Ncumisa

St John’s , Walmer in the  Diocese of Port Elizabeth celebrated Earth Hour on the 29 March by a walk from Skoenmakerskop to Sardinia Bay and back. The walk is held regularly in commemoration of Earth Day and appreciation of creation.  The walk started with prayers and meditation led by Bishop Eric Pike.  About thirty people completed the walk of  roughly 8km, which included activities like picking up  litter and other seaside remains. Although the day was scorching hot, it was life transformation for many, one of the participants, Tim Douglas Jones who was part of the event described the concern he felt at seeing the amount of litter thrown onto the trail and the beach. We would like to share with you the beautiful prayers led by Bishop Eric which you might want to use on any occasion. Prayer This we know: the earth does not belong to us. The earth is the Lord’s and so are all its people This we know: we did not weave the web of life. The earth is the Lord’s and so is all that breathes on it. This we know: we are called to till and work the earth. The earth is the Lord’s and so are all who work the land. This we know: that we are called to take care of creation. The earth is the Lord’s yet we have polluted and abused it. This we know; that whatever befalls the earth Befalls the sons and daughters of the earth This we know: that the earth is the Lord’s And so we will serve Him in it Amen (Ray Simpson) More Environmental Prayers Lord God our Father Let our walk this day Full of beauty and brightness  Lord, hear us That we may know Your presence and your peace Lord, hear us  That we may experienceYour grace and your glory Lord, hear us  That we may be at one With you and your creation Lord, hear us  That we may be aware of you In and through and above all things. Lord, hear us (David Adam Adapted)

Taking on Environmental responsibility is more than admitting we have a social problem, it involves action and informing other people of the possibility of peaceful society. Diocese of Swaziland hosted their first Environmental Conference in response to the climate change in Swaziland. The conference was blessed by the presence of Bishop Ellinah Wamukoya who left the congregation with a challenge to root of change and pursue a dream of Swaziland being an Eco-diocese. Rev Rachel Mash the Southern Anglican Environmental Network delivered key environmental factors that are affecting Swaziland as a country and how they could be changed, which included: AGRICULTURE Reduced rainfall will affects the production of crops IMPACT ON WATER Less irrigation and drinking water available IMPACT ON HEALTH Extreme events such as heat waves lead to heat stress, and respiratory diseases. The challenge is how the church responds to these issues, suggestions were given on how we can combat climate change. Rev Rachel mentioned that if we reduce our carbon emissions rainfall will be reduced around the world with 20-60%, average warming will increase as high as 5-8 ⁰. The conference was a success and was well attended, Bishop Elilinah said “In Genesis we read that God looked at His creation and said ‘It is beautiful’. So we must be good stewards of what God has called us to do, to be stewards of all the earth….” Ncumisa Magadla