Ncumisa

The Johannesburg Anglican Environmental Initiative (JAEI) with the Green Anglican’s are hosting an environmental camp for young Green Anglican leaders across the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. Working under the theme : “Let there be Stuff” the camp is aimed at equipping these environmental leaders with skills of communicating, advocating as well as spreading the care for creation ministry in and out of the Anglican Church. Fourteen representatives will be gathered at Pullen Farm, Mpumalanga from the 30th of July to the 2nd of August 2015. The outcome of the conference will be in the change we are to see in their diocese on running programs and activities that will educate people on care for creation, sustainability and environmental ministry.

The Diocese of Mbashe held their annual Girls Bafana Friends Society (G/BFS) conference at St Marks Collegiate, Cofimvaba. The weekend conference had a tight program which included greening the conference.  The uniform competition on Friday night resembled the cleanliness orated by Green Anglicans, young girls and boys displayed a Godliness image their fellow members.  St Marks was striking choice of venue to host a group of young people, the area was rich in biodiversity, we spoke of what we saw walking or splayed across the road, an eye opener to some. The Diocese of Mbashe is on in a few that can bring sustainability massage easier than others as it has show places where rolling mountains lie green and trees breeze fresh air , for a brief moment we could all appreciate good quality air.  Confirming it in an Anglicanism presentation Rev Songezile Gaya mentioned that people of God have a responsibility to care and respect the environment. Being away from urban lifestyle, brought realisation that we all need to affirm to care for creation as second nature, living sustainable lives.  

FROM MAINTENANCE TO MISSION   As the parish family of St. Augustine’s – Okiep, we are very grateful for the wonderful, inspired and creative workshop done by the Team of the Green Anglicans office. As a parish we informally became reactive in our community and parish concerning conservation and protection of Mother Earth. This workshop was an eye opener and a  wake up call, but moved us into more creative and positive responses as a parish and Archdeaconry.   Shocking information on status quo of our earth was a wake up call to each and everyone and challenged us to become active participants in being more and more conscious of how we also contribute towards global warming and destruction of Earth. Hence our renewed commitments through capacitating ourselves with information and skills to make an impact and difference towards caring for what God created.   As a parish we committed ourselves through an 18 month plan of action consisting of special days, activities like cleaning the town, tree planting, special creative and innovation and participative services, food security projects and mobilizing our youth, and to advocate and lobby for sustainable green development especially since the Northern Cape has sun most of the year – to advocate for solar energy instead of fossil energy from Eskom.   We will not only use our pulpit to raise awareness and educate our people but will move beyond the walls of our church through outreach, mobilization and the usage of all platforms of media.   Thank you again to Revd Dr Rachel Mash for a  well planned and informative workshop by yourself and the team and for the transferring of the creative skills and methodologies we can use at leadership, liturgical, youth and Sunday school level.   God bless,   Revd Earl Richards (with the Clergy, Leadership, Sunday School and Youth of Namaqualand North Archdeaconry)   and a message from the Sunday School teachers! “Ons het weer eens tot die  besef gekom dat ‘n mens is nooit te oud om te leer nie. Dit was absoluut wonderlik om deel van die sessie  waar ons kon spring, dans en sing,  te kon wees. Ons as opvoeders is nie net opgelei hoe om ons lesse aan te pas nie, maar ons as volwassenes het ook tot die besef gekom dat ons moet Moeder Aarde oppas en waardeer. Ons sal nou twee keer dink voor ons weer Rommel strooi of verby ‘n verdwaalde papier of blikkie loop. Die lesse in die boek is baie opwindend en die kinders kan aktief deelneem aan die lesse. Ons het dit geniet om van die nuwe koortjies aan te leer selfs in ‘n derde taal!  Ons glo ons tot die kinders sal deurdring deur middel van die lesaanbiedings en dat hul tot die besef sal kom hoe belangrik dit is om die Aarde   op te pas, want alles behoort aan GOD. Ns.  Sê asseblief vir Ryan die Renoster, ons het baie geleer en sal dit toepas.”

              Anglican Youth Gather in Sada for 2nd bio Conference of Ukhahlamba   The Diocesan Youth Guild of Khahlamba Diocese hosted their 2nd elective conference at Sada from the 26-28th of June. For young people, this was a very successful event as there were over 300 young people who attended the conference, including youth guilders from our neighboring dioceses (AYSA-Mthatha, AYF-Mbashe, DYG- Khahlamba). The young people had identified a place which was in need of assistance, financially and in many ways. We had then visited the orphanage home and we were very overwhelmed and happy to see how we managed to leave a special mark in the lives and hearts of the orphans and their guardians. We were blessed by the presence of  the Bishop of Khahlamba, Bishop M.E. Tisani and fifteen clergy including our chaplains.The Provincial Chair Bino Makhalanayane was also present with his executive.   Lwandile Bada from The Green Anglicans, made an impact in changing our perspectives towards caring for our environment, with his presentation . The presentation started with an ice breaker called “Frontliner” (about how our daily life affects our tomorrow). he then dropped litter in the sanctuary and asked Bishop Mazwi how would feel if ever went to parish for Confirmation  and found it like that. The Bishop said “ very sad and disappointed” which exactly the  way God feels when  we mistreat our planet. We were created to take of mother nature so that she will take care of us. It was interesting to note that the majority of delegates didn’t know there were environmental days in our lectionaries. We were blessed by input from Bongs White and Mpumelelo Mtikiti from Mthatha who  shared how they have done environmental services in their Diocese. They also shared ways of convincing Parish Councils and rectors! It was interesting and very funny during elections when Bishop Mazwi saw a  young person throwing paper in the church “Pick it up GREEN ANGLICANS, GREEN ANGLICANS!!! he yelled!”  He also  changed  the theme and scripture readings of the last day of the conference which he was celebrant and linked it to creation. He taught us how we should always be thankful whenever we called are called to serve in leadership because from day one  we were created to serve.   A special thank you must go to the guilders for the commitment and effort you put into our guild “Hehaaaake Mngqusho”, Keep it up guys. Siphethe iAgenda yeZulu indeed. – Zizipho Dinga (Proudly Young Green Anglican Ukhahlamba)    

How beautiful on the Mountain are the feet of those bringing good news!   Young Green Anglicans climbed to the very top of Table Mountain. It was a hard walk up but worth it for the beautiful views on the top!!. How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7   Although the hike was tough and our legs were saw, we were inspired by the beauty around us. With these words young Green Anglicans held a short devotion on the very top of Table Mountain. They were inspired by the sense of peace and tranquility on the mountain to be peacemakers, to take this peace back into their communities  impacted by gangsterism, violence or xenophobia.   “Be still and know that I am God”