Cadder Parish Church, Bishopbriggs, are offering an opportunity for you to consider your response to climate change. Come along between 10 and 12, to hear speakers from Eco-Congregation Scotland and Christian Aid, Scotland. Join in discussion and find out what other folk are doing personally and in their congregations in response to climate change.
All are welcome. To help with catering, please can you use the form on this page to indicate if you are likely to attend.
The 2015 Local Networks Seminar took place in Dunblane on Saturday 26th September. This year the main themes discussed at the Seminar have been used to propose an exciting new way of providing web-based resources, which can be downloaded and printed out to encourage more participation in our congregations.
After considering what other resources are available, the ECS Board now plans to invite individuals / congregations / networks, with the relevant experience and expertise, to contribute to developing and writing the new resources.
Local Networks Seminar Report 2015 also lists a whole host of topics and speakers from networks all around the country (see Appendix 3). If you are not already involved in a network, take a look and see what you might be missing! Everyone is welcome at network meetings – you don’t have to be from a registered congregation. Full information about your local network can be found here.
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.ukby 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.
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”
The Riding Lights Theatre Company will be touring a new show about Climate Change from a Christian perspective between September and November this year (see details below).
So far only two churches in Scotland have shown an interest, but if there is sufficient demand they might put on another week touring Scotland – from 16th November.
If you are interested please contact them via their web site www.ridinglights.org.
Aileen McLeod MSP, Minister for Climate Change, Scottish Government Kathy Galloway, Director, Christian Aid Scotland
About our Annual Gathering
This December leaders from around the world will meet in Paris to try and reach an international agreement on climate change. Come along to our Annual Gathering to find our what the Scottish government and voluntary organisations are doing to put pressure on world leaders for an agreement on climate change, and how to make your voice head. We will also have practical workshops on making your congregations more climate-friendly.
