Diocesan Environmental Group

Consider Creation takes the first Creation story from the book of Genesis and breaks it down, day by day, to engage more deeply with our call to be stewards of the environment. The program can be engaged with in small groups, as a congregation, or individually. It has been designed to be scalable and to work with what you might already have planned for Lent.

Consider Creation supplemental resources:

Information about exploring the night sky in Southern Scotland/Dumfries & Galloway: https://scotlandstartshere.com/darksky/

Learn more about your water usage and how to save water: https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/your-home/save-water

Why do we need to be concerned about water conservation in a place like Scotland? – https://www.waterwise.org.uk/2020/05/13/why-water-efficiency-is-so-important-in-scotland/

Learn more about Wind Power:
•https://www.irena.org/Energy-Transition/Technology/Wind-energy
•https://www.gov.scot/policies/renewable-and-low-carbon-energy/onshore-wind/
•https://www.gov.scot/policies/renewable-and-low-carbon-energy/offshore-wind/
•https://www.communitywindpower.co.uk/news/wind-energy-generated-in-scotland-is-enough-to-power-two-scotlands/1405.htm

Visit a windfarm in our Diocese: https://www.whiteleewindfarm.co.uk/

Advice for finding locally sourced foods: https://www.cpre.org.uk/discover/how-to-find-the-best-local-food-near-you/
Information and advice for sourcing and growing your own produce in Scotland: https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/social-and-economic-benefits-nature/food-and-drink/local-produce
Information about local produce shops in the South of Scotland: https://scotlandstartshere.com/food-and-drink/local-produce-specialty-food-and-drink-shops/

Information about exploring the night sky in Southern Scotland/Dumfries & Galloway: https://scotlandstartshere.com/darksky/

I AM: https://www.iamlife.earth/

Earth Hour: https://www.earthhour.org/

As we take time away from the hustle and bustle of our world to grow closer with God and examine our lives in this season of Lent, we hope the Consider Creation resources will provide structure to ground you on this vital journey with Christ through Creation.

Download as individual Colour PNG files: Ash Wednesday, Lent 1, Lent 2, Lent 3, Lent 4, Lent 5, Palm Sunday
Download as individual B&W PNG files: Ash Wednesday, Lent 1, Lent 2, Lent 3, Lent 4, Lent 5, Palm Sunday
Download the entire set in a PDF file: Colour|B&W

         

Eco-Advent Trifolds
Eco-Advent 2023 Trifold Full Colour: PNG Front|Back, PDF, and ZIP.
Eco-Advent 2023 Trifold Print Version: PNG Front|Back, PDF, and ZIP.

It’s Our Planet Too is a website devoted to “eco fun for little people.” In addition to their award-winning kids eco subscription boxes, the enclosed link will take you to a wonderful eco advent calendar that will help you think more sustainably about celebrating the holidays.

Moral Fibres has a wonderful blog post with instructions on making ten plastic-free/zero-waste Christmas decorations with things you already have at home. Give it a try!

The Diocese of Bath and Wells has an engaging Eco Advent calendar with daily videos and instructions for how to follow along at home. They also have a daily advent activity you can download to do with your family.

A Rocha UK is a Christian charity working to equip Christians and churches to protect and restore the environment – for God, nature and all people. They aim to inspire individuals and families, equip churches and church leaders, build partnerships and manage land for nature and people. Their blog posts give facts about the environmental impact of Western holiday celebrations and ways we can make changes at home to decrease our footprint. Check out their Twelve Tips for a Greener Christmas and Ideas for a Greener Christmas!

If you are looking for a faith-based climate study to walk with you this Advent, look at Sleepers Wake by the Rt Rev Nicholas Holtam, the Archbishop of York’s Advent Book 2022, explores the reality of climate change and how Advent is an opportunity for us to wake up, sense the urgency and begin to make radical change.

Further Advent and Christmas links
Green Christian: Reclaim Christmas Blog Post and Advent Saturday Sessions: Climate and Colour
Eco-Congregation Scotland: Advent Calendar 2022 and Advent Calendar 2023
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland: Advent and Christmas 2023
Laudato Si Movement: Pray and Act – An Advent in Action for Our Common Home
Laudato Si Centre: Advent Nature Trail: Uncovering Christian Symbolism in Festive Plants

For each week in the Season of Creation, we have highlighted two of the 10 Points of Guidance from the NZAP. We have pointed out a few “quick wins” that everyone can try to have a positive impact on their environmental footprint and included prayers and scripture references to deepen our engagement.

These files were designed to be printed as A5 bulletin inserts. You could also use them as shareable images for online channels or print them for your notice boards! A selection of colour and black&white options are listed below. If you need a different or larger format, contact the Digital Engagement Officer.

Download as individual Colour PNG files: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Download as individual B&W PNG files: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Download the entire set in a PDF file: Colour|B&W
Download as Colour Weekly A5 Bulletin Insert PDF files: Week 1|Week 2|Week 3|Week 4|Week 5
Download as B&W Weekly A5 Bulletin Insert PDF files: Week 1|Week 2|Week 3|Week 4|Week 5
Download all of the above in a ZIP file.

Audits, Energy and Recycling
•Scotland’s Taking Action
•Zero Waste Scotland
•Energy Action Scotland
•Carbon Footprint tool
•Repair Cafe
•Waterwise
•Carbon Conversations

Climate Change and Gender Justice
•SHE Changes Climate

Biodiversity
•A Rocha
•Nature Scot
•Community Woodlands
•Greenspace Scotland
•Woodland Trust
•Scottish Wildlife Trust – helping wildlife at home

Further Engagement and Reading
•Christian Aid
•Joint Public Issues Team
•Tearfund
•An Ecotheology Bibliography
•Stop Climate Chaos
•Christian Climate Action
•Climate Assembly Scotland
•Operation Noah | A Christian response to climate change
•Peers for the Planet
•Sustainable Development in Historic Faith Buildings

Liturgical Resources
•Season of Creation Climate Sunday
•Scottish Episcopal Church – Liturgy for Season of Creation
•Sustainable Preaching

Prayer Resources
•Pray and Fast for the Climate
•24-7 Prayer

Join Others Locally and Around the World
•Eco-Congregation Scotland
•Green Christian
•The Anglican Communion
•European Christian Environment Network
•Transition Network
•Joy in Enough

Local Action
•Our Place