Fifteen people from across the diocese have stepped forward to support churches in their deaneries care for creation.
The Deanery Environmental Leads cover twelve different deaneries, from Milton Keynes in the north down to Sonning in the south and across to the Vale of White Horse in the west.
The Leads are building connections with local churches, so they can signpost churches to support and resources, share their own experiences, and mentor churches through the Eco Church framework. Each person brings different skills, interests and expertise, and most recently some of them have come together to advocate for change at a national level on energy issues.
Rev John Ainslie - Maidenhead and Windsor Deanery
John is a Lead in Maidenhead and Windsor, alongside Hannah Etherton (below). John has a background in offshore and onshore renewable energy, and has a particular heart for climate justice
Mike Buckland - Sonning Deanery
Mike is a member of St Mary’s Wargrave, and has supported the church to achieve the Silver Eco Church award. It has recently been celebrated for its efforts to nurture wildlife and biodiversity in their beautiful churchyard
Hannah Etherton – Maidenhead and Windsor Deanery
Based in Burchetts Green parish, Hannah has previous experience of Eco Church and is helping her parish to participate. She is keen to make connections with local environmental groups and support people make sustainable lifestyle choices.
Peter Foot – Vale of White Horse Deanery
In his role as Lay Chair for the Deanery, Peter has committed to a weekly prayer time that includes environmental concerns, and believes this is the reason 17 out of 27 churches in the Deanery have registered with the Eco Church scheme - 7 Bronze Awards have already been made and a Silver is being energetically pursued!
Richard Foster - Bradfield Deanery
Richard has been active in climate change advocacy for 15 years. This has included chairing the West Berks Green Exchange, and in his capacity as a town councillor for Thatcham, chairing their environmental working party and helping write their environmental strategy. He is committed to helping people and churches understand the seriousness of the climate and ecological crises, and supporting them to take action.
Rev Hannah Higginson – Sonning Deanery
Hannah is Associate Priest at All Saints Wokingham, which has recently achieved its silver level Eco Church award. Hannah has planned a series of events for Churches Count on Nature with local schools, cubs and the church congregation, and organises gatherings of green teams from across the deanery to learn and share together
Mike Hill – Wycombe Deanery
Mike is known in Wycombe as the Environmental Advocate, and has brought together a number of churches in the deanery to meet online every few months with colleagues from the United Reformed Church
Stuart Kean – Milton Keynes Deanery
Based at Christ the Cornerstone, Stuart has a background in advocacy and international development, and is feeling called outside of work to channel his energy into creation care locally.
Joanna Laynesmith – Reading Deanery
Joanna is a founding member of Reading Green Christians, with a heart for campaigning and advocacy and is a member of Silver Eco Church, St John’s and St Stephen’s Reading.
Rev Hugh Lee – Aston and Cuddesdon Deanery
Hugh is particularly interested in energy issues, and supporting churches locally to switch to a credible renewable energy tariff. He has also been a member of General Synod.
Paul Moring – Wendover Deanery
Paul has supported St Mary’s Wendover to implement energy efficiency measures and is interested in how the Diocese can support churches with the switch to renewable energy tariffs. He is also an expert in palm oil, and is happy to answer questions on this subject…
Rev Sam Mortimer – Bracknell Deanery
Sam is a curate at Binfield and is committed to supporting churches understand the theology of creation care, and the response that this demands from us as Christians
Rev Kimonie Nicholls - Newport Deanery
Kimonie is a curate at All Saints Emberton and is settling into a new life in the area. She has a heart for how we can take personal responsility for creation care, and is looking forward to encouraging local churches to take part - as well as partnering with other leads in neighbouring deaneries.
Deborah Phillips – Newbury Deanery
With a background in the construction industry Deborah is from St James the Great, Eastbury, and is passionate about raising awareness of the climate emergency. She has been involved in a Big ‘Green Weekend’ in the Lambourn Valley and is working with others in the community. She has experienced first hand the journey of St James becoming an Eco Church, committing to Carbon Net Zero by 2030 and embracing the guidance offered in its recent energy audit.
Billie Tweedy – Witney Deanery
Billie is supporting her local church to work through the Eco Church framework and engaging with Deanery Synod to raise awareness of actions churches can take to make a difference
Nigel White – Wallingford Deanery
Nigel’s professional background is as a building services engineer, with expertise in net zero and energy efficiency. Based at St Mary’s Cholsey, he is supporting Malcolm to engage churches across the Wallingford Deanery
If you would like support on your Eco Church journey or have other questions about creation care, then contact your Deanery Environmental Lead, and they will be happy to help.
Do you feel called to be a Deanery Environmental Lead for your deanery? Read the role description and apply directly using the application form or get in touch with Hannah, the Environment Action Programme Manager, to have a conversation.