Eco-Congregation Scotland Newsletter

News from Eco-Congregation Scotland this month

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Welcome to the final Eco-Congregation Scotland newsletter of 2019.
As Christmas draws near, thanks to all who have followed Advent with the Eco-Chaplain on Facebook and Twitter where you can still watch Rev'd David Coleman's short daily posts.
On behalf of our charity trustees, staff and everyone involved in the work of Eco-Congregation Scotland, thank you for all your efforts and support this busy year. It has always been much appreciated.

Our team will be in touch early in the New Year with news of activities and events for churches and supporters across Scotland in coming months - and our growing focus on work towards the COP 26 climate talks coming to Glasgow in November 2020.
Thanks again for your continuing support and all that you do locally.
Wishing you a very Happy Christmas.

Stephen Curran
Eco-Congregation Scotland manager
0131 240 2274

LOMOND GOLD AWARD
Congratulations to our latest Eco-Congregation Gold Award winner, Lomond Parish Church. The Eco-Team received their Award from Eco-Congregation Scotland charity trustee Len Gregory and were joined by local elected representatives to celebrate their success. Pictured above from left are Jackie Baillie MSP, Mary Sweetland, Doreen Lowe, Councillor Sally Page, Len Gregory and Councillor Ian Dickson.

The Gold Award recognises that Lomond Parish has met or exceeded our highest standards in spiritual, practical and global living - and is seen as a local beacon for caring about environmental issues.

Mary Sweetland, Eco-Convener said: "We started on this journey in 2011 and have worked through the levels of the Award, raising awareness among the congregatino and users of our buildings on the importance of reducing our carbon footpring to protect God's Creation."

"With the Climate Emergency now declared by governments we will continue to strive and help the transition to a low carbon economy, so that our children and their children can continue to enjoy the beauty of Loch Lomondside and the Leven Valley."

AWARDS ASSESSOR TRAINING
Wednesday 12th February 2020
10.30am to 2.30pm (lunch included)
Church of Scotland Offices, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN

We have organised Assessor training for our Eco-Congregation Awards scheme early next year, delivered by experienced former programme co-ordinator David Bethune, pictured above running a workshop at this year's Annual Gathering.
This free training is open to anyone interested in becoming a new volunteer Assessor, plus those who are already Assessors as a refresher course. Please email or call our office on 0131 240 2274 to register or if you would like more information.

We also deliver or support excellent free training in our Local Networks, linking with organisations such as Zero Waste Scotland and Energy Saving Trust.
Please let us know the training you would like to host locally in your own church or community.
We are committed to encouraging behaviour change that will address the climate emergency and rely on local support for these training sessions.

THANKS AND WELCOME - JOIN OUR MOVEMENT TODAY
Thank you to convener Rev'd Dr Jenny Wright - pictured above with our Environmental Chaplain Rev'd David Coleman - and the Church in Society Committee who recently invited us to join all their Scottish Epis copal Church grant recipients, reporting on our work this year across all seven Dioceses. We look forward to working closely next year, supporting the Committee and wider Church in increased efforts tackling the climate emergency.

We were also delighted to receive the Scottish Episcopal Institute's registration as an Eco-Congregation this month, as our Chaplain continues to engage with a range of denominations, encouraging a fresh focus on the environment in formation and development of ministry.
A special welcome and thanks to all our new registrations this month, taking us to 494 Eco-Congregations:

Scottish Episcopal Institute
Markinch and Thornton Parish Church
St John's Church, Linlithgow
St Serf's Parish Church, Tullibody

If your church is also concerned about the environment and wants to get involved, please join us today - all membership money goes directly to support Local Network activities. It's easy to join online or print a form and post to us - or you can support our work as an individual too.

Scottish Youth Climate Strike's latest Fridays for Future rally in Glasgow's George Square

MARY'S SONG

My soul glorifies the Lord.
My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm;
He has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
and has lifted up the lowly.

Luke 1:46-55, Mary's song, the Magnificat: words of the woman who was there from Christmas to Pentecost, empowers compassionate and forthright activism, a song of praise and protest.

Lord, grant us faith and courage in upheaval. Amen.

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Eco-Congregation Scotland is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), Scottish Charity number: SC041287

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