Representatives of eight churches, situated in the Esk and Tweed area, met in Carlops Church on Monday 26th March for the launch of the new Eco-Congregation Esk and Tweed Network. Speakers from Carlops, Eddleston, Lyne and Manor, Peebles Old, Penicuik North, Penicuik Sacred Heart and the parishes of Upper Tweeddale, gave short presentations describing the ‘Eco’ activities of their churches.

Claudia Beamish (see photo), MSP for the South of Scotland and Shadow Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, then cut a cake to celebrate the event and, after   refreshments and a chance to exchange ideas, the guest speaker was introduced.

Ewan Aitken is Secretary of the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland and Chairman of Eco-Congregation Scotland. He gave a most inspiring talk about the effect that churches, working with their communities, can have in helping to spread the message of the need to live a more sustainable lifestyle. He praised what was already being done and urged those present to carry the work forward by sharing ideas and activities.

It was agreed that the next meeting would be hosted by Peebles Old Parish Church and would be held in October.

Anyone interested in learning more about Eco-Congregation Scotland or the Esk and Tweed Network can visit http://www.ecocongregationscotland.org.