St Serf’s Episcopal Church in Burntisland was delighted to receive a special environmental award last Sunday as the congregation celebrated the first Sunday in the Season of Creation.
Eco-Congregation Scotland trustee, Finton Hurley, presented their Bronze Award for stewardship of the environment to Geoff Smith, convenor of St Serf’s Eco Group. MP Melanie Ward, along with local councillors, Lesley Backhouse, Kathleen Leslie and Julie MacDougall joined representatives of environment groups to celebrate this achievement.
Over the past year, St Serf’s fellowship has enthusiastically taken up various activities including tackling some “Lifestyle Challenges” during Lent, supporting Christian Aid, purchasing Fairtrade products, and creating a bee and butterfly friendly garden.
Reverend Carol Latimer said, “At St Serf’s, Burntisland we’re making a serious effort to put the stewardship of Creation at the heart of our church life. Membership of Eco-Congregation Scotland has helped us focus our efforts more productively and their Award Scheme was a great incentive.” Carol went on to say “Our efforts are also supported by the Diocesan and Provincial Environment Groups of the Scottish Episcopal Church. We‘re starting small and would be happy to share our experience with any other congregation hoping to move in the direction of achieving Net Zero.”
The service was a wonderful opportunity to give thanks for the bronze award achievement, whilst also acknowledging this is a step along an ongoing journey. In his reflection on our call to action, Geoff Smith spoke of the challenging culture we live in, where “power and profit often trump people and the planet”.
Later in the service Finton Hurley introduced the Eco-congregation Scotland award scheme, recognising that the scheme has “room for everybody and a need for everybody”. However big or small a congregation, and whatever the gifts and passions within, everyone can play a part. Finton recognised that alone none of us have the strength to tackle the environmental crisis; however, St Serf’s is an example of a congregation that has “met challenges with kindness and found strength as a community”.
Pictured front row (left to right): Councillor Kathleen Leslie (with nephew Finlay), Geoff Smith (St Serf’s Eco Group Convenor), Reverend Carol Latimer (St Serf’s Priest), Reverend Elaine Ryder, Dorothy Peterson (both St Serf’s Eco Group), Bethany Nelson (Provincial Net Zero Empowerment Co-ordinator)
