Learning to sustainably care for Country: Queenscliff Uniting Church

Queenscliff Uniting Church is located by the sea, just a short distance from Geelong in Victoria. The congregation has a contemporary and contemplative worship focus and seeks to connect with the local community. It has become known for its annual Sacred Edge Festival, held in May each year, which aims to build inclusivity, acceptance and mutual understanding and a respect for creation and diverse people and cultures.

Richard Allen, a member at Queenscliff Uniting, explained that around four years ago the congregation accepted an invitation from the Local Council to help build a Climate Emergency Response Plan. Along with other community groups, the congregation helped form a core group which worked on the plan. A great deal of interaction and community synergy grew out of this work.

A key motivation for the Queenscliff Congregation has been its understanding of the biblical instruction to care for God’s creation. Understanding other faith perspectives on creation has also been important. Richard says, “learning how Indigenous peoples have cared for country has been very important and the congregation has now developed connections with the local Wadawurrung people of the Kulin Nation.”

In the first year of the implementation of the Climate Emergency Response Plan (CERP) the congregation made three main commitments – install a solar battery, cease the use of gas, and educate the community on the CERP and the actions they can take.

These are now well advanced and being in a central location in the town, the local community can see that renewable energy is certainly a priority for the congregation. There is a buzz in the town and the work of the congregation is now a talking point. Worship at Queenscliff also encourages conversations about caring for the Earth through the sharing of contemporary readings, songs, and artworks. The congregation has still more work to become fully renewable and is seeking funds from a wide variety of sources. In the meantime, energy to meet their renewable “shortfall” is sourced from a reputable “Green Power” supplier.

Richard encourages other congregations to start the journey. He believes that doing an energy audit is a good place to start and there are organisations around to help. “There are opportunities around to obtain funding or subsidies and organisations are prepared to work with you once you start talking and looking around.”

Richard also stresses that there are also great savings to be made in the congregation’s budget by adopting renewable energy. “Acting on global warming is a win-win for the people, the Planet and all those who will come after us!”

Story Hub