A SUSTAINABLE CHURCH FLOWERS RESOLUTION
We, the Benefice of.............................................. in the Diocese of ................................................., are committed to the principles of the Sustainable Church Flowers movement, namely:
As floral foam is both a pollutant and a single use, non-compostable plastic,
we will prioritise its complete elimination within our churches and our graveyards, encouraging our floral creators/decorators to use alternative methods and techniques
for the display of creation and the glory of God.
We will use seasonal flowers and foliage grown locally or nationally where possible, being mindful of the liturgical seasons, adjusting church and graveyard decorations according to what is naturally and locally available.
We will be mindful of the environmental impact of our actions
in accordance with the spirit of the
Fifth Mark of Mission of the Church of England:
‘To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation
and sustain and renew the life of the earth.’
This Parochial Church Council resolution is an example of one that can be used to ensure that the principles of Sustainable Church Flowers are formally adopted and endorsed by the whole church community.
This one can be used as it stands or as a template that can be adapted to a local situation, whilst remaining faithful to the spirit of the movement.
A MOTION FROM
DEANERY SYNOD
to Diocesan Synod
That this Synod, embracing the principles of the Sustainable Church Flowers movement, which encourages a living into the Fifth Mark of Mission by promoting the use of local, seasonal and
fully biodegradable/compostable flowers and foliage without floral foam*,
1.) encourages a sustainable approach to church flowers throughout the diocese
and
2.) strongly discourages the use of all floral foam in churches and churchyards across the diocese.
*Floral foam (trade name Oasis) is a micro plastic held together by formaldehyde, carbon black, proprietary acid catalysts, proprietary sulfactant and barium sulphate.
The motion shown here is the one which was passed by Oxford Diocesan Synod in March 2023.
The speech to the motion can be found here.
This can be used by deaneries as written or as a template to be adapted to a local situation, whilst remaining faithful to the spirit of the movement.
A motion of 'strongly discourage' the use of floral foam was passed in Hereford Diocese in 2022.
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