EARTHKEEPING NEWS A NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COALITION FOR CHRISTIANITY AND ECOLOGY Volume Nine, Number Six September/October 2000 UK Innovative Partnership Launches "Eco-Congregations" Eco-Congregation, the churches' environmental program, developed from a partnership between the environmental-awareness charity Going for Green (GFG) and the Environmental Network of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI). Beginning in June 1999, twenty-two churches, representing eight denominations in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, participated in a 6-month pilot Eco-Congregation project. The Pilot study aimed to evaluate what churches could achieve and what resources would be most helpful to them; and to create a process to promote and support the Eco-Congregation program at the local level. Participating churches varied in size from 10 to around 1000 members. They were drawn from urban, suburban and rural areas with a variety of cultural contexts. In less than six months participating churches undertook a wide, and inspiring, range of practical and spiritual activities, including: Conducting an environmental audit; Conducting a 'creation-centered' service; Recycling a range of materials; "Freighting and crating" old tools to Africa; Practical conservation work; Working with a basket weaver to teach the story of Moses in the rushes; Promoting the use of eco-friendly cleaning materials. Churches also reported that tackling environmental issues had been both stimulating and fun. It gave a focus to church life, improved fellowship and led to new links with community groups and local authorities. A formal launching of the Eco-Congregation campaign is scheduled at St. Paul's Cathedral on 19th September, with subsequent national launches in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Plans are also being made for regional promotional events. For more information contact: Rev. Dr. David Pickering, Going for Green, Elizabeth House, The Pier, Wigan. WN3 4EX UK; Tel. +44 (0)1942 612621; david@tidybritain.org.uk Home     Table of Contents