Bertie Stirling sent ECI this report:
Creation Care Network had their 18th meeting in Monkstown Village Initiative on Saturday 23rd April. The meeting was opened with a Bible reading, prayer and reflection from Peter Harris’s book ‘Under Bright Wings’. Stephen gave us all a warm welcome with some tea and biscuits.
Stephen outline the structure of the faith based organisation ‘Monkstown Village Initiative ‘ (MVI) and how it is reaching out to the local community. Folks then reported on what was happening where they were. We had stories of planting Jubilee woods at Ballylinney, a church fair at Knock Presbyrterian, and explorations with wild flowers and swifts and ongoing Eco retreats at Drumalis. As the farm aspect of Jubilee has now well established they are able to turn to the biodiversity side with the appointment of a ‘Wildlife and Wellbeing Project Co-ordinator. The community garden at Knockbreda Methodist & St John’s coming to their first real harvest and still more recycling, planting and eco-tips at St. John’s. An eco-service for all the community was held at Lowe Memorial Presbyterian and later a Easter ‘LOAF’ breakfast. The conservation reserves of Springmount and Hugh’s Meadow N.R. are progressing, having had surveys of plants and birds done. A pond was dug, nest boxes positioned and various native trees planted, thanks to the local schools.
We had a very enjoyable and educational tour of the MVI community garden thanks to Margaret the gardener. This is an excellent recreational, educational, food producing space. It is not only friendly to humans but also to the other species which live around us. It supports and reaches out to various groups, churches, clubs and individuals in the local community.
We also had discussions about how government is going to implement its new Climate Strategy Bill and the growth of many Laudato Si animators. It was also good to hear about the various Repair Cafes popping up around the area.
Next meeting to be at St John’s Knockbreda in September/October.
Reflection : How can we support our young Christian Eco-activists?
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1Timothy 4 v12