Transforming Energy, Transforming Lives

Saturday 30th March, 10am to 4pm at Gate Church International, Dundee.

We know that we have to radically change  our way of life in Scotland.  Changing the way we use energy means changing both our way of life and our economy; in heating our homes, travel, food and farming.

The 2019 annual gathering will explore this transformation with speakers who are leading the changes and congregations who are responding to this challenge: transforming energy; transforming lives.

Keynote Speakers

Professor Jim Skea is chair of Scotland’s Just Transition Commission, a leading expert on energy and climate change and co-chair of Working Group III of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

Neil Kermode is the managing director of the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) responsible for the deployment of pioneering marine technology in Orkney

Programme

10:00–10:30   Registration

10:30–10:45   Welcome and Worship: Mary Sweetland, Eco-Congregation Scotland chair and Rev’d David Coleman, Environmental Chaplain

Inspiration

10:45–11:30   Professor Jim Skea: How do we make a Just Transition to a Low Carbon Economy?

11:30–12:15   Neil Kermode: Transforming Energy in Orkney, opportunities and challenges

Sally Foster-Fulton, Christian Aid Scotland head and Eco-Congregation Scotland trustee will chair the keynote speakers’ session, respond from a climate justice perspective and open up for questions

12:15–13:00   Lunch: ***free*** locally sourced, low carbon produce

13:00–13:30   Annual General Meeting for members, Climate Conversations for other attendees

All activities at our Annual Gathering are open to every attendee, but only Full Members of the charity can vote at the AGM. Full Members are registered eco-congregations who support the charity with an annual fee and a named representative from each church attending the AGM. Climate Conversations are group discussions where everyone shares their views on changes we need to make in Scotland to reduce carbon and tackle climate change.

13:30–14:15   Workshops and Seminars

14:15–15:00   Workshops and Seminars

• Transforming Awards: introducing our Eco-Congregation Awards scheme to grow environmental activities in your church – workshop led by David Bethune, Eco-Congregation Scotland programme coordinator
• Transforming Buildings: using church buildings to reduce carbon and respond to climate change in your own community – workshop led by James Anthony, Eco-Congregation Scotland programme coordinator
• Transforming Homes and Communities: improving energy efficiency, tackling fuel poverty and reducing carbon in our homes and communities, supported by key partner organisations – workshop led by Faith Pashley and Diane Alexander, Home Energy Scotland with SCARF’s Dave Mackay and James Buchan, Local Energy Scotland
• Transforming Money: discussing campaign ideas on ethical finance and energy, with Chris Hegarty of Christian Aid on The Big Shift and James Buchanan, Operation Noah on the Bright Now divestment campaign – seminar facilitated by Adrian Shaw, Church of Scotland Climate Change Officer

 

15:00–15:30   Inspiration to Action, ideas from congregations

Local examples, successful and succinct, shared by eco-congregations from all over Scotland, convened by Elizabeth South, Eco-Congregation Scotland vice-chair

• Dunscore Parish Church of Scotland, Dumfriesshire
• Inverkip Parish Church of Scotland, Inverclyde
• Gate Church International, Dundee
• Our Lady of Loretto and St Michael Catholic Church, Musselburgh
• St Mary’s, Kenmay and All Saints, Whiterashes,  Scottish Episcopal Churches, Donside
• Selkirk Parish Church of Scotland, Scottish Borders
• Alexandria Parish Church of Scotland, West Dunbartonshire

15:30–16:00   Prayer and Reflection with Rev’d David Coleman, Environmental Chaplain

16:00 Conclusion

 

Registration is now open for this free event using Eventbrite:

ecocongregationagm2019.eventbrite.co.uk

Donations are welcome to help support the ongoing work of Eco-Congregation Scotland.

You can also register below: