News

ACTS News Sheet, Spring 2005

April 4, 2005

The newsletter can also be downloaded: page 1 (pdf 64kb) | page 2 (pdf 72kb)

ALARM BELLS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
Dr Donald Bruce, Society, Religion and Technology Project of the Church of Scotland

Climate change is a far greater threat to the world than international terrorism, according to the Government Chief Scientist. Its effects may not often be obvious to our daily lives. But the scale, inexorability and long term impact, especially on the poor, point to a mounting humanitarian and environmental catastrophe.

The overwhelming world scientific consensus is that the gas emissions from our industrial, domestic and agricultural activities are causing observable global climate change. In short, burning gas, oil and coal on a huge scale is adding too much to the natural 'greenhouse effect' (which keeps the planet warm enough to be habitable), so much that we're disturbing the Earth's natural systems.

It shows up not only in meteorological measurements but increasingly in a pattern of events across the globe consistent with what scientists predict. weather extremes like the disastrous 2003 European heat-wave are more frequent. Floods and droughts, the most damaging natural events, are more intense. Average global sea levels are rising. Environmentally, this will mean major changes to land forms and ecosystems, threatening many species. Some islands may even disappear. Low-lying regions of Bangladesh, China and the Pacific exemplify the human disruption of lives and livelihoods that could make 150 million people refugees. Water shortage looms as a future cause of war. As ever, the hardest hit will be the poor, who live in more vulnerable areas and are least able to take measures to cope.

On the advice of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, the UK Government's stated intent is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 60% less by 2050 - a huge task. Our present Kyoto targets are barely a tenth of this. To replace fossil fuels for heating, transport and making electricity needs radical ideas. To switch to renewable energy sources and energy saving is common sense but the solutions also raise practical and ethical issues which the SRT Project is examining.

For example, wind farms can meet a lot (but not all) of the need, but they are only welcome when properly planned in harmony with local authorities and communities. Much opposition has been sparked by unwise locations or insensitive developers. We have relatively low greenhouse emissions in Scotland because of nuclear and hydro-electricity. Both nuclear stations must close by 2020. To replace them by wind might require 200-300 new wind farms. Is that possible or acceptable? For the time being, we probably cannot bring in enough renewable energy to replace both fossil fuels and nuclear. So which is the priority to address?

The most sensible option is simply to reduce our demand for energy. The churches are behind a scheme called 'Contraction and Convergence'. We emit several times our planetary share of carbon dioxide, compared with our size and population. The scheme says we should reduce ours and developing countries could raise theirs towards an agreed common level which would be socially just and environmentally sustainable. But this means changing all our lives in countless small decisions. To save energy you have to do something, and the pay back is not always immediate. It requires a motivation. Christians can demonstrate that to the watching world. The Easter message that Christ came to redeem the whole creation provides the theological basis. The ACTS Eco-Congregation Programme provides a practical way for churches to act environmentally, relevant to their local situation. Over sixty churches are finding that caring for God's creation can make a real difference to church, community and environment. And it's free! Why not join us?

I told the Chief Scientist the churches were right behind the UK's emphasis on climate change. But as it hosts the G8 summit and takes on the EU Presidency, we're also watching to see consistent action. At 13.45 on Thursday 7 July, we're asking churches to ring the bells to sound the alarm for the world's richest leaders that climate change requires major changes, not just words.

For more information contact:
- The SRT Project at www.srtp.org.uk or 0131-556 2953
- Eco-Congregation at www.ecocongregation.org/scotland
- Climate alarm at www.climatealarm.org

SCOTTISH CHURCHES HOUSE

Make Poverty History Edinburgh Demonstration, Saturday, 2 July 2005. Weekend Special at Scottish Churches House. Solves the problem of where to stay, Fri-Sat or Fri-Sun, when attending the Edinburgh demonstration. Leave your car and take the train to Edinburgh.

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast, with Packed Lunch. 1-2 July: £30.00 with the option of returning to Dunblane for dinner, b&b after the event. 1-3 July: £55.00. Scottish Churches House, Dunblane, FK15 0AJ. Tel. 01786 823588. reservations @ scottishchurcheshouse.org. www.scottishchurcheshouse.org. Booking form and details of House programme available on request or visit website.

CAIRS' EDUCATION OFFICER

Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS), on behalf of the Churches' Agency for Inter Faith Relations in Scotland (CAIRS), is seeking to appoint a part-time Inter Faith Education Officer to assist the Churches in Scotland to develop their active involvement in and understanding of inter faith relations. The Officer will require to have experience of working in ecumenical and inter faith contexts and to be able to reflect theologically on the Churches' relationships with people of other faiths.

The Education Officer's post will be a part-time appointment of 17.5 hours per week (0.5 FTE) for a period of three years. The salary will be £8,700 per annum (FT salary £17,400). Suitably experienced individuals are invited to apply. Further information and a job description from CAIRS, c/o ACTS, Scottish Churches' House, Dunblane FK15 0AJ. Closing date for applications is 31st May 2005. Interview date: 8th June 2005.

"HOSPITALITY OF THE HEART"

Four Bible Studies prepared by Canon Michael Ipgrave, formerly Secretary of CAIRS. Available from CAIRS by contacting Tom Moyes, ACTS, Scottish Churches' House, Dunblane FK15 0AJ. Tel: 01786 826383. Email tommoyes @ acts-scotland.org.

G8 SUMMIT WORSHIP

A Service has been organised by the Church and Society Network of ACTS to mark the G8 Summit at Gleneagles. The service will take place at Dunblane Cathedral on 3rd July at 3pm.
Further details from Tom Moyes 01786 826383.

FRIENDS OF ACTS OPEN MEETING AND AGM

Monday 23 May, Augustine United Church, Edinburgh. AGM 3.30-4.30pm. Open Meeting with international guests attending the Church of Scotland General Assembly, beginning at 5pm. Further details from Jenny Easson, Secretary of the Friends of ACTS on 01382 77686 or easson @ care4free.net.

FRIENDS OF ACTS AUTUMN CONFERENCE

'The Churches and the Parliament'. Wednesday 28 September, Scottish Churches House, Dunblane. Register with the House on 01786 823588. More details later.

AUTUMN CONFERENCE

For Churches Together Groups and Church of Scotland ecumenical contacts. Thursday 27 October 2005, St. Leonard's Church 10am-3pm. Speakers will be Dr. Alison Elliot, Moderator of the Church of Scotland and ACTS Convener and Ms. Mairi Munro, ACTS Local Ecumenical Research Project. Contact Ros Milne on 0131 225 5722 for further details.

'CELEBRATE TOGETHER'
The first Gathering for Local Ecumenical Partnerships in Scotland, Livingston, Saturday 26 November. Key note speaker is Rev. Dr. Mary Cotes, Ecumenical Moderator in Milton Keynes. Come and share in worship, workshops, a ceilidh and much more. Contact Lindsey Sanderson on 01786 826381 for more details.

CALENDAR OF COMMEMORATIONS

The Church Life Network has been preparing an Ecumenical Calendar of Commemorations, remembering figures in our common history .

Looking at the month of May we remember:

1st – David Livingstone:
Blantyre born cotton factory worker of pious parents, he decided on missionary work qualifying as a doctor. Though intended for China he went out under the London Missionary Society to Africa. Of termination, courage, endurance, vision and ability he was to become one of the world’s greatest explorers discovering inter alia The Victoria Falls, Lake Nyasa etc opening up much of central Africa for missionary influence and for trade – his books and lectures giving much encouragement. A great Victoria folk hero and accorded burial in Westminster Abbey. A fierce opponent of the slave trade he is regarded by many Africans as a great liberator.

10th - William Alexander Smith: Thurso born, Glasgow businessman who funded The Boy’s Brigade (4th October 1883) – the first uniformed boys organisation whose aim remains “the advancement of Christ’s kingdom among boys and the promotion of habits of obedience, reverence, discipline, self respect, and all that tends to a true Christian manliness.” Though modelled on somewhat military inducements to incorporate the movement into the Army Cadet Force. Smith was knighted for his work and at his funeral in 1914 over 150,000 lined the route of his cortege – such was the regard for him. The B.B is represented in many parts of the old empire: Ghana, Nigerian, Singapore etc and is yet present in many Scottish communities always linked to the local church or churches.