Christians across UK to mark Good Money Sunday

Source: Just Money

Hundreds of Christians are taking action to green their finances, as churches around the UK prepare to mark Good Money Sunday (6 October 2024) as part of Good Money Week.

Rosie Venner, JustMoney Movement's Director of Movement Building said: "This year's Good Money Week we are focusing on the power of our banking choices to shape a fairer, greener world. The movement for greener, fairer banking is growing, and more and more Christians are connecting their faith and their finances and taking tangible action. This includes switching their individual current account to a greener bank through The Big Bank Switch or starting a conversation with their church about its banking, using our Greener Fairer Banking guide. We are delighted to see a growth in church involvement in Good Money Week this year, including Good Money Sunday."

JustMoney Movement has released an updated version of its Greener Fairer Banking guide for churches, to coincide with this year's Good Money Week (30 September - 6 October) which culminates in Good Money Sunday (6 October). The guide compares four of the more ethical banks with current accounts suitable for churches and charities, including an analysis of the banks' climate policies.

Strathmore Road Methodist Church is one of many churches who have used earlier versions of the Greener Fairer Banking Guide to take action. Quoted in the latest version of the guide, they said: "The information provided in the JustMoney Movement guide was most helpful. Firstly, as a starting point for making the decision as to whether to change our banking arrangements and secondly, to decide on which bank we could move to."

In addition to churches switching their accounts, nearly 200 Christians have already pledged to take part in a mass switch to greener banks as part of the Big Bank Switch campaign, which was launched earlier this year by JustMoney Movement, Operation Noah and Just Love.

Sarah Edwards, JustMoney Movement Executive Director said: "Switching to a greener bank is a simple but impactful action that helps safeguard creation. As Christians we should be concerned about the behaviour of the banking sector. The UK's big banks are making financing decisions that cause harm to nature and to our global neighbours. By switching to banks that put people and planet first, we champion the change we want to see in the wider financial system."

JustMoney Movement is organising its annual conference online during Good Money Week, with a half-day of speakers and workshops on Saturday 5 October, to strengthen and equip a growing movement of individuals and churches advocating for a fairer, greener world.

Good Money Week (30 September - 6 October) is co-ordinated by UKSIF - the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association. Since 2023, JustMoney Movement has partnered with UKSIF on Good Money Sunday, which takes place this year on Sunday 6 October.

Good Money Sunday (6 October) is part of UKSIF's Good Money Week (30 September - 6 October) which aims to help people make better choices with their pensions, savings and investments, and better understand the positive impact they can make through their financial decisions.

LINKS

JustMoney Movement is an ecumenical Christian charity campaigning and educating for a more just and fair use of money. For more information see: www.justmoney.org.uk

JustMoney Movement produces a Fairer Greener Banking Guide, which reviews ethical banks suitable for churches and charities. An updated version has been released for Good Money Week 2024. See: https://justmoney.org.uk/resources/new-greener-fairer-banking-guide

The Big Bank Switch is coordinated by JustMoney Movement, Operation Noah and Just Love, with the aim of equipping Christians to move en masse to greener banks. Pledge to switch here: https://justmoney.org.uk/the-big-bank-switch