Anglican parish launches theology project linking faith and gardening

St Anne's Church in west London launched Kew Theology & Gardening, a new charity exploring connections between Christian faith, nature stewardship, and climate change. The initiative began in 2024 with community talks and has expanded to include retreats held partly at Kew Gardens, one of the world's most renowned botanical gardens located near the parish, and partly at the church itself. The charity is now hosting major lectures, including a September 30 presentation by Carmody Grey, professor of integral ecology at Radboud University and visiting professor at the London School of Economics, on "What Are We Here For? Gardening and the Human Vocation." Previous speakers included Richard Barley, former director of gardens at Kew, and future speakers will include environmental biologist Martin J. Hodson of Oxford Brookes University. St Anne's vicar Giles Fraser said the parish wanted to deepen connections with creation through gardening, noting that gardening is among Britain's most popular activities. The project aligns with the Church of England's increased focus on environmental matters, including the July publication of "Hope for All Creation: A Theological Response to the Environmental Crises," which frames creation care as central to Christian belief and mission. The Church of England's General Synod also approved a new annual Festival of Creation in Christ to be celebrated on the first Sunday of September.

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Source: Episcopal News Service — https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2026/08/12/in-london-kew-theology-gardening-project-explores-faith-nature-and-climate/