Dear Friends in Christ,
After receiving feedback from a number of congregations who could not participate in a physical Eco Pilgrimage on 5 October due to prescheduled events, the Diocesan Environmental Group has decided to pivot towards an online offering.
In order to best support our congregations in the quest to green our churches and protect God’s creation, we are planning two presentations over Zoom in the coming months.
The first, will be on 5 October with Professor Ian Arbon on the topic of Energy Demand Reduction. The second will be in November, date to be announced soon, with Rebecca Cadie, Diocesan Architect, on the topic of Building Maintenance Through the Year. If you wish to attend these presentations, please email us.
Sign up to News from the Diocesan Environmental Group
You can sign up to receive this newsletter and future updates and resources from our Environmental Group by filling out the form on our website page, here: bit.ly/DEGNewsletter
Season of Creation 2024 Environmental Group Resources
Inspired by the international Season of Creation theme “to hope and act with Creation”, the DEG prepared materials based on five Gospel parables of seeds and growing. It is our hope that these resources will support you and your communities as you look, with hope, towards caring for the Creation with which God has entrusted us. Further resources and downloadable options can be found on our webpage.
You Are Invited: Dear Green Place Festival at St Margaret’s
353/355 Kilmarnock Road, Newlands, Glasgow G43 2DS
On Saturday and Sunday, 28-29 September, St Margaret’s will be holding a festival in the church and grounds to celebrate our beautiful world, to raise awareness of how better to protect our natural environment and to think about how we can reduce our damaging impact on it. Alistair McIntosh, a well-known writer and speaker, has accepted an invitation to speak during the festival. There will also be lots of workshops, stalls and activities for families. Don’t miss it!
Eco-Highlights from around the Diocese
The full text of the items below will be available from Saturday, 31 August.
- Work on the Community Garden at St Ninian’s, Troon has been completed with locals enjoying the new addition. Julia Izatt shares more.
- The Rev Heller Gonzalez showcases the wonderful upcycled barrels used as flower pots at St Augustine’s, Dumbarton.
- The Rev Dr Elizabeth Breakey invites us to a mini pilgrimage from St Ninian’s, Portpatrick to the holy well at Sandeel Bay.
From the Provincial NZAP Group
Energy Footprint Tool to be rolled out
The Provincial Net Zero team is excited to announce that the roll-out of the Energy Footprint Tool will be commencing over the coming weeks. The Energy Footprint Tool (EFT) is the online software, developed for the SEC, to gather greenhouse gas emissions data from across the Province. This is an essential part of learning to reduce our carbon footprint as part of the Net Zero Action Plan. More information on how the tool is being rolled out can be found here.
The Net Zero team have also been busy organising some funding webinars to take place over the coming months. These webinar sessions will provide a great opportunity to learn about external funding opportunities and ask questions directly to the funders themselves, in an environment specifically intended for a Scottish Episcopal Church audience.
Historic Environment Scotland Funding Webinar
Date: 19 September. Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Hosted by Dr Susan O’Connor, the Head of Grants and External Relations and Partnerships for Historic Environment Scotland (HES). The purpose of this session is to provide an overview of HES’ grant programmes, specifically targeting the built heritage and the Net Zero Action Plan. Dr O’Connor, who previously served as the Director of the Scottish Civic Trust and holds a doctorate in Architectural History and Criticism from the University of Bath, will offer insights into heritage conservation and the available funding opportunities.
Benefact Trust Funding Webinar
Date: 3 October. Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
This webinar, featuring Andrew Bass from the Benefact Trust, will focus on the ways in which vestries can access funds from the Benefact Trust to undertake physical improvements to their buildings. Andrew Bass, a Senior Grants Officer with nearly five years of experience at the Benefact Trust, will be available to address questions related to funding and project eligibility.
To register interest in either of these webinars please contact Jack Nevin, Innovation Coordinator, at JackN@scotland.anglican.org. Details of other webinars and events can be found on the Net Zero Portal Events page.
