This is the latest news from the Dumfries and Galloway Eco-Congregation network.
For archived articles prior to June 2012 please click here.
Dunscore Parish Church help local housholders calculate their carbon footprints
In March 2012 and March 2013 the Dunscore Parish Church congregation and community were asked if they would like to read their electricity meters, car mileages, oil tanks etc. and the Eco Group offered to use the readings to calculate household “Carbon Footprints”.
This is the end of the first full year and the participating households now have the data and can compare with others. They can use the information to work out where they might be able to reduce their impact on the environment.
You can access a summary of the data collected by clicking on this: http://www.cairnvalleycalling.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Carbon-Footprint-Summary-Web.pdf
Thank you to Alison Boyes for sharing this with us!
Eco-evening with Dumfries and Kirkcurdbright presbytery at Dunscore Parish Church
The Dumfries and Kirkcudbright Presbytery Mission and Discipleship Committee had their gathering in Dunscore church on the 30th April. It had an Eco theme and included a great supper and workshops run by Christian Aid on the Enough Food for Everyone IF campaign, Incredible Edibles about growing vegetables in open spaces in Dumfries and Eco Congregation on food miles and on being an Eco Congregation. A fascinating evening.
Everyone joined together in the church
Margaret Warnock demonstrated the food-print game with participants
Workshops were run by Christian Aid on the Enough Food for Everyone IF campaign and by Incredible Edibles about growing vegetables in open spaces in Dumfries
Sharing supper
Thank you to Alison Boyes for sharing information and photos from the evening.
Dunscore Digest March 2013
You can download the latest Dunscore Digest from Dunscore Parish Church by clicking on this link: Digest March 2013
In addition to details about the Dunscore Freecycle it also share information about an event they have planned for the evening of Tuesday 30th April entitled Food Miles; The “Enough Food for Everyone – IF” campaign and Waste. This campaign will also feature at the Annual Gathering on Saturday 20th April.
Earth Hour Prayer by Alison Boyes
Earth Hour started in Australia in 2007 when 2.2 million people and 2,100 businesses turned off their lights for one hour creating a visual mandate for action on climate change. By 2009 4,000 cities and towns across 88 countries took part rising to 6,950 cities and towns across 152 countries last year.
This year Earth Hour is on Saturday 23 March from 8:30 – 9:30 pm.
Alison Boyes from Dunscore Pairsh Church has shared this wonderful prayer for Earth Hour with us. Please feel free to use it:
Uniting People to Protect the Planet
Turning off the lights, we turn to you Creator God, seeing, in our mind’s eye, what you have made: The beauty of stars on a dark night and the incomprehensible vastness of space. A waterfall, a fruit tree, a forest, the smile on a child’s face. Rivers, sun, sea, wind and rain to warm and nourish. A bright bird, a friendly dog, family to love and friends to cherish. Mountains to be climbed, dazzling flowers and bright new mornings fresh with promise.
Such generosity, such abundance! Enough for everyone IF…
Turning on the lights, we turn to you, Light of the world. Show us a way to live lightly on this earth and to share our wealth with those who need it. Instead of squandering your gifts, may we keep them in trust for those who come after us.
In your loving name, AmenWWF have produced a useful Earth Hour Guide specifically for Eco-Congregations. You can download the 8-page Guide by clicking on the following link: Earth Hour Guide for Eco-Congregations.
Green Heating Solutions – Energy Saving Trust events
Information from Energy Saving Trust:
If your New Year’s resolution is to save money you could make the switch to a more affordable source of heating. For example a heat pump or wood-fuelled boiler may provide a better heating solution for you. Not only is it kinder to the environment it can also make a difference to your energy costs potentially saving you hundreds of pounds each year.
There is a range of financial support available and you may be able to earn cash from your heating system through the UK Government’s Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, which should be available from summer 2013.
The Energy Saving Scotland advice centre is holding Energy Surgeries on:
- Monday 28th January 1.30pm – 4.00pm at Girvan Community Centre;
- Wednesday 30th January 1.30pm – 4.00pm at Kirkcudbright Library, and;
- Saturday 2nd February 2.30pm – 4.30pm at Stranraer Library.
Come along and talk to our advisors and find out more about the financial and practical support on offer.
For more information, call free on 0800 512 012.
