Category Archives: Highland

Local Networks Seminar 2015, Saturday 26th September.

By Aberdeen, Angus, Argyll, Ayrshire, Borders, Dumfries, East-Lothian, Edinburgh, Esk, Fife, Glasgow, Highland, International, Lomond, Moray, Orkney, Perth, South-Lanarkshire, Stirling, West-Lothian

This year’s Local Networks Seminar is being held on Saturday 26th September, 11am – 3.30pm at Dunblane Cathedral Halls. Please note the date, which is later in September this year.

The main topic for the day will be “After Paris – What happens next?”

The Climate Justice Baton Relay (see http://www.ecocongregationscotland.org/get-involved/events/baton-relay/) has been a huge success. The Baton has been (double!) booked every Sunday, and many dates in between, since its launch in April until it departs for Paris at the end of November. Congregations from Orkney to Dumfries have taken the Baton into their churches, schools and community centres, paraded it through the streets, taken it up mountains and on pilgrimages to spread the message that now is the time for Climate Justice.

John Ferguson of the Binn Eco Park has agreed to start the discussion by giving us an overview of the issues and how these relate to what we can do in church and community.  John is a Christian, who formerly worked for the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and is now running a ground breaking environmental business. He is an inspirational speaker with a wide knowledge of and  insights into the issues. You can download a short biography for John here.

Trevor Jamison, our environmental chaplain will be offering some biblical and theological insights on the theme. There will also be time allowed for the usual exchange of news and views and networking between the networks.

A full programme for the Seminar is available for download here. Places are limited please therefore book your place by replying to margaret@ecocongregation.org.uk by Monday 7th September.

For those unable to get to the Seminar we will be producing a Report of the day and consulting more widely on the outcomes.

 

 

Highland Network meeting on 14th September.

By Highland

You are invited to the next meeting of the Highland Network of Eco-Congregation Scotland on Monday 14th September, 7.30pm, West Church, High Street, Cromarty IV11 8YP. A poster can be downloaded here and we would be grateful if you could print it out and display this in your church.

This meeting is an opportunity to see a church that has installed air source heat pumps in their buildings (for more information about this technology see http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/domestic/air-source-heat-pumps). Archie MacTaggart from the church has agreed to show us around, explain how the system works, what it’s benefits are, what it cost and how it was funded, as well as answering questions. Could this be a way in which you could heat your church more efficiently – and save money?

Please feel free to invite other members of your congregation who might be interested, especially the people responsible for church property or finances. We look forward to seeing you in Cromarty!

150914 Air Source Heat Pumps poster-page-001

Local Networks meetings for the Autumn announced

By Aberdeen, Angus, Argyll, Ayrshire, Borders, Dumfries, East-Lothian, Edinburgh, Esk, Fife, Glasgow, Highland, Lomond, Moray, Orkney, Perth, South-Lanarkshire, Stirling, West-Lothian

The first round of meetings for the Autumn Local Networks programme have been announced! More details to follow; here is the schedule as it stands:

Local Networks Seminar

  • Saturday 26 September at Dunblane Cathedral, 11am-3.30pm. After Paris – What Happens Next?

Aberdeen

  • Wednesday 7th October 7.30-9pm. Eco Schools at Stonehaven South Parish Church

Angus and Dundee

  • Wednesday 8th Oct, 7.30 – 9pm  at St Andrew’s, Dundee with Adrian Shaw (the Church of Scotland’s Climate Change Officer talking and leading a discussion about: “Should Churches Invest in Fossil Fuel Companies”

Ayrshire

  • Wednesday 30th September 7.30-9pm. Ethical Finance and Networking at Mauchline Parish Church

Central Borders

  • Monday 19th October 7.30-9pm. Solar Panels at Selkirk Parish Church

Edinburgh

  • Wednesday 23rd September 7.30-9.30pm. “Why Christians Should Care for Creation: Becoming an Eco-Congregation” talk and panel discussion at St Andrew and St George’s West Church

Esk and Tweed

  • Monday 5th October 7.30-9pm. Community Initiatives / Recycling at Penicuik North Kirk

Glasgow

  • Wednesday 9th September 7.30-9pm. Garden Project at Yoker Parish Church

Helensburgh and Lomond

  • Wednesday 9th Sepember 7.30-9pm
  • Wednesday 4th November 7.30-9pm

Highland

  • Monday 14th Sep, 7.30 – 9pm Highland Network at West Church, Cromarty – an opportunity to see their air source heat pumps.

Mid Argyll

  • Thursday 1st October 7.30-9pm. Ethical Boycotts: Should the Church Invest in Fossil Fuel Companies? at Ardrishaig Parish Church

Moray

  • Tuesday 15th Sep, 7.30 – 9pm Moray Network in the West Meeting Room. Williamson Hall, Elgin. Speaker Grant Lawson from Moray Council on “Waste Matters”

North Argyll

  • Monday 21st September 7.30-9pm. Network Launch at St John the Divine, Oban

Perth

  • Monday 14th Sep, 7.30 – 9pm Perth Network at St Ninian’s Cathedral with Adrian Shaw (the Church of Scotland’s Climate Change Officer talking and leading a discussion about: “Should Churches Invest in Fossil Fuel Companies”

Stirling

  • Wednesday 16 September. Stirling’s Low Carbon Future with Morag Buxel at St Ninian’s Old Parish Church, Stirling

West Lothian and Falkirk

  • Monday 28th Sep, 7.30 – 9pm at Torphichen Parish Church with Adrian Shaw (the Church of Scotland’s Climate Change Officer talking and leading a discussion about: “Should Churches Invest in Fossil Fuel Companies”

 

Join @sccscot to learn about #COP21 and find out what we can do about #ClimateChange

By Angus, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Highland, News

On 26th-27th September, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (of which Eco-Congregation Scotland is an active member) will be showcasing community-led initiatives to address climate change, tackle injustice and power the move to safe, clean energy we need. People across the country can come along to an event near them, learn about what’s happening in Paris, how they can get involved and meet others who are concerned about climate change.
SCCS members will be running four free training events over the weekend:

Dundee: Sunday 27th September
We will discuss how we build Scotland’s climate justice movement towards Paris and beyond through supporting community-owned renewables and fossil fuel divestment campaigns. We’ll also develop our skills using social media, lobbying elected representatives and other practical tools for sustainability.
Hosted by Friends of the Earth Scotland: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/to-paris-and-beyond-dundee-climate-training-tickets-18049704151

Edinburgh: Saturday 26th September
Grow your skills and inspiration; hear from other ordinary campaigners and get to grips with the building blocks of developing an effective campaign. As part of the To Paris and Beyond weekend of climate-related events, the workshop will include a session dedicated to climate campaigning.
Session run by WWF, day organised by Take One Action: http://www.takeoneaction.org.uk/event/free-campaigner-training/

Glasgow: Sunday 27th September
Hear about why Paris COP21 is such a vital conference. Get a sneak peek of what will be happening at the Scotland rally. Meet other people concerned about climate change. Learn how to use social media to get more people engaged in climate campaigning. Gain skills to engage with politicians about climate change.
Hosted by Oxfam Scotland: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/training-day-to-paris-and-beyond-tickets-18020032402

Inverness: Sunday 27th September
Find out the facts about how climate change is affecting wildlife and habitats and the potential for Scotland to do more. Learn about how nature can help us be resilient to the impacts of climate change and what actions we’re calling for. Getting involved has no age restriction and there is something for everyone from expert talks to family-friendly hands-on workshops to youth training for how to lobby your politician.
Hosted by RSPB: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/to-paris-and-beyond-training-day-tickets-18094026721

 

 

 

Climate Justice Baton in Inverness and the Highland News #cop21baton

By Highland, News

The Climate Justice baton visited Ness Bank Church on July 12th and was reported on by the Highland News.


Credit: Highland News.

Full text of the article below:

Inverness church takes up baton to spread eco message

Eco-Congregation Scotland is behind the baton relay which stopped off at Ness Bank Church on Sunday en route to Paris for the UN Climate Change Summit in December.

The hand-made baton was created by the Greyfriars Recycling of Wood Project and carries the message: “Time for Climate Justice: Churches in Scotland Demand a Deal in Paris, December 2015.”

The baton, which is passing around churches across Scotland this summer, alerts congregations to the summit and carries the hopes and aspirations of Christians across Scotland for the conference.

At each stage host churches are being asked to write a postcard to the Scottish Government minister for environment, climate change and land reform, Aileen McLeod.

She sent the baton on the first leg of its journey in Falkirk in April, to tell her about the progress of the baton around Scotland.

The baton also visited the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in May.

Rev Fiona Smith of Ness Bank Church, said: “Many of the congregation stayed behind after the service for photos with the baton which I think showed how supportive they are.

“It’s a hugely important issue but it’s quite difficult for us in the land of plenty to feel the impact of climate change and that we are making a difference. Climate change is affecting all parts of the world and some of the poorest people in places such as South America and Asia.

“If we work together, people from all walks of life, the issue can make progress and it must be tackled by the politicians.”

Ms McLeod said: “This is a crucial year in the effort to combat climate change and it is vital that Scotland sends a strong message to world leaders when they meet in Paris in December to agree a new global treaty on this.

“Eco-Congregation Scotland’s climate justice baton will do just that and encourage the international community to follow Scotland’s example by setting ambitious targets.

“I look forward to receiving the postcards that chart the baton’s journey the length and breadth of this country and being able to use these in Paris as evidence of the strength of feeling here in Scotland about climate change.

“I also hope this baton will inspire church members and communities across Scotland to reflect on what more we can all do in our day-to-day lives to help tackle climate change.”

At the Paris conferences, governments are expected to forge a new global deal on climate change, including commitments from both developed and developing countries to limit greenhouse gas emissions, to take effect from 2020 when current commitments run out.

Rich nations promised at the Copenhagen summit in 2009 that by 2020, at least $100 billion a year would be channelled to the developing world, to help cut emissions and adapt to climate change. So far only about half of that target has been met.

You can follow @ecocongregation on Twitter to see the baton’s progress or use the hashtag #cop21baton.

Urray and Kilchrist Church receive Eco-Congregation Award!

By Highland, News

Congratulations to Urray and Kilchrist Church who have received the Eco-Congregation Award and become the 121st congregation in Scotland to gain this status. The assessors particularly commended the congregation on the commitment and perseverance shown in improving the building fabric and reducing the carbon footprint of the church; the spiritual leadership shown by Eco-Congregation advocates; and the large charity collection efforts.

Well done!