19 September 2024

The Anglican Communion held its global conference of the Safe Church in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The Safe Church Conference delegates were  from 80 Countries across the globe. A total of 250 Delegates participated in the conference. The Conference major outcome was a road map to ensure that the Anglican communion facilitates a Safe Church. Guidelines to safeguarding policies were deliberated on. Since this took place during the Season of Creation , it was also an opportunity for some members of the Green Anglicans Movement of Africa to meet up and organise a tree planting. His Grace The Archbishop of Central Africa  Dr Albert Chama planted  a Mango Tree at Kings Kraal Conference Centre in Bulawayo. In His Speech The Archbishop gave highlights to the Season of Creation informing the gathering the importance of the period 1 September to 4 October annually. This tree forms part of the Communion Forest.  The Communion Forest was a product of the 2022 Lambeth conference  as a commitment towards human sustenance. The second Mango Tree was planted by The Rt Revd Dr Jo Bailey Wells The Bishop of Episcopal Ministry in the Anglican Communion. The trees were planted as a symbol of the seed of safe church that had been planted at the conference and that now must be nurtured and grow. By Darlington Musekiwa

The AYSA Diocese of Mthatha team gathered for a day of adventure at the Port St. John’s Military Airstrip on Saturday 14th September. The day was broken down into different phases meant to cultivated encounters that celebrate our creation and encouraging  spiritual conversations and encounters. The day kicked off with the hike where three (3) teams were formed. These teams were colour coded with relevant natural earth elements. Red team symbolized rocks, yellow being water and green represented trees. The assignment whilst on the trail was to find how these elements linked to our Anglicanism and a Bible passage that spoke of these elements. Arrival at the top of the mountain signified the start of the Eucharist Service to celebrate creation. This was where the theme, found in Romans 8:22, was unpacked. Our theme spoke on how creation is groaning in pain. Closing the session, the Diocesan Anglican Youth Guild (AYG) hosted a prayer picnic that boasted of testimonies, word discussions, an abundance of prayer and worship whilst snacking on food in between. The day ended on a free-spirited note with games enjoyed by all. By : Kwada Makiwane Photo credit : Ayabonga Maroloma

On Friday the 13th of September the youth and confirmation candidates from St Paul, in the Diocese of George were visited by some of the Diocesan Eco-Champs. Some of the activities of the day included teachings about recycling and our responsibility to take care of God’s creation.  The young people also planted the vegetable seeds, which they must look after and bring the project back to the church once the seed germinates. After all green-fingers and hard work, they each ate a nice sausage roll and played games. We want to thank teachers Bonita Potgieter and Simone Jansen for their distribution to our parish’s young people and for making them aware that we are responsible for taking care of God’s creation. By : Corne Robertson