY LAND.

An inter-faith pilgrimage of eight Christians and 13 Muslims have been together for a week in Jerusalem visiting and praying at the holy places
(5th – 12th February).
The pilgrimage was organised by Building Bridges in Burnley. The intention was to learn more about the three Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam so as to promote mutual understanding and trust here at home.
Members came from many different backgrounds and professions yet were able to freely share laughter and tears together, as well as their prayers and hopes for the future.

Muslims joined Christians and many other pilgrims from every continent in the traditional Friday afternoon Stations of the Cross. This a procession along the Via Dolorosa which commemorates Christ’s journey to his passion and death at the Holy Sepulchre.

Christians were invited by Muslims into the Dome of the Rock where Jews remember the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac and where Muslims commemorate the Night journey of the Prophet Muhammad to heaven. The Al Aqsa Mosque is the third most holiest shrine in the world.

SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENT

Faiths4Change working closely with EastLancashire Primary Care Trust to promote healthy environment through engagement with various community groups. Faiths4Change provided an artist to run an after school art workshop. The artist worked with the children for 4 weeks and helped them to look at the bigger picture around the dangers of smoking and need of an Healthy Planet. As a result of this over 50 children sent pictures to be judged. Not only were they focused on the dangers of smoking on people’s health but also wealth, environment and social aspects.

Back 2 Roots

This was a joint venture between Faiths4Change, Countryside Services and LCC Library Services. 15 people attended and took part in a workshop to explore the life as a Farmer in UK and exchange mutual experiences of farming both in UK and Pakistan. Workshops and discussions were led by Countryside services and Faiths4Change. In the afternoon group had an opportunity to explore the Osbaldeston dairy farm in operation and tour was led by farmer Chris…......

Faith and Environment

“Your Lord revealed to the bees-build dwellings in the mountains and trees, and also in the structures which man erect. Then eat from every kind of fruit and travel the paths of your Lord which have been made easy to follow; from inside them comes a drink of different colours containing healings for mankind. There is certainly a sign for people who reflect”

Project Planning Day-Healeywood

12 Residents of Healeywood participated in ‘ Project Planning Workshop’ on 11th September in Healeywood Junior School. The aim of the day was to enable people to develop skills to create local projects that can improve the environment in Burnley with the help and guidance of staff from the Faiths 4Change project. The event was a success as the guests were more informed of as to what is required of them to run a project from scratch i.e from the funding application to the overall management of the project. The guests also felt that their questions and issues were cleared up during the event. Overall the event was deemed a success by the attendees as they felt that they had gained further insight into the initiation of a project and how to manage it once up and running.

Wood be Good

Burnley Recent

AN EVENTFULL YEAR. 08......

This past year has provided me with countless wonderful opportunities to really get stuck in where the community and the environment are concerned. I have had amazing experiences working with countless faith communities; helping not only myself but also others to understand other faiths. This understanding of other faiths was enhanced with my journey to the Holy Land in February of this year. My trip to Jerusalem made me further appreciate the diversity of religions we have in this world and gave me an overwhelming sense of appreciation for the opportunity that I have been provided with working here at Faiths4Change.

With a little support, I feel that this year I have been able to give so much back to the community. A total of nine projects and many community events were carried out last year. These included the ‘Chicken Hill Gardens’ project and a stop smoking day. At the Chicken Hill project, I was approached by a young individual who told me that recently he had been going through a very rough patch because of the credit crunch. He’d been made redundant and also had some personal matters that were concerning him. The only thing that had kept him going was the Chicken Hill project. As you can imagine I was very overwhelmed after hearing this; it highlighted how such small projects can have such a great impact on people’s lives.

All the positive feedback I have received has made this job worthwhile. It has enhanced my own faith and has made me more motivated to pray for such people as mentioned above, and also to pray for the bonds that have been created between communities. The best part of this job is that anyone can truly get involved regardless of age, gender, sex or religion; and that together we can make a difference!

Youth Art Work

The event was a celebration of the development of the shelter and seating area that was developed by the community around Stoneyholme and Daneshouse community centre in Burnley. The 5 girls that were involved raised the funding through an organisation called CABE – Faiths4Change supported the youth group with officiall opening ceremoney of their art work in Daneshouse on 26th June. The Mayor of Burnley was present on the day with her helper the mayoress.

Contact details

Please contact me for further information or for an informal discussion about your ideas or networking opportunities.

E-mail: samia@faiths4change.org.uk
Telephone: 01282 441522
Mobile: 07894 423246
Burnley Borough Council

Burnley Events

Lots of MOTHERING in Burnley

Chicken hills gardens+ opened its doors to the community+ in a special event that was held to officially launch the chicken hill gardens. The morning started with the local councilor appraising the transformation of this piece of land from what was more or less a ‘dump’ to a beautiful garden. Homegrown daffodils were planted by the co-coordinators at chicken hill and were made available for young children to take away and present to their mothers as a special gift for ‘Mothering Sunday’. The children were also able to enjoy the presence of a police van fully equipped with CCTV cameras to highlight how CCTV works. The other partner organizations present were the Burnley Fire and Rescue service along with Accrington’s Community-Owned Environmental Project. Announcements on 2BR and publicity by the Evening Telegraph and the Nelson Leader meant that more than 85 people attended the event thus rendering it a success.

*Organic Gardening*

Myerscough recently hosted members of the Burnley branch of Faith4Change as they completed an Introduction to Organic Growing course at the College.

The one day course is a practical and theory based course that aims to introduce candidates to the world of organic gardening. The course was delivered at Myerscough College on Monday 26th January and involved a theory presentation covering soil management, organic fertilisers, growing fruit and vegetables and encouraging wildlife and predators. Additionally the group got the chance to ask questions and discuss ideas with other students as well as explore the College gardens and purchase plants from the College’s Plant World Garden Centre. They also received coffee and lunch at Myerscough’s Revive Restaurant as part of the day.

Myerscough’s Short Course Unit Manager, Colin Todhunter, said:
“The idea behind the visit was for the group to get involved in an activity away from their local community and this course seemed a perfect opportunity for them. They all seemed to really enjoy the day and the feedback we got was very positive. He added that we are always keen to host groups like this to improve the College’s cultural awareness and diversity.To find out more please visite www.myerscough.ac.uk

*CLEANLINESS IS PART OF IMAN*

A consultation/public event was organised by Faiths4Change in partnership with Tauheed-ul-Islam Girls School and Tauheed-ul-Islam Mosque.

During the event on 9th January 2009 approximately 150 people attended and took part in the consultation “HOW TO DISPOSE OF THE PAPER WITH HOLY TEXT WRITTEN ON IT”

Mobile Farm

Mobile Farm is a very well coordinated programme for communities in Burnley where not only do they learn gardening and growing skills but also take part in planning and publicising the event.

Liverpool Latest

SKY TV visits Wigan's Food Growing School

Head Teacher at St Mark’s CE Primary School in Wigan, recieving £3000 from Sky TV, towards the school’s food growing project. The school won a national school competition, “Appetite for Action 2009” , recognising the fantastoc progress they have made in growing food in school, with the support of the local church and community. St Mark’s have applied to Faiths4Change for funding to help them develop a piece of land for a community allotment, and have been an ongoing star of the Diocesan School Food Growing Programme.

Children leaving school after three SKY TV cameras visited their school, helping them make a good news story about their school food growing project.

Noah's Barge

Interested? To find out more call 0151 522 1080 or 0151 924 8674. or email s.atherton@rcaol.co.uk

Find out when Noah’s Barge will be near you by contacting the J&P Office: s.atherton rcaol.co.uk; tel 0151 522 1080 or m.hardacrercaol.co.uk; tel 0151 522 108

Liverpool Recent

Contact details

Any queries, concerns or ideas, please contact me on 0151 705 2108 or 07894 423248 email me at helend@faiths4change.org.uk. I look forward to working with you!

Songs of Praise comes to Norris Green

Clem Pettitt Volunteer gardener at Norris Green Fingers in the greenhouse with Songs of Praise presenter Claire Sweeney

Liverpool Events

The Big Lunch Sunday 19th July

THE BIG LUNCH ON SUNDAY 19 JULY.

Click icon for publicity for Big Lunch event in Liverpool

This is being organised by the Eden Project and aims to encourage as many of the 61 million people in the UK as possible to sit down to lunch together with their neighbours.

Manchester Latest

Greater Manchester Commuter Challenge

Bike Week is 13 – 21st June, why not take advantage of this focussed week and cycle to work and have the chance of winning £100 into the bargain. Lose pounds and gain £s, cut down on your carbon footprint for a week.
I am planning a free cycle repair and bike ride, please let me know if you are interested.

Peace Week in Manchester

Carisma is a Christian based organisation which has developed Peace Week over the past 7 years in Manchester, in the main in Moss Side and Longsight, areas which are blighted by gang culture.
During the week, many faith groups and organisations visit schools for a ‘peace assembly’, discussing peace and it’s importance, football and netball tournaments are organised between the different areas, a youth talent show for the launch night at The Zion Centre in Hulme, lantern workshops in schools and finally the OSBA evening at the City of Manchester stadium.
This year , Faiths4Change was part of Peace Week, especially in it coming to Old Trafford for the first time. A small group of people got together to do school assemblies and Faiths4Change organised the making of over 100 lanterns with faith groups: St John’s Centre, Old Trafford Community Centre, St Bride’s Church and Afifah Muslim High School for Girls. We also did 2 other workshops: St James in Moss Side and Church of God 7th Day in Longsight. The artist Alison Vaas of Artisan was commissioned to work with the groups to make lanterns and bunting using disgarded fabrics.

Manchester Recent: Joining Up the Dots

London conferences always seem to be a good way of meeting people back at home!
This excellent conference held by FbRN Faith Based Regeneration Network on April 4th at the Quaker Meeting House in Euston, London was based on ‘joining up the dots’. One or two people were there from Manchester and it was good to catch up. We listened to what faith groups are doing across the country,. There was a brilliant presentation from Building Bridges Pendle and Wandsworth Community Empowerment Network. Sadiq Khan, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State in the Department for Communities and Local Government popped in to say hello and spoke very eloquently about the value of faith work across the UK and how the government is strongly encouraging closer links, joining those dots up to benefit all the community.
For further info. on FbRN, see www.fbrn.org.uk

Manchester Events: Faith in Nature
An event hosted by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Oldham Road, Newton Heath, Manchester on Saturday July 18th 2009, 12.00pm to 4.00pm. How does God direct us to look after the planet in Africa and in England? Is it the same message? What issues do we face?
Come along and find out how your church can recycle, save energy and set up a ‘grow your own’ project.; Prince's May Day Summit
*The May Day Summit *held at Manchester Airport on May 1st was one of several organised by *Business in the Community *around the country.
Manchester businesses expressed their concern and pledged their business to calculate their carbon footprint, manage their carbon emissions, encourage employees and suppliers to reduce their emissions and work in an environmentally friendly way.
As a business or organisation you can join this network of local businesses in their efforts to calculate their carbon footprint, take action, share information and report back to the Prince’s May Day Network so we have some idea what is being effective, look at *maydaynetwork.com *to find out more.; Culture Sharing Event
This event will be happening in Centenary Gardens on Northumberland Road, in Old Trafford on Saturday 13th June 2009, from 1.00pm – 4.00pm An opportunity to share your culture with others through food, dancing, music and art.
If you have an old family recipe, we are looking for you!
Faiths4Change and St John’s Church Old Trafford will be making a willow globe and attching prayers and wishes for the world, with the help of artist Alison Vaas of Artventures. We will also fill a washing line of pledges to reduce our carbon footprint made of your own cardboard foot imprint.; Contact details
If you are a member of a faith group and are interested in helping to transform your local environment physically, economically and spiritually and are based in the Greater Manchester area, please contact me. I am here to help you with training, funding support, sustainability and networking.

Preston Latest

St Anne's Garden Party

To celebrate the completion of the first phase of the improved church grounds a garden party and coffee morning was held recently at St Anne’s United Reformed Church. The newly planted Wildlife Garden, made possible through a Development Fund grant from Faiths4Change, was officially opened by Michael Jack, MP for Fylde.

Michael Jack

Sustainability Audits

The Faiths4Change ‘Introduction to Sustainability Audits’ training day has now been delivered in areas as diverse as Keswick, Preston, Leyland and Morecambe. Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive with 100% of respondants saying they would recommend the session to others.

One participant said ‘it was one of the best training days I’ve been on – and I’ve been on lots!’

Details of future sessions are currently being finalised at venues in Preston, Lancaster and Cumbria. However we still have capacity for further sessions so if you are interested in hosting a training day in your place of worship please get in touch quickly whilst the opportunity lasts!

To find out more about forthcoming dates or to discuss hosting a future event please contact Tom on 01772 521014 or at tom@faiths4change.org.uk.

Read on to find out more details of the day and please get in touch to enquire about arranging to repeat this event at your place of worship.

Preston Recent

God and Global Warming

Faiths4Change was pleased to support Christ Church URC in Morecambe in the recent event ‘God and Global Warming’.

The event was held on Saturday April 4th 2009 with a focus on what Christians can do to help combat climate change. A choice of workshops were available led by professionals from Operation Noah, Christian Ecology Link, CAFOD and Faiths4Change. Activities for children were also available throughout the day.

Mark Dowd - Operation Noah

Project Officers Graduate

Following completion of a Level 5 Qualification in Managing Sustainable Communities, Faiths4Change Project officers Tom Fyson and Samia Shafqat recently graduated in a ceremony at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.

The course was part of the Raising Our Game programme administered by the Academy for Sustainable Communities. Learning through workshops and completion of work based assignments over a period of 9 months Tom and Samia both benefitted from the course.

Tom said ‘One of the best aspects was the range of participants on the course from very varied backgrounds in the public, private and voluntary sector. Meeting with these people over a period of time ensured we shared experiences and learned how many different roles are involved in supporting the development of sustainable communities.’

Graduation Ceremony

For further information about the course visit the Raising Our Game website

Contact details

If you would like to find out more about Faiths4Change in Preston, North Lancashire or Cumbria, or have a project idea to discuss, please contact Tom at tom@faiths4change.org.uk or on 01772 521014 or 07894 423249.

NB – please note that this phone number has changed and ensure you amend your records accordingly

St Augustines Avenham Centre

Preston Events