John-Paul Roberts

Prepare for Action: Caring for God’s Creation

Fast for the Earth 2025 / /

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” – 1 Peter 1:13 In a world facing climate change, pollution, and deforestation, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But as Christians, we are not called to sit back and watch—we are called to action. 1 Peter 1:13 challenges us to prepare our minds, be self-controlled, and set our hope on Christ. These principles apply not just to our faith but also to how we care for the environment. Prepare Your Mind for Action God has entrusted the earth to us to care for  (Genesis 2:15), and we must be intentional about how we care for it. Learning about environmental issues, understanding our impact, and taking responsibility are all ways to prepare for action. Small, mindful choices—like reducing waste, conserving water, and supporting sustainable businesses—help protect creation. Be Self-Controlled in Daily Choices Self-control means resisting wastefulness and overconsumption. Do we really need fast fashion, excessive packaging, or constant upgrades? Thoughtful choices, like using reusable products, eating sustainably, and reducing energy use, reflect discipline and care for God’s world. Hope in Christ While Acting for Change Our motivation for environmental action isn’t fear—it’s hope. We know that Jesus will restore all things, but that doesn’t mean we ignore our responsibility now. By caring for creation, we reflect God’s love and point others to Him. If we work together with others, we can have a powerful voice and influence. Advocate for sustainability, make responsible choices, and encourage others to do the same. When we act in faith, God can use us to make a lasting impact on His world.

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Make the Pledge

Fast for the Earth 2025 / /

“4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it” – Ecclesiastes 5:4-5  Your Actions Matter for the Planet  Today we would  to invite you to  make a pledge and share it with others to inspire and encourage them –  if you feel comfortable. This is a pledge for what you will do during Lent – make it achievable and remember that you will also be inspiring others! For example-  I won’t buy junk food during Lent                           I will eat vegetarian food every Monday                          I will take my own bag when shopping You might think, “I’m just one person—how can I make a difference?” But small actions add up! When you choose to recycle, walk instead of drive, or use less plastic, you reduce pollution and inspire others to do the same. If millions of people make eco-friendly choices, the impact is huge! Big changes start with individuals. Companies and governments respond to what people demand. By making greener choices and speaking up for the planet, you help create a cleaner, healthier future. Every action counts—because when we all do a little, together we achieve a lot! Please join us by writing your pledge on a piece of paper and sharing it on social media!

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ECO-HEROES ASSEMBLE – WHAT KIND OF ECO-HERO ARE YOU?

Fast for the Earth 2025 / /

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9  We need to keep fighting for climate justice, even when it’s hard! God is calling you to be an eco-hero in the area where you are – your classroom, your school, your church.  We would like to share a story of an eco – hero today! Meet one of our eco -heroes, Mrs. Kim Melanie Williams, from the Church of The Good Shepherd, Grassy Park, in the Diocese of False Bay, South Africa. She is the Director of Visions of Change SA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental awareness through community mobilization and beach clean-ups. On June 15, 2024, Kim secured second place in the Sport, Culture, and Environment category at the prestigious DearSA Future Leaders Awards held at Montecasino, Johannesburg. This recognition highlights her commitment to educating youth about environmental stewardship and driving meaningful change. Growing up, Kim witnessed issues like illegal dumping and plastic pollution, alongside a widespread belief that the environment would always recover. This inspired her to take action, using practical initiatives and educational programs to raise awareness. Another key milestone in her journey was when  Visions of Change SA ( an organization she’s part of) was recognized at the 2023 Mail & Guardian Greening the Future Awards, further cementing their impact in environmental advocacy. Kim’s leadership continues to inspire young people to take responsibility for their surroundings, fostering a new generation of environmental champions dedicated to protecting our planet. Kim’s message to all young eco-champs is that “It’s never too late to start. Stewardship is for all and by all. And just as we extend kindness to people, we extend kindness to the environment!”.  You can be an eco-hero too , start small – in your servers group or organisation at church, or at school or at work -you can make a difference!

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Make Your Mark – What size is your Carbon Footprint?

Fast for the Earth 2025 / /

What Is a Carbon Footprint? A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO₂), that a person, product, or activity releases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, leading to climate change. Almost everything we do—driving a car, using electricity, eating food, or even buying clothes—adds to our carbon footprint. For example, when you eat a burger, carbon is released from raising the cows, transporting the meat, and cooking it. The same goes for using a smartphone, which requires energy to make, charge, and use. Even streaming videos online has a footprint because it requires massive data centers running on electricity. Plastic has a big carbon footprint because it’s made from fossil fuels like oil and gas. Making just 1 kg of plastic releases 2.5 to 6 kg of CO₂. Transporting, using, and throwing it away adds even more pollution. Reducing plastic use helps protect the planet from climate change!Reducing your carbon footprint means making choices that create less pollution, like walking instead of driving, eating less meat, recycling, and using renewable energy. Every small change helps slow down climate change. Your choices today can make a big impact on the future of our planet! If you would like to measure your carbon footprint there are some great sites to do so. We like the one from WWF Australia – check it out!https://wwf.org.au/get-involved/ecological-footprint-calculatorhttps://wwf.org.au/get-involved/ecological-footprint-calculator Here is another good one from the Nature Conservancyhttps://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/carbon-footprint-calculator Think about what changes you would like to make in your life and share your pledge with us on Saturday! The Church of the Holy Spirit, Hazendal held an eco-audit – to measure their use of electricity and water. They mended leaks and changed their light bulbs

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Ash Wednesday 2025 – Sustainable Shift

Fast for the Earth 2025 / /

“Turn away from sin and believe the good news” These are the words that are said as the priest marks you with the cross of ashes.  Turn away from sin Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This reminds us that no one is perfect—we all make mistakes. That includes how we care for the environment. Maybe we’ve littered, wasted food, or ignored the impact of our choices. But God calls us to be stewards of His creation (Genesis 2:15). Even though we’ve fallen short, we have the chance to change. Small actions—like reducing plastic waste, conserving water, or planting trees—reflect a heart that values what God has given us. Our mistakes don’t define us; our willingness to do better does. You have the power to influence the future. Will you help heal what’s broken? Let’s take responsibility, not just for ourselves but for the world around us. When we care for creation, we honor the Creator. It’s never too late to start making a difference. Believe the good news For years, we’ve been fed this idea that humans are the problem, that just by existing, we’re harming the planet. Everywhere we turn, we’re told to do less, take less, be less. And sure, being mindful matters, but what if our real power isn’t in pulling back, but in stepping up? What if we’re not here to shrink our existence, but to find our light and let it shine—brightly, boldly, and unapologetically? Maybe it’s time to rethink what it means to leave a footprint. It’s time to rewrite the story. Maximizing our footprint isn’t about being reckless or consuming endlessly. It’s about showing up with intention. It’s about recognizing that we do have power—and using that power to create more good in the world. Let’s start with the 40 days of Lent! Share a photo of yourself with the Ash Cross!

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Green Anglicans Workshop and Strategic Plan Retreat

News / /

From February 7–9, 2025, Green Anglicans Ecochamps, Diocesan Office Staff, and Mothers’ Union representatives gathered at Nondumiso Farm and Retreat Center in Bolotwa near Komani in the Eastern Cape South Africa, for a workshop and strategic planning retreat. The event was opened by Bishop Sibeko who, citing Psalm 24:1, emphasised the responsibility of all to care for the Earth and urged participants to find innovative ways to address environmental issues in their parishes and communities. The two-day planning session, led by Ms. Snazo Songca (Diocesan GA Coordinator) and supported by Mr. B. Makhalanyane (Provincial GA Youth Coordinator) and Ms. P. Maqashalala (Diocesan GA Administrator) focused on key environmental challenges such as food security, waste management, and climate change. Discussions led to the development of concrete action plans for the diocese. On Saturday, Revd. P. Nomxhego (Rector of St. John the Baptist, Bolotwa) celebrated a mid-day Eucharist in nature, preaching on Mark 6:34 and encouraging Ecochamps to remain committed to ecojustice despite challenges. On Sunday, participants joined the congregation of St. John the Baptist for worship, concluding the retreat on a spiritually uplifting note. The retreat was an educational and transformative experience, leaving Ecochamps inspired and ready to take action across the Diocese.By: Putuma Maqashalala

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