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