Many of us find that being outdoors in God’s creation provides a ‘portal’ into His Presence. He is not limited to meeting us indoors! We have regular prayer trails, children’s insect and flower hunts, an orchard for contemplative prayer, an outdoor classroom, a wildflower meadow, and a bench specifically for praying. We hope that our garden provides a ‘thin place’ where people can meet with God.

St Mark’s runs a clothes bank, set up in 2016 by then church member, Michelle Hayes; this is much used by local people on low income (of whom there are sadly many, even in leafy Harrogate) and particularly by refugees.

We installed solar panels in 2012, here shown being blessed by Rt Rev. James Bell, previous Bishop of Ripon, alongside Andrew Jones MP. The solar panels generate approximately 6,300 kWh per year and for the rest of our energy we have been using Green Journey (renewable energy) since 2017. We are currently working on replacing our gas boiler with more solar panels and Air Source or Ground Source heat pumps.

We have provision for 32 bikes, having doubled our number of cycle racks in 2022 using a council grant. We encourage active travel in its various forms.

St Mark’s was filmed in June 2022 by the Church of England, in order to be used along with other case studies for inspiring leaders at the July 2022 General Synod, and for use as a resource on the Church of England’s Environment pages.

As a Fairtrade Church, we see buying and promoting Fairtrade as a way of promoting Climate Justice.

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Churchwide walks offer a special time for people to spend together in nature, providing an opportunity for all ages to appreciate the beauty of creation and reflect on our shared responsibility to care for the environment.

As a church family, we’ve been creating short videos to share the personal ways we’re caring for creation—an important part of our evangelism that shows how living out our faith includes protecting the world God has made.

Caring for Creation

Sustainable Christmas

Food waste

Managing our garden for pollinators and other species is vital for supporting biodiversity and protecting God’s intricate web of life.

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We consider it important to engage with our local representatives as a way of being salt and light in the community.

Local representatives share in our Gold award celebration.