First-ever Eco Church Forum set for Norwich 

The Diocese of Norwich Eco Church Forum is set to stage its first-ever free in-person Forum event in Norwich on Tuesday May 7 and all are invited to attend.

Diocesan Environment Officer, Barbara Bryant, said: “The aim of the Forum is to inform, equip and inspire us to think through and approach the sections of the A Rocha UK Eco Church Survey that relate to food choices.

“We are aware of the complexities of a global food system that ensures that most of those with the least resources (in the UK) resort to cheaper, ultra-processed food. Recent research highlighted Norfolk as actually having higher than average rates of malnutrition – mostly in our elderly population, but also in some children. There is a perception, and a reality that the LOAF principles highlighted in the A Rocha survey would be very hard to achieve by many in these lower-income communities and indeed, by many of our churches who provide food for their local communities.”

The chair of the Diocese of Norwich Environment Working Group, Rev David Longe, will chair a panel discussion with three participants from Norfolk and Suffolk: Peter Emmrich on global food security, Rev Leon Collyer on regenerative farming and Anna Sweeting on healthy eating on a budget.

“We’ll be inviting open discussion and questions,” said Barbara. “Any practical, encouraging examples you can bring to the discussion would be helpful! We hope to be able to livestream to reach those who can’t get into Norwich.”

The event, entitled understanding & demystifying food choices, will run from 6:30pm for refreshments to start at 7pm and will finish by 8:30pm at St Stephens, Rampant Horse Street, Norwich, NR2 1QP . It is a free event.

For further information, please contact Barbara.bryant@dioceseofnorwich.org Diocesan Environment Officer.
 
The Eco Church Forum is networking space for those working on Eco Church in the Diocese of Norwich - and with ecumenical partners welcome to join the conversation too. It’s a regular opportunity share what you are doing, ask any questions you have, share helpful articles you come across, start conversations, to enable all on the Eco Church journey to support one another. There is a Facebook page for conversations between forum meetings, which are held either online or in-person quarterly.

Eco Church is A Rocha UK’s award scheme for churches in England and Wales who want to demonstrate that the gospel is good news for God’s earth. https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk
 
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