Scottish churches 'going green'

By Denise Glass
Tayside reporter, BBC Scotland news website

Children can make things like bird feeders out of natural materials

Climate change, reducing your carbon footprint, energy efficiency and fair trade are all big global issues at the moment.

But it is not only individuals and businesses which are looking to be more environmentally friendly - many Scottish churches are also going green.

Almost 200 have become eco-congregations, which means they encourage parishioners to reduce, reuse and recycle, but also try to make sure their church buildings and grounds are as environmentally responsible as possible.

One such eco-congregation is the Old and Abbey Parish Church in Arbroath.

'All living creatures'

The Rev Valerie Allen explained: "An eco-congregation is one that takes seriously God's imperative to look after the world and all that is within in.

"So, it's based on our understanding of Genesis chapter one, where God created the world and entrusted it to our care.

"And that includes not just human beings but all living creatures and everything within the eco-system."

The parish church is setting up an eco-village at the weekend to show people how to be more green.

There will be vendors selling solar powered radios, fair trade crafts, organic fruit and vegetables - even a jute coffin and a smart car will be on display.

The congregation has adopted a beach and regularly cleans it

Large television screens will show short films about the damage being done to the earth and the effects of global warming.

And there will be stories, crafts, dance and games for children to start getting the green message over at a young age.

Even Sunday worship has been changed to feature ecological messages.

Going green will not just be a one-weekend thing for the 650-strong congregation.

It has adopted a local stretch of sand and carries out a beach clean four times a year.

And the church has seriously looked at trying to ensure the products it buys are recyclable and the goods are fair trade.

The Rev Allen said: "It's about an awareness of how the choices that we make in terms of our daily lifestyle can directly affect the world in which we live.

"A lot of churches are now becoming very aware that this is not just something that affects all people of any religious faith or none, but it is specifically compatible with our Christian faiths and beliefs."