Eco-congregations: pilgrims for environmental justice - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Eco-congregations: pilgrims for environmental justice

coordinator@ecocongregationscotland.org 07950 244 329

we are …

✓ a small independent charity ✓ working throughout Scotland ✓ supporting churches of all denominations

• ur values

✓ we care passionately for God’s creation ✓ we are a faith-based movement, rooted in local groups of Christians ✓ we work co-operatively with each other and with others who care about the environment ✓ we encourage transformational change at individual, community and national levels

• ur vision

a Scotland that cares for God’s creation, now and forever

✓ 432 registered congregations ✓ 136 award-winners ✓ 6 p/t staff

Gordon David C. David B. James Paul Adrian

and YOU!

• ur role

➢ to support and encourage congregations and individuals to show their care for creation through their life and worship

we support and encourage churches

✓to discover what it means to care for

God’s creation in prayer, worship and conversation

we support and encourage churches

✓to put that care into action individually,

locally, nationally and globally, desiring to live justly in a transformed world

we support and encourage churches

✓to commit to campaigning on urgent

threats to the web of life in our vulnerable world

We support and encourage by

✓supplying resources ✓providing advice and guidance ✓encouraging networking ✓speakers at events and churches ✓an eco-award scheme ✓an annual conference

As pilgrims on the road to better care of creation, we know how important our daily choices are.

from “Living the Change”, Global Catholic Climate Movement

The challenge of climate change …. requires our churches to make a considerable journey … the route has not been mapped out …. a journey not

• f individuals, but of a community ……. leaving

without looking back. from “Hope in God’s Future”,

a Baptist, Methodist, URC Study Guide

Heading in the wrong direction?

‘material wealth and increasing consumption are not the answer to human need’ (churches of Norway)

Yes, the planet got destroyed, but for a beautiful moment in time we created a lot of value for shareholders.

And so, what does this pilgrimage involve?

think pray act

It might impact

• our energy use
• our travel
• our buying
• our finances
• our politics

What footprints will I leave on this planet?

What is my individual carbon footprint? What is my church’s carbon footprint? My carbon (or environmental) footprint will be felt by the generations which follow for a long time ….

Calculating your carbon footprint is not an exact science ….. …. but the direction of travel is clear! www.carbonfootprint .com/calculator.aspx

How can eco- congregations become involved in pilgrim routes?

Eco-congregations along the Forth to Farne way

Coldingham &

• St. Abbs PC
• St. Anne’s, Dunbar

Abbey Church Dunbar PC

• St. Andrews Blackadder

Eco-congregations along the Forth to Farne way

“well aware” “heard of it vaguely, but would love to be more involved” “three members have been involved with the development” “have always had a few pilgrim walkers” “we have leaflets available in our church” “our church is

• pen most days,

and we do have a lot of passing visitors”

Abbey Church glass entrance doors “Pilgrimage and Settlement: a scattering of doves”

by Douglas Hogg (former pupil and successor of Sax Shaw as head of stained glass at Edinburgh College of Art). The artwork shows the history of Abbey Church and community, past and present. Front entrance doors: the fading footprints in the sand (taken from children and adults in the congregation), obliterated by every movement of the tide, remind us of the transitory nature of our earthly journey, and are symbolic of a spiritual journey. Inner doors & screen: the coasts of Fife and East Lothian featured on the internal screen depict the crossing of the Forth between North Berwick and Earlsferry in

• Fife. This was the route of the medieval pilgrims from North Berwick Abbey, the

Border Abbeys and further afield, to St Andrews. The doves represent the timeless and spiritual nature of the pilgrimage taking place within ourselves, as well as the more literal earthly sense of moving from one place to another. The wording on the vestibule wall reflects the theme.

How might eco-congregations be involved with Pilgrim routes?

Organise walks along parts of the routes Welcome pilgrims to church services Open churches along the route Help with route maintenance Provide hospitality for pilgrims and informal pilgrimages are also possible!

✓ is your church registered as an eco-congregation? ✓ would you like to be on our mailing list? ✓ are you looking for advice? ✓ speak to me before you go!

keeping in touch …

We too set out on a journey of freedom in response to the challenge of climate change, blessed by God’s peace, sent by our saviour, and going our way in the company of the Holy Spirit.

from “Hope in God’s Future”, a Baptist, Methodist, URC Study Guide

David Bethune

coordinator@ecocongregationscotland.org 07950 244 329 www.ecocongregationscotland.org