A Church where faith, community and environment are at the heart of its decision-making and provide a beacon to support a just transition to net zero.
Mission
To develop plans and strategies that ensure the environment is embedded in our faith, decision making and activity, by:
promoting opportunities to reduce resource consumption and dependency on carbon;
enhancing opportunities for carbon capture and biodiversity;
providing an exemplar of best practice for the Church and the wider community.
Strategy
Following a review of the Provincial ‘Towards Net Zero 2030 Toolkit and Checklist’, ‘Eco-Congregation Scotland Checklist’ and the ‘Standalone toolkit checklist’, the following strategy was developed as the starting point to deliver on the Vision of Holy Trinity Church, Stirling.
The strategy also speaks to Holy Trinity’s core principles of being open, inclusive, inspiring, friendly and deep to support its flourishing future.
1. Worship and Liturgy
Worship is the core Church activity, and it was considered that care for God’s creation and environmental concerns are frequently included within worship activities, through worship, liturgy, prayer, and praise, and with the use of natural materials and organic bread and wine.
The aim is to embed the care for God’s creation into the life of the Church, through preaching, liturgy, worship and prayer. In delivering this aim, priority should be given to:
Celebrating the Season of Creation (1st Sept – 4th Oct) through services, liturgy, and events.
Contributing to worship planning, and promoting an annual service around the Season of Creation, including a Climate Sunday.
Recognising that it is the most vulnerable in our society are often impacted most from climate pressures, prayers including intercessions should include a prayer for change and climate justice for the most vulnerable.
Exploring young people’s insights into the environment and change and encourage them to share with the adult church community (see section 3 Children’s Programme).
The use of sustainable materials and practice in worship and the life of the Church.
Prayer walks or pilgrimage, including the ‘outdoors’ and the Church environment to be within services and connect with God and nature. Consider more use of the Church grounds.
More broadly:
Make resources available, by linking to Provincial, Diocesan and Eco-Congregation Scotland information. The use of website links will help wider access to these materials.
etc. etc.
More content to come here
More information
Meanwhile, you can read about the Group's work on pages 14-15 of the September 2022 magazine.
