Pedal power, reflections on climate anxiety and updates on kittens are all in the latest environmental newsletter from the archdeaconry of Gibraltar. 

Created by Tricia and Chris Wells, this newsletter is really engaging and could be used as a template for other newsletters across our diocese. 

Christopher Shiell, Archdeaconry Environment Officer, shares:

It is easy in the times in which we live to feel overwhelmed by the constant negative stories we hear concerning the environment, and every news article seems to include graphic images of yet another environmental disaster. However, we must never give up because the consequences of doing so are too awful to contemplate. We are not alone in fighting this battle, and by sharing the good news about the many wonderful things which are going on in our archdeaconry and beyond, we can be so much stronger and more effective.

Read the newsletter 'gecko' here. 

Chris and Tricia Wells (pictured here) reflect on creating the newsletter:

What inspired you to create the newsletter?

Tricia, as our local LEO*, writes an occasional newsletter for our Chaplaincy. Encouraged by David Waller, we decided to reach out to Christians across our Archdeaconry, seeking a two-way dialogue with LEO’s and other like-minded people. The newsletter allows us to share ideas, activities and projects; and to keep up our enthusiasm.

Why is caring for creation in our churches so important?

This is an important, nay, essential part of our mission as Christians. Already, there is evidence that we have missed the boat on climate change. There have been many efforts over the past 20 years, many fine speeches, many moments of urgency. But we have actually done very little. Because it costs money, and people are inherently selfish and don’t want to spend on the planet and their children’s futures. And so now, Climate Scientists realise we didn’t prevent a global crisis, we are in one. Warming seas, melting glaciers and ice caps, fires and flooding, hurricanes are all evident and more pronounced; and whilst newsworthy, are no longer a surprise. Climate change is not something that can be averted, it has arrived.

Which story that you’ve found has meant the most to you and why?

On a practical level, we liked CLIMATE ANXIETY, by Dr Claire Simpson (LEO, St James’, Porto) in the August newsletter. For fun, and thinking outside the box, we loved ECODIVE (Maris ha Carter, St Francis’ Church, Tenerife) who wrote about Casilda Mahou Ussia, who has fun scuba diving, but makes sure to pick up ocean rubbish, and then to recycle it – truly brilliant!

What environmental issues do you think the Gibraltar Archdeaconry faces, maybe more than other parts of our diocese, and how are they being addressed?

We are more remote than UK churches, and at the same time, tied to our motherland. Thus, we travel more by car - to church, to meetings and activities; and by plane - to our mother countries and friends and relatives. 

Both big climate no-no’s. So it is really important for us to invest in green transport, electric vehicles powered by solar energy, and to offset airmiles into planting trees (and we’ll have an opportunity to do that with a new initiative in the future- see our next newsletter for Eco Christmas Present ideas :)

Do you have any advice for anyone else looking to create a similar newsletter in their archdeaconry?

Persistence. Lots. And Prayer, lots more. To be frank, we flagged at times. Then the Lord sent a lovely family, the Godwins (see some of the stories) who helped us and renewed us, and all of a sudden, we had so many people supporting the first newsletter we had enough copy left over for half the second one!! Praise be to God!

What gives you hope for the future of creation?

We have faith; the Lord our creator, our saviour, will not let us fail. As long as we help ourselves!

Thank you to Chris and Tricia for their time and for creating such an inspiring newsletter.  We would love to see other eco-newlsetters or hear about how your chaplaincy is addressing the climate crisis.  Contact us at communications@europe.anglican.org

For more resources about Care for Creation, see this section on our website: Caring for Creation

*An LEO is a motivator and champion of Caring for Creation in the chaplaincy's activities. For more information, see our resources page.