SEC partners in focus: Eco-Congregation Scotland July 2, 2021  In the third part of our series highlighting the work of Scottish Episcopal Church partners, we hear from Eco-Congregation Scotland. Every year, the Church in Society Committee invites grant applications from organisations working on a variety of issues in Scottish society, and includes projects from the local, such as providing school uniforms for a local primary school, to the national, such as a third sector coalition combating climate change. Here, Richard Murray, Lay Reader in the Aberdeen & Orkney Diocese and now chairperson of Eco-Congregation Scotland, explains the organisation’s role: “Although we may think as individual churches that the climate emergency is too big for us to resolve by our individual effort, nevertheless when we become a community of others, companions along the path, the pilgrim spirit becomes contagious,” says Richard. “ECS understands the need to create a single coordinated voice to raise urgent environmental issues. As members, everyone has a

read more Banchory Eco Congregation gets a mention on SEC news.

At the end of yesterday’s sermon, I read this poem by Jan Richardson. Some of those present asked that I share it here. Blessing of the Gate Press your handto this blessing,here alongthe sidewhere you can feelits seam. Follow the seamand you will findthe hingeson whichthis blessing turns. Feel howyour fingerscatch on them—top,bottom,the slightest pressuresending the gategliding openin a glad welcome. Wait, did I saypress your handto this blessing? What I meant waspress your handto your heart. Rest it over thatplace in your chestthat has grownclosed and tight,where the rust,with its talentfor making decaylook artful,has bitten intowhat you onceheld dear. Breathe deep.Press on the knotand feel how itbegins to give way,turning uponthe hingeof your heart. Notice how itopens wideand wider stillas you exhale, spilling you outinto a realmwhere you never dreamedto gobut cannot now imagineliving this lifewithout. — Jan Richardson This blessing appears in Jan’s book, The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief.