Welcome to the latest Eco-Congregation Scotland newsletter, with a special focus on the global climate strike led by young people.
Fridays for Future began in August 2018 with the inspirational Greta Thunberg protesting daily in Sweden and quickly growing as a movement all over the world. In Scotland many pupils and students have joined, taking action as the Scottish Youth Climate Strike. This week these campaigners ask all of us to engage and back their week of action in addressing the climate crisis. 



Eco-Congregation Scotland trustees are keen to support the week of action. We are now specifically facilitating two key events, the People's Assembly and the Teachers' Q&A Session, both of which encourage wider participation in listening to young people, discussing the climate crisis and calling for urgent action. We are pleased to link with Wellington Church as the venue for both, an active Eco-Congregation alongside the University of Glasgow:

PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY
Sunday 22nd September 2019
12noon to 4pm
Wellington Church of Scotland, 77 Southpark Avenue, Glasgow G12 8LE
An open People's Climate Assembly, listening to views on ensuring a just transition away from carbon and drafting a People’s Declaration to be delivered to the government.
https://www.facebook.com/events/526952164781740/

TEACHERS' Q&A SESSION
Tuesday 24th September 2019
5.30pm to 7pm
Wellington Church of Scotland, 77 Southpark Avenue, Glasgow G12 8LE
Climate strike campaigners holding an after-school Question & Answer session for teachers to hear more on the climate crisis and find out more about why they strike from school.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2515865981967111/

We also recognise that climate strikes are not happening in every part of Scotland. As a diverse movement, church volunteers involved in Eco-Congregations may have different views on the concept of school strikes, but we are all motivated by the need for intergenerational justice to tackle the climate emergency for our youth and future generations.

This week of action offers an excellent opportunity to engage with young people in sharing concern for the environment. Over coming weeks our staff will continue to encourage individual churches, school chaplains and our Local Networks to reach out, listen and support young people in our communities, with so many already active in environmental activities through Eco-Schools and other work in schools, colleges and universities. This will also form part of our increased activities towards COP26, the major UN climate conference in Glasgow next year.

Please get in touch with our staff team if you would like further support or more information on engaging with young people in your own area. We are also keen to hear more on what is happening or planned in your own church, offering our support and sharing activities across our Networks. Our next newsletter will be out towards the end of the month featuring training sessions, Awards updates and the first details of our next Annual Gathering. 

Thanks for your continuing support of Eco-Congregation Scotland. It is much appreciated.

Stephen Curran
Eco-Congregation Scotland manager
0131 240 2274
07554 905275