Anglican Church forms partnership with Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) in tree planting drive
The Anglican Communion has launched a tree growing and eco- system restoration drive called the “Communion Forest”.
As part of the Communion Forest, the Anglican Church of Southern Africa has formed a partnership with the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Environment who are donating trees to churches.
The Diocese of St Mark the Evangelist in the very dry Province of Limpopo, which is one of the areas of South Africa most impacted by climate change.
Only indigenous trees are being donated and the parishes are committing to water the trees for two dry seasons until the roots can reach the water table. Fetching and delivering the trees took some organising! Volunteers who own vans offered to collect them. They first went to the DEFF ‘ office to sign for the trees then they went to collect them at Retsini Nursery and delivered them to chapelries that asked them to assist.
Mr. Josias Moraope from the department was present both at St. Mary and St. Wilfrid.. He gave a talk, partly a sermon about our responsibility towards God to care for nature especially trees. He also explained that the 40 trees pledged to the Anglican Church has to be planted as early in the new year, urging the congregation to go out in the community and encourage tree planting. It was so interesting. He will also take rounds to check on us and our trees took the contact numbers of coordinators in each chapelry.
Acting Archdeacon Olive Senyatsi
The Anglican Church of Southern Africa is very grateful for the donations from DEFF and is committed to looking after them and raising them.
