A SCHOOLGIRL ended her year as Girl Bishop at a Hampshire church by giving an eco-themed sermon on the need to protect the environment.
Emily Albury spoke about her passion for wildlife delivered a list of achievable aims in a bid to encourage the congregation to help preserve natural world.
Each year St Mary’s Church in Fordingbridge appoints a Girl or Boy Bishop, usually a member of the choir.
The practice is based on a a tradition that began in cathedrals in the Middle Ages, when the Bishop symbolically stood down and a choirboy was elected to take his place.
The Boy Bishop led processions, collected money for church and parish funds and even conducted religious services.
Looking back on her year Emily, 11, said: “I really enjoyed being Girl Bishop because I liked being able to share my thoughts about God and the environment.”
“I also liked being a Girl Bishop because it shows that girls can be bishops as well as boys.”
During her sermon Emily spoke about the many species of flowers and animals in the New Forest and the countless others that are endangered across the globe.
She urged people to use renewable energy, walk instead of driving whenever they could, eat less meat and recycle as much as possible.
St Mary’s is part of Avon Valley Churches, an umbrella group which unites various churches in the north-western corner of the Forest.
Commenting on Emily’s “green” sermon an AVC spokesperson said: “The reaction from AVC’s seven churches and online congregations has been enormous and many have responded with promises to react to her inspiring appeal.
“Watch out for Emily in spring. She has been given permission to flower bomb an area of the graveyard to help encourage more wildlife to flourish.”
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