Bino Teboho Makhalanyane

The Diocese of Mpumalanga held its annual Mothers’ Union conference at Nelspruit Hoerskool, in Mpumalanga,  from 26 to 28 September, bringing together members for fellowship, learning, and action. A key highlight of the weekend was a joint presentation by the Diocesan Green Anglicans Coordinator, Revd Canon Velelo, and the Diocesan Mothers’ Union Eco-Champion, Mrs. Fikile Nkosi. Their session focused on the growing impact of plastic waste on the environment, communities, and future generations, urging participants to take practical steps towards reducing, reusing, and recycling plastics. To reinforce the message, the conference hosted a creative competition where participants collected plastic waste and repurposed it into a useful church door mat. This hands-on activity not only showcased innovation but also demonstrated how everyday waste can be transformed into something practical and meaningful. by: Eco-champ Fikile Nkosi

Namibia’s National Cleaning Day, observed annually on September 20th to coincide with World Cleanup Day, is a call to citizens to take responsibility for the environment and contribute to a cleaner, healthier nation. On Saturday, 20 September, members of the Anglican Student Society (ANSOC) from Windhoek, together with their regional chaplain, Ven. Joseph Hanghome responded to this call by actively participating in clean-up activities at Okuryangava Anglican Church, part of the mission station of St. Michael’s Anglican Parish, Katutura. While the ANSCO on campus in Ongwediva went to clean up the surrounding area of St. Patrick Anglican Parish in Ongwediva.  In Eenhana, the youth from St. Martin’s Parish joined hands with their wider community to clean up their town. The day was not only about collecting waste but also about sowing hope for the future. As part of their activities, the ANSOC members planted trees at Okuryangava Churches, with the vision of continuing this initiative to heal the land, provide shade, fruit and contribute to a cooler and healthier environment for the community. By Ven. Joseph Hanghome.

On Sunday, the 21st September, the Sunday School of St Agnes, Zoar, in the Diocese of George, expressed their creativity and commitment to environmental awareness through a series of imaginative displays. Using paper, cotton wool, and cardboard, the children created pictures that spoke to themes of desolation, trees without shelter for birds and people, and trees that bore no fruit, symbolising the cries of creation and humanity for healing and renewal. Inside the church, a range of information signs and symbols were displayed to raise awareness on critical issues. The messages included: “We say no to polystyrene and plastic,” “Save nature by planting trees,” “Use more bicycles, fewer cars and avoid air pollution,” and a reminder that “We are the stewards of the environment.” The decorations tied together three key themes of the three weeks of the 2025 Seasons of Creation: The Potter’s Earth, When the Earth Mourns and Healing the Wounds of Creation.    Meanwhile, at St Paul’s, Conville, the Parish held a joyous baptism service. As part of linking faith with creation care, parents of the newly baptised children were gifted a packet of seeds to plant. This simple but meaningful gesture served as a living token of hope and healing for the wounded earth. Together, these initiatives highlighted how the Diocese of George continues to nurture both faith formation and environmental stewardship, reminding the church that caring for creation is a vital expression of discipleship. By: Revd. Maria Jacobs

On Sunday, 21 September 2025, the Diocese of the Free State gathered at St John’s Anglican Church, Fauresmith, in the South West Archdeaconry for a day filled with faith, celebration, and creation care. The service was marked by several significant milestones in the life of the church: a Confirmation Service, the Licensing of Lay Ministers, and the admission of new members to the St Francis Servers Guild and the St Agnes Guild. Meanwhile, on Thursday, 18th September, in the Sasolburg Archdeaconry, members of the Mothers’ Union from St Anthony’s, Vredeford, expressed their devotion through creation care by planting a rose garden in the churchyard. This beautiful act added both colour and meaning to the parish grounds, serving as a lasting symbol of faith and nurture. Adding to the joy of the celebrations, the Green Anglicans Movement joined in planting trees at Fauresmith as a living sign of hope and renewal. This act symbolised the church’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and its call to care for creation for generations to come. This week’s events were a reminder that faith and creation care walk hand in hand, as the Diocese of the Free State continues to grow in discipleship, service, and responsibility for God’s world. By: Eco-champ Mogorosi Molisapoli

On Wednesday, 17 September, the community of St Mary Magdalene Chapelry in the Parish of St Helena Bay gathered for the Morning Eucharist at Steenberg’s in the Diocese of Saldanha Bay, led by Archdeacon Paul Van Reene. During the Eucharist, Fr. Paul shared a reflection that invited the congregation to consider their relationship with nature, particularly the ocean. As a fishing community, the sea sustains livelihoods, offers beauty and wonder, and continually reminds us of God’s abundance. Yet with these gifts also comes a responsibility: to appreciate, respect, and care for the ocean that gives us life. The theme for the day, “Our Intriguing Relationship with the Ocean,” calls us to pause and recognise how creation speaks of God’s glory, and how we, as faithful stewards, are invited to live in harmony with it. By: Ven Paul Van Reene

On Saturday, 13 September 2025, the Green Anglicans, in partnership with Green Connection, hosted an engaging environmental workshop for young people from the Dioceses of Cape Town and False Bay. The event was designed to equip youth with knowledge and inspire action towards the care of God’s Creation, with a special focus on the oceans. The day began with a morning devotion, drawing from the Season of Creation 2025 liturgical resource. This time of prayer and reflection grounded the participants in the theme of the season, reminding them of their calling as stewards of God’s Creation. The programme then moved into the screening of the documentary “SPOILED”, produced by Green Connection. The film shed light on the destructive impacts of ocean blasting and other harmful practices on marine ecosystems and coastal communities. Following the screening, Liz McDaid from Green Connection led a heartfelt discussion, inviting the young people to share their reactions. She encouraged them to think creatively and practically about how they could play a role in protecting the oceans, particularly for the sake of future generations. The workshop also featured two powerful teaching sessions. Through prayer, learning, discussion, and challenge, the young people left the workshop with a deeper awareness of the urgent need to act for Creation and a renewed commitment to live out their faith through environmental justice. We thank the Parish of St. Thomas, Rondebosch, for hosting us and Green Connection for partnering with us to make this day possible.   Photo credit: Lelethu M