The General Synod of the Church of England will debate a Christian vision of a greener world at its forthcoming meeting in London on Thursday 17 February.
The debate coincides with the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol around the world.
In his foreword to the report Sharing God's Planet which accompanies the debate, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Rowan Williams, urges Christians to recognise their duty to celebrate and care for every part of God's creation.
"Receive the world that God has given", he writes of the importance of celebration. "Go for a walk. Get wet. Dig the earth."
In terms of the Christian's duty to the planet, Archbishop Rowan stresses that for the Church of the 21st century, good ecology is not an optional extra but a matter of justice. It is therefore central to what it means to be a Christian.
The report has practical ideas for the local church to adopt at ground level, from recycling to car-pooling, and an education programme to promote this to churches is in place with government backing. (1)
But Sharing God's Planet also suggests that there's a spiritual dimension to be brought into Christian worship.
'Creation Care Prayers' and the use of natural materials in worship such as organic bread and wine are just some of the ideas suggested in the chapter "a practical Christian response"; ideas which the Archbishop commends in his foreword: "I have called upon our Church to undertake an ecological audit...such local, internal responses are vital."
If Synod approves the measures they will be passed to dioceses for approval and action across the Church of England.
Sharing God's Planet (ISBN 0 7151 4068 X) is published by Church House Publishing, priced ?5.99, and is available from all Christian bookshops and Church House Bookshop, 31 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BN, tel. 020-7898 1300, email bookshop@c-of-e.org.uk, or on the web at: www.chbookshop.co.uk (mail order available).
Notes to editors
1. DEFRA's Environmental Action Fund is supporting the Conservation Foundation's programme of environmental education to churches and other faith groups.
The last such report for Synod's consideration was Christians and the Living Environment (1992).
Further information from: Peter Crumpler or Arun Kataria tel 020 7898 1326