LAST week Kalamunda Uniting Church (KUC) was presented three awards by Five Leaf Eco-Awards, an environmental change program for churches and religious organisations.

The congregation was given the basic certificate, eco worship and climate activism awards.

The basic certificate recognised the church’s dedication to sustainability for more than two decades and the practical actions they have taken.

In that time, the church installed solar panels and energy efficient lighting and heating, used lap rugs in church and conducted an energy audit which was driven by the congregation’s newly formed Green Church group.

The eco worship award recognised the church for their environment themed worship services including their season of creation celebrations, hope heroes photo exhibition, which documented the environmental actions of members of the congregation, messy church services that included the establishment of a church community herb garden as well as an op shop festival.

A Five Leaf Eco-Awards spokesperson said hope was a key focus, both at a local level and nation-wide.

“To combat the very real sense of helplessness that individual action is not worthwhile, and the subsequent climate change despair, the focus has been on hope,” the spokesperson said.

“The desire to care for the world, God’s precious creation, has been specifically linked to sustainable environmental practice.”

The climate activism award noted the church’s participation in multiple Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) actions and events, and in multi-faith vigils and events protesting fossil fuels.

The congregation has also written to their local political candidates asking about environmental policies and proudly display their climate action banners.

KUC Minister Reverend Sophia Lizares said she was thrilled that the church was being recognised for the work it had done as part of Green Church.

“I’ve appreciated the idea of the Five Leaf Eco-Awards and am excited to finally be part of it,” she said.

Award founder Jessica Morthorpe said she was looking forward to seeing KUC earn more awards in the future and encouraged other churches to apply for awards.

“Many churches have already done enough to earn Five Leaf Eco-Awards, they just don’t realise it,” she said.