Aberdeen Network

This is the latest news from the Aberdeen Eco-Congregation network.

 

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  • Aberdeen Network Event: Church Grounds – A Partnership with Aberdeen City Council

    January 30 @ 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm

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  • Join us to pray, share and act

    We appreciate this is a challenging time for many across all churches and communities due to COVID-19 restrictions. We are delighted to share good news over coming weeks from local eco-congregations, this weekend celebrating Eco-Congregation Scotland Award success in Aberdeenshire.

    We value the excellent participation of so many volunteers and supporters in recent interfaith events and a range of meetings as we look forward to welcoming the COP26 climate conference to Scotland next November. We invite you to join a wide variety of online events and activities through the remainder of this November.

    Thank you for all your efforts and continuing support as we pray, share and act together, caring for our common home.

    Today we acknowledge the wonderful work of Inverurie West Parish Church. Congratulations to enthusiastic environmental team leader Joy Doorghen and all at Inverurie West on achieving our Silver Award recognising their commitment to caring for creation. You can read more about their Silver success on our website

    We will share more Award success stories in coming weeks and encourage every eco-congregation to apply, affirming your church’s environmental activities through online assessment. You are also welcome to join Inverurie West and our Eco-Chaplain this Sunday for a live at home service on the Church website and YouTube.

    Inverurie West Parish Church service
    Sunday 22nd November 2020
    11.00am

    Website http://www.inveruriewestchurch.org/westcast.html
    YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_eaGG76yKpRzSAhvOLleLQ

    Many Christians mark this Sunday as the feast of Christ the King. Eco-Chaplain Rev David Coleman will be reflecting on Matthew 25:31-46:
    “A masterpiece of ‘end-time’ writing, the ‘sheep and the goats’ is perfectly directed at those who look to God for hope in a time of global crisis.”

    Service of Prayer for Climate Justice
    Sunday 22nd November 2020
    2.00pm – 3.00pm

    https://prayerforclimatejustice.eventbrite.co.uk

    Join a service of prayer, reflection and action on climate justice organised by Christian AidTearfundAnglican Communion Environmental NetworkCAFODLutheran World FederationACT AllianceEuropean Christian Environmental Network and other friends around the world. Look ahead to COP26 next November and reflect on our push for more ambitious climate action in the coming year. Register now and commit to joining in prayer and action through 2021 with the Prayer Chain for Climate Justice.

    Out of Africa…Into Malta
    Monday 23rd November 2020
    7.30pm – 8.30pm

    https://www.ecocongregationscotland.org/event/outofafricaintomalta/

    Hear about the varied work of Out Of Africa…Into Malta as it aims to relieve humanitarian need and provide hope to a displaced people. Rev Doug McRoberts, former minister of St Andrew’s Scots Church in Malta, will share how the project founded in 2010 grew from offering prayers and second-hand clothes to becoming a major life-changing presence, partnering with the Red Cross and becoming a Church of Scotland Guild Partner Project.

    Just Transition: a fairer, greener Scotland
    Wednesday 25th November 2020
    9.00am – 11.00am

    https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/just-transition-a-fairer-greener-scotland-tickets-128768970457

    Just Transition Commission members will share some of the emerging themes from their work to date, ahead of delivering their final recommendations to Scottish Ministers in early 2021. This will be your opportunity to explore and discuss their findings, and the solutions proposed to deliver a just transition in Scotland. The Commission was set up last year to give practical advice on how Scotland can meet ambitious climate change targets in a way that is fair for all.

    Trees, Community & Climate
    Thursday 26th November 2020
    4.00pm – 5.00pm

    https://climatefringe.org/sccs-live-events/

    Chaired by Kat Jones of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, join Alan McDonnell of Trees for Life, Veronique Walraven of Morvern Community Woodlands and Madagascar-based Bangor University research fellow Sarobidy Rakotonarivo to explore how forest conservation and woodland restoration can best deliver climate mitigation, the co-benefits that arise and the role of local communities in delivering them.

    Climate Challenge Fund Gathering and film event
    Thursday 26th November 2020

    9.00am – 4.00pm Gathering 2020 Programme
    7.00pm – 9.00pm Evening Film and Discussion
    https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/ccfgathering

    The Climate Challenge Fund Gathering provides opportunities to learn, network and share experience on tackling climate change, bringing together over 200 CCF Grant recipients and local community-led groups including churches and faith projects. The evening will explore how community film nights can get people thinking about climate change, followed by the opportunity to watch and discuss a challenging film. Find out more and book Gathering and film tickets here.

    Financing Climate Justice
    Monday 30th November 2020
    12.00noon – 1.00pm

    https://climatefringe.org/sccs-live-events/

    Stop Climate Chaos Scotland and Jubilee Scotland report ‘Financing Climate Justice’ outlines the need for increased climate finance to global south countries hit hard by climate change and Scotland’s role in creating such change. Hear from International Centre for Climate Change and Development director Saleemul Huq, Anne Funnemark of Jubilee Scotland and Loss and Damage Youth Coalition co-founder, activist and researcher Sadie De Coste.

    Let’s talk about the climate emergency – Our Global Connections
    Monday 30th November 2020
    7.30pm – 8.30pm

    https://www.ecocongregationscotland.org/event/ourglobalconnections/

    The November theme in our “Let’s talk about the climate emergency” resources is Our Global Connections. How we live has a direct impact on climate change and the lives of others. Join us to talk, pray and reflect on thoughts about Our Global Connections to ensure a fairer world for current and future generations. Please register here.

    This Sunday 22nd November, please join us and Christians across Scotland in prayer at 7.00pm.

    Good Shepherd,
    Speak once more to our hearts
    And offer us vision and hope for days to come.
    Go before us Shepherd King
    And lead us into the future that you hold in your hands.
    Lord, hear us.
    Lord, graciously hear us

    Continue reading →
  • Silver success for Inverurie West

    Joy Doorghen, environmental team leader in Inverurie West’s Pause for Thought Garden

    We are delighted to announce that Inverurie West Parish Church has achieved an Eco-Congregation Scotland Silver Award in recognition of their work and commitment to caring for creation.

    The Silver award affirms that a congregation met or exceeded Eco-Congregation Scotland’s more demanding standards in aspects of spiritual, practical and global living, requiring an active participation by members, care for creation to be reflected regularly in worship and an involvement in Local Network events.

    Inverurie West Church is a vibrant organisation, serving the local community as a place to meet and have a hot drink, snack or lunch; a real centre for bringing the community together.

    Inverurie West Parish Church congregation, has been especially recommended by our Award assessors for:

    • Provision of the Acorn Centre meeting place, with excellent food and a good atmosphere that contributes to the welcoming spirit of the church.
    • Continued emphasis on monetary collections and activities for less well-off sections of the community, both local and abroad, emphasising the caring ethos of the church and sense of a global community.
    • The enthusiasm of Joy Doorghen and her environmental team to keep the environment central to the church activities.
    • The Ubuntu Fairtrade shop which is delightful and to be commended.

    A certificate and Silver plate for the Church’s Award plaque are now winging their way up to Inverurie West. Well done Joy and all the team!

    A Silver award is achievable by an eco-congregation which is taking its responsibility to care for creation seriously. To achieve Silver, the congregation must show that they meet – or have taken significant steps towards meeting – all of the criteria for that level listed below in each of four broad areas:

    1. General Aspects
      a) Evaluation and planning
      b) Initiating and coordinating
      c) Communication
      d) Eco-Congregation Scotland Involvement
    2. Spiritual Living
      a) Discussing Ideas
      b) Worship and Congregational Life
    3. Practical Living
      a) Individual Members Taking Action
      b) Action in Church Buildings
      c) Biodiversity, Wildlife, Grounds and Gardens
    4. Global Living
      a) Local and National Concerns
      b) Global and International Concerns

    More information on the Eco-Congregation Scotland Awards scheme.

    Continue reading →
  • Caring for Creation

    Climate action, discussion and prayer

    Eco-Congregation Scotland is inviting church volunteers in our Local Networks and supporters across the country to our online events and activities over the next fortnight. We are also pleased to share partner organisation events including the Prayer Service for Climate Justice and Just Transition Commission update.

    A Sanctuary for Swifts
    Monday 16th November 2020
    7.30pm – 8.30pm

    https://www.ecocongregationscotland.org/event/a-sanctuary-for-swifts/

    Swifts are ancient and fascinating birds. Sadly their populations are on the decline and are now regarded as Amber conservation statusRSPB Scotland is encouraging Edinburgh as a place of sanctuary for these amazing birds – with support from the Scottish Power Foundation – and looking for churches to host swift nesting boxes. We will also hear from Huntly & District Swift Group, working hard to protect these wonderful birds in their local area. Wherever you live in Scotland, come and find out more about these amazing birds and the work being done to care for them.


    The Big Debate – Politics & the Climate Emergency
    Wednesday 18th November 2020
    5.20pm – 7.20pm

    https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-big-climate-debate-politics-the-climate-emergency-online-tickets-126416351711

    Hosted by ELREC (Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council), hear political parties’ proposals to tackle the climate emergency and questions answered by Sarah Boyack MSPDeidre Brock MPFinlay Carson MSPAlison Johnstone MSP and Christine Jardine MP. Please email potential questions for selection before the event on themes: energy, transport, waste, food, governance/politics and finance.


    Sacred People, Sacred Earth Kickoff – Anglophone Africa and the UK
    Wednesday 18th November 2020
    6.00pm – 7.00pm

    https://actionnetwork.org/events/greenfaith-international-launch-day-of-action-anglophone-africa-and-the-uk

    In a series of TEDxCountdown multi-faith events around the world, join UK hosts Faith for the ClimateSouthern African Faith Communities Environment Institute (SAFCEI)GreenFaith NigeriaGreenFaith Kenya, and the Inter-Religious Council of UgandaGreenFaith International Network founding partners plan a global, COVID-friendly, multi-faith day of climate action on 11 March 2021. The launch of spoken word, music, prayers and dynamic speakers will share bold demands that grassroots faith communities have developed and provide opportunities for diverse faiths to get involved.


    Spaces for Change – Community Venues & COP26
    Wednesday 18th November 2020
    6.00pm – 7.30pm

    https://climatefringe.org/glasgow-venues-cop26/

    We are encouraging Scotland’s churches, faith groups and local communities to offer hospitality and welcome for COP26 next year. Join this Climate Fringe gathering if you are interested in hosting events during COP26 or just want to find out more about opening your doors as a church, hall or local venue. Speakers at this meeting will take us through what we can expect, sharing previous COP experiences.

    Faith and civil society groups from all over the world will need space for meeting, holding events and floor space for sleeping. This meeting is for those who manage venues, large or small, within an hour’s commute from Glasgow including places of worship and community halls or any group that has a meeting room that can be booked externally.


    Prayer Service for Climate Justice
    Sunday 22nd November 2020
    2.00pm – 3.00pm

    https://prayerforclimatejustice.eventbrite.co.uk

    Join a service of prayer, reflection and action on climate justice organised by Christian AidTearfundAnglican Communion Environmental NetworkCAFODLutheran World FederationACT AllianceEuropean Christian Environmental Network and other friends around the world. Marking the original COP26 dates, we look ahead to next November and reflect on our push for more ambitious climate action in the coming year. Register now for joining details and commit to joining in prayer and action through 2021 with the Prayer Chain for Climate Justice.


    The Global Compact on Refugees, adopted by an overwhelming majority at the UN General Assembly in December 2018, directly recognises that ‘climate, environmental degradation and natural disasters increasingly interact with the drivers of refugee movements’.

    Out of Africa…Into Africa
    Monday 23rd November 2020
    7.30pm – 8.30pm

    https://www.ecocongregationscotland.org/event/outofafricaintomalta/

    Hear about the varied work of Out Of Africa…Into Malta as it aims to relieve humanitarian need and provide hope to a displaced people. Rev Doug McRoberts, former minister of St Andrew’s Scots Church in Malta, will share how the project founded in 2010 grew from offering prayers and second-hand clothes to becoming a major life-changing presence, partnering with the Red Cross and becoming a Church of Scotland Guild Partner Project.


    Just Transition: a fairer, greener Scotland
    Wednesday 25th November 2020
    9.00am – 11.00am

    https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/just-transition-a-fairer-greener-scotland-tickets-128768970457

    At this online public event, members of the Just Transition Commission will share some of the emerging themes from their work to date, ahead of delivering their final recommendations to Scottish Ministers in early 2021. This will be your opportunity to explore and discuss their findings, and the solutions proposed to deliver a just transition in Scotland. The Commission was set up last year to give practical advice on how Scotland can meet ambitious climate change targets in a way that is fair for all.


    Thanks to Anne Currie of Craigsbank Church Eco-Group in Edinburgh, sharing Autumn colours from Glencruitten, Oban.

    This Sunday 15th November, please join Christians all over Scotland in prayer with Church leaders at 7pm.
    Faithful God and giver of all good gifts,
    Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

    (Swift photographs courtesy of RSPB images, David Naylor and Huntly & District Swift Group.)

    Continue reading →
  • Connecting for climate action

    Eco-Congregation Scotland is delighted to support Interfaith Scotland and Scottish Interfaith Week (photograph courtesy of Interfaith Scotland)

    Supporting Scottish Interfaith Week

    Connecting for climate action

    As a Christian charity, one of our purposes is the “promotion of religious, racial and social harmony through a demonstration that care for creation is an essential part of all faiths and by working with other faiths and groups to promote this understanding”.

    Eco-Congregation Scotland is delighted to support Interfaith Scotland and local interfaith groups along with the UK Faith for the Climate network in all our combined efforts towards the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow next year.

    We thank those who are already active through their own church connecting with other faiths – particularly at this time of year – and encourage our volunteers and friends to join events connecting faiths during Scottish Interfaith Week from 8th to 15th November.


    COP26 Interfaith Evening of Reflection
    Monday 9th November 2020
    8.00pm – 9.00pm

    https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cop26-interfaith-evening-of-reflection-tickets-122376061093

    Hosted by Hope for the Future and Faith for the Climate, bringing together constituents and Members of Parliament from across the UK, marking the previous start date of COP26 before it was postponed due to the pandemic. Please join us to reflect on the potential of this coming year, in the run up to the new conference start date in November 2021.

    This event welcomes people from all faith traditions and backgrounds – as well as MPs from across the political spectrum – to reflect, share and consider the vision of this year as the UK prepares to host the UN’s annual climate negotiations, with contributions from:

    • Kate Hughes, Director for International Climate Change at BEIS (UK Government Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy)
    • Jonathan McAveety, Senior Campaigns Officer at SCIAF (Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund)
    • Isabella O’Dowd, Senior Climate Change Specialist at WWF
    • Dr Shanon Shah, Network Coordinator for Faith for the Climate

    Hope for the Future
    Tuesday 10th November 2020
    4.00pm – 6.30pm

    https://scottishinterfaithweek.org/listings/hope-for-the-future

    Join the final of three global sessions organised by the Interfaith Liaison Committee to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). Reaching the time of what should have been the COP26 in Glasgow, this session offers a space for dialogue on faith-based climate action.

    Stories of hope in action from faith communities around the world are shared and reflected on. The session offers interactive opportunities for participants, facilitating connections and raising motivation for the year ahead. Join friends around the world to learn, discuss and explore climate action with opening speakers:

    The moderator is Brussels-based Chiara Martinelli from CIDSE, the international family of Catholic social justice organisations including SCIAF. This interactive meeting hosted by Interfaith Scotland and Interfaith Glasgow includes a breakout session enabling all to participate fully. Please join us to help share your own hopes for the future from Scotland.


    Carbon Footprint Workshop
    Tuesday 10th November 2020
    7.00pm – 9.00pm
    https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carbon-footprint-workshop-tickets-123344969123

    Workshop organised by Deeside CAN, formed out of representatives from four Aberdeen Local Network eco-congregations in Banchory and Torphins, including Eco-Congregation Scotland depute chair Richard Murray:

    “CAN stands for Climate Action Network; it also means Care And Nurture. We are a group of people living on Royal Deeside in Aberdeenshire, who want to do something to minimise climate change, reduce waste and decrease the loss of biodiversity.”

    “Do you want to know how your lifestyle impacts the environment – or what to do to reduce your carbon footprint? Our lifestyles are impacting the environment and causing climate change. We need to change! The Scottish Government has set a Net Zero target for 2045. This means we must all reduce our carbon footprint by 4% every year. Come and join our free Zoom workshop.”


    A wee reflection on bare trees, vulnerability and beauty shared on Duffus, Spynie and Hopeman Parish Church YouTube channel by Rev Jenny Adams, Church of Scotland Minister and Eco-Congregation Scotland trustee:
    https://youtu.be/bwY_J-yf-Dg

    This Sunday 8th November, as we begin the season of Remembrance, please again join Christians across Scotland in ecumenical prayer with Church leaders at 7pm.

    Continue reading →
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Resources for Aberdeen network:

Energy Saving Trust Support in North East Scotland

Interested congregations can contact Kasia Buczak on T 01224 253 908 | E Kasia.Buczak@ne.energysavingscotland.org.uk

Community funding information can be found here.

Small Business Loans – interest free loan for energy efficiency measures and renewable technologies. You can borrow up to £100,000 for any measures recommended in the energy review. Please complete this application form to apply (need printing).

Low Carbon Transport Loans – interest-free loan available for a variety of measures including video-conferencing, cycling facilities, plug-in vehicles or vehicle efficiency equipment. Fuel efficient driver training is also available.

Community awareness sessions – Free group presentations.