Open the door on London’s community and environment projects this Christmas

The fruit and veg co-op at St Andrew's Fulham Fields

"Care for our world, it is the only one we have"

26/11/09

Two London projects will feature behind the 12th door of the Church of England’s online advent calendar this Christmas.

The online calendar, launched today with a special message from Archbishop Desmond Tutu at www.whywearewaiting.com, asks Christians to slow down and ponder the planet with daily green challenges and thoughts.

Broadcast on the 12th December, the videocast profiles the work of two flagship London projects - the A Rocha Project in Southall and Hayes and St Andrew’s Fulham Fields which runs its own fruit and veg co-op.

The short film tells the story of green group A Rocha’s "Living Waterways" project, which worked with the London Borough of Hillingdon to transform a derelict 90 acre site into the Minet Country Park and nature reserve, bringing green space to a cramped and overcrowded area.

A Rocha now works in 18 countries, inspiring and equipping Christians to take part in practical conservation initiatives and environmental education (www.arocha.org.uk).

Father Martin Eastwood, the Vicar of St Andrew’s, and green champion Annie Cooper are also featured in the video, discussing the community work carried out at St Andrew’s Fulham Fields, where local volunteers run an affordable fruit and veg co-op as well as offering simple recipes, storage advice and cooking classes for local residents.

The project is aimed at families on low incomes and saves on food miles and packaging. St Andrew’s offers a wide range of projects to bring the local community together including lunch clubs, mums and toddler groups, a homelessness project and other 'green' projects such as a wildlife garden.

In the launch videocast Archbishop Tutu says: "Care for the world, it is the only one we have." He is joined by International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander and the Archbishop of York John Sentamu, who deliver their own Advent challenges. It is hoped that the London projects will inspire others in the church to become involved in local green initiatives that benefit the local community and the planet.

The calendar closes on Christmas Eve with a seasonal reflection from theologian Dr Paula Gooder.

Along with the daily videocasts, all placed on YouTube, the CofE will be using Twitter to promote the daily challenges.