Eco-Congregation News
Tree planting by Clonalkilty Eco Congregation
Clonalkilty Methodist (a most vibrant ecocongregation) plant a third tree in their grounds following a service on the environment on May 18th.
The service was led by the Rev J Purdy , who leaves W Cork for Donegal at the end of June.There is no doubt that Clonakilty's loss will be Donegal's gain.
Island Gathering
Saturday 17 and Sunday 18th May 2008, Ti Chulainn cultural centre, Mullaghbane, Newry.
Earth Hour - March 29, 8pm - 9pm
Earth Hour on March 29th (8pm - 9pm ) will see Dublin joining a global movement to turn off as many non essential light as possible, highlighting the reduction in Co2 emissions one hour of reduced energy can make.
Earth Hour gives life to the belief that one person, one home, one business; one city for just one hour can make the difference necessary to turn the tide against climate change. As an American politician and activist John W. Gardner once said, "The cynic says, 'One man can't do anything' I say, 'Only one man can do anything.'"
No matter where you are, why not participate in this action and not just save energy but reduce light pollution and see the splendour of the night skies?
For further information, see www.earthhour.org and www.friendsoftheirishemnvironment.net
Connecting with the earth in a Sunday School lesson at Whitechurch C of I , Rathfarnham, Dublin
Greening the Church Issue 3
The latest issue of Greening the Church -a magazine issued by the Church of Ireland's Ecological and Environmental Panel is now available to download. Greening the Church (pdf)
STOP CLIMATE CHAOS
Many churches throughout the country played an enthusiasatic and active part in "Sound the Alarm" on Dec 8th.
how did we forget to take a photo of the bell ringing!
This imaginative event was aranged by the Stop Climate Chaos coalition as part of the Golobal Day of Action, to address climate change.
Churches from Clonalkilty to Coleraine, Kilkenny to Castlebar rang their bells at 2pm for two minutes to represent the 2 degrees Centigrade beyond which global warming dare not exceed, if life on our planet is to be safegaurded.
Communications Officer (short term part time contract)
Eco Congregation Ireland requires the immediate part time services (5 hours per week) of a Communications Officer to help raise the profile of the organisation; prepare updates for the website; design/collate and promote educational material, and to liaise with and link participating churches. Experience of the completion of funding proposals would be an advantage.
The applicant should have strong written and verbal communications skills, commitment to the environment and should be in sympathy with the ethos of the organisation.
Whilst the use of an office and computer in the Irish School of Ecumenics Dublin, is likely to become available, the applicant may choose to work from elsewhere in the country. She/he would be expected to attend meetings, usually held in Dublin, Belfast or Dundalk.
Salary/Remuneration:- to be negotiated
Applications with CV and the names of two referees should be forwarded to :-
Dundrum Summer Club
RE-CYCLE the 'BY- CYCLE'
I was encouraged by the 'Editorial' in the Aug/Sept issue of the Newsletter regarding the stewardship of our planet. I recall those words in (Genesis 1:31) "God looked at everything he had made, and he was very pleased." That statement reminds us that we are part of 'God's Creation' and we should be pleased with His creation and do all we can to support our God in that message. When we spend time outside, in the open air, away from the tendency to insulate ourselves inside our homes and car, we feel closer to our creator. Observing nature, its marvels and beauty, the changing conditions, the seasons, its wildlife, I believe we become 'other centred' rather than 'self centred,' alive to the rhythm of life. I feel that one way that we, as Methodists, can 'do our bit' is by using a humble bicycle and show ourselves, and others, how cycling can make a difference in so many ways to our lifestyle, and help protect our Planet.
Cycling is not just for athletes. It was once called the 'poor mans transport' but that is no more, the humble bicycle is enjoying a comeback as an efficient way of 'getting about.
In a Poll on B.B.C Radio 4 listeners were asked for the best invention since 1800. The bicycle came an easy top with 59% of the vote. It was chosen for its simplicity of design, its good power to weight ratio, its universal use, and ecologically sound means of transport. Here in the Coleraine district, cycle paths have been provided to encourage us to give cycling a go, to get out of our cars and put our feet on some new pedals and get peddling!
A bike is ideal for short journeys, beating traffic jams, with no parking charges, which all go to make the bike an ideal companion, or replacement, to the car. Using it for work, shopping, for pleasure is an ideal way to reduce the use of motorised transport, giving us a cleaner, quieter, healthier and safer place to live, to get around cheaply, and enjoy the exercise, fresh air, and feeling of peace with all around.
For motorists, gone is the drone of the engine, the noise and smell of traffic fumes, sealed off from everything in a bubble. Instead you feel the wind in your face. the natural noises of the countryside and coast, the sounds, the smells, becoming part of where you are. It has to be experienced, to be enjoyed, and more time should be spent this way!
It makes me feel like breaking into song to sing:
"All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small"
as I noiselessly pedal away, on my way, marvelling at the way, the miles pass so quickly by.
There tends to be a reluctance to take up cycling as being to risky.
For those who have never ridden a bike, and others who did once ride, let me dispel a few fears. I agree that cycling on the roads with traffic can appear frightening with a degree of risk, but with 'common sense' and observing the 'Highway Code' cycling is no more risky than many of the other things we do in our homes and outside our front doors. Aim to have a reliable bike; wear bright clothing; have good lights; use cycle paths where you can, avoid busy main roads, and be mindful of traffic, and you can't go wrong.
Speaking on a personal note I have cycled since childhood through need and now at 74 for pleasure. Cycling has given me a healthy life style as well as keeping 'global warming' in check by reduced carbon emissions. And, those miles cycled (over two hundred thousand) has saved my pocket, at today's fuel prices, the staggering sum of nineteen thousand pounds sterling (27,930 Euro).
My calculation is based on one litre of fuel costing 95 pence (1.40 Euro) taking the average car 10 miles (16 Kilometres).
For those buying a bike for the first time, buy one from a proper cycle dealer, don't get one 'on the cheap.' A cheap bike is less than useless!
A genuine cycle dealer will advise on the proper size. A bike that is to big or small will not give a comfortable ride. Modern bikes are nothing like the old 'sit up and beg' types of days past. Bikes now are lighter in weight, with better brakes, and for a price virtually puncture proof tyres. They have plenty of gears, (to make pedalling easier) and can be adjusted to give a comfortable riding position. An outlay of about #300 or 440 euro would buy a reasonable new bike.
What are the HEALTH benefits of cycling? Plenty. We live in a society where modern living has made our bodies and minds lazy by lack of exercise. Exercise is important to our general health. In earlier times, daily work made enough physical demands on the body. Today, the car, labour saving devices, less manual work, have robbed the body of much of this normal physical exertion and dulled our minds by reduced oxygen. A daily cycle ride is an ideal discipline to adopt. It worked for me and for others who use a bike regularly. About 5 miles daily, produces good muscle tone, aids circulation; is good for the legs, reduces stress and improves sleep. Weight watchers can benefit too, cycling helps remove flab from ankles, legs, thighs, buttocks, waist and arms and improves skin and complexion.
In Coleraine on a Sunday morning the roads are very busy with those driving to Church. I would like to see more of us cycle or walk to church on this first day of the week. Make Sunday special, a real 'day of rest' for the car, with less traffic on the roads, would be making a physical offering to our normal Sunday Worship. If we are to be 'Stewards of God's creation' you and I should do something positive and show others we are truly concerned for the carbon footprint we are creating. And riding a bike or walking is an ideal way to reduce that footprint.
I would like to see at least one 'Special Sunday' in the year where worshipers attending church should be encouraged to 'have a fast from fast transport' and use natural transport. Call it 'Natural Transport Sunday.' We would all arrive using our human power, all the way, or part way. Cycle, walk, on horseback, (in Wesley manner), jog, run, skate, any way you like! Borrow a wheelchair for granny or whoever, and have fun all coming naturally to church to worship Him using this special Sunday to thank our Creator God for this wonderful planet earth he has given us. That we Methodists do care about our earth, we are pleased with what he has given us, and this 'Natural Transport Sunday' is our way of showing our commitment to the future generations to come.
Ian Murray,
Coleraine
