Vision Statement about Creation Care.

1. We affirm the fifth Mark of Mission of the Church of England: To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.

2. We note that the Diocese of Oxford aims to become carbon neutral by 2035. 

3. We are registered as an Eco-Church at Bronze award level. See https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk  

4. The report from the Diocesan Energy Audit is being considered by the Emmanuel Church Building and Utilities Team. So far, we have replaced most of the lights with LED versions, and water is now warmed with electric heaters. We are working on a project to install solar panels.

5. We encourage people to grow their own food eg via the annual Plant Swap in May, and share any excess fruit and vegetables.

6. We are concerned about people in food poverty. We support the Foodbank, see bicester.foodbank.org.uk. 

7. We see caring for creation as part of our worship of God. We are exploring this in Forest Church. We are growing in our understanding that Christ’s death and resurrection reconciles the whole of creation to God; see John 3 v 16, and Colossians 1 v 15-20.