Creation Care

Sheldon Road Church is committed to do all we can to care for God’s Creation in our worship, lifestyle and engagement with our community.  We include this commitment in our church vision: Caring for the whole of God’s creation so that it thrives now and into future generations. We are part of A Rocha UK’s Eco Church programme, and we are currently working towards the Gold Award.

Too much old tech? Don’t bin it..: The Town Council has joined Wiltshire Digital Drive CIC, a Community Interest Company that aims to tackle the growing e-waste problem. You can now drop off unwanted electrical items at Customer Services at the Town Hall, such as laptops including power cables, tablets, smartphones, keyboards, and computer mice. Wiltshire Digital Drive will collect these items, they will wipe information from the devices according to government standards, and refurbish them. They will work with schools, charities, organisations, and council services across Wiltshire to distribute the devices to those who need them most. Please check their website for further information and to check the criteria for donations.

Visit a working heat pump: Green Open Homes Chippenham is an opportunity to ask a Chippenham home owner about an energy saving improvement they’ve made, and see if it might work for you. And 3 of the home owners involved you know: Addicotts, Thrings and Durstons. Sign up via the Zero Chippenham website; see link below. Now is also the time to consider borrowing for free a thermal camera to see where your home is losing heat.  Zero Chippenham can help with this too: see their website for how to book one to use with your smartphone, and advice for dealing with the results. https://www.zerochippenham.org/chippenham-green-open-homes/
Share results of Climate Sunday: Thank you all who took part in sharing notes and comments on caring for creation.  We were all really delighted with the outcome, and your responses were a great encouragement to your Creation Care team! They’ve also given us ideas about how we proceed. All the comments and responses were written up into 2 documents; if you would like to see them, contact Jan.
Sanitary pads project: The Pachamama Project, based in Bristol, is a UK-registered charity growing a network of volunteers around the world to make reusable period pads for refugees and vulnerable women and girls who experience period poverty. If you like crafting, especially sewing, and you’d like to help make a difference, come to the Craft Group at church on Friday November 7th at 10am to find out more. See Jan for further information.
Celebrating with Trees: As you may have heard, 2026 is a special year for our church. What better way to celebrate God’s faithfulness to us in the past and looking to His presence in our future, than to plant trees? The National Trust want to plant 15 standard sized oak trees and tree guards on Bewley Common near Lacock, and we are planning to support this planting for the anniversary. We are applying for grants, but we also need donations: if you can help, please add your donation to the Acorn box in the café area. The total cost will be £1537.34. If you have questions, please see Jan.
Celebrating with Trees: Take an audit of your individual or household carbon footprint and repeat each year to see if you can reduce it! There are lots of ways to do this, from switching energy suppliers to changes in your diet. Some great tools to use are available, for example the carbon calculators provided by Climate Stewards at climatestewards.org/carboncalculators and Creation Care creationcare.org.uk, offers a specific resource for households giving ideas and helping you track your progress. As you look at different areas of your life, offer each area or action to God as an offering.