ECO-AWARNESS GROUP (Eco-Congregation)
“So God created human beings, making them to be like himself. He created
them male and female, blessed them and said, ‘Have many children, so that your
descendants will live all over the earth and bring it under control. I am
putting you in charge of the fish, the birds, and all the wild animals. I have provided all kinds of grain and all kinds of fruit for you to eat; but for all the
wild animals and for all the birds I have provided grass and leafy plants for
food’ – and it was done.” (Gen. 1:27-30)
Eco-Congregation Scotland movement:
Eco-Congregation is an ecumenical movement and is supported by the Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Methodist Church in Scotland and the United Reformed Church. It also receives funding from the Scottish Government, SCIAF and Christian Aid as well as local church congregations and private individuals. There are now over 270 eco-congregations in Scotland.
The movement is also part of the wider Eco-Congregation movement in the UK and overseas. Each country’s movement is run independently, but we retain links with each other. Eco-Congregation Scotland is linked to the Environmental Issues Network of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and to the European Christian Environmental Network.
About us in the Old & Abbey and What we stand for:
The vision of the Church of Scotland is to be a church which seeks to inspire the people of 
Scotland and beyond with the Good News of Jesus Christ through enthusiastic worshipping, witnessing, nurturing and serving communities.
The Church of Scotland is also concerned that climate change is posing a serious and immediate threat to people everywhere, particularly the poor. As God’s stewards it is our responsibility to care for the earth and all that is within it.
If we in the Old & Abbey are to be a caring church and serve our community we need to embrace the vision of the Church of Scotland, be active in our faith and be open minded and passionate about global warming. It is vital that we work to make the church’s voice heard. So it makes perfect sense that the Eco-Congregation movement is the vehicle that we use to get our message across to all churches, and out into the wider community.
The Old and Abbey has been an eco-congregation for some years and in 2009 received award status. The Eco Group embarked on a series of events that highlighted the issues of global warning and the need to consider practical measures to help our fragile eco-systems. We are committed to continue to explore new and innovative ways to keep the environment at the forefront of the work of the Old & Abbey Church. In 2011 the Old & Abbey became a full member of Eco-congregation with full voting rites.
The members of the Eco Group are Susan Bowie, Colin Dundas, Fay Forge, Jean Glass, Len Gregory, Fiona O’Connor, Alex Robertson and Margaret Tulleth.
Eco Newsletters
Hello and welcome to your copy of our Eco Church Newsletters. We hope you enjoy reading them and would ask you to feed back any comments that will help us shape future editions.
Eco Newsletter Summer 2011 Edition
Eco Newsletter Autumn 2011 Edition
Eco Newsletter Winter 2012 Edition
Global warming is not a threat of something terrible that will happen in the future; it is happening now.
So what types of thing can we do as eco-congregations?
Earth Hour
Held each year at 8:30pm on the last Saturday in March, Earth Hour is a WWF initiative which symbolises the collective power of individuals, businesses and governments to reduce our environmental impact on this one and only planet we call home.
From it’s beginnings in one city in one country – Sydney – Earth Hour has grown to millions of people in over 5000 cities across 135 countries, a truly global community committed to creating a more sustainable planet.
For the last two years the Old & Abbey has celebrated Earth Hour with a concert. Below are images from the 2011 event.
