Quote 11
“Access to safe drinkable water is a basic and universal human right."(#29)
 
Quote 12
“If we are truly concerned to develop an ecology capable of remedying the damage we have done, no branch of the sciences and no form of wisdom can be left out, and that includes religion and the language particular to it." (#63)

The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on
1 - 12 November 2021.

 More information from:-

Glasgow COP26

Eco-congregation Scotland is a Christian environmental charity addressing climate change and conservation.

Eco-Congregation Scotland Website

Facebook

Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EARTHDAY.ORG (formerly Earth Day Network) including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries

Earth Day Website

All those who are on the spiritual path contain the whole of creation, and the Creator. That is because God is inside us, and inside God is everything. And so whoever loves God loves all that is. —Julian of Norwich   (Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation April 4-April 9  2021)
 

CARING FOR OUR COMMON HOME

Working with Pope Francis’ Encyclical on the Environment – Laudato Si

St Peter’s Parish aims to become an eco-congregation Parish and advance the protection and improvement of the environment through spiritual, informational, educational and practical measures. The Parish has now been registered with Eco-Congregation Scotland which is a ‘movement of Scottish Church congregations of all denominations and none, committed to addressing environmental issues through their life and mission.’  They were founded in 2001 and became a registered charity in 2010.  Their vision is for ‘a Scotland that cares for God’s creation, now and forever.’

The Environment Committee (a Sub-Group of the Parish Council) will endeavour to gather information on things that we can all do, as individuals and as a Community, to try to redress the harm that has, and is, being done to the world environment.  This will be passed on to Parishioners via the Website and the Bulletin.  We will liaise with St Peter’s Primary School, St Andrew’s Academy, the Scouting Organisation and all others in our community who wish to join with us to answer the call to care for creation.

We will be setting up a page on the Website dedicated to this endeavour.  It will advise on practical work that can be done – things that we can do as individuals or as a Parish or Community, that will help to reduce the damaging impact that our everyday living has on the environment.  It will advertise any events, spiritual, educational or practical, that may be forthcoming in the Parish.  It will give links to other Organisations that subscribe to “Caring for Creation” and items for further reading of an educational, spiritual or practical nature.

We hope you will find this Initiative supports your own efforts to address the issues of global warming, climate change, pollution, destruction of habitats, poverty, famine, displacement of peoples, and all other aspects of the environmental crisis that we now have to tackle.

If you would like to help, by giving suggestions, or offering practical support in any way, please contact Fr Andrew or speak to a member of the Parish Council.

Eco Gardening--Spring time means that many of us are thinking about the garden. 

Please look at the 'Helpful Links' sub-page (at the top left hand side of this page)  to find tips for eco gardening.
For Example  -  Why Use Peat-free Compost?
Peatlands contain one of the world's most important carbon stores.  When they are drained the carbon is released back into the atmosphere where it contributes to global warming.  Peatlands are important water stores holding about 10 per cent of global freshwater;  peat takes so long to form - it grows about 1mm a year - that it cannot be regarded as a sustainable material.  Commercial extractors typically remove up to 22cm of peat per year.  Amateur gardeners use 66 per cent of the total peat consumed in the UK, most of it in growing media such as multi-purpose compost and growing bags.  The RSPB and the Royal Horticultural Society are aiming to increase awareness of the plight of the world's peatlands and the need to use sustainable materials in gardens and in so doing, develop a practical way forward to achieving peat replacement in the UK.
You can buy peat-free compost in most Garden Centres and Supermarkets.  Peat free composts are great for water retention but, for plants that require good drainage, adding a bit of grit and sharp sand to the mix will help support growth.


Saving Water—saving water can reduce your energy use and bills, and reduce the impact on your local environment.
 
1.        Run a full dishwasher instead of handwashing. Energy Star-certified dishwashers are 30% more water-efficient than other models. Pre-washing dishes isn’t required with most modern dishwashers, so skip this step to save even more water when you wash.
If you ditch handwashing and run full loads of dishes instead, you can save 7,000 gallons of water annually.
 
2. Steam rather than boil vegetables. Steaming your vegetables saves water and makes your vegetables more nutrient-rich. This is because boiling water causes nutrients to leak out, making your veggies less healthy in the process.
 
3. While brushing your teeth twice a day is important, turning the tap off during your teeth cleaning can save 10 gallons of water per day.
 

All powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.

Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.

O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and
forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes.

Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.

Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.

Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognise that we are profoundly united with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.

We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace.
Pope Francis, Laudato Si’