St Mary’s Wimbledon – a Silver Award Eco Church

St Mary’s was awarded the Silver Eco Church award by A Rocha UK in December 2024. This award recognises the progress that the Church and our community have made towards achieving the “net zero” target set by the General Synod of the Church of England.

The award is made after submitting details to A Rocha of the achievement by the Church in meeting certain criteria in the following areas:

• Worship and Teaching

• Buildings

• Land

• Community and Global Engagement

• Lifestyle

St Mary’s is now considering next steps towards the A Rocha Gold Award.

St Mary’s has an established “Green Group”. It discusses eco related issues in order to advise the church committee and congregation on steps to continue to care for God’s creation and to keep the environment and climate a focal point of our mission and ministry as a church. The Group welcomes new members who wish to contribute to its work and the Church’s mission to care for creation.

These are some ways in which our church is active in this endeavour:

• We support Traidcraft and aim to use environmentally friendly products whenever possible

• We use compostable or recyclable cups, glasses and plates if not using crockery

• We support charities active in environment and climate issues, especially the local charity, Sustainable Merton

• Regular litter picking events are organised in our neighbourhood

• Bird boxes have been installed and we take part in bird counts

• Water butts are to be installed in the near future

• Eco tips are shared with the church community weekly through our newssheet

• LED lighting has been installed in the Church

• Electricity is bought on a green tariff

The Green Group welcomes new members. Please get in touch if you would like to join.

September 2026