Eco Congregation
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Transcript of Eco Congregation
Eco-Congregationan environmental toolkit for churches
a partnership programme
in Scotland
What are your environmental concerns?
• too much waste going to landfill ?
• traffic congestion, air pollution and asthma ?
• loss of rainforests and species extinctions ?
• declines in UK farmland birds ?
• more storms and floods and rising sea levels linked to global warming and climate change ?
• more housing built on green field sites ?
• litter on your local streets ?
• Skin cancer and the hole in the ozone layer ?
Christian Perspectives
1. Belief in God as creator
2. Christian principles of good stewardship
3. Care for the poor and suffering, including the many people affected by environmental degradation
4. Caring for the environment as a missionary activity
AimEco-Congregation aims to encourage Churches
and their members to celebrate the gift of
creation and care for it in appropriate practical
and spiritual ways
Eco-Congregation - the toolkit
1. Resources
12 written modules designed to cover every aspect of church life
2. Support• web site: www.ecocongregation.org/scotland• newsletters• contacts with local authorities and environmental
groups• support and advice
3. Award scheme
Growing in Faith and Understanding
Module 2 Celebrating creationResources for worship
Module 3 Creation and Christianity Overview of ‘green theology’
Module 4 Acorns to oaks Ideas and suggestions for children’s work
Module 5 Tread gently – go greenActivities for environmental youth work
Module 6 How Green is God’s word Bible studies for House Groups and
leaders
Putting God’s House in Green Order
Module 7 Greening the cornerstone Guidelines on caring for church premises
Module 8 Greening the purse stringsStewardship of financial,catering & purchasing matters
Module 9 Planting and conserving Eden Ideas to care for church grounds and land
Changing Lives: Changing Communities
Module 10 Green choicesTips for greening personal lifestyles
Module 11 Community mattersIdeas to help churches work with and through their local community
Module 12 Global neighbours Sources and resources for churches to think globally and act locally.
Holding special “Creation Care” services
Teaching their young people environmental awareness
Improving their grounds for wildlife and community
Making and installing bird boxes
What are churches doing?
Undertaking an energy audit and implementing the recommendations
e.g. using energy-efficient light bulbs
.
e.g. making the church self-sufficient in renewable energy!
Promoting recycling of:
cans stamps paper milk cartons printer cartridges spectacles...
.
Cleaning up their neighbourhood
.
Installing environmental notice boards
.
Encouraging “Green Lifestyles” through articles in the parish magazine and local papers
.
Helping countryside rangers with local wildlife conservation projects
.
Promoting and selling Fair Trade goods and Eco-friendly products.
How to get going
1. Request an introduction pack and get together a ‘Green Team’ of interested people
2. Fill in the churches’ environmental check-up (Module 1) to identify current good practice and future priorities
3. Order the free resource modules of your choice
4. Get the support of a church meeting and send of the order form
5. Dip into the toolkit and get going!
Eco-Congregation - the Award
given in recognition of
• linking environmental issues to the Christian faith
• practical work in the church/churchyard
• having a positive impact on the wider community
Other Partners & Projects
Environmental Issues Network (EIN) of CTBI & ACTS
European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN) – website
C of S General Assembly - Environmental Policy, Reports & Deliverances
Church without Walls - booklets and conferences
C of S Stewardship Dept. - training in “Creation Stewardship”
Board of Ministry – teaching opportunities
Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office – elections material
Scottish Churches House – conferences on environment
Scottish Sustainable Development Forum
Scottish Civic Forum – working groups & conferences