Fair and Sustainable Team
The (FaST) Fair and Sustainable Team at mbc aims to inspire and inform the congregation, and beyond, towards fair and sustainable lifestyle, corporately and individually as employees and employers
Underlying the aim is a two fold ideal, to take care of God's world remembering that it belongs to Him, not us, and secondly to love our neighbours, local and global, who are often unseen or far distant but impacted by our choice of lifestyle.
What does this look like in practice?
The main impetus is practical action hand-in-hand with awareness raising so that the message about care for God's world, justice, climate change and its effects on the poor are better understood in and outside the church. Visits to Missional Expressions by FaST are intended to spread information and enthusiasm about things fair and sustainable and so ripple out into the Edinburgh community.
Recently, the team collaborated with Soul Surfers (Missional Expression) in a beach clean at Dunbar, working alongside Surfers Against Sewage on their national action day.
Members of the team joined in The Wave national demonstration to lobby politicians for action on climate change. The initiative to clear litter in Dumbie Dykes as a service to the community is continuing and developing in 2010. In the past, several mbc people joined the community action group in a clean-up of the Braid Burn organised by the Friends of the Hermitage. Information about Fairtrade, as well as Fairtrade goods, have been promoted at numerous services during Fair Trade fortnight and in the autumn, and Fairtrade tea and coffee are regularly used. There have been stalls on the theme of climate change which have provided literature and books to purchase. The church is now using recyclable coffee cups and has introduced recycling for paper, card, metal and plastic generated by the office and catering (Alpha, Minis and other events). Used batteries are collected.
Significantly the property owned by the church at Holy Corner moved from Npower to electricity supplied from 100% renewable sources. There have been sermons focussing on the FaS theme. However, there remains a long way to go.
The Fair and Sustainable team is open to everyone and welcomes new members. Whether you just have ideas to contribute, or can give practical input, please get in touch with the FaSTeam.