Eco-Congregation Scotland is taking a baton to Paris, to express the demands of churches in Scotland that negotiators agree to a deal that promotes global climate justice. The baton, which will pass around churches in Scotland throughout the summer of 2015, will carry the hopes and aspirations of Christians across Scotland for climate justice to be central to any agreement reached at the conference.
What is happening ?
- Greyfriars Recycling of Wood have made a baton for Eco-congregation Scotland from recycled church furniture.
- The baton bears the message Time for Climate Justice: Churches in Scotland Demand a Deal in Paris, December 2015.
- The relay was launched by Aileen McLeod MSP, Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform at our Annual Gathering on 25th of April:
- In December 2015 the baton will be taken to the UN climate change conference in Paris to share our message with other churches and delegates.
See where the baton is going
You can have a look at this map and calendar of where the baton is going to get an idea of when it will be in your area. There are two batons in order to cover as much as Scotland as possible (which is why it will appear that it is in two places at once on many dates!). Green markers indicate where the baton has travelled so far; red markers indicate where it will be going.
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If you are a local church congregation you can book the baton to visit your church when it is passing through your area. As the route is dependent on who signs up please contact us as soon as possible to get your name on the list. Please send an email to manager@ecocongregationscotland.org (or use our contact form here) stating the name of your congregation, its location, plus your name and phone number. We will get in touch to arrange a date.
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We ask that all congregations receiving the baton do the following:
- Fill out one of the postcards and post it to us so we can collect them together and give to the Climate Change minister to show where the baton has been.
- Contact the local press (newspaper or maybe local radio).
- Put an article in your own church magazine.
- Contact other local congregations (of all denominations) and ask them to take part.
When you receive the baton there will be a pack containing printed information. If any of this is missing you can download a copy here:
- Information sheet for congregations explaining what the baton relay is all about.
- Leaflets to give to the general public or congregation members.
- Postcards (front | back) to send to the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Minister to tell her where the baton is .
- Advice for contacting the local media.
- Press release (Word format | PDF).
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If you see the baton, tell us where it is, hashtag: #cop21baton
#cop21baton Tweets
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Bronze Award for Abernethy Parish Church
Continue reading →Congratulations to Abernethy Parish Church, who recently received their Bronze Eco-Congregation Award. They celebrated by hosting an open morning at the church exploring theology and sharing practical tips to encourage individual actions. They also planted some Scottish harebells at the front of their church as part of the celebration.
Our assessors commended the energy and enthusiasm of the Eco-Group who have achieved so much. They were also impressed by the careful and considered way in which changes are being made to church grounds and the switch to greener banking and a greener energy provider.
Well done to everyone involved.
Silver Award for Kilbarchan Parish Church
Continue reading →Congratulations to Kilbarchan Parish Church who were recently presented with their Silver Eco-Congregation Award.
The congregation celebrated during their Sunday service with a beautifully crafted cake.
Mary Sweetland, one the Eco-Congregation award assessors who presented the award said “We were impressed with the communication of green initiatives to the congregation and the wider community, and that they had 'Green Champions' embedded in all the six teams of the Kirk Session, who promote environmental issues across all areas of the church.”
Well done to the eco committee, the green champions and everyone involved in the congregation who contributed to this award.
Warm Connections
Continue reading →Home Energy Advice…another part of living out God’s command to care for creation and love our neighbour?
by Anna and Tom Sibbald, Aberfeldy Parish Church
I feel a real sense of pride - good pride, I hope - that my local church is seen to be relevant in our community through Warm Connections. It’s one logical way of being an Eco Congregation.
The Background Stuff
With our passion for God’s creation (both his people and his planet) as our driver, in 2021 we set up a small home energy advice project. Warm Connections is based in Highland Perthshire, part of Aberfeldy Parish Church and the broader work within our linkage and beyond. We provide people in our area with home energy advice, and support healthier, more affordable and greener living. The support we offer falls into 4 areas:
- No cost and low-cost solutions
- Support with bills
- Advice about funding for home improvements (insulation etc)
- Advice about renewables
We are very much a first step service and will help steer householders towards the local and regional teams who can access national funding, where necessary.
Just received a payment settling my energy debt which had built up because of illness. My heart is lighter.
The Exciting Stuff
What a delight it is to see the worry lines lift, a smile return when an energy debt is paid off through emergency funding, or a pre-payment meter topped up so the heating clicks back on. Such a privilege, but so is the slower walk with someone as they navigate the maze of options and possibilities available to improve the fabric of their home to make it greener, warmer and more affordable. Most of all, we encourage those small things which cost little or nothing; using less is always going to be a winner. Though our main motive is environmental, for others change may be driven by health or financial benefits, or simply a desire to be more comfortable; whatever the motive, helping folk to use less energy in the home and to keep the heat in the house for longer usually benefits all of the above.
Our focus is on reducing carbon emissions and on those vulnerable to fuel poverty. Supporting and caring for people in this way within our communities is another way that we as Christians can love our neighbour, and we are so thankful that our church community has got behind this amazing opportunity. It is a privilege to visit people at home, to encourage, guide and support householders through the many energy challenges which are out there. Finding ways to show that Christians genuinely care is not always easy, and it is a delight to offer this service with absolutely no cost.
Their gentle and participative approach has really motivated me to make more changes to my home, to save energy, be more eco-aware and be warmer in my house
Is it Working?
We think it is. We are delighted when a person suddenly discovers that someone does care and there is help, even for them. We have seen folk make vital steps towards net zero living through the big installs, but perhaps more important are the little savings we can all make through changed habits, and the low-cost adjustments that together add up. Love in this case has legs, arms, a face, a roll of radiator reflector foil and some low energy light bulbs!
“Warm Connections has been fantastic for so many reasons - building relationships, helping people in our community cut their bills and live out their desire to be greener, and enabling us to care for creation - one of the five marks of mission”. Rev Neil Glover, our minister
What About You?
Warm Connections might have worked without our church, but for us it’s so much more because it is part of the church, and anchored in community. With a climate crisis pressing us into action and so much challenge for householders across Scotland struggling with fuel poverty, this feels like urgent, needed and inspiring work. Work that churches everywhere could get stuck into. So, what did it take?
- A supportive church
- A desire to see Christians doing God’s will by encouraging others to care for His creation
- Interest in home energy (which began for us by making our own home more energy efficient)
- A love of people and a joy in sharing with them
It is a privilege and a joy to spend time in people’s homes and at events in the community. In the streets and shops we often see folk whom we have met through Warm Connections, and stop to chat; it feels normal and natural but is all part of Christian witness in our community. If you have read this and feel a nudge from God, we would be very happy to have a conversation, and explore your questions.
Anna and Tom Sibbald advice@warmconnections.net www.warmconnections.net
COP 29: Challenges, Failures and Uncertain Progress
Hear the Word; keep the Word; pass the Word on.
Morningside United Church is using the lectionary chosen by ‘Spill the Beans’. It’s an opportunity to write on something different from the RCL. Here’s the draft for Sunday 12th January 2025
Continue reading →
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