Some Inspiration
Resources
Some resources to help educate your congregation and youth groups on environmental issues
Liturgical Resources
Season of Creation is a season in the year when we focus on God the Creator and what we learn from the Bible about God’s call to care for Creation. The Anglican Church of Southern Africa adopted the Season of Creation in 2012 and we produce yearly materials. SOC 1- 6 are thematic (themes such as water, climate change, land etc) and we are now producing A, B, and C to tie in the with the lectionary readings.
Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Inspired by the first view of the ‘blue planet’ from space, it was first celebrated in 1970, and is now celebrated in more than 193 countries
Click links below to download the content:
World Water Day is an annual day always on 22 March that highlights the importance of freshwater. The day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. The first World Water Day, designated by the United Nations, was in 1993. Each year many countries celebrate World Water Day. As Christians we celebrate the sacredness of water (for we were baptised by water) and the call to water justice.
World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated on 5 June every year, and is a global day for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of our environment. First held in 1974, it has been a flagship campaign for raising awareness on emerging environmental issues such as marine pollution, air pollution and global warming, to sustainable consumption and wildlife crime. World Environment Day has grown to become a global platform for public outreach, with participation from over 143 countries annually.
Click from the items below to download the liturgies
Youth & Children
Ryan the Rhino is a manual for Sunday School teachers looking at the story of Creation and how we can practically make a difference in caring for creation.
Click the links below to download the PDF for the manual:
Care for Creation is a manual for youth leaders with interactive sessions looking at the theology and practical responses to caring for Creation.
Click below to download the PDF manual resource:
Story of stuff is a series of workshops on consumerism. Although it comes from a US setting, it can be adapted to your context
Click the links below to download the PDF's for the programme:
World Environment Day material for youth. Some materials prepared for young people for World Environment Day services, with dramas and other activities.
Click links below to download resources:
Lent Programmes
What is Lent and why does it last forty days?
We at Green Anglicans have put some devotions and reflections together in helping you to focus on specific topics that are affecting environment during the Lenten period.
Fast for the Earth
#Fast4Earth
This year for lent we are challenging all to make a pledge and Fast for the Earth. As Nehemiah lamented for the fall of Jerusalem, may we also lament in the destruction that is befalling the creation that God has given us. As custodians of this wonderful planet let us work to preserve the earth, as we look to highlight areas in our lives where we can make sacrifices, or improve upon in our attempt to protect and nurture Mother Earth.
The areas of preparation, food, waste, water, energy and nature will be the weekly focuses for our Lenten journey and hopefully encourage us to daily to take action. Every little step counts.
Capture the journey of your Lenten actions and post them onto social media with the hashtag #fast4earth. Let people know that they are not journeying alone and help in providing motivation, by sharing your experiences with us throughout Lent.
Download the Lenten Materials from the links below:
What is a Carbon fast for Lent?
For Anglicans, Catholics and many others, Lent is the time when we remember the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, facing challenge and temptation. It is a time when we reflect on God’s purpose for our life. Many Anglicans take this opportunity to fast from coffee, alcohol or chocolates. But this year our challenge is deeper, to take a carbon fast – to reduce the actions which damage God’s Creation. To reduce our use of petrol, electricity, plastic, paper, water and toxins. We will take small steps for a more sustainable world, and by doing so rediscover a different relationship with God, with Creation and with one another. How do I take a carbon fast? From Ash Wednesday, 1 March, to Saturday 8th of April is a time of repentance, reflection and action. Each week has a theme with a prayer and actions for each day.
Here is the link to download the 40 actions for the month.
THEMES for each of the five weeks:
| Week | Theme |
| 1-4 March | Preparing |
| 5 – 11 March | Food |
| 12 – 18 March | Energy |
| 19- 25 March | Water |
| 26 March- 1 April | Waste |
| 2- 8 April | Plants |
LESS PLASTIC FOR LENT
“We have traditionally regarded sin as being merely what people do to other people. Yet, for human beings to destroy the biological diversity in God’s creation; for human beings to degrade the integrity of the earth by contributing to climate change, by stripping the earth of its natural forests or destroying its wetlands; for human beings to contaminate the earth’s waters, land and air – all of these are sins.” Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
This Lent we are challenged to turn from the sin of damaging God’s planet and hurting our neighbours by our over use of single use (throwaway) plastic.
Here is the link to download the 40 actions for the month.
Official Documents
Videos
Archbishop Tutu says pray for Creation
Athlone has Green Talent
Poem on St Francis Day
Alan Goddard sings on St Francis Day