Dear Friends,
We are already a month into 2026, but as we look forward to the year ahead I want to reflect upon the major ecological disasters that hit our planet in 2025. We saw wild fires in Los Angeles, hurricanes in the Caribbean and major storms hitting us here in the UK causing flooding across our country. All of these local and international disasters ultimately branded 2025 as one of the costliest years for climate disasters.
As we reflect upon last year’s disasters that affected so many we pray that this year we as a diocese can help play our small but very important role in making a difference in protecting our environment.
The fifth Mark of Mission is “To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.” And that is what we must do, together. To protect this planet that God has entrusted to us to nurture and care for.
I’m pleased to say that throughout the Diocese of Liverpool, we have 3 gold, 25 silver and 38 bronze eco churches. It is so inspiring to see so many of our churches proactively engaging with their stewardship of the earth and in 2026 I would love to see more of our churches proactively seeking ways to make their churches more sustainable and eco conscious so that they can remain pillars of our communities for generations to come. By seeking ways to ensure our churches become more sustainable and eco conscious they become cheaper to run, and less reliant on the use of fossil fuels. As we see many churches and our cathedral shifting to more sustainable means of heating such as air source heat pumps, we see the real impact they have long term.
As many of you will know, the Diocese of Liverpool working with our partnered charities like Faiths 4 Change passionately engages with the Church of England’s Net Zero Programme. Every year we ask you to help us on that journey. So please complete your Energy Footprint Tool – we know this may not be at the top of your priorities in church and that is ok – that is why the net zero team are here to help you every step along of the way and provide as much support as you need. Completing your Energy Footprint Tool is a small but powerful way to help us care for our earth and join us on a shared journey to net zero. Each year’s data builds a clearer picture of our carbon footprint and helps us act more strategically together, as well as identify grants and support that are unique and tailored to your churches journey.
Many of us set New Years Resolutions, but this year, wouldn’t it be fantastic for us to do so together, to see as many of us as possible living out the fifth mark of mission, caring for the earth as one and moving to Net Zero as a whole diocese?
Wishing you and those you love much joy and blessing in this new year!
Rt Revd Ruth Worsley,
Interim Bishop of Liverpool
