Bino Teboho Makhalanyane

We had a Diocesan Sunday School Teacher’s Conference from the 14th to the 16th of February 2025. It was held at St. Mary the Virgin, Botshabelo – Mangaung Archdeaconry. It was a prestigious event which included a Leadership Training session from the Anglican Youth Ministries Diocesan Dep. President, Eco-champ Ikaelelo Madikgetla and Diocesan Secretary, Mr. Samkele Mtshatsheni. We were honored by the presence of a visitor from the Anglican church in Canada, Eco-champ Dr. Ryan Weston, from the Anglican Church of Canada who was accompanied by the Diocesan Green Anglicans Coordinator, Eco-champ Mogorosi Molisapoli. On Saturday, Green Anglicans Eco-champions took the center stage. The presentation was composed of World Hippo Day and World Pangolin Day. Sunday School teachers learned what a Pangolin is and the eight types of these anteater species. They also got informed about what a Hippopotamus is. One of the crucial takeaways was the similarity of both animals, being the fact that they are both mammals. Eco-champs clarified how the Hippo contributes to the Eco-system and why Pangolins are important to the life of our biodiversity. We are grateful to the Provincial Green Anglicans for our lovely visitor from the Anglican Church in Canada. Dr. Ryan Weston presented after the Sunday School teachers had presented. He informed attendees that he left North America where it was -15°C and was still trying to adjust to the scorching African heat. He expressed his concern with the number and size of wildfires due to global warming, in California, which keeps increasing year after year. Amongst other things, it was alarming and saddening that Polar Bears can’t survive as the ice melts due to climate change. More than anything, what scared me personally was when Eco-champ Ryan mentioned that the ice melting poses a danger of unknown viruses and diseases which might been frozen for millions of years. During lunch, Eco-champ Ryan Weston interviewed Eco-champ Motsei Hlalethwa and Eco-champ Morena Pule. He asked three critical questions we should wrestle with as Eco-champions: What is the spiritual foundation for your commitment to care for creation? What gives you hope in the face of ecological crisis? How are you and your community making a difference in combatting climate change? It was an amazing event which had a beautiful Gala Dinner. On Sunday, Eco-champs did beautiful red and white ribbons from plastic to exemplify the recycling of plastic and dangers of single use plastic. I’m would love to thank everyone that made this day possible. I’m really grateful to be part of this movement, which is led by the Holy Spirit. I hope this inspires everyone to do interactive presentations,  raise awareness on the dangers of climate change and effects ice melting, and the constant danger of single-use plastic. by Morena Pule          

On the 2nd and 3rd of August 2024, the South Africa Climate Action Network, the Global Shapers Community: Tshwane Hub and the African Climate Reality Project hosted the Local Conferences of Youth LCOY South Africa (LCOY: an event under the umbrella of YOUNGO, the official youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Its fundamental objectives revolve around enhancing localized youth-driven climate action and providing valuable insights for international conferences) . This was more than just any conference, but more of a movement, as a space where over 100 young people from the Gauteng province and surroundings could share ideas, and concerns and come up with innovative solutions to the climate crisis we face. During the two-day conference, five members from the Green Anglicans movement (namely: Gontse Motlopye, Tumiso Mohlahlane, Boipelo Mojapelo: Diocese of Pretoria, Morena Pule: Diocese of Free State and Tlou Mpia: Diocese of St Marks the Evangelist  ), formed part of the young people representing the religions sector.    LCOY offered a unique opportunity to connect with similar thinkers and individuals from various backgrounds and industries. We exchanged ideas, forged new partnerships, and laid the groundwork for future collaborations. The sense of community and solidarity was evident and empowered us to tackle the climate challenges ahead. The two-day event also served as a reminder and wake-up call that the climate crisis requires urgent collective attention from all sectors including ecumenical youth, as young people, we have the power to shape the future and demand change. As a youth leader within the religious space, I urge all young people within and beyond the Anglican church to get involved with Caring for Creation and join the voices of many young people across the globe demanding action and a sustainable future for all. By Gontse Motlopye

On Saturday 27th of July members of the Girls and Boys Friendly Society (GFSF ) from the Diocese of Free State held its mini conference for the Bloemfontein , South and East Archdeaconries. As part of the global Plastic Free July campaign, Eco-Champ Mme Mdi gave a presentation on dangers of plastic, educating the members of the GBFS about how deadly and poisonous plastic is to us and the entire creation . She  also sharing tips on how we can safely dispose of plastic. Members of GBFS led by the Diocesan GBFS President Mme Tladi marched  around the streets of Managing were they walked to the nearby illegal dumping site ,which has plastic waste everywhere. During these march members of GBFS did community awareness on dangers of single use plastic while also calling for an end to the era of single use plastic.  #PlasticFreeJuly #EndSingleUsePlastic  By: Odireleng Sepato

On June 29, 2024, Green Anglicans Lesotho took a significant step towards promotingenvironmental conservation by planting trees at a confirmation service in Hlotse.Rapelang Korotjoe, one of the Diocesan Green Anglicans coordinators, had the specialprivilege of participating in the tree planting ceremony alongside Bishop Kgabe andconfirmed candidates at St. Savior’s Parish.The event was a symbolic gesture of the organization’s commitment to caring for God’screation and promoting sustainable practices within the Anglican community in Lesotho.The act of planting trees not only helps to mitigate climate change but contributes to theAnglicans communion forest initiative which Green Anglicans align themselves with.Additional trees were left in the care of the parish’s Green Anglicans coordinators, whowill continue to nurture and monitor their growth. This hands-on approach toenvironmental stewardship not only fosters a deeper connection to nature but alsoempowers individuals to take action in their own communities.As we strive to protect and preserve the natural world for future generations, initiativeslike the tree planting ceremony at St. Savior’s Parish serve as a reminder of theimportance of caring for our planet and living in harmony with God’s creation. Throughcollective action and individual responsibility, we can make a meaningful impact on thehealth of our environment and create a more greener and sustainable future for all. These trees will form part of the communion Forest By: Mr Rapelang Korotjoe

The Anglican Student Federation (ASF) held its annual 61st Conference from the 30th of June till 5 July 2024 at the Anglican Training Centre in Maseru Lesotho.  On the 2nd of July 2024, members of Green Anglican Lesotho, accompanied by Mr Bino Makhalanyane (Provincial Youth Coordinator ) , participated in the ASF Provincial Conference, where they had an enriching and inspiring experience. The day began with a vibrant morning prayer led by Ms Maipato Kotelo and Mr Rapelang sharing a short homily on “Responsibility came before sin , therefore taking care of creation is not punishment but a responsibility given to us all by our Creator “,these  setting a positive tone for the events to follow. One of the highlights of the conference was a presentation by Ms. Mpona Mohapi, a passionate advocate for climate action and a cloud security engineer by profession. Ms. Mohapi, who hails from Lesotho, shared her insights on generational restoration and building resilient communities in the face of climate change. Drawing on her experiences as a curator for the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community and as an alumni of the Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice, Ms. Mohapi’s presentation resonated deeply with the audience. Following Mohapi’s presentation, attendees were divided into small groups to reflect on how they could contribute to climate advocacy within their respective universities. This interactive session fostered meaningful discussions and allowed participants to brainstorm innovative ways to make a difference in their communities. Overall, the day at the ASF Provincial Conference was a powerful reminder of the importance of collective action in addressing the climate crisis. Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, Green Anglican movement and its members are committed to driving positive change and creating a more sustainable future for all. We would like to congratulate the outgoing PEC for a well-organized conference and wish well the newly elected PEC as they take over. As we reflect on the insights shared at the conference, let us be inspired to act in our own communities and work towards a greener, more resilient world for generations to come. #CaringForCreation #Gen 2:15 #GreenAnglicansLesotho By. Ms M Kotelo

As part of their service to the Lord the Diocesan Servers from Diocese ofJohannesburg met at St. James Anglican Church in Diepkloof Soweto for anenvironmental workshop.The day started off with Ms. Palesa Phayane ( Servers Environmental Affairs Coordinator) sharing the mission of having an environmentaldesk within the server’s guild. The dream is to not only grow trees or pray for theenvironment but to use this as on opportunity of restoring biodiversity while alsoputting up climate smart vegetable gardens at parishes. The produce could bedonate to local shelters, orphanage or used for parish soup kitchens. She also addedthat servers are known to be united, supportive and strong willed which is whystarting this initiative within the server’s guild gives a better chance of success. Theenvironmental initiative within the Diocesan servers guild has got both short term andlong term activities which have been outlined.Mr Bino Makhalanyane shared a presentation on the impacts and effects of climatechange under the theme of “The Earth is the Sanctuary of God”. He called onmembers of the servers’ guild , who are called to serve God within His Sanctuary tonot only limit themselves within church walls but to know and understand that thewhole earth is full of His Glory (Isaiah 6:3). Therefore we also have the responsibilityof taking care of our common home which is the earth .Attendees were then divided into six groups where each group had to design what apossible logo for the environmental desk within the diocesan Servers Guild wouldlook like.The day ended with a short wellness meditation.The motto for the Diocesan Servers Guild environmental initiative will be :PROTECT the environment so that we have a healthy place to live,PRESERVE so that future generations get to experience what we did,IMPROVE in order to enhance our lives and that of the other life forms around us Photo Credit : Ofentse Mogotsi