The John Ray Initiative enters a new phase
15th May 2001
With the appointment of its first Executive Director, JRI enters a new phase of development. This was marked on 15th May by a Commissioning Service and Reception at the Francis Close Hall campus of C&GCHE. The events were attended by some 55 people, including representatives from organisations with interests in environment, countryside and farming, as well as College staff and JRI associates and friends.
Press Release
In the call for a new approach to the countryside following foot-and-mouth disease, one idea if often repeated. There has to be more to countryside management than profit: principles of care are needed. This is true not only for the British countryside, but for the global environment. Cheltenham-based organisations such as the Countryside Agency, Forum for the Future and the John Ray Initiative (JRI) (1) have an important role to play in shaping the future of both. Based in the School of Theology and Religious Studies at the Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education, the John Ray Initiative’s aim is to combine the insights of both science and Christian theology in order to develop and communicate responsible care for the environment.
The appointment of Dr Peter Carruthers(3) as the first Executive Director marks a new phase of development for the John Ray Initiative, with plans to expand and develop the work in a number of ways. This new phase was inaugurated on Tuesday the 15th May at the Francis Close Hall campus of the Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education with a service in the College Chapel at 5.30 pm followed by a reception at 6.15 pm.
In his address, Sir John Houghton(2), JRI Chairman and former head of the Meteorological Office, pointed out the urgency with which we all need to act to combat global environmental problems such as climate change - emphasising that this was our responsibility before God and one in which Christians should be at the forefront in fulfilling.
Text of sermon by Sir John Houghton
At the reception, Dr Peter Carruthers set out a vision for the future of JRI, including emphasising his hope that many organisations with related concerns would be able to work closely together to promote both understanding and action.
Text of speech by Dr Peter Carruthers
College Director, Dame Janet Trotter, expressed her hopes for greater links between JRI and the rest of the College, and likened JRI to the mustard seed and the leaven of the Gospel parables - a small organisation with potential for great influence.
Notes
1. The John Ray Initiative (JRI) was launched in 1997. Named after the 17C pioneer naturalist and theologian, JRI aims to promote environmental stewardship and sustainable development, in accordance with Christian principles and the responsible use of science and technology. Through publications, seminars and workshops, presentations and its website, JRI seeks to inform and challenge the churches and to bring an ethical perspective to environmental issues in the wide arena. Patrons of JRI include the Archbishop of Canterbury and Sir Ghillean Prance, FRS (former Director of Kew Gardens).
2. Sir John Houghton was formerly Professor of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Oxford. In 1983, he took up the post of Director General, subsequently Chief Executive, of the UK Meteorological Office where he remained until 1991. He was Chairman of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution from 1992-1998 and is currently co-Chairman of the Scientific Assessment Working Group for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Besides many scientific publications, he is author of Does God Play Dice (1988), Global Warming (1994) and The Search for God: Can Science Help? (1995).
3. Dr Peter Carruthers is an agricultural scientist. He was formerly a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Agricultural Strategy at the University of Reading, where for some 20 years he conducted inter-disciplinary research and lectured in ‘agricultural systems’. In 1999, he joined the staff of the Countryside Agency, and in April 2001 was appointed as the Executive Director of the John Ray Initiative on a part-time basis (continuing to work for the Countryside Agency for the rest of his time). He is Chairman of the Agricultural Christian Fellowship and serves on the committee of Farm Crisis Network.
Photographs 
Dame Janet Trotter, Sir John Houghton and Revd Simon Steer outside college chapel, after Commissioning Service.
Dr Peter Carruthers outside college chapel.
David Thistlethwaite outside college chapel.
John Mckeown outside college chapel.
College Principal, Dame Janet Trotter, speaking at reception.
