The road to Net Zero and the custodianship of Creation was at the heart of the opening address from the Primus as the 2023 General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church opened in Edinburgh this morning.

Synod members have gathered at St Paul’s & St George’s Episcopal Church for the three-day meeting, with a small number of members joining online.

During the Opening Eucharist, the Most Rev Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, spoke about the matters to be discussed in the days ahead, highlighting the church’s commitment to achieving carbon Net Zero by 2030.

“At all levels of its business, our church has been working on a plan to achieve Net Zero in our emissions but also debating and praying and worshipping our way towards a renewed understanding of our custodianship of Creation,” said the Primus. “As a church we pledged to reach Net Zero by 2030 and much work has been undertaken in helping us to reach this target.

“We must thank the Provincial Environment Group for all the work they have done to get us this far, work that has been reflected across dioceses and congregations. I am now seeing and hearing of parts of the church working collaboratively with other churches and denominations, working with and within conservation groups, and taking to the streets of Scotland to proclaim the call to care for all of God’s creation.

“Synod will continue its debate on this subject, and yes, the detail of how to do that can cause animated conversation but we are making really positive moves to care for and nurture God’s creation, moving forward towards our goal.”

The Primus also looked forward to a historic first address to the General Synod by a Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, on Friday. The Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton is expected to talk about her hopes and vision for churches in Scotland at this time.

“The churches in Scotland continue to work together to try to heal many of the matters troubling our society,” said the Primus. “We are at the forefront of engagement with government in both Scotland and the UK, but something else has changed and the historic visit to address this Synod by the Moderator is a mark of that.

“Denominations are working closer together, and our Saint Andrew declaration with the Church of Scotland, continuing conversations with the Roman Catholic church and a growing fellowship with our EMU colleagues all reveal a changed vision for Scotland of churches working together rather than being suspicious of each other.”

Looking ahead to debate about internal matters such as changes to Canons, the Primus acknowledged that there would be differences of opinion expressed over the coming days – “I have never met anyone who believed that their argument isn’t for the benefit of the church, whatever others may feel” – but stressed that the church is not only concerned about itself and its life, it is concerned about the life of the communities and the world it serves.

“We serve God’s Church, not our church,” said the Primus. “God will be with us if we are faithful in our lives. Rejoice that we gather today as people who love the church and remember that, however hard it might be sometimes.

“I believe we are called to bring the love of God into a world that needs to experience that love. We cannot do that by always looking inwards; we need to reach out to each other, take up the banner of hope and walk together towards the light of Christ.”

The Net Zero Action Plan will be considered at Synod in the afternoon of the first day’s business, following sessions covering budget and quota, work plans, a presentation by the College of Bishops and a report from the Anglican Consultative Council.

During the opening day, many Synod members dressed in black to show support for the Thursdays In Black campaign, a global movement urging an end to violence against women.