Annual Gathering and AGM 2022

Caring for Creation: Unlocking the Future

We are delighted to hold this year’s Annual Gathering on Saturday 30th April 2022, marking our 21st anniversary by returning to the town of Dunblane – where ecumenical leaders from across Scotland’s Church denominations first met in 2001 to begin the work of Eco-Congregation Scotland. Our main venue is Dunblane St Blane’s Church of Scotland, in partnership with Dunblane Cathedral Halls where afternoon workshops will be held.

The theme for the day, reflecting on reaching 21 years – the traditional age for the “key to the door” – will be “Caring for Creation: Unlocking the Future“.  The Annual Gathering will take place as a blended, hybrid experience with both physical in-person and virtual online attendance available for participants. Main venue events will be open to all attendees, with workshops either in Dunblane or online.

Eco-Congregation Scotland 2022 Annual Gathering
Saturday 30th April 2022
10.30am – 4.00pm
Dunblane St Blane’s Church of Scotland, 112 High Street, Dunblane FK15 0ER
and online through Zoom – please register below

The Annual General Meeting part of the day, initially scheduled for 1.00pm to 1.30pm, has been postponed to a later date. The rest of our Annual Gathering proceeds today with an exciting range of speakers and workshops, for both online attendees and all able to join us in Dunblane. Please register to receive Zoom meeting link to attend online.


AGENDA

10.00am   Doors Open

10.30am   Welcome – Len Gregory, Eco-Congregation Scotland trustee and Doune Parish Church
Opening prayer – Elizabeth South, Eco-Congregation Scotland trustee and St Martin of Tours’ Scottish Episcopal Church, Gorgie/Dalry

10.35am   Caring for Creation: Unlocking the Future
Chaired by John Seenan, Eco-Congregation Scotland trustee and St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Clarkston

Keynote speaker – Alastair McIntosh

Guest speakers:

  • Dr Maureen Sier – Director of Interfaith Scotland
  • Margaret Warnock – former Eco-Congregation Scotland Programme Co-ordinator and Callander Kirk
  • Laura Young – “Less Waste Laura” influencer, Tearfund Scotland and Adelaide’s Baptist Church, Glasgow
  • Stephen Watt – Young Christian Climate Network and St Margaret’s Scottish Episcopal Church, Newlands

11.50am   Question and Answer Session with Panel


12.40pm   Lunch in St Blane’s Hall – this is free for all attendees, catered by almost next door “Another Tilly Tearoom”


Workshops are chosen by participants at 1.30pm and 2.30pm. There are two options online and three for physical attendees for each session.

1.30pm   Workshop 1              

A. Being the Church in Climate Crisis – seminar by Rev David Coleman, Environmental Chaplain, Eco-Congregation Scotland 
Online, held on main Zoom meeting link 

B. Green Graveyards – Catherine Lloyd, Biodiversity Co-ordinator, Tayside Biodiversity Partnership
Online and Leighton Room, Dunblane Cathedral Halls, The Cross, Dunblane FK15 0AQ

C. Houses and Heating: Let’s talk about the climate emergency – Judith Macleod, Programme Co-ordinator, Eco-Congregation Scotland
St Andrew’s Hall, Dunblane Cathedral Halls, The Cross, Dunblane FK15 0AQ

D. What happens now after COP26? –  Adrian Shaw, Eco-Congregation Scotland and Interfaith Scotland COP26 Volunteer
Helen Lamb Room, Dunblane Cathedral Halls, The Cross, Dunblane FK15 0AQ

2.30pm  Workshop 2

A. Being the Church in Climate Crisis – seminar by Rev David Coleman, Environmental Chaplain, Eco-Congregation Scotland 
Dunblane St Blane’s Church of Scotland, 112 High Street, Dunblane FK15 0ER

B. Green Graveyards –  Catherine Lloyd, Biodiversity Co-ordinator, Tayside Biodiversity Partnership
Online and Leighton Room, Dunblane Cathedral Halls, The Cross, Dunblane FK15 0AQ

C. Houses and Heating: Let’s talk about the climate emergency – Judith Macleod, Programme Co-ordinator, Eco-Congregation Scotland 
Online, held on main Zoom meeting link 

D. What happens now after COP26? –  Adrian Shaw, Eco-Congregation Scotland and Interfaith Scotland COP26 Volunteer   
Helen Lamb Room, Dunblane Cathedral Halls, The Cross, Dunblane FK15 0AQ

Both venues are accessible, but please note workshops held in Leighton Room and St Andrew’s Hall are on the first floor of Dunblane Cathedral Halls. There is a stair lift. Please let us know if you wish to physically attend one of these workshops and would be unable to use the stair lift, as we can swap venues tomorrow in the same building. Workshops are planned to run for 45 minutes each session.


All return to St Blane’s Church for closing remarks and worship.

3.25pm  Closing remarks and thanks – Richard Murray, Eco-Congregation Scotland chairperson of board of trustees and All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Whiterashes, Aberdeenshire

3.30pm   Closing Worship – Rev David Coleman

4.00pm   Ends


We encourage attendees to use public transport where possible and practicable to get to Dunblane. Both St Blane’s and Dunblane Cathedral are under 10 minutes walk from Dunblane rail station. If you are travelling by car, parking is permitted for one hour only in the High Street. There are around 40 spaces in Dunblane Cathedral car park and many more spaces along the B8033/Stirling Road dual carriageway leading to Dunblane town centre and the top of the High Street.

In line with Scottish Government guidance on Covid-19, we will continue with appropriate protective measures and staff will wear masks when not required to speak during the day, respecting the need to manage potential risk for all those attending physically.

We look forward to welcoming you online or in Dunblane.

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REGISTRATION