An invitation and resources from Eco-Congregation Ireland
Eco-Congregation Ireland hopes that churches will celebrate Creation this Lent and take steps to care for the environment by –
1) Planting fruit and nut trees in their church grounds or locality to mark the UN International Year of Forests. Planting edible landscapes is a practical way to prepare for a low-carbon future by increasing local resilience. Native species can be sourced from www.irishseedsavers.ie.
2) Studying one of the many excellent Lenten resources that incorporates an environmental theme.
The Diocese of Bath and Wells’ Lenten course, Love for the Future, is inspiring and uplifting – a much-needed resource at this time of economic uncertainty. See www.bathandwells.org.uk/go/loveforthefuture.
The newly-formed Biblical Association of the Church of Ireland has prepared a reflective programme for Lent on the theme of Creation, which will be available to download shortly from www.bibliahibernica.wordpress.com.
For individual reflection, Judy Cannato’s books, Quantum Grace:Lenten Reflections on Creation and Connectedness and Quantum Grace: The Sunday Readings (Ave Maria Press) are highly recommended.
For further ideas re Lent, see http://ecocongregationireland.org/archives/1889.
Churches are also asked to consider hosting Just Forests’ Wood of Life exhibition – a colourful, interactive display about the social, economic and environmental importance of the world’s forests through development education and sustainable development. See http://ecocongregationireland.org/archives/1841.
Eco-Congregation Ireland is a project of the Irish Council of Churches & Irish Inter-Church Meeting that supports churches and communities as they take steps to care for the environment. Their website – www.ecocongregationireland.org – is packed full of ideas and resources. To receive their monthly email newsletter, simply send an email with the word ‘subscribe’ in the subjectline to info@ecocongregationireland.org.
Contact : Fiona Murdoch, Communications Officer, Eco Congregation Ireland (Tel:+353 086 1706923)