Living Lightly – some thoughts

It’s been wonderful to hear so many positive comments about our Living Lightly day which got me wondering why it was a success. Here are some themes that emerged for me:

Community – a wonderful flow of people came to the event, people from our church community, families from St Augustine’s School and people from the wider Mid Sussex area including people from other churches who were  interested in organising a similar event.

Connections – all day there was a hum of conversation with people sharing thoughts sparked by the stands and activities going on

Collaboration – many, many apples were chopped, macerated and pressed to make apple juice with the children especially engaged with the process. Everyone worked together to achieve the delicious end result.

Construction – bird feeders, bug hotels and willow deer were made with support from BH Shed and Jenny Walker and team.

Creation care – it demonstrated our charge to be faithful stewards of God’s creation. This aligns with the Anglican church’s fifth mark of mission: to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the live of the earth.’ Amen!

Thank you to all those who made it possible: Andi and her Fillgood van, Thirza from Zero Hub in Burgess Hill, the team from BH Shed, James Skillicorn and his worms, Louise Hawes and her bee display, William Coleman from Chailey Commons Society and his besom brooms, John Main for leading the apple pressing, John  Pilkington and his grain and coffee demos, Graeme de Lande Long, Dave Woolley and Tim Hicks – the E-car team, Cilla de Lande Long’s wildlife gardening exhibit, Jenny Bewick and her renewable energy kit and outdoor games, and last but not least the kitchen team for delicious refreshments throughout the day.

Helen Hicks