Module 06 - Resources for small groups

A Rocha UK have Environment Resource packs which contain Bible study resources. You could use these around 'Environment Sunday' (Sunday nearest to World Environment Day - June 5th), or during Advent or Lent. Or any other time of year!  The 2008 Planetwise pack has the studies downloadable from a CD-RoM and DVD which costs £10. Order direct from A Rocha on 0208 574 5935, or order Planetwise online. It includes outlines for bible studies in small groups, and much, much more!

Christian Ecology Link run an environmental awareness course designed for Christian groups, with resources appropriate for a variety of ages.

Churches Together in All Lincolnshire Environmental Group and BBC Radio Lincolnshire have prepared The Earth in Our Hands LENT COURSE 2007.

This course is not just for lent, it's for life.

Exeter Diocese (Devon Churches Green Action in conjunction with BBC Radio Devon)  developed an excellent Lent Course for 2007: "What on earth are we doing?". It covers Consumerism, Energy, Food, Transport and Water. Have a look at the Christian Ecology section of the Diocese of Exeter website. Of course, you can use it at any other time, too. You can also listen to the audio content of the material.

This book explains what Jesus has to teach us about respect for the creation and the environment. This book includes questions for group study or personal reflection.

Published by SPCK £6.99 ISBN: 0281056234

Operation Noah the churches' climate change campaign, have produced lots of resources, including a Bible study for use in house groups.

Methodist Relief and Development Fund have produced a study series on poverty that is available to download. It is important to make the links for people between issues of global poverty, trade, aid and debt, and environmental issues. These things are inextricably interlinked.

Also they have a new study out on climate change. You can download it from their website here.

Revd Chris Polhill produced an excellent Lent course which was used in Lichfield Diocese, and is now up on the Reflection Gardens website (click on Lent Course at the bottom of the page). Reflection Gardens is a retreat opportunity for individuals or groups in Staffordshire.

Sage Oxford have produced:

• 6 studies as in introduction to the environment for church home groups
• 3 studies by Revd Jennifer Brown
• a series of studies 'Caring for Creation' by Mark White, designed to go with the book 'Christianity, Climate Change and Sustainability' bu Nick Spencer and Robert White.

Prof RJ (Sam) Berry has written much about the links between Christian faith and creation care, and for Southwark Diocese he has put together 'Whose World?': Bible studies which are freely downloadable

Sustaining the Earth is a workbook written by Tim Cooper (Chair of Christian Ecology Link). St John's Extension Studies, 1997, £9.99. A distance learning course designed to use in church study groups, available from St John's Extension Studies, Bramcote, Nottingham NG9 3RL, United Kingdom, Tel 0115-925 1117

Tearfund have published a series of Bible studies on their International Learning Zone site:

• Revd Tim Oakley wrote this as an introduction to caring for the environment.
• These studies have a tree theme.
• Learn about the impact of climate change here with a Bible study by Sir John Houghton on this also
• These studies have a biodiversity theme.

Wells for India have produced a Lent resource, directed towards young people, but with wider appeal.

The Omega Climate Change Group is a group from St Mark’s Church , Broomhill and St Mary’s, Bramall Lane, both in Sheffield, who are seeking to encourage Christians and others to respond
creatively, imaginatively and effectively to the challenge of climate change. They
liaise closely with other groups, especially the Sheffield Campaign against Climate Change. Through contacts in their churches and beyond they have access to a wide
range of expertise and advice.

They have produced a course in five sessions, first used in 2007, then revised
for 2008. It has been used by both church and secular groups. It
includes a carbon trading game which is both fun and instructive. It is
available separately.

You can contact them through the websites given.

Use the Methodist Church's resources for a series of Bible studies on climate change.

Paint the Church Green

A group course by Ellen Teague

Published by Kevin Mayhew

Paint the Church Green enables church groups to explore the relationship between faith and concern for the natural world. By learning about environmental issues, unsustainable development and the link with global poverty, it reflects on western lifestyle and encourages positive suggestions for change. Paint the Church Green features six 'agendas' (sessions) that are designed to take place over six weeks:

· People and Planet

· Food and Drink

· Battling the Elements

· Energy for the Future

· Abundant Life

· Covenant with Creation.

Each agenda encourages groups to share their experiences, followed by biblical reflection, tips to help churches bring about change and a concluding prayer.

Price: £5.99 + £2.00 p&p from Kevin Mayhew Publishers, Buxhall, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 3BW t: 01449 737 978 e:sales@kevinmayhewltd.com

Between the Flood and the Rainbow

Climate Change and the Church's Social Teaching - A Study Guide
Produced by OPERATION NOAH, supported by CAFOD, Columban Faith and Justice, and the National Justice and Peace Network.

This study guide on Climate Change is based upon key themes in Catholic Social Teaching. It is intended for study and reflection by adult groups. The guide contains agendas for six Meetings with accompanying Appendices, Reflection and Action Sheets, Reading Sheets, plus a Prayer and Worship Section.

Price: £5 plus £1 p&p from: Operation Noah, The Grayston Centre, 28 Charles Square, London N1 6HT. 020 7324 4761. www.operationnoah.org

Bishop Declan Lang of Clifton Diocese, Episcopal Liaison for Environmental Justice, Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales said: "I welcome these study materials from Operation Noah. They are a practical and stimulating way in which to help deepen our appreciation of the environment and understand the challenges arising from climate change. The world of nature is a gift from God and a primary way in which God invites us to share in God's life and become more truly human. God saw what he had made and found it good."

The Genesis storywriters tackle key issues for life on Earth: how do we relate to the Creator, to others in the human community, and to the rest of the natural world?

These notes are downloadable directly from the Operation Noah site.

This is a set of 5 Bible studies for use in small groups, based on the book of the same name by Nick Spencer and Robert White, and produced in conjunction with Tearfund.

Download direct from the Jubilee Centre in Cambridge.

Operation Noah launches its Church Action Starter Pack for communities wanting to LEARN and TAKE ACTION on climate change.

In the run-up to the monumentally important Copenhagen climate change negotiations, it’s imperative that as many churches as possible mobilise and engage on climate change issues and recognise the important role they can play as community leaders on this issue. 

To this end, Operation Noah has produced this pack of resources to accompany its ARK campaign.  There are resources suitable for all the different sectors of the church community, including the workbook Between the Flood and the Rainbow, the DVD God is Green, liturgical resources and specific ARK campaign actions people can take, such as the celebrated origami ARK petition, the ARK building competition and instructions on how to organise an event.  

Packs cost £20 and can be purchased by contacting Operation Noah (email, 020 7324 4761, Operation Noah, 28 Charles Square, London, N1 6HT).  Payment can be made by Paypal  or by cheque (made payable to Operation Noah).

For more details, please visit the Operation Noah site.