Eco-Congregation Scotland Newsletter

News from Eco-Congregation Scotland this month

View this email in your browser

Welcome to the latest Eco-Congregation Scotland Enews.
There's still time to register at our free Annual Gathering this weekend in Dundee, campaigning for ambitious targets in the Climate Change Bill reaches a crucial stage and consultation is extended on steps towards becoming a Good Food Nation, while there is an exciting opportunity to join our staff team.
We want to share all the work you are doing in your own church and community - so please keep in touch with our staff team or share through social media. Please also let us know if you have ideas for our newsletter and future activities too. Thanks for your continuing support.

Stephen Curran
Eco-Congregation Scotland manager
0131 240 2274

ANNUAL GATHERING AND AGM 2019
Places are still available if you register today for our Annual Gathering 'Transforming Energy, Transforming Lives' on Saturday 30th March, 10am to 4pm, in Dundee's Gate Church International. Inspiring speakers, excellent workshops and seminars plus a tasty low carbon, locally sourced lunch. Please join us if you can at this free event - or watch our Facebook live stream from 10.30am.

'RUNNING OUT OF TIME' CLIMATE RALLY
MSPs will debate Scotland's new climate change law for the first time next week. If you are free, please join campaigners outside the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 2nd April from 12.30pm to 2pm, calling for urgent action to cut climate pollution over the next decade. We are part of this Stop Climate Chaos rally and photo stunt - with people dressed in running gear, holding clocks and waving signs to reinforce the message that we're 'Running Out Of Time'. Everyone is welcome to bring placards, banners, clocks and if you’re up for it - wear running gear, or at least get in touch if you would like an Eco-Congregation t-shirt! For more on the Climate Bill, check out Stop Climate Chaos' latest webinar. Please register on Facebook, phone us on 0131 240 2274 or email manager@ecocongregationscotland.org if you can join the rally.

GOOD FOOD NATION BILL CONSULTATION
As a Scottish Food Coalition member with an interest in the environment - and links to many churches addressing food insecurity - we work with a range of organisations committed to Scotland becoming a Good Food Nation through just transition to a fair, healthy and sustainable food system.
The Scottish Government has extended its consultation deadline to Thursday 18th April for submitting your views on new laws relating to the future of food. Please make sure you have your say - or get in touch if you would like to hold a Good Food Nation discussion in your own church and community in the next three weeks. Please use his link for an easy way to take part: https://e-activist.com/page/36245/action/1?ea.tracking.id=PartnerOrganisations

TEAM UPDATE
Our Environmental Chaplain has been particularly busy this month, from sharing his thoughts on Matthew 10 with children at Salen Parish Church on the Isle of Mull to celebrating Eco-Congregation Award success with Our Lady of Loretto and St Michael Catholic Church in Musselburgh. For more on our spiritual work in worship and praise, please follow our Chaplain's Blog as Rev'd David Coleman visits congregations, meeting our local volunteers and networks in churches across Scotland.
We have a busy month of staff changes this month, welcoming Ruth Livingstone as our new Membership & Office Administrator, while David Bethune retires from his role as Programme Coordinator at the end of March. We thank David for three years' dedicated service in which he made a lasting impression refreshing our Awards scheme and supporting eco-congregations all over the country. We are delighted he will continue to remain involved as an active volunteer.
We are now recruiting for a new Programme Coordinator to join our team, a part-time role working flexibly from home, travelling to visit churches and our local networks across Scotland. For more information on how to apply, please go to: www.ecocongregationscotland.org/jobs

JOIN US - REGISTER YOUR CHURCH
Thanks to our Mid-Argyll local network hosting a lively Climate Conversation at Glassary Kilmartin & Ford Parish Church last week. Please get in touch if you would like to host similar public engagement on environmental issues with your church or wider community. Welcome also to our new eco-congregations all over Scotland:

Aberfeldy Parish Church
Claremont Parish Church, East Kilbride
Eastwood Parish Church of Scotland, Glasgow
Greyfriars Scottish Episcopal Church, Kirkcudbright
North Motherwell Parish Church
Saltcoats North Parish Church
St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh

If your church is also concerned about the environment and wants to do something about it, it is simple to join us. Just fill out your details online or print a form and post it to us. Registering as an Eco-Congregation leads to support through our local networks and programme coordinators, information through free resources or our newsletter and eligibility to apply for Awards as you develop your work. Please join us today - or you can support our work as an individual too.

Further news items can be found on our website news page.
If any of your friends would like to receive our newsletter they can subscribe here.

Facebook

Twitter

Website

Copyright © 2019 Eco-Congregation Scotland, All rights reserved.

unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences