This is the latest news from the East Lothian Eco-Congregation network.
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Invitation to join an Omnivores Research Project – Central Belt
In partnership with the SRUC, Nourish Scotland is running a scoping study that investigates people’s views about their least-worst options for reducing meat intake in their diets. This study will help shape a three-year SRUC research project that starts in the Autumn 2024.
Image credit: Nourish Scotland, Damhead Small Farm, April 2024 They are looking for a diverse range of people (age, dietary requirements and preferences, and other demographics) in the Central Belt of Scotland. To participate in this study, you would have to be:
1. someone who eats meat (not just fish) on a regular basis, as part of your normal diet
2. prepared to take part in a full-day workshop that will take place in person in the Central Belt (likely to take place in early June) AND
3. committed to keep a food diary for about a week in the run up to the in-person workshop.
Nourish can cover travel expenses (within limits, within the Central Belt), and £25 (a small contribution to your favourite meal perhaps!).
The discussions in the workshop will be focused roughly around these questions:
– What do people know about the case for reducing meat in our diets, and what, in this, do they care about?
– What do people know about meat replacements?
– What are people willing and unwilling to substitute for meat in their diet i.e. for which meals and under what conditions (taste, cost, availability, skills, time and effort, etc.)?
If you are interested in participating in this study, or have a question about this before you decide, please contact miesbeth@nourishscotland.org.uk to receive an application form by Thursday 2nd May.
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 status. RSPB 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-126416351711Hosted by ELREC (Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council), hear political parties’ proposals to tackle the climate emergency and questions answered by Sarah Boyack MSP, Deidre Brock MP, Finlay Carson MSP, Alison 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-ukIn a series of TEDxCountdown multi-faith events around the world, join UK hosts Faith for the Climate, Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute (SAFCEI), GreenFaith Nigeria, GreenFaith Kenya, and the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda. GreenFaith 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.ukJoin a service of prayer, reflection and action on climate justice organised by Christian Aid, Tearfund, Anglican Communion Environmental Network, CAFOD, Lutheran World Federation, ACT Alliance, European 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-128768970457At 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 →Where is your food going? JUST EAT IT
A great opportunity to go along to St Mary’s Church in Dalkeith, watch a film and take part in a discussion about the impact of food waste on the environment.
Continue reading →Interested in becoming an assessor?
Have you ever considered becoming an assessor for our new eco-awards? Perhaps you would like to join our volunteer team. Volunteer assessors work in pairs to read award applications, then visit a congregation to discuss the application in a friendly and supportive way. It’s a great way to find out what other eco-congregations are up to.
If you are interested, why not come along to a no-commitment award assessor training workshop to find out what is involved? The next workshop has been arranged for Wednesday 4th September, 7 – 9pm, in the Robertson Room, St. Anne’s Parish Church, Corstorphine, Edinburgh.
Places limited, so booking essential – please contact David Bethune, coordinator@ecocongregationscotland.org to book a place.
Continue reading →Register now for our Annual Gathering, 28th April in Edinburgh
East Lothian resources
Energy Saving Trust in South East Scotland
For advice on energy efficiency and reducing energy bills or to simply check if you are entitled to any government grants, please don’t hesitate to contact the Community Liaison Officer for your area, Dagmara Opilka. You can contact her on: dagmaraopilka@se.energysavingscotland.org.uk
Direct line: 0131 468 8682 | Helpline: 0800 512 012.
Complete and send the Referral Form to check if you are eligible for financial support.
Dagmara has offered to arrange a meeting or a talk to discuss the available services from the Energy Saving Trust. For more information click on the leaflet link Home Energy Scotland.
Click here for the minutes of the innaugural meeting (PDF document).