Silver success for Inverurie West

Joy Doorghen, environmental team leader in Inverurie West’s Pause for Thought Garden

We are delighted to announce that Inverurie West Parish Church has achieved an Eco-Congregation Scotland Silver Award in recognition of their work and commitment to caring for creation.

The Silver award affirms that a congregation met or exceeded Eco-Congregation Scotland’s more demanding standards in aspects of spiritual, practical and global living, requiring an active participation by members, care for creation to be reflected regularly in worship and an involvement in Local Network events.

Inverurie West Church is a vibrant organisation, serving the local community as a place to meet and have a hot drink, snack or lunch; a real centre for bringing the community together.

Inverurie West Parish Church congregation, has been especially recommended by our Award assessors for:

  • Provision of the Acorn Centre meeting place, with excellent food and a good atmosphere that contributes to the welcoming spirit of the church.
  • Continued emphasis on monetary collections and activities for less well-off sections of the community, both local and abroad, emphasising the caring ethos of the church and sense of a global community.
  • The enthusiasm of Joy Doorghen and her environmental team to keep the environment central to the church activities.
  • The Ubuntu Fairtrade shop which is delightful and to be commended.

A certificate and Silver plate for the Church’s Award plaque are now winging their way up to Inverurie West. Well done Joy and all the team!

A Silver award is achievable by an eco-congregation which is taking its responsibility to care for creation seriously. To achieve Silver, the congregation must show that they meet – or have taken significant steps towards meeting – all of the criteria for that level listed below in each of four broad areas:

  1. General Aspects
    a) Evaluation and planning
    b) Initiating and coordinating
    c) Communication
    d) Eco-Congregation Scotland Involvement
  2. Spiritual Living
    a) Discussing Ideas
    b) Worship and Congregational Life
  3. Practical Living
    a) Individual Members Taking Action
    b) Action in Church Buildings
    c) Biodiversity, Wildlife, Grounds and Gardens
  4. Global Living
    a) Local and National Concerns
    b) Global and International Concerns

More information on the Eco-Congregation Scotland Awards scheme.