By James Beck
It is so encouraging to see local councils taking notice and celebrating the faithful, practical care of creation happening right across Aotearoa!
A massive shout-out to the wonderful Hawke's Bay Eco Churches who returned to Pūrimu Stream for their second clean-up of the year. After hauling away an entire trailer-load of rubbish back in June, the crew found noticeably less waste this time round, proof that steady, loving care for a local waterway makes a tangible difference.
To have Napier City Council highlight this mahi, with their Waste Minimisation and Water teams lending a hand to cart away the collected rubbish, is a brilliant example of what community partnership can look like. When churches step outside their walls and get their hands in the dirt (or stream!), councils and neighbours notice.
What many people might not realise is that local councils across the motu often have dedicated community, environmental, and waste minimisation funding available specifically to help get projects like this off the ground. Whether it is stream restoration, riparian planting, community gardens, or waste reduction initiatives, the support is often sitting right there waiting for passionate groups to ask.
If you, your church, or a collective of local churches in your rohe have an idea you want to bring to life, or if you simply need a bit of guidance and encouragement to get started, please reach out to our Eco Church team. We love walking alongside church communities and equipping everyday people to be an active embodiment of the good news in our world.
