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Parish wins Southwark Diocese's first Live Simply award


Archbishop Peter Smith and the Director of international charity CAFOD presented a special award to St James the Great Parish in Petts Wood on Sunday in recognition of their community and social justice work.

The Orpington Parish, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this month, has become the first parish in Southwark and the 13th in England and Wales to achieve the national livesimply Parish Award. The Award recognises the ways a parish can make a difference in its community and the world, with a commitment to live more simply and sustainably and to stand in solidarity with people living in poverty around the world.

Archbishop Peter Smith said: "Well done St James. Southwark is one of the few dioceses that has got the award for living simply and I think it shows what they're doing - what Pope Francis is asking us all to do: to care especially for the disadvantaged and those living in poverty."

Parishioners have been working hard to create a wildlife garden and worship space, intended to provide a quiet place for worship, as well as an area for socialising and encouraging wildlife. They have reduced the carbon footprint of the church by
nearly 10 per cent by switching electricity supplies to a renewable energy supplier, encouraging 'leave the car at home' weekends and setting up a recycling programme.

Locally, they have also been marking baptisms, birthdays and other memorable occasions by planting more than 70 trees in British woodlands and supporting the local food bank, whilst also raising £1,200 so far to support CAFOD's work with
those living in poverty in Bangladesh.

Parishioner Joe Falzon, who led the team creating the worship and wildlife garden, said: "Taking part in the livesimply Award has taught me that we cannot afford to be passive and merely depend on others to care for our environment, we should all be taking an active part and constantly questioning and challenging concerns. I would encourage any parish looking to get involved in an initiative that truly brings together the church and local community to consider signing up to CAFOD's livesimply Award.

"I never knew St James parish was so full of people with such a diversity of skills! It has provided a platform from which people feel involved and are able to make a difference to the community, and has challenged us all to think deeply on lots of
levels about what we do within our own society to have an impact worldwide."

St James' parishioner Roger Wright said: "Working towards the livesimply Award has been really special. St James' community has really come together in working towards the different initiatives and the support from our parishioners has been incredible."

CAFOD's director Chris Bain said: "Congratulations to all at St James Parish. This is a fantastic achievement and demonstrates the transformative power of working together as a community grounded in faith. The parish is an inspiration to all of us who should aim to live more simply in our everyday lives."

For more information visit: www.livesimplyaward.org.uk

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