Eco Church
St Stephens church is situated on the top of a ridge with fantastic views across Romney Marsh, the English channel and France. It makes you want to care for God’s creation.
The church has been a pioneer in some areas of environmental responsibility and care, particularly with their ground-source heat pump providing all the church heating, and wildlife festivals taking place in the churchyard.
In 2023 the church decided to formalise this by becoming an Eco Church. The Eco Church scheme encourages and equips churches to care for God’s creation through 5 different categories.
Worship
During 2023 we had special services relating to caring for God’s earth – and one of these was held outside in the beautiful setting of our churchyard. We regularly pray for God’s world in our intercessions.
Buildings
Lympne church is one of very few churches with under floor heating fed from a ground-source heat pump. Where practical recycled or energy efficient products are used within the church building and church activities.
The photo shows the drilling machine used in 2008 to install the ground source heating pipes.
Land
Our churchyard includes areas left unmown to encourage wildlife, and we have bird and bat boxes.
Community & Global engagement
As a church we have supported some local environmental and sustainability groups such as the Kent Wildlife Trust. In 2021 and 2022 the church has run a “St Stephen’s Churchyard Wildlife Festival” with a Batwalk in the evening.
Lifestyle
Lympne church has an Eco- groups to champion the church community becoming more environmentally sustainable and they plan to promote this more through newsletters and other communications.