The Church of England is facing a pivotal vote that could reshape floral practices across its parishes, with a motion before the General Synod urging a ban on floral foam and a shift toward more sustainable approaches to church flowers.
Synod to Vote on Environmental Motion
Next month, the Church of England's parliament will consider a motion to eliminate the use of floral foam, which contains microplastics and is not recyclable, along with other non-biodegradable products. This initiative aims to make church floral arrangements more environmentally friendly and aligned with creation care principles.
Sustainable Alternatives Proposed
The motion encourages parishes to adopt several sustainable practices, including:
- Using locally-sourced, seasonal blooms instead of imported flowers
- Composting floral waste rather than sending it to landfill
- Re-using Sunday flowers for midweek services or donating them to care homes and hospitals
- Encouraging parishioners to donate flowers from their own gardens or pot plants
These measures are not only expected to reduce environmental impact but also to build community connections and lower costs for churches struggling with financial pressures.
Bishop's Call to Action
The Bishop of Dudley, the Right Reverend Martin Gorick, who proposed the motion, stated that voting for it "will encourage all Church of England parishes, chaplaincies and cathedrals to join this growing ecumenical movement glorifying God through sustainable church flowers."
In a paper prepared for the Synod meeting scheduled for February in London, Bishop Gorick highlighted the environmental costs of traditional floristry, noting that "imported blooms, single-use plastics, chemical preservatives, and non-compostable floral foam all contribute to waste and carbon emissions."
Principles of the Sustainable Church Flowers Movement
The motion specifically calls on Synod members to embrace several key principles:
- Promote local, seasonal, and fully biodegradable or compostable flowers and foliage
- Encourage the use of locally-sourced and in-season blooms
- Stop using floral foam and all similar non-biodegradable, non-reusable products and techniques
Synod members are being urged to consider how they can glorify God using the gifts of creation "in a way that works with nature, not against it," reflecting a broader theological commitment to environmental stewardship.
Broader Implications for Church Practices
This motion represents more than just a change in floral arrangements; it signals a growing awareness within the Church of England about the environmental impact of religious practices. From adorning altars to celebrating weddings and marking seasonal festivals, floral arrangements have long brought beauty, symbolism, and reverence to sacred spaces.
However, as Bishop Gorick noted, "behind their elegance lies an often-overlooked reality" of significant environmental costs. The proposed changes would align church practices with the Sustainable Church Flowers movement, which has been gaining momentum across various Christian denominations.
The vote next month could set a precedent for other religious institutions and community organizations considering similar environmental initiatives, potentially creating ripple effects beyond the Church of England's own walls.
