Living Witness Project
Oxford Quaker Meeting Statement on Care for the Environment Many of us experience the natural world as a source of spiritual inspiration, healing and growth. We are increasingly aware of the need for a spirituality that celebrates the flourishing of the natural world, as well as that of communities and individuals. Care for the planet, and for all the life-forms that it sustains, is a central part of Quaker witness, intimately connected with our testimonies to simplicity, peace and non-violence, equality and community. Human life depends on a healthy environment. Global emergencies such as climate change are raising awareness in society at large of the need to act, and to change our ways of life, so that the lives of future generations are not put at risk. In 2001, BYM issued a call to action, witnessing to God in all creation, and urging us to “commit ourselves to the demanding, costly implications of radically changed lives….out of joy, celebration, reverence and a deep love of the God of life.” Oxford PM seeks to ensure that members and attenders have opportunities for further dialogue and reflection, so as to become more informed about the effects our way of life is having on the global economy and the environment, and to be aware of ways in which we can make our lives more sustainable and equitable. We encourage Friends to find ways of taking action on this together. We support the development of our environmental witness through individual choices and actions, through the regular meetings of the Group on Sustainable Living and other occasional events, and through the provision of information in the meeting house library. Within the meeting house, our corporate choices also form an essential part of our witness. Oxford PM has switched to green electricity for the Meeting House, and has undertaken an environmental audit. We ask Premises and Finance Committee, and others responsible for decisions about purchasing and the use of the Meeting House, to place a high priority on protection of the environment, in particular: - minimising our consumption of gas, electricity and water; - minimising waste: where possible, to repair, re-use, and recycle; and to compost; - using paper and other products from renewable or recycled and environmentally-friendly sources; - using environmentally-friendly – and, where possible, plant-based - cleaning and decorating materials; - in any new building or refurbishment, giving a high priority to energy and water conservation, and to the use of sustainably produced materials; - purchasing organically and if possible locally produced food and drink, and fairly traded tea, coffee, and other imported products; - making our grounds as wildlife-friendly as possible, avoiding the use of artificial fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides. Oxford Preparative Meeting, 5^th September 2004	Home LWP Meetings

Living Witness Project

Oxford Quaker Meeting

Statement on Care for the Environment

Many of us experience the natural world as a source of spiritual inspiration, healing and growth. We are increasingly aware of the need for a spirituality that celebrates the flourishing of the natural world, as well as that of communities and individuals. Care for the planet, and for all the life-forms that it sustains, is a central part of Quaker witness, intimately connected with our testimonies to simplicity, peace and non-violence, equality and community.

Human life depends on a healthy environment. Global emergencies such as climate change are raising awareness in society at large of the need to act, and to change our ways of life, so that the lives of future generations are not put at risk. In 2001, BYM issued a call to action, witnessing to God in all creation, and urging us to “commit ourselves to the demanding, costly implications of radically changed lives….out of joy, celebration, reverence and a deep love of the God of life.”

Oxford PM seeks to ensure that members and attenders have opportunities for further dialogue and reflection, so as to become more informed about the effects our way of life is having on the global economy and the environment, and to be aware of ways in which we can make our lives more sustainable and equitable. We encourage Friends to find ways of taking action on this together. We support the development of our environmental witness through individual choices and actions, through the regular meetings of the Group on Sustainable Living and other occasional events, and through the provision of information in the meeting house library.

Within the meeting house, our corporate choices also form an essential part of our witness. Oxford PM has switched to green electricity for the Meeting House, and has undertaken an environmental audit. We ask Premises and Finance Committee, and others responsible for decisions about purchasing and the use of the Meeting House, to place a high priority on protection of the environment, in particular:

- minimising our consumption of gas, electricity and water;

- minimising waste: where possible, to repair, re-use, and recycle; and to compost;

- using paper and other products from renewable or recycled and environmentally-friendly sources;

- using environmentally-friendly – and, where possible, plant-based - cleaning and decorating materials;

- in any new building or refurbishment, giving a high priority to energy and water conservation, and to the use of sustainably produced materials;

- purchasing organically and if possible locally produced food and drink, and fairly traded tea, coffee, and other imported products;

- making our grounds as wildlife-friendly as possible, avoiding the use of artificial fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides.

Oxford Preparative Meeting, 5^th September 2004

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