Photo credit: C. Drummond.
“On Sunday 16 August, St Andrew’s URC in Cheltenham held our morning service in the church garden, the first for many years. We were blessed with a sunny, dry day which was mercifully much cooler than some of the temperatures we’ve recently experienced. Bob Alger (lay preacher) and Carol Drummond (Elder) led a cafe style service with an eco-focus.
The theme of the service was Sharing in God’s world. St Andrew’s is in the centre of the town and we attracted some interested looks from passers by during the service. We sang along to recorded music and as well as the readings and reflections, there was time for discussion of our worries for the future of the world we are leaving for our children and grandchildren, what action we could take, and how we might help nature. We collected the feedback from the discussions to share with our church and user community. The experience was positively received and the congregation enjoyed being outside and doing things a bit differently. St Andrew’s Eco Group had proposed outdoor worship as one way we could mark A Rocha’s 25th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of Eco Church. We have a Silver Eco Church award and are working toward Gold.
The service also included a blessing of the Psalm 23 Garden, a project initiated by our much missed friend, Dr Tony Jeans back in 2021. Since that time, the garden has matured and is a key element of our eco work.”
By Iain McLaren, Minister of North Cotswolds Group of URC’s