Environmental and Social Justice September - November 2022
Welcome St Albans Cathedral, home to Britain’s first saint, is the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain. Key to the Cathedral’s mission and values is Environmental and Social Justice. Discover what the Cathedral community is doing to stand with St Alban in truth and justice to make our world a better place, and find out how to get involved. Contents Message from the Dean pg 5 Environment pg 6 Environmental Strategy pg 7 Decarbonisation Study pg 8 Net Zero pg 9 Deanery Garden pg 11 Social Justice pg 12 - 13 Asylum Seekers pg 14 - 15 Hands at Work pg 16 Mission Giving pg 17 Calendar pg 18 (c) Emma Collins Photography
Jo Kelly-Moore, Dean of St Albans
Message from the Dean
As the Bishops of the Anglican Communion have met in Canterbury for the Lambeth Conference this summer a key theme in their discussions has been the global climate crisis and the commitment of our Church throughout the world to work together to reduce our carbon footprint.
Indeed our own General Synod this July has renewed our commitment to net zero carbon by 2030 and asked all Cathedrals to set out clearly their route map to get to this target. Among the many other topics addressed at the Lambeth Conference, these included the reality of refugees and asylum seekers across the world, the need to work together for racial and gender justice and the reality of increased poverty in so many nations.
Our Cathedral and Abbey Church remains committed to pursuing justice for the earth and all who inhabit it and our work together demonstrates our commitment to addressing all these global challenges. Read on in this latest edition of our newsletter to find out more about what is happening and ways that you can be involved.
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The Cathedral has set up several groups active in Environmental and Social Justice, which are working together to ensure a coordinated approach to the Cathedral’s social and environmental mission. The 5th mark of mission of the Anglican Communion is “To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth”. In the last Newsletter we introduced the groups through which the Cathedral pursues this part of its mission. These groups work within the strategies and policies developed by the Cathedral Chapter. A key focus over the next few years is working towards net zero carbon footprint. As a part of this we will be aiming to improve our ‘Eco Church’ status.
The Cathedral and the Environment
StrategyEnvironmentalChapter
(c) Patrick Wainwright
At its May meeting, the Cathedral Chapter strongly affirmed the goal of carbon net zero by 2030. This will be led by an Environmental Strategy Group, alongside the Social Justice Group and Eco Team. As readers will know, the Cathedral was successful in achieving the AROCHA Eco-Church Bronze status last summer. The ‘Sumpter Yard Revived’ project to landscape Sumpter Yard has also created a beautiful and accessible garden approach to the Welcome Centre with a planting scheme including heritage fruit trees and plants for pollinators. This is the first phase of a wider vision to enhance the biodiversity of our precious green spaces. In addition, funded by the Church Commissioners, a technical study was carried out by QODA on achieving net zero carbon. This was received in January 2022.
The study is part of a survey of all English cathedrals, and once all have been considered the Church Commissioners will announce next steps. The strategy of St Albans is therefore contingent on this national approach.
The study concludes that achieving zero carbon by 2030 will be very challenging, but suggests options to make considerable reductions, including low temperature air source heat pump (ASHP) alongside the existing gas boilers whilst these remain operational, and solar photovoltaics (PV) on hidden parts of Lady Chapel roof.
The scope of the QODA study was the Cathedral building, Chapter House, and Deanery Offices. The current total carbon footprint is c. 227 tonnes of CO2.
StudyDecarbonisationCathedral
•To study the feasibility of air source heat pumps, initially as a hybrid solution, and of solar PV.
For the above reasons, we are still in the process of evolving a realistic strategy. However, such a strategy will contain the following:
9 Strategy for Net Zero
•Eco Church silver status within twelve months (May 2023), and then setting sights on gold.
•The environmental challenge now on the Chapter risk register to ensure that it continues to be addressed, and annual reports on progress towards net zero carbon.
•Environmental champions in the Cathedral to work alongside the Eco Team in practical action.
•An energy champion to monitor and report energy use.
•Abbey Works Committee to identify steps to improve building efficiency and to assess housing for energy efficiency, leading to actions for improvement.
•To make environmental sustainability a key part of the Cathedral’s wider development aims, possibly as a continuation of its landscaping project.
Kevin Walton
Eco Team activities
The Eco Team has been active in several areas over the past few months. Two key activities are the participation in the St Albans Sustainability Festival – ‘SustFest’ –and the development of the Deanery Flat garden into a biodiversity area.
Several SustFest events took place at the Cathedral this year. The festival involves activities across the district all about sustainable living. A Prayer Tree in the Welcome Centre remained in situ throughout SustFest. People were asked to leave their thoughts and encouragement to help us live more sustainably and help the cathedral to reach net-zero by 2030. By the end of SustFest the tree was covered with leaves. Many prayers left asked to help the world’s poor and respect and support those around us. Ukraine was remembered. Many asked that nature be protected and more wild flower meadows and trees be planted. Butterfly World 2.0 organised a talk ‘Working With Nature’ by Jeremy Purseglove. An enthusiastic speaker, he explained how we can sustainably harvest the earth’s resources. Citing examples such as the impact of palm oil plantations on the Borneo forests and intensive arable farming around the world, he gave practical solutions. He explained that despite environmental damage done it is possible to enhance habitats in what was a hopeful message.
On an overcast morning the Eco Team and Butterfly World 2.0 volunteers gathered in the Abbey Orchard meadow space for a BioBlitz. We invited members of the public to count bees, butterflies and beetles in one metre squares for 15 minutes. A number of families with children eagerly joined us. People passing by were also keen to see what we were doing. It was fascinating and encouraging to find so many different insects (20 different new species since 2021 count) in the developing meadow space. Sarah Brooks
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What can be nicer than a pond? As mentioned in the previous newsletter, the Eco Team is working on transforming part of the Deanery garden, previously growing potatoes and long before that, chickens, into an area for British plants and wildlife. Centre to this is a pond, since ponds are really valuable resources for a wide range of insects and amphibians, as well as birds and small mammals which use the water. Recently a small team armed themselves with spades, forks, heavy duty gloves and energy, and dug out the pond, as well as clearing some of the non-British grasses that have colonised the area. There are, happily, many British wild flowers already in the area, and we will be preserving those, laying down paths through the area so anyone can use it. The Education Department is interested in using the pond for school visits, and we are working with them to make it safe for children. The Flower Guild is making progress with another part of the garden, which they plan to use to grow plants for their amazing displays in the Cathedral – another aspect of sustainability and the Cathedral’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.
11 The Deanery Flat garden
Chris Lyal
12 Social Justice
The third mark of mission of the Anglican Communion is “to respond to human need by loving service”, and the fourth “to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation”.
The City of Sanctuary movement began in Sheffield in 2005, under the guidance of the Rev’d Inderjit Bhogal. It aims to develop a network of towns, cities, organisations and individuals committed to creating a culture of solidarity, inclusivity and welcome for those seeking sanctuary. Sheffield became the first City of Sanctuary in 2007 and since then, hundreds of local councils and other bodies have been awarded Sanctuary status. Inderjit preached powerfully at Albantide on the church’s role in offering welcome and hospitality to those seeking sanctuary. Inspired by the example of Alban, the Cathedral is committed to a ministry of inclusivity and welcome for all; the Sanctuary movement represents a public demonstration of that commitment. The St Albans City of Sanctuary group, of which I am a member, has been set up to work with the district council, churches and other local organisations in gathering support for Sanctuary status for St Albans. We are seeking pledges from across the city and district to support this bid. If you would like to find out more, register your interest or pledge support; please visit the group’s website at St Albans City of Sanctuary | Building a culture of hospitality for people seeking sanctuary.
Refugee support: offering sanctuary
The Cathedral’s Mission Statement includes to “stand with St Alban for truth and justice”. St Alban, of course, is the patron saint of refugees, and we have a couple of articles about refugees and asylum seekers in this issue.
The offer of sanctuary and welcome is an essential part of our Christian ministry and is as necessary now as it was in Alban’s time – perhaps more so. Increasing numbers of people are driven from their homes by war, oppression and persecution to seek places of safety and security; this demands a compassionate response and practical resources. Many in our area have responded to the crisis in Ukraine by offering homes and support to those fleeing the war and the Diocese of St Albans has set up a dedicated service providing advice and support for churches. More information can be found at Support Ukraine: how you can helpDiocese of St Albans.
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Churches and local refugee groups are active in supporting asylum-seekers accommodated in Hertfordshire. There are currently over 450 people living in hotels across the county, including around 150 at the Noke, Chiswell Green and 140 at the Holiday Inn, Markyate. While immediate material needs may be met, there is a need to support the emotional and social well-being of those in the hotels. A number of those living at the Noke regularly attend worship at the Cathedral – please help to welcome them, if you can. On a practical level, English conversation groups continue to be offered at the Cathedral and at Greenwood URC [see Helen Bishop’s moving article] alongside English classes at the Noke. Bicycles have been provided for those at the Noke, and these provide a much-needed means of transport and the opportunity for outings and exercise. We would like to be able to increase opportunities for outside activities, including volunteering: if you can help, or have any suggestions, please let us know. Take action Contact local groups supporting refugees to find out more about local needs. St Albans for Refugees stalbansforrefugees.org
Herts Welcomes Refugees hwsf.org.uk Herts for Refugees hertsforrefugees.org Churches Together in St Albans ctstalbans.org.uk Phil Waller
Sanctuary: why and how
St Albans Cathedral and asylum seekers.
In 2021 the then Sub-Dean Abi Thompson began our support of asylum seekers in Luton. Jo Burke, Curate at All Saints Luton and now Vicar of Flamstead, began a
group is important not just for the language they are learning but also as a friendly, relaxed environment for people whose lives are full of trauma and uncertainty. The group has, in a wonderful way, been a springboard for other developments, as members of the congregation have offered kindliness, friendship, hospitality, concert tickets and even Easter eggs! The Cathedral is continuing its long tradition of making all welcome.
drop–in centre and hosted English conversation groups organised by Bedford Care for Calais. Appeals were made to other churches for clothing and household goods and members of the Abbey congregation responded generously. There was also a request for people to help with English conversation and two of us volunteered, helping in Luton until Christmas 2021. By then, we learnt of the arrival of asylum seekers in St Albans to be housed at the Noke hotel. Two of the residents came to a morning service. They had very limited English, but were eager to learn, translating on their mobile phones. A group of us, mostly former teachers, thought we could help and after discussion with Dean Jo and Canon Kevin, the English conversation group began in January 2022, meeting once a fortnight in the Offa room. We started with two visitors, and now have a fairly regular group of six to eight young men who come for English conversation and tea and biscuits. The residents of the Noke come from a huge variety of countries – Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Nicaragua, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and now Ukraine. We will continue the group as long as it is needed, God Thewilling.conversation
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Two Iranians requested that they be baptised (Christian baptism is not allowed in Iran). Despite language limitations, they were baptised on Easter Eve with the support of the Dean and Canon Kevin who managed to find booklets on Christian baptism in Farsi. They were delighted and continue to be part of the 9.30am congregation with others of their friends. This is only a small part of the growing network of organisations who are trying to help in this situation.
An English group started at Greenwood URC at about the same time as ours; St Bartholomew’s RC Church also have a weekly group. In June classes started at the Noke itself, organised through a variety of agencies including Herts Welcomes refugees, STAR (St Albans for Refugees) and CAD (Community Action Dacorum) with the co-operation of the local Councils. This is important because the church groups only reach a small proportion of the residents of the Noke and most of them need help to learn English. We are all in contact and are co-operating to develop the provision which is needed. It is an ever-changing scene.
Helen Bishop
If any other members of the Cathedral community would like to join our group of helpers, we would welcome three or four more members of the team, particularly some men. No specific qualifications are required, just a capacity to be friendly and patient and speak English slowly and clearly. Our English students are asylum seekers. They are waiting on Home Office decisions about whether they will be given the right to remain in the UK, on a variety of terms. It is an uncertain, stressful time for them. These decisions can take months, sometimes up to two years. During this time, they are housed in hotels. They are not allowed to work and have little to do, though many have skills and qualifications which are in short supply here.
There are also refugees at the Noke. Refugees have permission to stay, can work, access Heath care and benefits. If they can be housed, often at short notice anywhere in England, they can start to re-build their lives.
One of the organisations supported by the Cathedral’s Mission Giving is Hands at Work. This Christian charity strives to support the most vulnerable children in communities across Africa where HIV/AIDS, orphans and poverty are at overwhelming levels and support structures for the children and their communities are very Therelow.isa strong supporting group in the Cathedral, which works closely with a group in St Luke’s. Last year we raised money for a borehole to give people in the Zambian community of Miswa access to clean fresh water. This year we have taken on the challenge of raising £1553 for a brickbuilt ‘long drop’ toilet for a children’s care point in Malakota, Zambia. This is a scattered and isolated rural community. To get to it you have to cross a very precarious bridge. Because it is such a scattered settlement they have established three care points to save the children from having to walk too far. The current toilet facility is pictured. This illustrates why the carepoint would really benefit from this project and how it would serve the children’s health, dignity and safety. Our first event raised £650, and there will be a range of other fundraising activities in the next few months. Take action
Hands at Work and the Malakota toilet
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Find out more about Hands at Work on their website at www.handsatwork.org Chris Lyal and Chrystalla Spire
This year, after excellent support through the pandemic, the Cathedral donated around £40000 to 38 charities and oper ating locally within St Albans and the Diocese, nationally and Theinternationally.Cathedralsupports a wide range of different causes but a particular focus has been placed this year on Social Justice and Environment. We aim to continue focusing on these issues whilst working closely with the Social Justice Group, Environmental Strategy Group and Eco Team.
Mission Giving
To find out more about this year’s mission allocation, or if you would like to suggest environmental or social justice related charities for next year’s allocation, then please contact giving@stalbanscathedral.org.
Recipients typically have a strong community link, and objectives which further the aims of the Cathedral’s Mission Statement. During my time on the MGT, we have supported a wide and varied range of charities, funding specific aims or projects identified by the recipients.
A full list of supported charities is on the Mission Giving section on the website and the notice board in the South TheTransept.ability for the Cathedral to support so many wonderful charities is thanks to the generous support of you, the Cathe dral’s congregation and regular givers; we offer you our sin cere thanks and grati¬tude particularly after the last few very difficult years. We hope that you will be able to continue your support to both the Cathedral and the charities in the future.
The MGT is responsible for recommending who should receive the funds as part of the Mission Allocation process, which typically takes around 6 months. Charities are invited to apply for funding in November. The following January, the MGT dis cusses applications, considering the proposed use, if the con tribution will make an identifiable difference, and the financial effectiveness of the organisation. This enables the team to propose to Abbey Assembly and then Chapter a sum of money for each funded charity. After Chapter approval, we invite the successful charities to a special event at the Cathedral where the money is distributed.
David Kemp
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As a member of the Mission Giving Team (MGT), May is a particular favourite of mine. This is when the Cathedral distributes funds to its recipient charities. This Mission Allocation is 10% of the congregational giving for the year.
21 September International Day of Peace provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of internationaldayofpeace.orgPeace.
October Queen’s Green Canopy planting season starts. “Plant a Tree for the queensgreencanopy.orgJubilee”.
October Black History Month blackhistorymonth.org.uk
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22 September Car free day/walk to church Sunday. stalbans.anglican.org/faith/walk-to-church-sunday
29 September International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction is an opportunity to call to action both the public and the private sector, to prioritise actions and move ahead with innovation to reduce food loss and waste towards building resilient food un.org/en/observances/end-food-waste-daysystems.
23 August - 1 September World Water Week conference on water with the theme “Seeing the unseen: The value of water”. worldwaterweek.org
September Organic Month. In the face of climate change, diet related ill-health and widespread decline in wildlife, the need to change our food systems has never been tinyurl.com/mrx7er9ngreater.
24 September - 2 October Great Big Green Week. A week of events celebrating how communities are taking action to tackle climate change and protect green spaces, and encourage others to get involved greatbiggreenweek.comtoo.
Environmental and Social Justice Calendar
18 September Freedom Sunday is an opportunity for your entire church family to deepen their understanding of God’s heart for justice, discover the realities of modern slavery and join the fight to end it. ijm.org/freedom-sunday
3 - 7 October Good Money Week. Helping find sustainable and ethical options for banking, pensions, savings and goodmoneyweek.cominvestments.
3 October World Habitat Day when we can reflect on the state of our towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter. This year’s theme: Accelerating urban action for a carbon-free un.org/en/observances/habitat-dayworld.
1 September - 4 October Creationtide. tinyurl.com/3h6yj63h
9 - 15 October Prisons Week. For nearly 50 years, Prisons Week has encouraged Christians to pray for all those affected by crime and imprisonment. prisonsweek.org
13 - 20 November International Inter Faith Week encourages people to remember together the contributions of all faiths and none, and to consider how best to create a just, peaceful, and harmonious world. interfaithweek.org
November Movember. Consider raising money for mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular uk.movember.comcancer.
10 October World Mental Health Day. Raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobi lize efforts in tinyurl.com/29kwwu7fsupport.
20 November Mitzvah Day annual day of faith-based social action introduces people to social action, to their neigh bours and to local charities, setting up projects, which address real needs. mitzvahday.org.uk
13 October CATHEDRAL TALK 16 October World Food Day #ZeroHunger a way of life. fao.org/world-food-day/en October Anti-Slavery Day raises awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery, encouraging government, local authorities, companies, charities and individuals to do what they can to address the antislaveryday.comproblem.
29 November International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people provides an opportunity to focus attention on the question of Palestine and Palestinian people tinyurl.com/59x7k8ew
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25 November International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women tinyurl.com/3pecxdyc
7 - 8 November UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) tinyurl.com/324s24m3
30 - 31 October International D G20 summit (Bali) g20.org/bali-summit
A service in German is held on the last Tuesday of every month at 7pm. Free Church
6pm Evensong
Roman Catholic Mass is celebrated every Friday at 12noon.
Orthodox Liturgy
4th Wednesday
A service is held once a month on a Tuesday at 10.30am
RegularWorshipServices
Please see the website for more information.
12noon Eucharist at the Shrine 5pm Evensong (Evening Prayer on a Monday)
12noon Eucharist at the Shrine 4pm Evensong Weekdays
7.30am Morning Prayer 8am Eucharist
The Cathedral also has a thriving Ecumenical Chaplaincy, regularly holding services for different Christian traditions.
5th Sunday 2.30pm Diocesan Service for the Deaf Ecumenical Services
1st Wednesday of every month at 11am.
A Day Chaplain is available to talk most days
11.15am Matins (3rd Sundays)
10am Mothers’ Union Eucharist
8.30am Morning Prayer 9am Eucharist
9.30am Parish Eucharist
11.15am Choral Eucharist (1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays)
Monthly Services
12.15pm Eucharist (3rd Sundays)
Sundays 8am Eucharist
Saturdays
Whether you prefer silent prayer or meditation, attending services or lighting a candle, we welcome all to worship. It is the heartbeat of our life at the Cathedral.
German Lutheran
Opening times The Cathedral is open daily 8.30am – 5.30pm. Entry is FREE All donations are gratefully received. Tickets Book online at www.stalbanscathedral.org, in-person at our Box Office, located in the Cathedral Shop, or call 01727 890290. For the latest information visit our website and sign up for our What’s On newsletter. St Albans Cathedral Sumpter Yard, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 1BY Telephone: 01727 890210 Email: mail@stalbanscathedral.org www.stalbanscathedral.org @StAlbansCath@stalbanscathedral@stalbanscathedral /StAlbansCathedralOfficial “... every time I visit, it feels like the first time. There’s just something breath taking about it.”
