On Sunday 12 October, churches around the UK celebrated Good Money Sunday, reflecting, praying and acting for a good and just use of money.
If you marked Good Money Sunday, downloaded our resources, had conversations about money in your church or small groups – thank you! Please take a moment to fill in a very short survey to tell us what you did locally and help us improve the resources for next year.
The week leading up to Good Money Sunday was Good Money Week, where we explored how to make choices with money that have a positive impact for people and planet. We enjoyed taking part in events, services, facilitating workshops and even teaching at theological colleges!
Here are some of our highlights from Good Money Week:
Saturday 4 October: 3Generate (Methodist children and youth weekend)
We enjoyed visiting the NEC in Birmingham to take part in the Methodist Church’s 3Generate – an annual weekend for children and young people (ages 4-18) from all across the UK. Rosie, our Director of Movement Building, led a workshop in the Town Hall venue called ‘Ethical Me: Money’, looking at ethical banking and how to campaign for change.
Monday 6 October: JPIT’s Politics in the Pulpit podcast
Sarah was a guest on the Joint Public Issues Team’s weekly podcast – a preaching resource unpacking the lectionary readings for each Sunday and connecting with themes of justice.
Sarah spoke about Good Money Sunday, and how the Bible tells us to prioritise abundance and long-term prosperity by living in community and in harmony with our planet.
You can listen to Sarah’s episode here.
Tuesday 7 October: Webinar with Eco Church and Operation Noah
We facilitated a webinar for churches to help them explore how to green their finances. We heard from speakers from A Rocha and Operation Noah, as well as a story of local action from Caroline, who is part of a church in Loughborough that has explored ethical banking as part of their Eco Church journey.
We explored practical steps like choosing a greener bank account for your church, investing in climate solutions and getting your congregation involved in campaigning for a greener, fairer financial system.
You can watch the recording of this webinar here.
Launch of our MP action about better pensions
As part of the Better Pensions Campaign we launched a new action to encourage people to write to their MPs asking them to take action on greener pensions.
A big reform of the UK’s pension system is currently underway in parliament. The Pension Schemes Bill is a major opportunity to put climate at the heart of pension reform, and safeguard people and planet. Tackling the climate crisis isn’t on the Government’s agenda for the Bill yet, so we are calling for it to be amended.
You can find out more about the Better Pensions Campaign here.
Wednesday 8 October: Webinar about ethical investment
We held a webinar with our friends at Ethex, Energise Africa and Community Energy England, all about investing in positive change. We heard about inspiring projects in the UK like local energy projects, and life-enriching entrepreneurial businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa. We explored how investments can support communities and organisations working for a fairer, greener world and help create tangible and lasting change.
You can watch the recording of this webinar here.
Sunday 12 October: Good Money Sunday
As well as churches across the UK holding services to mark Good Money Sunday, the team contributed to services in Barnet and Biggleswade.
You can listen to Matt’s sermon at Biggleswade Baptist Church here.
Let’s not stop there!
This year’s Good Money Week and Good Money Sunday showed us what’s possible when people come together to talk, pray and act for a fairer, greener use of money.
In a world of deepening inequality and climate threat, more and more people are beginning to understand the role played by the financial system, and that how we use our money matters. It’s been really encouraging to see churches and individuals across the country getting involved in Good Money Sunday and Good Money Week…but let’s keep the momentum going!
You can help us equip more churches and individuals to use their money for good, hold banks and businesses to account, and speak out and act for a fairer, greener future – support the movement by making a donation today.