October 2024

    Mr. B. White, the Co-ordinator of Green Anglicans in the Diocese of Mthatha was invited to speak during the Provincial AWF conference on the 26th of October in Krugerdorp. He spoke about Care and Protection for the Environment. Members of the AWF were impressed by the presentation and even made a pledge of commitment to take care of the environment as individuals (in their households, and work places), at Parish and archdeaconry level. They even promised to start projects like recycling and re-using objects, tree planting and gardening. They said they would reduce the length of showers to save water              

Mothers Union Eco-champs from 23 Dioceses across South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini were chosen to attend an Eco-champion Training run by the Green Anglicans The event started with a message of encouragement from the Worldwide President of the Mothers’ Union-  Sheran Harper for this first of a kind group of MU Eco-champs! Rev Rachel Mash led a session on the Bible and Creation Care, unpacking Scriptures on the theme. The Mothers then had a to prepare mini – sermons in groups. This was followed by a Bible Study on Rom 8:22 “Where do you hear the groaning of Creation in your context?” Very sad issues were identified which are impacting on food security and increasing poverty – such as soil erosion, flooding and drought. Our children are being poisoned through air pollution and water being filled with toxins, the burning of plastic and chemicals leaching into our water. Animals and pollinators are being wiped out. Illegal dumping is destroying our communities and the children have no safe place to play We ended the session with a word of hope – for Creation is groaning as in childbirth – the pains are coming now but new life is being born The day ended with a beautiful outdoor service led by the Provincial Liaison Bishop for the Environment – Bishop Charles May On Day two we begin with prayers outside and then moved to the text of Rom 8 : 19 “Creation is standing on tiptoe waiting for the children of God to be revealed”.  We shared what we are already doing, our successes and our challenges: It was encouraging to hear that Mothers are already doing   Tree planting, both indigenous and fruit trees.  We are doing  clean up campaigns and beautifying our churches. We have started using plastic to make  mats, sun hats and bags. We have stopped using Styrofoam and bring our own bottles.. People have been trained in home food gardens and are passing the knowledge onto youth and children.  We are observing environmental days and filling up dongas and eroded areas. We are making sleeping bags for the homeless using recycled materials. And partnerships have been formed with municipalities, schools and the departments of Environment in the different countries. Two very powerful sessions then followed looking at the impact of Climate Change on  gender and health. Ms Letago  Kgomoeswana shared about how women are more impacted by climate change disasters as they have to walk further for water or wood. When they are in relief shelters they are at risk of sexual harassment.  Our second speaker  Mme Rose Lamola told of the devastating impacts of high temperatures in particular to pregnant women as the danger of early delivery or a still birth increases exponentially. The afternoon session started with unpacking the resolution passed a few years ago at Provincial MU level to stop using Styrofoam and sing use plastic at Church events. The mothers discussed how to do this in small groups. The final session was a moving one looking at how the church can prepare for the growing number of disasters such as flooding, drought, fires and storms.  Then plans were made to take to the Provincial Conference in December. On Sunday we ended with a moving outdoor Eucharist led by Rev Rachel Mash where we were commissioned as MU Eco Champs We are so appreciative of the Mothers Union Provincial Executive and Bino Makhalanyane’s hard work as a wonderful  facilitator and  doing logistics, to JP Roberts for designing the t-shirts and badges and for SAFCEI for financial support for the Conference    

46 bishops and senior church leaders together with the new Climate Commission of the South African Council of Churches and Youth Climate Activists gathered for a historic “Ecobishops” conference this week in Noordhoek, Cape Town The leaders were from 11 denominations and came from South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini and Botswana.. The Conference was organised by SAFCEI, Green Anglicans and the Centre for Public Witness Day One Cardinal Steven Brislin addressed us on the topic of “The importance of Laudato Si in South Africa ” and was followed by Anglican Bishop of Lesotho Dr Vicentia Kgabe who spoke on the environmental Challenges in Lesotho. This was followed by a sobering talk by Prof Coleen Vogel on the five year forecast of climate change in Southern Africa. She was folllowed by Climate Yes! activist Tshepo Mohapi who challenged the leaders to listen to the voices of young people. We reflected on the groaning of creation in our context in Bible study. Rev Rachel Mash led a session on the Biblical basis for creation care. Day Two We had a presentation from the Presidential Climate Commission and learned about the SAFCEI programmes . 18 month action plans were made by geographical region and a statement was prepared. This will be released shortly We started and ended each day with God in Creation, enjoying the amazing beauty of the area.Our outdoor services were led by Rev Sikawu (MCSA) and Rev Dewald Hoffman (DRC). The youth led the final service We were blessed by the presence of SAFCEI founder Bishop Geoff Davies who led the final blessing.

The Anglican Youth of Southern Africa (AYSA) hosted its Provincial Youth Council consultation at St Peter’s Place in Johannesburg from 10-12 October 2024. During the three-day consultation youth leaders and Chaplains from across the Anglican Church of Southern Africa came together to share experiences, learn and elect a new executive. During day one delegates share their diocesan reports and it went without notice how much work young people across the province are doing in Caring for Creation. Day two started our day with a morning prayer led by the Diocese of Natal and the Diocese of Swaziland, after an online session with the Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. The Green Anglicans were also invited to share on the topic “Climate Change as a Human Rights Issue , during which Bino Makhalanyane by making use of the different constitutions of the countries which make up AYSA,  shared why Climate Change is a matter of Human Rights and not just only for those who are in love with nature ( have green hand/ tree huggers ), Mr Solly Nyezi from the African Climate Alliance (ACA) shared more practical activism which youth people from ACA are taking the minster of Minerals and Resources to court under the #CancelCoal campaign , while Revd Geke van Vliet gave insight to theologians in the form of youth reps and Chaplains present on The Theology of Climate Justice. In closing the day, we had our elections and commissioning of the new leadership. Day three started with a morning prayer led by the Diocese of False Bay and the Diocese of George, which was followed by an outreach visit, to the local children’s home, were delegates had a chance to share with those less privileged and play with the children from the home . On the way back to the consultation venue, PYC members had a #AYSA VS. Litter.   Pick it Up campaign, and Cleaning the streets In closing, we had an outside Eucharist led by former Chaplain The Venerable Archdeacon Mpho Mohale, who encouraged us to be transformed as we descend from the Mount of Transfiguration. The Green Anglicans wishes to congratulate the newly elected PYC committee and thank the outgoing executive which was led by Ms Lulama Ntuta for their ministry and hard work over the past three years. Photo Credit : Mandisa Gumada and Melissa Awu. 

Meeting at Benoni, the Provincial Synod of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia) passed the following resolution 15. Seventh Motion: TO SUPPORT THE ADOPTION OF AN ECUMENICAL FEAST DAY OF CREATION IN OUR LITURGICAL CALENDAR Whereas: 1. The Feast of Creation of September 1, also known as Creation Day or World Day of Prayer for Creation, has gained vast ecumenical popularity and has given rise to a month-long Season of Creation. Inspired by a rich tradition of the Orthodox Church (where September 1 is the first day of their liturgical year), it was later embraced by the Council of European Churches in 1997, the World Council of Churches in 2008, the Anglican Consultative Council in 2012, and the Roman Catholic Church in 2015. 2. After decades of ecumenical celebrations of the Feast of Creation, a historic conference took place in Assisi in March 2024, co-sponsored by the Anglican  Communion, the World Council of Churches, and other worldwide communions, to explore a proposal to elevate the observance to become a liturgical festival in the calendar of Western Churches. A strong consensus emerged about the need to move ahead with this joint initiative, particularly as a gesture to mark the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in 2025. 3. Theological underpinnings 4. The feast has profound theological underpinnings derived from its ancient symbolism in the Orthodox Church as the day representing the divine “act” of Creation. Thus, it can enrich the liturgical calendar with a feast that is both Trinitarian and Christological, motivating stronger attention to the Triune God as Creator, the great mystery of Creation, and the sacredness of all creatures. Thus, it is not only a celebration of Creation as the created order, but most importantly it is a celebration of Creation as theological mystery and a proclamation of our Nicene belief in the Father as “maker of heaven and earth”, in Christ “through [whom] all things were made”, and in the Holy Spirit as “the giver of life”. 4. Environmental Crisis • The “signs of the times” of the Triple Planetary Crisis of Climate Change, Biodiversity loss and Pollution • Impact on the most vulnerable • Intergenerational injustice • The need for a spiritual response This Synod recognises: • The growing acceptance of the Feast of Creation and the accompanying Season of Creation globally and ecumenically • The critical moment and the need for the church to respond. • Many churches celebrate Environmental Days such as Earth Day , World Environment Day – where  the focus tends to be on the Created order rather less than the Mystery of God the Creator • The importance of the Revised Common Lectionary in our ecumenical church lives • The ecumenical significance of 2025 as a celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea that requires tangible acts of communion, not just statements. This Synod Resolves to: • Support the global ecumenical efforts to declare a Global Feast day for Creation in 2025. This support should include inter-alia participating in liturgical and theological conversations with Anglican and Ecumenical partners, to gain consensus on issues such as the name of the Feast Day, liturgical resources and 3 year lectionary readings. • Include the Feast in the Lectionary, once the global ecumenical process achieves consensus on the details and following consultation with the Provincial Liturgical Committee  • Recognise that it is on Provincial Youth Sunday on which we encourage the theme of creation as it is the start of the Season of Creation.  • Continue to promote and encourage the adoption of the Season of Creation with liturgical and other resources – with a particular focus on youth and Sunday school. Proposer: Rt Revd Edwin Pockpass  Seconder: The Ven Dr Meshack Mariri

There was an annual Diocesan Sunday School Celebration, from Friday 27th until Sunday 29th September 2024, hosted by St. Bernard, the Martyr Anglican Church, Far East Archdeaconry – Diocese of the Free State. The event was a huge success thanks to the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ! On Friday, a multitude of Anglican children, Sunday School teachers and parents gathered at Charles Mopeli Stadium where they were all warmly accommodated amidst the water shortage and electricity shortages in the area. Saturday was big day for all Eco-champions and Climate Advocates! The day began with a Morning Prayer service administered by two lovely Lay Ministers from the hosting Archdeaconry. There was a short devotion where the Sunday School children and Teachers were encouraged to love one another. Then they went to debate, in a “fishbowl” format, on the topic Food Waste, as the following day would be the commemoration of International Day of Food Loss and Waste.  While the younger ones were playing outdoor games and Treasurer Hunts, children of the ages 12+ Years participated in the debate. They were shared into 4 groups, the Children Team, the Parents Team, the Farmer’s Team and the Religious Leaders Team.  Each team had children and teachers who were all given 10 minutes to discuss before coming to the bowl. The debate was robust, funny and very insightful as we got to hear from the children’s point of view as to why they waste food. These young ones taught us how to reason as parents to our children and teach them the appreciation of food. They also displayed a wide range of information on farming, and biblically substantiated the importance of food security in stewardship. The time came for us to hit the streets! President Eco-champion Tsholofelo Mona, of the Sunday School Diocesan Executive Committee made a few announcements and also highlighted the peculiarity of the event, asshe said, “This conference is the first of this nature”. It was an amazingexperience! Children and teachers had made garments from recyclable materials for this well-structured street show. President summoned Eco-champions to the van that had a microphone and speaker. The SAPS van led the way and the Eco-champs rotated the microphone around as they spread awareness throughout Namahadi. Eco-champ Morena Pule talked about Food Waste and Loss. Eco-champ Kebaabetswe Sepato shared insight about Arbor Month. Eco-champ Manibijara Pule spread word about Plastic-free lifestyle. Eco-champ Karabo Moeketsi highlighted the commemoration of Tourism Day which was onFriday and the importance of Tourism on the Economy. When they arrived back at the stadium, the children took part in a pageant and TikTok Amapiano Dance challenges. There was a guest speaker who educated children on Albinism. In the Evening there was a talent show celebrating Heritage Month. On Sunday, there was a mass Eucharist Service. The celebrant and Preacher was the Chaplain of Free State Diocesan Anglican Youth Ministries, Rev. Father Bassy Molefi. The Archdeacon of Far East also grace event with his presence and gave vote of thanks. By Morena O. K. Pule