From solar panels on the roof to biomass boilers in the parsonage – ideas for making churches “green” will be discussed at a conference next week.
Parishioners will learn how to make their church more energy efficient and sustainable at the event organised by the Church in Wales.
Energy experts will talk about technologies such as solar or photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, wood chip boilers and air source heat pumps, as well as practices such as recycling, composting and wildlife conservation schemes. They will see how some of these work by examining case studies from Welsh churches and chapels.
The Welsh Historic Places of Worship Conference 2012 will be take place at St Giles’ Church, Wrexham. It will begin with a keynote address from the Bishop of St Davids, Wyn Evans, who is an authority on historic buildings.
The speakers are Keith Jones, environmental practices advisor, National Trust Wales, Dr Simone Lowthe-Thomas, head of community energy, Severn Wye Energy Agency, Brian Cuthbertson, head of environmental challenge at the Church of England and Alex Glanville, head of property services, Church in Wales.
Bishop Wyn said, “Our aim is to promote sustainable working practices throughout churches in Wales and to ensure our parishes and congregations are well informed about this important subject. We hope people who look after historic places of worship, including clergy, churchwardens, congregation members and volunteers, will be inspired by the speakers and the case studies we’ll be looking at.”
The case studies are:
- St Joseph’s Church Cwmaman – solar panels and sustainable practices (recycling, nature/arts trails, community projects);
- St Giles’ Church Wrexham – recent reordering project (reasons, funding), use of church by community and as an arts/concert venue;
- Libanus Chapel Brecon – air source heat pump and external cladding;
- St Peter’s Church, Ruthin – photovoltaic panels on the roof.
The conference takes place on Wednesday, May 23, 11am – 4pm at St Giles Church Wrexham.
Meanwhile, churches can do a “green audit” to find out how environmentally-friendly they are.
Visitors to the Church in Wales’ Church and Environment website can tick a checklist to calculate how well they are doing – from recycling rubbish to serving Fair Trade coffee and making the graveyard a haven for wildlife.
They can also find ideas there to improve their score, find out about projects running in other parishes and download prayers and suggestions for services.
The website address is: www.churchandenvironment.org.uk
