Bino Teboho Makhalanyane

On Saturday, 14 June, the youth of the Diocese of Christ the King gathered at Masibambane College in Orange Farm, South of Johannesburg,  for their annual Sports Day, which is one of the lively celebrations of unity, faith, and fun for young people in the diocese. The atmosphere was electric as archdeaconries went head-to-head in spirited soccer and netball matches, showcasing not only athletic talent but also the strength of fellowship across the Diocese. Beyond the competitive games and joyful cheers, the day was marked by a deeper sense of purpose. Youth from across the Diocese joined hands with Green Anglican Youth coordinators in caring for God’s creation. With great energy and enthusiasm, they rolled up their sleeves and helped clean the grounds, picking up litter, recycling where possible, and raising awareness among their peers. This active involvement in environmental stewardship reflects the commitment of the youth to live out their faith in practical ways. Their actions demonstrated that loving God and loving the Earth go hand in hand. “The care and concern the young people showed for the environment is a powerful sign that our church is raising a new generation of eco-champions,” said one of the Green Anglican leaders present on the day. By combining sport, spirituality, and environmental action, the youth in the diocese are taking bold steps toward making the Earth a cleaner, healthier,  place for all. By : Eco-champ Manana Rooi      

On the 7th of June, the Mothers Union in the Johannesburg Diocese celebrated Environmental Day with a special focus on empowering mothers through sustainable farming practices. We introduced the concept of “Farming God’s Way” to the mothers, encouraging them to care for God’s creation as stewards of the earth. The day was inspired by the Scripture from Genesis 1:27-29, reminding us that God created us in His image and entrusted us with the responsibility to care for the earth and its resources. As mothers, we are called to continue God’s work of creation by protecting and nurturing nature, because when we take care of nature, it takes care of us. Gardening was highlighted as a powerful tool to sustain lives by producing fresh, chemical-free food. By starting home or parish gardens, mothers can feed their families and even support their communities, especially those running soup kitchens. The Mothers’ Union purchased seedlings and dry seeds, which were distributed to the mothers. They were encouraged to begin their gardens either at home or within their parish grounds. We are proud to share that in our region, St. Monica’s and Elizabeth Paul parishes already have active gardens. These communities have been enjoying the benefits of fresh vegetables grown with love and care. Let us continue to sow seeds of faith, hope, and sustainability as we grow together in service to God’s creation. By: Mama Lorraine Mafolo      

Saturday, 17 May 2025, marked a powerful moment for youth in the Diocese of Christ the King as the Diocesan Youth Council (DYC) gathered at St. Luke Anglican Church in Evaton, Gauteng. This gathering wasn’t just about routine planning; it was about answering a growing call: caring for God’s creation in the face of the climate crisis. Young people from across the diocese came together, deeply aware that climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is already making their lives harder through extreme weather, rising food prices, and damage to the places they call home. In response, the DYC spent time reflecting on how youth can take the lead in climate action and environmental ministry. A key decision from the meeting was the need to empower and equip young people at the local level. The Council resolved that each parish in the diocese should identify and appoint a young eco-champion — a youth representative trained to run the environmental ministry in their own church and community. “Change begins where people live,” one member shared, “so this ministry must start at the parish level.” To ensure that faith-based youth voices are heard in the spaces where the future is being shaped, the DYC committed to encouraging youth participation in workshops, consultations, and decision-making forums, such as the Presidential Climate Commission, LCOY, Y20, and many similar. To lead these efforts, the DYC appointed Thabiso Tsubella and Manana Rooi as the Diocesan Youth Green Anglicans Coordinators. They will, together with the Provincial Green Anglicans team, will coordinate training for parish eco-champions and help connect young people to wider networks of faith-based climate action. This is more than a plan; it’s a movement in the making. The Diocese of Christ the King’s youth are not waiting for change. They are becoming the change: rooted in faith, led by purpose, and committed to the care of creation.

Thursday is a special day for many mothers across Southern Africa. It is a day setaside for prayer, fellowship, and spiritual reflection. On Thursday, 5 June, theMothers’ Union used this sacred time to also celebrate World Environment Day,focusing on the theme #BeatPlasticPollution.In the Diocese of Lesotho, mothers led a “teach and clean-up” campaign in schoolssuch as Ascension Qhalasi, Qacha’s Nek, Holy Cross Maputsoe, Holy Trinity, and StMatthew. They spoke to learners about caring for the environment, cleaned schoolyards, and planted a palm tree. In Maputsoe, they also held a clean-up campaign inthe community.In Port Elizabeth, South Africa, mothers gathered at St Andrew’s and St Anne’sChurch. The day began with a prayer and a message from Psalm 143, followed by agroup discussion on the 2025 focus of #BeatPlasticPollution.In the Free State, the event took place at St Mary’s Church in Parys. After learningabout the theme, the mothers learned how to grow their own vegetables and helpedharvest fresh produce from the garden of the diocesan eco-champion.In Natal, the Mothers’ Union Eco group was invited to St Paul’s Parish in Durban.There, they gave a presentation on recycling and the dangers of plastic pollution.Meanwhile, in Mthatha, mothers joined young people at St Matthew’s Church. Theyused the Green Anglicans 2025 World Environment Day materials to lead a Biblestudy on caring for creation. The Diocese of Kimberly and Kuruman was not left behind as mothers gathered at Mafikeng Archdeaconry, where they used art to create awareness posters, which they will make use of in their local parishes as environmental awareness posters. Through prayer, learning, and action, the Mothers’ Union showed how faith and carefor the environment go hand in hand.

The beginning of May marked International Compost Week, a fitting backdrop for an inspiring conversation between Eco-Champions Ikaelelo Madikgetla and Odireleng Sepato during their visit to the Anglican Students’ Federation (ASF) Free State Conference. Their engagement with students sparked meaningful dialogue about environmental responsibility, faith, and practical action. Odireleng Sepato, a passionate advocate for composting, led an informative session on the how and why of compost making. He explained the importance of correctly layering compost materials and shared tips on how to tell when compost is ready to use. “Composts are very important in our environment because they reduce waste, improve soil health, and support plant growth,” he emphasised. He encouraged attendees to explore composting as a means of supporting organic gardening and sustainable food production. Ikaelelo Madikgetla then shifted the conversation to the Five Marks of Mission of the Anglican Church, linking them directly to environmental justice. She challenged the group to embrace their role as young Anglicans and to rise as a prophetic voice in a time of ecological crisis. “We are the first generation to feel the effects of global warming, and it is our responsibility to ensure that we are the last to do so,” she declared passionately. When delegates broke into small groups, a recurring concern emerged: “When will the Federation take a stand?” Many felt that while environmental education is important, it must ultimately be translated into action. As one attendee noted, “Green Anglicans is doing its best to ensure that we are educated, but it remains up to us to take care of the world God has entrusted to us.” Another voice added, “God gave us authority over creation—not to exploit it, but to care for it. Have we not failed to obey God?” This powerful question opened up a deeper and somewhat unexpected conversation around eco-theology. Participants agreed on the need for more sessions focused on understanding scripture through an environmental lens. In a collective activity, the house was asked to create a theme around the Five Marks of Mission, and one theme resonated deeply: “Greening Our Faith.” Drawing on the familiar saying “cleanliness is next to holiness,” participants explored how spiritual values naturally connect to environmental ethics. The group agreed on a practical way forward: embracing sustainable living—reducing waste, using eco-friendly products, and becoming conscious stewards of God’s creation. This gathering was more than a conference; it was a call to action, rooted in faith, driven by knowledge, and led by passionate young eco-disciples. by : Ikaelelo Madikgetla        

The parish of St Margaret’s (Margate) celebrated Environmental Stewardship Sunday organised by Eco Champ mam’ Elizabeth Luthuli in collaboration with Mzimkhulu Archdeaconry Mother’s Union #EcoChamps and parishioners. This is a continuation of the workshop they attended in March 2025, where the diocesan Mothers’ Union met to activate the program. The speaker Ms Mandisa Gumada (Diocesan Youth Coordinator and Green Anglican’s rep) spoke about the Catechism which highlight the human nature (APB, pg 423) and Christian Stewardship (APB, pg 435) and edged congregants who came dressed in shades of green to live our all 5 marks of the mission inclusive of the one to safeguard the integrity of creation; to be involved in advocacy when an injustice is experienced and to further take time to reflect, realise and act for change on what are the traits that each person does which contributes towards climate change. Revd. Mzo Sibiya who is the Priest in Charge shared his view and motivation of how we should try by all means not to continue with our nature of “throw away” where we see things been thrown away all the time, papers, plastic, food etc. After the service a “fish tail” palm tree was planted amongst other trees surrounding the church. This was indeed symbolic as Palms are what Anglicans use annually as they remember Jesus’ walk at Jerusalem and also being a coastal parish overlooking the sea. At tea fellowship, congregants were treated to a poem by young people of the church admiring mother nature. “Join in, MU is changing lives…” -by Mandisa Darkie Gumada