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.
Duffus, Spynie and Hopeman Church invite you to join them for an Eco Information and Coffee morning on Saturday 4th of March 2023 from 10am – noon. It will be held in Hopeman Memorial Hall.
EcoHighland 2021 is a programme for two full weeks of events, around worship, prayer and action organised by churches locally and supported by Eco Congregation Scotland with Inverness Presbytery Church Support. Running from the 31st of October to the 13th of November, these two weeks coincide with the timing of the vital COP 26 negotiations in Glasgow. EcoHighland 2021 gives local churches and surrounding communities -and those who join us online from elsewhere- an opportunity to share the importance of caring for our planet.
The calendar of events below gives an overview and flavour of the main events happening. It is worth keeping an eye on the Eco Congregation Scotland events page as further events are added. There are activities that will appeal to people of all ages.
These events are only a flavour of the range of things that the congregations are doing. Inverness St Columba have put together a booklet of pledges to help people care for the planet, as well as a collective active travel challenge to clock up the 180 miles to Glasgow over the duration of COP 26. Other congregations are taking greening their grounds and beyond seriously by planting trees, wildflowers and daffodils. Many of the congregations are planning what they will do to keep this going beyond the two weeks of EcoHighland 2021. For example, Inverness Old High St Stephens congregation are planning a series of conversations about climate change and the practical steps we can take to help care for the planet. Inverness Dalneigh and Bona are looking at how to help people make practical changes such as extending the range of things they each recycle. There are many more exciting plans beside these, so it will be worth keep an eye on church websites and social media in the coming months.
A series of pilgrimage walks are planned by Inverness Presbytery over the summer that will take in different parts of the beautiful Highland scenery. If you would like to join in with these walks please contact Paul Haringman, Mission Development worker, using the details below.
