Introduction to Hove Trinity Trust The Hove Trinity Trust (HTT) was set up by Hove Deanery in April 2016 and named in recognition of Holy Trinity Church, Hove, which provided the funds for a pastoral grant to support and further the delivery of Mission within Hove Deanery’s 14 parishes. The Hove Trinity Trust has appointed five Trustees; one nominated by the Diocesan Board of Finance, two clergy and two lay trustees from the Deanery.
Facilitating Hove Deanery’s Vision and Ambition HTT exists to serve Hove Deanery by assisting it to achieve its vision of being an eco-friendly deanery that welcomes everyone. Hove Deanery has also passed a resolution for Hove Deanery to be the first Eco Deanery which is supported by the Bishop of Chichester:
"I am very pleased to see that the Deanery of Hove has taken the initiative to become the first eco deanery. I would encourage all parishes and PCCs to participate, whether in big or small ways, to move this project forward, and to partner with Hove Trinity Trust who can offer practical assistance to achieve this very worthwhile goal."
The Right Reverend, Dr Martin Warner - Bishop of Chichester
To help Hove Deanery to achieve its vision, Mission and ambition, Hove Trinity Trust has established a Revolving Investment Fund (RIF) which is a circular fund for enabling parishes within the Deanery to undertake sustainable projects that will be community-focused and socially and environmentally rewarding.
Two key contributors to the Hove Trinity Trust are the Energy Stewardship Programme (ESP) and A Rocha UK’s Eco Church. The Diocese of Chichester and SOENECS set up the ESP to allow parishes to deliver mission in the most environmentally, economically and social way. The ESP focuses on energy purchasing, energy efficiency, insulation and energy generation, particularly switching to renewables. The main objective is to improve community utilisation of church-owned buildings and infrastructure.
The concept of an Eco Diocese and an Eco Church was developed by A Rocha UK which is a “Christian charity working for the protection and restoration of the natural world”. The Diocese of Chichester has also made a commitment to being an Eco Diocese and has implemented an Environmental Policy.
Hove Deanery and the Hove Trinity Trust want to assist the Deanery’s churches to sign up to become an Eco Church at Bronze level award. A survey is completed focusing on five key areas of the church’s life: Worship and teaching, Management of church buildings, Management of church land, Community and global engagement and Lifestyle.