Eco-Congregation Scotland

[This article by Eco-Congregation Scotland is reproduced from the Church magazine, In-Touch. Eco-Congregation Scotland is delivered by a partnership between Keep Scotland Beautiful and the Society, Religion and Technology Project of the Church of Scotland. It is endorsed by most major denominations and Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS) and is supported financially by the Scottish Executive’s Sustainable Action Fund. Members of St Mary’s Church will meet in May 2005 to discuss this issue and how they might take part in the programme].

Many Christians are concerned to so something about the environment, but don’t know where to start. Eco-congregation is a programme supported by churches to help congregations consider environmental issues and make appropriate practical and spiritual responses. We offer free resources to help you consider your environmental “footprint” and to discover what you can do, right where you are. The programme is flexible as each congregation has different opportunities for change.

Some fear that the problems are too big for us to make any difference. We disagree! Small actions add up. Already several hundred congregations across Scotland have begun exploring how they might take part in the scheme. Over sixty are already taking action and sixteen have gone on to receive Eco-Congregation Awards in recognition of their achievements. We want many more to join them and are looking for people prepared to start things off in their church, maybe in small ways to begin with.

The Programme
There are three components to the programme:

1. A set of resource modules designed for use in church life. (A detailed list of the resource modules is available here).

2. A process to provide support for churches by offering advice, regional workshops, an informative website www.ecocongregation.org/scotland and helping to link churches with appropriate local environmental groups/networks, including their local authority.

3. An award scheme, to recognise the creditable environmental work of churches.

**For dates of Eco Congregation meetings and activities please see diary dates