Bino Teboho Makhalanyane

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

On Sunday, 14 September 2025, young people from the Parish of St Anne’s Anglican Church, Pigg Peak, in the Diocese of Eswatini celebrated Provincial Youth Sunday, under the Season of Creation theme: “Peace with Creation.” The gathering brought together young people and the wider congregation to reflect on God’s call for harmony between humanity and the environment, and to affirm the role of youth in championing climate justice and ecological reconciliation. As people of God, we are urged to restore and live peaceably with God’s Creation. In the Garden of Eden, God created everything to be good and peaceful. There was no indiscriminate burning, no killing and no enmity amongst man and Creation, yet now it’s directly opposite. Creation lives in fear of man; the beauty of nature is deteriorating in the hands of man. Man is urged to be reconciled with God so that peace can be achieved. Man must stop burning and destroying vegetation, man must stop killing animals and microorganisms, as they are all players in the ecosystem. Let’s advocate for peace. Colossians 1:20 says, “and through God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. We planted a peach tree as a symbol of commemoration. Each time it bears fruit, the message of peace with Creation must be remembered. Although it was a youth event, everyone participated, especially the young people, to ensure that the message of climate justice never leaves our minds, even when we have grown older. By : Mhlobiso Vilakati

The Season of Creation 2025 was ushered in with creativity, prayer, and practical action as dioceses across the Anglican Church of Southern Africa held events to celebrate and care for God’s creation. From environmental awareness programmes to tree planting and sustainable practices, Anglicans demonstrated that Peace with Creation is truly at the heart of Christian discipleship. On Thursday, 4 September, the Mothers’ Union, St Mary Magdalen, and Anglican Women’s Fellowship members from the Diocese of Mbashe partnered with the Chris Hani District Municipality and Dr A.B Xuma Local Municipality for a community environmental awareness programme. The event included sessions on environmental protection, waste classification, and safe disposal. The Mayor and Community Services Manager joined the gathering and handed over bins, garbage bags, rakes, and watering cans, donations that will support the MU Centre and All Saints Cathedral. That same day, in the Diocese of the Free State, members of the Mothers’ Union from St Mary’s and St Edward’s, Parys, led by Eco-Champs Mme Mohale, Mme Manibijara, and Revd Andrew Pule, held a moving outdoor service under the trees. The celebration concluded with a tree-planting ceremony at Thabang Clinic, Tumahole, linking the Season of Creation with the wider vision of the Communion Forest, a global Anglican initiative to restore and protect forests. In the Diocese of Christ the King, the Girls’ and Boys’ Friendly Society hosted their Diocesan Conference from 5–7 September, transforming the venue with decorations and outfits made entirely from recyclable materials. The creative use of sustainable resources reflected their commitment to eco-friendly living and inspired young members to embrace practical steps for a greener future. On Sunday, 7 September, in the Diocese of George, Revd Calvin Frans of St Alban’s, Pacaltsdorp, led worship under the theme “The Potter.” The church was beautifully decorated with paper doves and flowers, along with clay and stone vases, symbolising both fragility and resilience in creation. Meanwhile, in the Diocese of Matlosane, the Mothers’ Union of Tsogong Cathedral, Potchefstroom, marked the Season of Creation and Arbour Week by planting a tree as a sign of peace with creation. From rural clinics to cathedrals, from children’s ministries to Mothers’ Union gatherings, Anglicans across Southern Africa are showing that the Season of Creation is not just about reflection but also about action. These initiatives remind us that every act of planting, recycling, and teaching is part of building a more just, sustainable, and hopeful future for all.        

The Diocesan Eco-champions in the Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman actively participated in the Diocesan Family Weekend, held in Taung, Molopo Archdeaconry, from August 29th to 31st. The prayer walk brought together clergy, laity, and families from across the Diocese, serving as a highlight and reminder to the Church’s role in nurturing both spiritual growth and care for creation. During the Diocesan Family Weekend, a significant amount of time was dedicated to fellowship and spiritual renewal among Diocesan members, the prayer walk served as a powerful symbol of unity between our faith and environmental responsibility. The walk was not only an act of worship but also a public witness to the urgent need for environmental consciousness amid global climate challenges. It brought together people from diverse parishes within the Diocese, fostering solidarity and encouraging collective action towards sustainable living. By integrating prayer with environmental advocacy, the Diocesan Eco-Champions reinforced the message that caring for creation is a spiritual imperative. The Eco Champions’ participation marks a milestone in the Diocese’s ongoing efforts to address environmental issues through faith-driven initiatives. It demonstrated a show of growth and awareness in the Anglican Communion. It is through such events that the Diocesan Eco Champions continue to inspire members to live out their faith practically by engaging with and caring for creation, which awakens something in us all to nurture a Green and just future for all within the Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman and those that will come after us. By: Eco-champ Refilwe Ferrelson

On the 26th of August 2025, two young people ( Mr. Morena Pule and Ms. Ofentse Kwapeng) together with two priests (Revd. Mudau and Revd. Mash) from the Anglican Church of Southern Africa participated in the National Colloquium organised by the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC), which took place in Santon, Johannesburg. This event followed a series of contribution sittings that commenced in November 2024. Rev Rachel presented on behalf of the faith sector you can find her talk here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QTIo2HPHAe3syUEcfVyAeXsq3gsauvJJ/view?usp=sharing   The targets presented during the colloquium were the result of input from various stakeholders, including youth organisations, the business sector, faith-based groups, civil society, and labour unions. These targets were compiled and introduced by the Executive Director of the PCC. Additionally, representatives from multiple unions, taxi associations, and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) were present, and they formed part of the panel, which was given the opportunity to voice their concerns and feedback regarding the proposed targets. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment also offer its input, particularly in relation to preparations for COP30 and the upcoming submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).  This highlights a broader issue: South Africa is not yet prepared to effectively address climate change. Many citizens remain unaware of the significance of international agreements such as the Paris Agreement, particularly the target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Furthermore, the unseasonably warm weather experienced in 2024 has raised questions, but there remains a lack of understanding about the underlying causes. The government must prioritise comprehensive climate education to raise public awareness. An informed population would be better equipped to contribute meaningfully to the implementation of the targets related to climate mitigation, adaptation, and sustainability.  There is also a pressing need to incorporate climate education into local communities, particularly through churches and youth engagement initiatives. Encouraging young people to participate in climate action can foster long-term behavioural changes that will contribute significantly to addressing the climate crisis. To achieve this, we must cultivate a generation of climate advocates and ensure that climate discussions are embedded in all aspects of society. Upon reflecting on the discussions throughout the day, it became apparent that the South African government is still not adequately prepared to take the necessary steps to address climate change. While the colloquium covered critical topics such as climate finance, mitigation, and adaptation, these discussions often fail to progress into actionable plans for implementation. A significant point of concern was raised by the South African Local Government Association, which shared the progress being made within local governments and metropolitan areas on climate education. However, they also suggested that climate change is a key factor behind service delivery challenges. This perspective, however, was troubling, as it implied that the government might be using climate change as a convenient explanation for inadequate services in local townships. In reality, climate change awareness is virtually non-existent in these communities, with only a small number of individuals being informed, mainly due to the efforts of faith-based organisations and some churches. By : Ofentse Kwapeng