Following our last AGM, the Chair of Eco-Congregation Scotland, Richard Murray, passed the baton onto our new Chair of Trustees Jenny Adams. In this blog we hear reflections from Richard and introduce you to Jenny. We are incredibly grateful to our trustees who give their time freely to support the work of Eco-Congregation Scotland.
Reflections from Richard Murray
‘As I write this piece, wildfires are breaking out across the globe and of immediate concern is the Cairngorm National Park, wildfire which prompted the precautionary evacuation of the residents of Nethy Bridge. Wildfires occur for a number of natural and human-error reasons, but are now magnified by rising surface temperatures across the planet. A deeper cultural shift is needed to deal with the systemic problems of dangerous climate change.
As a keen birdwatcher for the last fifty years or so, and based on some of my work experience in industrial South Yorkshire, inner city London and rural Dorset, and as an adviser in Whitehall, my environmental concerns were more about loss of biodiversity, and pollution affecting human health and well-being. It was only towards the turn of this century that I became fully awakened to the fact that we were a world facing both climate and biodiversity crises.
How I should respond was enlightened by the research I did for my post-graduate degree in Christian Spirituality, focusing mainly on Franciscan but also Ignatian spirituality. Ignatius of Loyola was a fifteenth century nobleman and warrior who, while recuperating from a battlefield injury, had a turning point in his life, when he developed his spiritual exercises known as the xamen. This perspective develops and questions one’s conscience, assisting an ecological conversion by recognising one’s kinship with all creation. Reflective walks have helped me cultivate this relationship; an Ignatian awareness of finding God in all things, that creation is a sacramental gift of great beauty; that it leads to a commitment to care beyond mere stewardship, confronting the human tendency to over-consume. The reuse, recycle meme has been extended to restoration and renewal.
It was during this time of ecological awakening that Eco-Congregation Scotland was inaugurated at Dunblane Cathedral in 2001. When I returned to Scotland, I was invited to serve on the board of trustees, the last five years as chairperson. I now have to stand down under the 2018 constitution which limits a trustee’s tenure to eight years and have passed on the chairperson ‘eco-baton’ to Jenny Adams. I wish her every blessing as ECS tries to meet its many challenges as a Christian environmental charity.
Talking of the eco-baton, one of my stand-out memories is as a ‘runner’ between eco-congregations in NE Scotland, relaying a wooden baton inscribed with a climate justice message. The baton ended its journey at the landmark decision making COP21 in Paris. I was delighted that during my term as chair, Glasgow became the host for COP26 and I attended the ecumenical service in St Mungo’s Cathedral with guests from all over the world. Two years later faith and politics came together in the COP28 Global Day of Action for Climate Justice outside the Scottish Parliament. These climate justice examples of service to each other, our communities and all creation have amplified our organisation’s purpose, giving it a global outlook.
International relationships are developing through our eco-ambassadors Rev’d David Coleman and Dr Adrian Shaw, and in Scotland some eco-congregation networks have evolved into regional climate hubs, actively developing their influence and resilience to the consequences of climate change, perseverance over perfection. The voice of faith needs to be heard. We express our faith through our actions and if we strive to live more simply and lessen our impact on the climate, our actions will harmonise with our faith. As we become better individuals, an example to others, the whole world will come to reflect our values. This is my hope.’
Introducing Jenny Adams
‘Hi, I’m Jenny Adams, the new Chairperson of Eco-Congregation Scotland. I live in Elgin, where I’m a healthcare chaplain.
I’ve lived in Moray most of my life, with easy access to woods, beaches and hills and a sense of space and connection to creation. I also can’t remember a time when I wasn’t making choices to care for creation as it faced threats to particular species, habitats and the climate.
I grew up in the church, influenced by people who wanted to make a difference. Decades of involvement with Christian Aid and the Iona Community have developed my hunger for justice, with growing concern for climate justice and its many intersectional issues. For many years I tried to live out those concerns at various levels of the Church of Scotland, including as a parish minister of an Eco-Congregation.
I really value the breadth of Eco-Congregation Scotland’s engagement. It’s not just about lightbulbs or church buildings (though those do matter)! The Global Living strand challenges us to act and speak up for the rest of creation and work with our global and local neighbours. The Spiritual Living strand and our Eco-Chaplain keep stretching my understanding of my place in the web of life that God sustains. Practical Living encourages the shared action of many, where we can make more difference.
Most importantly of all, Eco-Congregation Scotland helps me to do this alongside others – who are passionate and hopeful, interested and interesting, all working things out as imperfect humans in messy human churches, and as part of God’s astonishing and wounded creation.’
