An inspiring event will take place on Saturday 31st January in St Ninian’s Church, Douglas.
Louise Whitelegg, our Diocesan Net Zero Officer and Church Buildings Support Officer, is organising the launch of “Target Mission”, a new opportunity for all of us to grow our mission service together, focusing on environmental enhancement and actively engaging with our communities.
The morning, hosted by Bishop Tricia, starts at 9am for those who’d like Breakfast Baps and Coffee, and business starts at 9.30.
Aligning with the Anglican Communion’s fifth Mark of Mission – the commitment to safeguard the integrity of creation – sessions will look at the mission potential through improving our buildings and our partnerships in the communities beyond our churches. Representatives of several Manx organisations will be with us to help us explore these partnering opportunities, including Manx Wildlife Trust, Manx Birdlife, Manx Bat Group, and Isle of Man Fungus Group.
Of the “Target Mission” development, Louise says
“I am really excited about 2026 – there are some building projects that will start this year which we have been planning for a year(!) and I feel these will be a turning point in the NZC programme – watch this space! The T25 (Target Mission) has been a labour of love that I managed to distract myself with over Christmas.”
All church members in the Diocese are welcome to the Target Mission launch. RSVP to Mrs Lorna Cook, the Bishop’s Secretary, to give her the numbers of all who would like to attend.
This poster gives details of the day: please share among your church members.
Louise has been Net Zero Carbon Officer for nearly 2 years, and more recently her work includes the role of Church Buildings Support Officer, giving many churches wide ranging advice that improves the functionality and accessibility of our churches, enhancing our missional potential.
Of the challenges that face us, Louise says:
“The ambitious target of Net Zero for our churches seems intimidating. But it is wholly possible when we work together, plan, use the technology available to us, think about our worship a little differently and exercise our commitment as Christians to Love God and all of his Creation.”
As well as the advice and support Louise provides to churches, she also plays a key role in securing grant funding for our projects along with the Diocesan Giving and Income Generation Officer, Philip Longworth.
A couple of times a year Louise updates us on grants, events, and environmental progress around the Diocese with a newsletter, and shares advice on the many opportunities for improving the condition of our church buildings, their costs, and user-friendliness. There is a library of these newsletters on the Christians for Creation page on the Diocesan website.
Here is the link for more on the Anglican Communion The Five Marks of Mission