Eco-congregation

Bowden Kirk Eco-Project

Many Christians are concerned about the environment but don't know what they can do. Eco-Congregation Scotland is an ecumenical programme to help congregations understand environmental issues and make appropriate practical and spiritual responses. It is also linked to Christian Eco-projects in other parts of the UK and the world.

Eco-Congregation Scotland is a programme to enthuse and equip churches of all denominations to weave environmental issues into their life and mission in an enjoyable and stimulating way. They do this within the three areas of the programme:

Grow in faith and understanding
make the link between environmental issues and Christian faith
Put God's house in green order
Take practical action in the church
Change lives, change communities
Influence attitudes and take action in the local or global community
Bowden Kirk under the enthusiasm and direction of the Session decided to embark on this project and the steps below give a general idea of how they went about the project.
How to register
1. Complete the "Church Check-up" environmental audit.
This is to help you to identify existing environmental work, and prioritise what you would like to do next. You might find it helpful to gather a 'green group' to work through the check-up including people interested in environmental issues and those involved in church life e.g. children's work, worship, and building maintenance.
2. Gain the approval of the church decision-making body
We ask that the kirk session, church meeting, or vestry agrees to join the Eco-Congregation programme to give the programme official status in your congregation.
3. Send us the registration form
The registration form provides us with your details and with confirmation that you have completed the audit and that the church has agreed to become an Eco-Congregation. It also lets you order copies of our free resource modules which you will receive with your registration pack.
What next?
When you have registered you will be sent a pack of materials to help you take environmental action. You will also become a member of the regional Eco-Congregation network, if one has been established in your area. You will also receive, as part of your registration pack, an application form for an Eco-Congregation Award. So now it's over to the congregation to take action in each of the three areas of the programme, and in due course to apply for an award.
This resulted in a lot of commitment and had effort on the part of the Bowden Kirk and the wider community. The completed application was returned along with a lot of supporting material and it was good to receive on the 12 April 2007 confirmation of success in the award and the receipt of the wall plaque.
On the award website it states:
"Bowden church in the Scottish Borders is the 45th church to gain an Eco-Congregation Award. Bowden green group were commended for their range of initiatives including recycling, ethical investment, and energy saving through low-energy light bulbs and timer switches. They have a range of plans for the future including working within the new united congregation of Bowden and Melrose."
Below are some of the topics of activities that lead to the award.
- Grow in faith and understanding - make the link between environmental issues and Christian faith
  - Selection of hymns and prayer praising God’s creation
  - Visiting speakers
  - One World Day service
  - Community watch night service
  - Two songs of praise events
  - Put God's house in green order
- Take practical action in the church
  - Energy consumption
  - Environmentally friendly cleaning products
  - Newspaper printed by disabled adult group
  - Church environmental policy
  - Compost bins
  - Green money
  - Graveyard plans with contemplative corner
  - Bulb planting
  - Change lives, change communities
- Influence attitudes and take action in the local or global community
  - Recycling of glass, stamps and other materials
  - Being part of a wider village environmental challenge project
  - Fair Trade products
  - Encourage of walking on adjacent St Cuthbert’s Way
  - Charity boxes and giving
  - Plus more besides

Eco-congregation



Bowden Kirk Eco-Project Many Christians are concerned about the environment but don't know what they can do. Eco-Congregation Scotland is an ecumenical programme to help congregations understand environmental issues and make appropriate practical and spiritual responses. It is also linked to Christian Eco-projects in other parts of the UK and the world. Eco-Congregation Scotland is a programme to enthuse and equip churches of all denominations to weave environmental issues into their life and mission in an enjoyable and stimulating way. They do this within the three areas of the programme: Grow in faith and understanding make the link between environmental issues and Christian faith Put God's house in green order Take practical action in the church Change lives, change communities Influence attitudes and take action in the local or global community Bowden Kirk under the enthusiasm and direction of the Session decided to embark on this project and the steps below give a general idea of how they went about the project. How to register 1. Complete the "Church Check-up" environmental audit. This is to help you to identify existing environmental work, and prioritise what you would like to do next. You might find it helpful to gather a 'green group' to work through the check-up including people interested in environmental issues and those involved in church life e.g. children's work, worship, and building maintenance. 2. Gain the approval of the church decision-making body We ask that the kirk session, church meeting, or vestry agrees to join the Eco-Congregation programme to give the programme official status in your congregation. 3. Send us the registration form The registration form provides us with your details and with confirmation that you have completed the audit and that the church has agreed to become an Eco-Congregation. It also lets you order copies of our free resource modules which you will receive with your registration pack. What next? When you have registered you will be sent a pack of materials to help you take environmental action. You will also become a member of the regional Eco-Congregation network, if one has been established in your area. You will also receive, as part of your registration pack, an application form for an Eco-Congregation Award. So now it's over to the congregation to take action in each of the three areas of the programme, and in due course to apply for an award. This resulted in a lot of commitment and had effort on the part of the Bowden Kirk and the wider community. The completed application was returned along with a lot of supporting material and it was good to receive on the 12 April 2007 confirmation of success in the award and the receipt of the wall plaque. On the award website it states: "Bowden church in the Scottish Borders is the 45th church to gain an Eco-Congregation Award. Bowden green group were commended for their range of initiatives including recycling, ethical investment, and energy saving through low-energy light bulbs and timer switches. They have a range of plans for the future including working within the new united congregation of Bowden and Melrose." Below are some of the topics of activities that lead to the award. Grow in faith and understanding - make the link between environmental issues and Christian faith Selection of hymns and prayer praising God’s creation Visiting speakers One World Day service Community watch night service Two songs of praise events Put God's house in green order Take practical action in the church Energy consumption Environmentally friendly cleaning products Newspaper printed by disabled adult group Church environmental policy Compost bins Green money Graveyard plans with contemplative corner Bulb planting Change lives, change communities Influence attitudes and take action in the local or global community Recycling of glass, stamps and other materials Being part of a wider village environmental challenge project Fair Trade products Encourage of walking on adjacent St Cuthbert’s Way Charity boxes and giving Plus more besides

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