CRITICISM of the decision to include on the General Synod agenda a motion on the use of sustainable flowers in churches was roundly seen off during the debate on Thursday morning.
Questions had been raised earlier in the week during a discussion about the Business Committee’s agenda, with more than one Synod member questioning why the Synod was wasting “costly time” discussing a diocesan synod motion when other issues, such as Palestine, had not made it onto the agenda.
Contributors to Thursday’s debate, however, spoke warmly of a grass-roots initiative that looked beyond the use of flowers to the heart of worship and parish life.
Originating from the tiny parish of St Bartholomew’s, Harpley, in Worcestershire, and championed by the Bishop of Dudley, the Rt Revd Martin Gorick, the motion called on the Synod to embrace the principles of the Sustainable Flowers movement. These are to promote the use of local, seasonal, biodegradable, or compostable flowers and foliage; to encourage churches to source them locally; and to “eliminate the use of floral foam (oasis) and non-reusable products and techniques, while rediscovering traditional and environmentally friendly methods of presentation and display”.
Several of the parishioners from St Bartholomew’s were in the gallery. Others were watching online.
An early attempt by John Wilson (Lichfield) to move to next business was roundly defeated. To loud applause, Bishop Gorick responded: “This originates from a PCC, to a deanery, to a diocese. If you squash this now without an opportunity to hear more, what does that say to every diocese in the country?”
He continued: “The motion doesn’t ban anything or force churches to stop doing things. It rejoices in foliage in church; it rejoices in what is naturally around you — simple, natural beauty.”
A video from Harpley highlighted the carbon footprint and high-energy use of imported flowers, and the leakage of microplastic from floral foam into the environment. It also celebrated the joy of using local, foam-free flowers “that tell the story of this time of year”.
The motion was, the Bishop continued, “about faithfulness”. He said: “It is deeply theological, to honour the God who made the earth.”
In a maiden speech, Judith Osborne (Leeds) concurred: “This is about far more than flower arrangers. It gives confidence to those who want to see environmental responsibility embedded into the life of their church. . . It’s not about criticising past practice but encouraging a sustainable approach for the future.”
The flower team at the Revd Jody Stowell’s church in London had long got rid of floral foam, she said. They had encountered views of flower-arranging in church as being “women’s work, sadly demeaned and dismissed”, she said. “In my parish, flowers honour the God who made us. Worship is much more than the cerebral intake of information.”
The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher, proved highly knowledgeable about the Christian meaning of flowers, and their place in folklore. “We have long in this nation brought flowers and foliage into the architecture of our churches. . . examples of creation drawn into our churches to remind us of the little gifts of God.”
The debate was wide-ranging. Contributors spoke to honour the work of volunteers; to highlight the unintended consequences for growers in the poorest countries, should exports be reduced; and of the power of the parish to influence the wider church.
“Care for creation is about small things — small changes have great power,” the Revd Dr Abigail Walsh (Lichfield), said.
“This is a matter of witness,” Jane Rosam (Rochester), a farmer, said. “What we place on our altars says much about what we value. It’s about making our worship truthful, aligning our practice with our prayers.”
There were 16 speakers in the debate, which Bishop Gorick described as “wonderful, heartening”, and eloquent. At its conclusion, the Synod voted overwhelmingly in favour of the motion.
Referring to its place on the agenda, the Bishop said: “It’s all about the Church living the hope we proclaim. There are real concerns but they are changing all the time as the result of the pressure we bring. We’re chucking nobody out. We’re just saying, good, better, best, and avoid the bad.”