Eco-Congregation Scotland is a Scottish registered charity (charity number: SC041287) organised as a company limited by guarantee (company number: SC372366) . The trustees of the charity are the directors of the company.
These are the statements of the directors who were elected by the members at the AGM.
EWAN AITKEN
I am the Secretary to the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland. A former parish minister in Edinburgh, I am also the present chair of Eco Congregation Scotland Board. I was an elected member of the City of Edinburgh Council from 1999 – 2012, 6 of them full time and 10 months as Leader of the Council. I was also Spokesperson for Education for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities for 3 years. I am a board member of the Edinburgh International Science Festival, John Watson Trust, Ripple Project and the Youth Bus Trust and a member of the Scottish Grants Committee of Children in Need. I believe that the witness of the church to what it believes to be true happens in every community and I see it as our task to help you be those witnesses.
STEPHEN ALEXANDER
I represent the Scottish Synod of the United Reformed Church on the Eco-Congregation Scotland Steering Group and became a Board Member on it achieving Independent Charitable status. My role has been to promote Eco-Congregation Scotland to our member churches and provide information and encouragement to their members. I am also a member of the Helensburgh and Lomond Network and work to encourage those churches in the area.I am a retired Naval Engineering Officer where I served mainly in Nuclear and conventional Submarines, worked as a volunteer advisor in Citizen Advice Bureau. I am married and have two (adult) children and four Grandchildren.
ALISON BOYES
I was asked to join the Eco-Congregation Scotland (ECS) steering group as a “grass roots” member. My appointment coincided with the recent growth of ECS and its transition to being a charity, and becoming a director has been an exciting and educational experience. I am an elder at Dunscore Church, in a small village 10 miles northwest of Dumfries. We have been an Eco-Congregation since 2003 and gained our third award this year (2012). We are especially interested in how churches can work with other community groups and demonstrate their love for God and his creation through environmental work.
JOHN BUTTERFIELD
has been a Methodist minister for over 20 years and before that he worked in town and country planning. His environmental awareness has continued in ministry with his involvement over the years with the Green Theology Group, Christian Ecology Link and Eco-Congregations. He completed a masters degree in environmental theology in 1993. John became one of the founder directors of Eco-Congregation Scotland in 2010 and has recently worked with “Going Carbon Neutral Stirling” on carbon reduction in congregations and on an initiative to promote community gardens.
ALAN KENNEDY
I worked as an actuary in life insurance until 2010. Shortly afterwards I agreed to be the treasurer of ECS becoming a board member at the 2011 AGM. I am an elder and treasurer of Craigsbank Church of Scotland in Edinburgh which registered with ECS in 2004 and the treasurer of another parish in the Borders. I am also a General Trustee of the Church of Scotland and a director of the Church of Scotland Insurance Company.
ALAN WERRITTY
For many years I have been a member of St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, St Andrews where, as a member of the Ministry Team, I head up the local Eco-Congregation Group, I am a member of the General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church which I represent on the Board of Eco-Congregation Scotland. I am an Emeritus Professor of Physical Geography at the University of Dundee where, until I retired in 2010, I undertook research on climate change and flooding. I was recently Vice Chair of the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Inquiry Facing up to Climate Change: Breaking down the Barriers to a Low Carbon Scotland which reported in March 2011 and believe that Eco-Congregation Scotland can be a significant player in promoting a low carbon future for Scotland.
SHEENA WURTHMANN
I am an elder at Netherlee Parish Church where I took the lead on our Eco-congregation registration and award. I have a strong interest in the environment from my work as an ecologist and have enjoyed seeing the Eco-Congregation Scotland develop and grow. I have been active on committees at a national level for a range of organisations and from this experience I can see how the Eco-Congregation Scotland contributes to churches, congregations and communities addressing in practical ways the issues of climate change and sustainability.
PHILIPPA BONELLA
is Head of Communications and Education at the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, SCIAF. With fifteen years of Scottish voluntary sector experience, she has previously undertaken senior advocacy and communications roles within a range of organisations, including Action on Smoking and Health Scotland, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations. She is also a trustee of the Refugee Survival Trust.
PHILIP BLACKLEDGE
I am a priest in the Scottish Episcopal church, currently working at Christ Church in Morningside. I have a role in the diocese for Eco-Congregation and youth and children, two areas which are complimentary in terms of the young people’s desire to bring a larger prominence to ecological matters. I have been involved in writing the liturgy for the Scottish Episcopal Church’s Creationtide Eucharist, and have done some ecumenical work in terms of liturgical resources for Creationtide. In my previous church in Linlithgow, I managed to run my car on biodiesel made in my garage from used chip fat from the chippie next door, converting an old hot water tank into a reactor. Somehow nothing blew up. When not involved in things churchy or ecological, my interests are playing the piano, singing early church music, and playing with our recently adopted five year old son.
MALCOLM ROONEY
I am a Church of Scotland Minister working in Kirriemuir. Ordained in 1993, I was a secondary school teacher in a previous life! I am married with three married sons and three lovely daughter’s in law as well as two wonderful grandchildren. My Congregation, the Glens and Kirriemuir Old Parish Church, is part of the West Angus Area Ministry and we work in close co-operation with four other Church of Scotland Charges in a Group Practice Ministry. I was Presbytery Clerk in Angus from 1997 to 2005 and have also served on the Ministries Council. When I look at my grandchildren I am more convinced than ever that Climate Change, Environmental Degradation and Sustainable Living are THE challenges facing humanity in general and the Faith Communities in particular. In the community, I am the Environmental Officer for the 80+ Rotary Clubs in the North of Scotland.
BILL CRAIGIE
came to serve on the Board largely by chance. At an ECS Annual Gathering it seemed that the fledgling Network in the Aberdeen area was in need of representation. The Board seemed equally keen for someone to fill the gap! Made welcome as a “fly on the wall” since 2011, I am now delighted to formally join the Board, especially as meetings in Edinburgh allow visits to family. Queens Cross Church is “home”, where our Eco Team are now working towards a third award. Membership of the SOC, SWT, WWF and especially the RSPB give a hint as to where my interests lie!
