Web Links

(Newest general links and updated links added at end)
Last updated 25 Aug 2012
This page is divided into the following sections

1. (Whoswho) How CEL fits into the local, the national and international scene.
   
2. British Isles Links
   1. Christian Environment Organisations (Joining Organisations)
   2. Christian Environment Resources/ Projects

   Other very useful sites: The Man in Seat61 www.transportdirect.info/web2/ recyclenow.com Sustainable Energy without the hot air www.pdfonline.com (also useful for reading publisher)

   3. Christian Justice and Peace Organisations plus the Environment
   4. Organisations involving The Environment, Christianity, and in some cases other Religions
   5. Local/Regional Christian Environment Organisations
   6. Other useful sites - newest links added at the very end of this page
      
3. European Links - (European Christian Environment Network (ECEN) reports on separate page)
4. USA and Canada Links
5. Australia and New Zealand Links
6. Links to Africa
7. Links to India
   
8. Blogs of CEL members and their Websites (on separate page)
9. Websites recommended by CEL members
10. Other useful sites - newest links added at the end

i. UK Christian Environment Organisations (Joining Organisations)

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Christian Ecology Link:
Christian Ecology Link is a UK organisation - a membership organisation - a charity - for Christians concerned about the environment. It was conceived in 1981, and constituted in 1982 and was the first such organisation to set up.It supports Christians from all backgrounds and traditions. In July 2007 celebrated its 25th birthday. It has individual members and also encourages churches to join as Church or Corporate members. Other churches have contact through the distribution of ChurchLink a twice yearly free A4 leaflet. Tel: 01524 36241
       CEL produces a twice yearly magazine, Green Christian, organises Conferences and other meetings for members, has some local groups and issues press releases on environmental topics. Its website includes a page announcing church environmental events throughout the country. Leading up to and during the year 2000 it ran the CEL Millennium Certificate Challenge and gave certificates to churches that carried out ten environmentally positive activities. Its current campaigns include a Food campaign involving promoting LOAF principles. It supports Operation Noah (raising awareness and positive action about climate change)

A Rocha
A Rocha is an international conservation organisation working to show God's love for all creation with projects in Portugal, France, Lebanon, Kenya, Czech Republic and Canada. It has field centres in some countries. It organises Environment Sunday in the UK (formerly Conservation Sunday): Sun 3 2012. It launched the A Rocha UK project in London on Feb 3 2001. This includes helping the Council look after a local nature reserve/country park, work in schools and setting up a purpose built floating classroom on the canal. Contact A Rocha UK 13, Avenue Road, Southall, Middlesex UB1 3BL, tel: 02085745935 For A Rocha International contact: Barbara Mearns A Rocha, 3 Hooper St, Cambridge, CB1 2NZ Tel: (44) 1387 710286

Society, Religion & Technology Project of the Church of Scotland
Find out about genetic engineering and cloning and read some good reports on the ethics of today's technologies on the SRT Website. Society, Religion and Technology Project, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN, +44 131 240 2250 srtp@srtp.org.uk - Dr M Macdonald, Policy Officer, Church of Scotland, 121 George Street Edinburgh, EH2 4YN Tel: 0131 225 5722, Ext 343 Fax: 0131 240 2207 or 0131 240 2267 mmacdonald@cofscotland.org.ukww www.churchofscotland.org.uk

John Ray Initiative
The vision of The John Ray Initiative (JRI) is to bring together scientific and Christian understandings of the environment in a way that can be widely communicated through courses and educational materials, and lead to effective action: JRI, Room TC103, Cheltenham & Gloucester College of H.E. Francis Close Hall, Swindon Road, Cheltenham GL50 4AZ, UK Tel 01242 543580 JRI Brochure -pdf - Oct 2009

Living Witness Project - Quakers for Sustainable Living
is a growing network of Friends of various ages, coming together to explore and promote awareness of the need for a green lifestyle. Living Witness Project which is started in 2002 . Magazine 4 times a year can be seen online: earthQuaker:

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Certificate in Christian Rural and Environmental Studies

• Part time modular course by distance learning
• A local personal tutor to guide you through
• Flexibility to tailor coursework topics to your own particular concerns
• Full website support with dedicated password protected area
• Opportunities to meet with other participants
• Core modules which approach rural and environmental studies from a Christian viewpoint
• Additional modules giving the opportunity to specialise in either rural or environmental concerns
• Certificate accredited by Keele University
• Usually taken over two years
• Cost is £440 in total, which includes two residential weekends, payable in two annual installments

Eco-Congregation
Eco-Congregation is a programme for churches to help them take spiritual and practical steps to care for God’s creation. It developed from a partnership between the environmental-awareness charity Encams, formerly Going for Green, and the Environmental Issues Network of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.

Eco-congregation England & Wales
From 1 April 2009, the Eco-congregation England & Wales office will be moving as David Hughes takes over. The new details will be:
David Hughes ecocongregation@arocha.org
Eco-congregation
Groundwork Sheffield
The Innovation Centre
217 Portobello
SHEFFIELD S1 4D Phone number: 0114 263 6423

Some history: Revd David Pickering was the first EcoCongregation Coordinator, and the project was set up in about 2001 with the help of EnCams. On April 1st 2004 the management of EcoCongregation was taken on by The Arthur Rank Centre. David Pickering passed on the work to Jo Rathbone who worked for two half days per week. In 2007 the mangement of EcoCongregation was taken on by A Rocha. Jo Rathbone worked two days a week using the Arthur Rank Centre as an office, but with visits to A Rocha in London.

It has three core elements:
· A set of inspiring resources comprised of modules covering a variety of topics; You can download these
· A process to encourage churches to get involved and to support the environmental work that they are doing;
· An Eco-Congregation Award, to act as a target for churches and to affirm positive environmental achievements.

EcoCongregation Ireland

Eco-Congregation Scotland website For Scotland contact:
Margaret Warnock Eco-Congregation Scotland, Keep Scotland Beautiful, Islay House, Livilands Lane, Stirling, FK8 2BG New Telephone Number: 01877 330182 New Email: margaret@ecocongregation.org.uk or Adrian Shaw Climate Change Programme of Church of Scotland ashaw@cofscotland.org.uk
Climate Change Programme of Church of Scotland Adrian Shaw - ashaw@cofscotland.org.uk
Climate Change Project Officer, Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN, 0131 225 5722

The Catholic Church's Livesimply Challenge is supported by over 50 organisations, agencies, dioceses and others, and which reflects on God’s call for us all to live simply, sustainably and in solidarity with those who are poor.

Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture (Formerly Ecotheology)
Established in 1992 under the original title of Theology in Green, this journal of theological reflection on ecological issues was relaunched in 1996 as Ecotheology. It is published twice a year and is now published by Equinox journals

Countryside Matters - a good website
Find out how much the average British Upland farmer earned on average last ye ar plus other facts about British countryside and rural concerns. Site maintained by Revd Terry Brighton, (Priest -in-charge of 5 rural parishes in South Devon).

Church Energy Conservation Scheme Scotland
Are you a church in Scotland? Could you make use of advice from this scheme?

I breathe Less Stuff - More Life

Shrinking the Footprint - The Church of England's National Environmental Campaign

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National Justice and Peace network - Catholic, UK

Columban JPIC The new (UK) Columban Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Webpage - You can download the excellent magazine Vocation for Justice here, and also the video Stations of the Forests and its accompanying booklet in pdf form

CAFOD (the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development)

Christian Aid Reports:

ECCR - The Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility - works for corporate and investor responsibility in companies and the Church. - ECCR acts as a forum where issues of corporate and investor responsibility are researched and studied, information and ideas are exchanged, and strategies are planned and implemented. - ECCR's company and thematic reports, briefing papers, quarterly Bulletin, monthly e-newsletter and web-based news will help you keep up to date on how leading transnational companies measure up to environmental, social and governance standards.

iv. UK Organisations involving The Environment, Christianity, and in some cases other Religions

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Alliance of Religions and Conservation - www.arcworld.org . - A UK-based secular body that helps the major religions of the world to develop their own environmental programmes based on their core teachings, beliefs and practices. ARC organised the November 2009 Windsor Celebration, at which more than 30 long-term action plans on the environment were launched, from nine of the world's major faiths, before Prince Charles and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The Christian Council for Monetary Justice. The CCMJ exists to testify to traditional insights against usury and for a just financial system. www.ccmj.org Chairman: Revd. Canon Peter Challen;

The Big Green Jewish Website

REEP (Religious Education and Environment Programme)
REEP provides educational programmes, a Schools Programme (RE), speakers, trainers and materials in the fields of spirituality, ecology and religion. there are Membership Networks for those who share its aims or join in the work.

Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals

Catholic Concern for Animals UK

Greenspirit The Association for Creation Spirituality in the United Kingdom
Greenspirit currently has a climate change campaign. http://www.greenspirit.org.uk/climatechange/

EcoIslam Newsletter 2 Sept 2006

.. ISLAMIC FOUNDATION FOR ECOLOGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES You an download the latest issues of the EcoIslam Newsletter

Faith 4 Change The inspiration for and founder of this organisation is the Rt Rev James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool and the purpose is to enable people of all faiths to demonstrate caring for creation by working in partnership with others to create sustainable environmental initiatives in local communities in NW England.

v. Local/Regional Christian Environment Organisations

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(See also CEL Local Groups' page )

Sage - Oxford's Christian Environmental Group
Sage is a network of Christians in the churches of the Oxford region who are exploring the relationships between faith and environmental issues. It was started in 1990. Members give presentations and lead discussions for church groups, organise nature walks and holidays, are involved in practical conservation projects, and have produced a set of Bible studies. Email
Sagewords is seful resource material on their website

Bath & Wells Diocesan Environment Group (DEG) Newsletters (bimonthly) Worth reading - there is a lot going on.

Bradford EarthCare

Cumbria Churches Together Climate Action Website

Devon Churches Green Action - Diocese of Exeter.

London Churches Environmental Network - based in Southwark Diocese. Bimonthly newsletter. (This replaces - LondonSCARE - London and Southwark Churches Action re the Environment. which had meetings in the 1990s and early 2000s)

North East Churches EarthCare Group - News from County Durham and Northumberland

Faiths4Change Faiths4Change is an exciting multi-faith community transformation project in England's North West and builds on the successful pilot project Operation EDEN . Burnley, Liverpool,l Manchester, Preston.

See also CEL Local Groups' page

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WWF Report:

Action Towards Local Sustainability

SUSTAIN, the alliance for better food and farming
Help Sustain's Organic Food & Farming Targets Bill campaign, by writing a letter to your MP, and signing-up to the campaign

Flying off to a warmer climate
A fun program which enables you to calculate the amount of air pollution produced when flying on different journeys. ..perhaps your upcoming holiday or business trip. The Climate Train Ecobalance Page compares a journey by train and boat with an air journey and finds that 3.8 times as much CO₂ per passenger is produced on the air journey, but that the effect of all the other gases produced by the plane (Ozone, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and water vapour) at high altitude is over 7 times the CO₂ equivalent of the ground journey.

The New Economics Foundation works to construct a new economy centred on people and the environment. The new economy envisioned includes a new perspective on wealth which emphasises quality of life for the human race and the environment. Founded in 1986, it is now one of the UK's most creative and effective independent think tanks, combining research, advocacy, training and practical action.

Conservation Foundation

WDM World Development Movement
The World Development Movement (WDM) tackles the root causes of world poverty. campaigning for fairer world trade, regulating multinationals ...

 
Some Useful Genetic Engineering Links recommended by CEL members

Stop Climate Chaos. Climate change coalition the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition is 80 organisations and their 4 million supporters, working together for positive action

  European Links

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CEL Reports on ECEN and other Europe meetings by CEL participants

The World Council of Churches and Eco-Justice
has recently published the 1999 edition of their magazine Echoes. It features articles on globalization, MAI and its successors, patenting genetic resources and other topics. It can also be read online

  The European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN) was formed in Oct 24 1998. It has links to and descriptions of some Christian Environment Groups or Environment branches of Christian churches in many different countries in Europe. Some of these organisations have some useful sections in English about ideas and activities.

Kairos Europa Kairos puts grass-roots groups in touch with each other grass-roots groups made up of people involved in social and justice issues and people from more vulnerable sections of society; women's groups, unemployed peoples groups, ecological groups. A Kairos Document can be seen at this site. Kairos UK: Grassroots operates from Luton.

Franciscaans Milieuproject The Franciscan Ecological Project, Stoutenburg, Holland. This Site is mostly in Dutch, but there are some pages in English

Ethics and energy - Sweden

USA and Canada links

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Columbi River Pastoral Letter Project: Some "green" Catholic bishops in the Pacific Northwest of Canada have produced a letter. A great website which may may give you some ideas and inspiration.

Simple Living - Alternatives

Au Sable

Christian Environmental Association

Target Earth

Earth Ministry based in Seattle, Washington, USA

Development and Peace A Canadian Catholic organisation have produced useful material on Bio-patenting

  Australia and New Zealand Links

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Renewing Creation South Australian Heads of Christian Churches commission an ecumenical five part Bible Study. It is being prepared in time for Lent 2004, and bears the title – “Renewing Creation”. These studies are a reflection on the passion of our Lord in the context of the environmental crisis of our planet. Each study focuses on specific ecological crisis in the Australian context and concludes with indications of renewal; ways in which a particular disaster is being handled and can – hopefully – be overcome.

The Earth Bible project (based in Adelaide):

The NCCA (National Council of Churches in Australia) - have also recently issued a national ecumenical statement on the environment

Catholic Earthcare Australia is an ecological agency established by the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference and chaired by Bishop Christopher Toohey.

Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC), - A multi-faith network supporting action on climate change.

The Web of Creation --- Earth Bible Project - Reading the bible from the perspective of the earth.

Season of Creation Australian Resources for services in Creation Time

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Network of Earthkeeping Christian Communities in South Africa

Links to India

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CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese - Report of the Activities of Diocesan Ecological Concerns Committee

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  Sites recommended by CEL Members
(These represent the views of the individual members concerned and not necessarily those of CEL.)

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Reuze.co.uk Useful website about recycling in UK · alu cans · batteries · books · cardboard · CDs · clothes · coins · computers · curtains · fluorescent tubes · fridges · furniture · glass · hearing aids · inkjet cartridges · junk mail · light . bulbs · medical equipment · medicines · metals · mobile phones · motor oil · office furniture · organic waste · paint · paint stripper · paper · plastic · printed circuit boards · printer . cartridges · sewing machines · spectacles · stamps ·steel cans · televisions · tools · tyres · vegetable oil · vinyl records · yellow pages ·white spirit · wood · Recommended by AC

www.minesandcommunities.org/ The Mines and Communities Website ("MAC") seeks to empower mining-affected communities in their struggles against damaging proposals and projects
Recommended by R.S.

Fairgroundcoffee.co.uk This distributor, based at Kendal, will supply Fair Trade coffee, tea, sugar, drinking chocolate etc in sachets IN SMALL QUANTITIES. This is useful for bed and breakfast proprietors, to put in the bedrooms of their guests
Recommended by J.A.

The Association of Speakers Clubs
Over 130 Speakers Clubs meet in Great Britain where ordinary people have fun, gain confidence and learn how to improve their public speaking skills. Find out more by visiting this brilliant site. See if there is a club near you.

It could help you to give talks on Green or church issues - or simply make you a more effective chairperson in some club or business with which you are involved

(CEL's web editor has started attending a Speakers club in Skipton Craven Speakers Club J.A.)

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WWF Report:

Action Towards Local Sustainability

SUSTAIN, the alliance for better food and farming
Help Sustain's Organic Food & Farming Targets Bill campaign, by writing a letter to your MP, and signing-up to the campaign

Flying off to a warmer climate
A fun program which enables you to calculate the amount of air pollution produced when flying on different journeys. ..perhaps your upcoming holiday or business trip. The Climate Train Ecobalance Page compares a journey by train and boat with an air journey and finds that 3.8 times as much CO₂ per passenger is produced on the air journey, but that the effect of all the other gases produced by the plane (Ozone, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and water vapour) at high altitude is over 7 times the CO₂ equivalent of the ground journey.

The New Economics Foundation works to construct a new economy centred on people and the environment. The new economy envisioned includes a new perspective on wealth which emphasises quality of life for the human race and the environment. Founded in 1986, it is now one of the UK's most creative and effective independent think tanks, combining research, advocacy, training and practical action.

WDM World Development Movement
The World Development Movement (WDM) tackles the root causes of world poverty. campaigning for fairer world trade, regulating multinationals ...

Some Useful Genetic Engineering Links recommended by CEL members

Stop Climate Chaos. Climate change coalition the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition is 80 organisations and their 4 million supporters, working together for positive action

SPEAK

The Ecologist Magazine

Centre for Language and Ecology,

www.england-in-particular.info/ information about seasonal events

Friends of the Earth

Quiet Garden Trust 250 Gardens world wide in 10 years!

Modern Churchpeople's Union

Optimum Population Trust ECO-FOOTPRINTING: Tables relating populations to carbon dioxide emissions limits, and at current and modest economic lifestyles, have been added to Living Planet Report eco-footprinting data.

Network of Christian Peace Organisations

the Centre for Non violent communication

Airport Watch

Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences (IFEES)

The Campaign for dark skies CfDS

The Social Creditor
Social credit critiques the philosophy of orthodox economics which justifies the evils of corporate capitalism, (one of which is ecological degradation on a global scale. ) . It follows the work of Clifford Hugh Douglas: You can read their latest magazines as pdf files.

Climate Concern UK
UK-based campaign group, specifically focussed on spreading the word to the general public to recognise the human-induced climate change problem and to encourage reductions in energy consumption.

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Pesticides Campaign

Christian Vegetarian Association

Many green articles on the website of The Door, The Oxford Diocesan Newspaper

Independent Catholic News

www.ethicalpricing.info Research into pricing tactics used by companies

ethicalpricing-newsreader

Carymoor Environmental Trust, Somerset We are a registered charity and Environmental Body which has taken over the management of a former landfill site three miles from Castle Cary, Somerset. We provide an engaging and fun resource for the demonstration of environmental issues for everyone. H.C.

The Old Testament Wilderness in Ecological Perspective Keith Innes, who has written our Green Pointers for Preachers - ecological Notes for sermons has carried out an MPhil and reports on his work here.

WWW.CHRISTIANSINPARLIAMENT.ORG.UK a new website for Christian MP's and those interested in praying for and finding out about Christian activity in Parliament. It is run by the Christians in Parliament group and produced by Bible Society.

Sites Unseen - Earths mightiest Alternative Christian Link Portal good Christian - environment Links

Breathe Less stuff more living - Breathe is a Christian network for simpler living. UK

nouslife.blogspot.com/ - Andii Bowsher's blogs

Cut your carbon with climatestewards.org.uk from A Rocha - Support charities a/projects abroad that encourage tree planting. Give a donation to mitigate effects caused by car and air travel.

GM FREEZE CAMPAIGN www.gmfreeze.org Campaign calling on the Government for a Freeze on the commercial use of genetically engineered plants and animals. The GM Freeze is a coalition of associations. CEL supports GM Freeze.

Climate Change Speaker Network: Nationwide network with speakers available to give climate change talks to schools, community groups, societies, faith groups, councils, etc.


www.powerswitch.org.uk

www.buddycom.com/ecol/Ecology.html

www.whatyoucando.co.uk website about personal action to reduce climate change.

www.green-engage.co.uk

Paperback.coop Good supplier of recycled paper and office supplies - warehouse in East London. (added 1 Nov 2006)

CarPlus Car Sharing Scheme - lots of info

Take the Red Pill - site written and produced by Christians trying to take a wider view of issues like social justice and the environment. Useful alternative links page

Scargill House Scargill is an inclusive, multi-cultural Christian Community in the Yorkshire Dales. It runs some courses with and environmental focus.

www.christiansimpleliving.org Christian simplicity from an Anabaptist perspective. - Church of the Brethren in University Park, Maryland, USA.

Ss Mary and John Churchyard, Oxford

Hilfield Project - A Franciscan Initiative for Peace and the Environment At Hilfield Friary in Dorset, UK, the brothers of the Society of St Francis have established a project which brings together both a commitment to peace and justice between people and also a care for our natural environment.

Optimum Population Trust Added 10 July 2007

STEWARDING THE EARTH'S RESOURCES A resource for the church about waste reduction, waste re-use and waste recycling
    Rev John Hale is having a Sabbatical this autumn to research on how the Church can take a lead in recycling more and being less wasteful... and would like to hear your ideas.

Milton Keynes Christian Environment Group

Landfill Trust- SITA - Apply for grants for Environment Projects

Population Growth and Migration - "the manifold effects of population size and growth on the environment and society". http://www.population-growth-migration.info This site raises issues about overpopulation and migration - topics which some other environmental charities steer clear of.

Cotteridge Quaker Meeting who refurbished their meeting house making it much more efficient. Fantastic.

St Chad's Headingly Leeds, Wildlife churchyard and Ecocongregation

www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/category/environment/

CreationCare for Pastors website (American) - useful.

Peace Brigades International UK

International Justice Mission UK

Landshare, - about giving more people the chance to grow their own fruit and vegetables and have better access to fresh, healthy food - in th UK

Coope Farm, Beaworthy Devon. "We are Christians with a small farm in Devon which we are using to encourage Christians to embrace sustainability. "

A Catholic group from the North East has launched a Christian Census on Climate Change."We would like as many people as possible from as many churches (of all denominations) as possible to complete the questionnaire before the end of March" says Emma Casson

Sustainability in Crisis - This blog is for the Sustainability in Crisis conference which was held in Cambridge from 26th-28th September 2011. - the Farady institute and the Kirky Laing Institute for Christian ethics

climate change pages of the Church of Scotland website:

Sustainable Materials with both eyes open - book -online.

http://sustainabilityincrisis.wordpress.com/

Shared Earth Trust - Denmark Farm Conservation courses and holidays. e.g. Restoring Pastures and Meadows; What's that bird? Creating a Conservation Plan - in 1985 only 15 species of bird nested on the farm, but now (2012) an average of 46 species breed, totaling over 200 pairs on just 40 acres;  4 miles from Lampeter in Ceredigion, mid Wales. (Grid Reference SN586537). 

Y Papur Gwyrdd - Cylchgrawn Cymraeg unigryw yw’r Papur Gwyrdd sy’n annog parch at y Ddaear yn wyneb rhybuddion gwyddonol taer bod ein ffordd o fyw yn y ‘Gorllewin’ yn achosi cynhesu byd-eang a newid hinsawdd bygythiol i ddynolryw a byd natur.
- The Green Paper The Welsh medium bi-monthly magazine for ideas and news about the campaign to bring together Earth and People.
- Y cylchgrawn deufisol Cymraeg sy’n gyfrwng i syniadau a newyddion am yr ymgyrch i ddod â Phobl a Daear ynghyd

Cath Bish Conf (CBCEW) Env page

Lancs (Cath) Faith and Justice Env page

Quaker Living Witness - Spring magazine Earthquaker

Website of papers by Keith Innes www.ringmerchurch.org.uk/keith2. on
Cosmic Redemption in Romans 8:18-25
Romans 8:18-25: A Bibliography
Wisdom from the Desert: The Desert Fathers and Mothers

 

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