Latest News From Eco-Congregation Scotland

Ten things you need to know about
Eco-Congregation Scotland this month.

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Dear <<First Name>>,

Welcome to the new Eco-Congregation Scotland Enews featuring the ten things you need to know about Eco-Congregation Scotland this month.

1. New Awards Scheme from August 2017

We announced at our AGM in April that we were hard at work revamping our Awards scheme and would have more to say at a later date. Well that date has arrived and we’re pleased to reveal that as of the 1st of August 2017, we will be accepting applications for our new awards.

2. New Award Winners

Speaking of awards, two congregations recently received awards. Broughtyferry New Kirk received their first award and St Martin's Episcopal Church, Edinburgh, received their second award. Congratulations to both.

3. Welcome our newest eco-congregation

We are please to welcome Stirling Baptist Church as our newest eco-congregation. We look forward to hearing about their activities. The button below will take you to their church web site.

4. Video: Deposit Return, how it Works

Eco-Congregation Scotland supports the Have You Got The Bottle campaign to introduce a deposit return scheme for drink containers in Scotland. Here is a short animated film that explains how a scheme like this works.

5. A Week in the Life of a Program Coordinator!

Our Programme Coordinator, David Bethune writes:

"As my role is to “support and encourage” congregations and networks in their care of creation, I find myself turning up in all sorts of interesting places around Scotland, and often being encouraged myself by the people I meet. The week 9-16 June was a particularly interesting one."

6. Churches react to President Trump withdrawing US from Paris climate agreement

Churches have reacted to President Donald Trump’s withdrawal of the US from the Paris Climate Agreement.

7. Sweeping over the void – of a groaning creation

We found this prayer on Sanctuary First:

Oceans suffocated by plastic
Groaning to be free.
God of creation,
we join their lament.

Trees coughing alongside motorways
Groaning to be free.
God of creation,
we join their lament.

Glaciers melting with tears
Groaning to be free.
God of creation
we join their lament.

Islands slipping beneath rising waves
Groaning to be free.
God of creation,
we join their lament.

God, our Creator,
Who gives us responsibility
For this beautiful planet
Forgive our selfish, unthinking ways
Poisoning the ground beneath our feet.

Christ, our Redeemer,
Free us from our foolishness
With a new sense of wonder
And a new desire to tread carefully
On this precious earth today. Amen.

by Rev Peter Neilson

8. Warmer Climate Raises Extinction Risk

Climate change is multiplying existing threats to much of the natural world, and more species face an unparalleled extinction risk – this according to an article on the Climate News Network

9. The Greener Side of Commuting

DJ and TV presenter Ewan Cameron made this short video on the benefits of active travel by foot or bike rather than taking the car.

10. Send us your News!

One of the things our registered congregations value most is information about what other congregations are doing. Could you write an article and provide some photographs? It could just be a photograph with a description. You could use the same article in your own church magazine.

To contact us click here.

Further news items can be found on our web site news page.
Our next newsletter will be sent on the first of next month.
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