Inverurie church event will show that climate matters

An Aberdeenshire church is partnering with community groups this weekend to host a festival of free activities, workshops, talks and walks exploring practical and creative ways to live more sustainably.

Aimed at empowering and encouraging the local community, Inverurie West Parish Church is presenting a range of activities and workshops for all the family.

There will be opportunities to find out about retrofitting your house, how to make your garden more biodiverse, or to reduce food waste.

Family activities include learning how to be creative with natural materials, making bird boxes and a nearly new children's clothes sale.

Other options include guided walks, as well as a chance to have a look at the church's own kitchen community garden.

For those feeling overwhelmed by the climate crisis and other issues there will be a workshop on managing fear and anxiety, and the weekend will finish with a panel discussion about what can be done to keep talking and acting on climate change in the North East.

All the events are free, although some have limited space and require advance booking.

At the heart of the community

Inverurie West Church parish minister Rev Rhona Cathcart said: "We've been an eco-congregation for a long time, aligning with the Church of Scotland's commitment to ‘strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth'. Increasingly, along with people of all faiths and none, we have recognised the urgency of taking action to combat climate change."

Inspired by the United Nations climate change conference in Glasgow, COP26, Inverurie West began looking at ways of taking a more proactive approach and working with some of the many groups in the area providing information, support, creative ideas and advocacy on various methods of tackling climate change, whether as individuals or as communities.

She continued: "As a church which sits physically right in the heart of Inverurie, we have always aimed to keep the community at our heart, so it seemed logical to use our premises to organise and host an event allowing these different groups to engage with the public and with one another.

"Our aim is to provide a weekend of hope, joy, community engagement, and a unified sense of purpose. We've been delighted with the response from so many participating partners. Local businesses have also been very supportive.

"It can be easy to become discouraged or despairing about the pace of climate change, or alternatively to sink into apathy or a feeling of helplessness. We want to reset the dial towards hope through shared action. Inverurie is a great place for this as it is a very proactive and community focused wee town."

As part of the weekend, Inverurie West Parish Church will hold a Harvest Thanksgiving service on Sunday morning as a reminder that worship and action go hand in hand.

Rev Rhona Cathcart added: "You don't need to be a person of a specific faith, of course, to recognise that the earth is a gift and that it should be treasured and nurtured. We look forward to welcoming all with a desire to work together or to find out more about what they can do to help safeguard our planet."

For more information or to book a place at a workshop phone the Acorn Centre on 01467 670850 or email admin@theacorncentre.org