For our Lent Appeal this year, St John’s is supporting A Rocha International. 

A Rocha is a Christian organization which engages communities in nature conservation. They aim to help communities around the world – whether or not they share the Christian faith – to understand their environment better and live in ways which enable them and wildlife to flourish. A Rocha carries out scientific research programmes to assist with the protection and management of some of the world’s most precious natural areas. They also help to resource Christians in caring for the environment with  written materials, teaching in churches, conferences and by involvement in global networks as well as the hands-on conservation projects. Their first initiative was a field study centre in Portugal, and so their name is Portuguese and means ‘The Rock’.

At St John's we are committed to caring for the environment - the Anglican fifth mark of mission is 'to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.' Over the last couple of years we have made a number of adjustments to what we do to become more environmentally friendly and have achieved our Bronze and Silver Eco church awards. We are now working towards gold! A Rocha International supports churches and communities all over the world in caring for the environment and are currently present in 22 countries. 

This Lent, please help St John's to support the work of A Rocha International, and help to bring about 'conservation and hope'. 

Conservation Science Interns at A Rocha Canada