With the recent completion of a major “greening” project at St Peter’s Musselburgh, the congregation’s dream of going green is becoming a reality. The Musselburgh church was supported by the Scottish Episcopal Church Net Zero Team in this process.
St Peter’s recently installed 41 solar panels on its hall roof to generate green electricity, along with batteries to store the excess electricity generated on a sunny day. All of this helps to power a new heat pump that generates heating and hot water for the church hall.
The church was successful in gaining grants from CARES, a part of Local Energy Scotland (Scottish Government), and from the Scottish Episcopal Church, which made the cost of the project affordable and will provide a green space not just for the church but for the many community groups that use the hall.
Commenting on the recent project, the Priest-in-Charge Rev Daniel Muñoz explained “we were delighted to have gained funding for this important project that moves St Peter’s significantly on, in our quest for net zero. We have also taken other steps to help us become a greener community, like changing the lighting in the church to LED bulbs and installing a HIVE thermostat in the church to better manage the heating in that building.”
According to Rev Muñoz, “caring for God’s creation is at the heart of the Good News of Jesus. For us, environmental responsibility isn’t separate from faith—it is faith in action.”
St Peter’s church hall is a community hub used by many groups, including choirs, music & theatre groups, young people’s support groups, a toddlers’ play group, a community Cook Club and the Musselburgh Conservation Society among others.
All of these groups will now benefit from a warm, comfortable and environmentally friendly space in support of their community activities. More details about using the hall for your own group can be found on the church’s website.
With the project now completed St. Peter’s are in the process of joining the organisation Eco-Congregation Scotland, that campaigns for climate justice and a sustainable future. Within the network they hope to share their own experiences of going green, as well as picking up tips for how to go further in their own journey to net zero.
Guy Wynter, St Peter’s Musselburgh
