Ncumisa

LAUNCH OF “PROTECT FALSE BAY” CAMPAIGN The Diocese of False Bay is named after a Bay in the Indian Ocean. This bay is blessed with warm water and an abundance of sea life, including whales, seals, dolphins and sharks. It is popular for its beaches. However the Bay is threatened with pollution – the beaches get covered with plastic pollution and polluted water from rivers. False Bay needs to be protected and on the 13th of December, the Bishop of False Bay , Bishop Margaret Vertue was joined by the Chaplain of the Anglican Youth Fellowship, Rev Gugs Ningi, the Green Anglican team and young people and Sunday Schools from St Andrews, Strand, St Mary Lwandle, St Peter’s Khayelitsha,, St Josephs, Macassar  and St Philips, Gordons Bay. The day started with Bishop Margaret  opening with a prayer . She asked that as we clean up we must take the time to hear the cry of the helpless creatures that cannot protect themselves from our pollution. Rev Rachel explained that there are two ways to help protect the seas – reminding us that fish , birds and whales see small pieces of plastic and think they are food. Then their stomachs get full of plastic and they die of hunger. Firstly we can pick up litter to stop it getting into the Seas. Then we can put pressure on the companies producing single use plastic and get them to stop. For instance spur has just changed their after meal sweets which used to be covered in plastic now they are covered in paper.  So we will see which are the most common brands we pick up and send photos to those companies telling them to stop using so much plastic. The day ended with a nice refreshments and kids and some of the Green Anglicans team playing games on the beach and taking a dive after all the hard work of cleaning the beach and enjoying it. God blessed us with such an amazing planet and he trust that we will protect and keep it clean and safe for others and future. It is always an amazing  when people come together to keep the planet clean as It is our job to protect False Bay. The Diocese has many churches that are close to the False Bay Coast and we trust that they will join this campaign and #protectfalsebay If you  would like to get involved in organising a clean on the beach near your church please contact Auriel September [email protected]  or Canon Rachel Mash [email protected] Kagisho Petlho  

DIOCESE OF SWAZILAND ONE OF THE GREENEST DIOCESES The Diocese of Swaziland Youth held a conference at St. Michaels girls School Manzini Swaziland from the 13th to the 17th of December 2018. Bino Makhalanyane the Provincial Green Anglicans Youth Coordinator was invited to address the conference, and his address acknowledged that the Diocese of Swaziland remains one of the greenest dioceses within the Province of ACSA with young people at the centre of care for creation, as this was proven by winning the Provincial Youth Active Citizenship Green award in 2016. The Diocesan youth enjoy the greatest support from the Diocesan Bishop, Bishop Elliana, who’s also the liaison Bishop for Environmental Network in the Province, “ during my short time with you here at this conference I have witnessed a mother’s love from the Bishop and I would like to challenge you that you return the love by also supporting her in her role as the Environmental Network liaison Bishop, by making this Diocese the greenest dioceses”, said Bino to the conference. Climate change is real and Southern Africa remains the most affected and with the Diocese of Swaziland being the neighbours to Mpumalanga (world’s biggest air pollution contributors), eSwatini youth are at risk as the country relies on agriculture for survival. The Young people of eSwatini need to find ways to champion issues on Climate change for survival and sustaining our African and Christian customs.

I WANT TO HEAL THE WORLD AND HAVE FUN DOING IT These were the words of a young  girl who got involved in the “Renew the Elsies River” campaign The Elsies River is the longest River in Capetown, it rises in the Tygerberg hills and flows out into the Black River. It has become very polluted, as all along the length of the river storm water flows from roads into the river. Pinelands is the final stage of the River before it reaches the Black river and the litter then reaches the sea. At a World Water day service at St Stephens, Pinelands, the idea of Renewing the Elsies River was born following a sermon on Revelations 22:1-2 22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. The Elsies Kraal river had been canalized, so that the water rushes out to sea and no longer is a living river of life. The renew the Elsies group was started and has developed into a community project. Since March the Renew campaign has started twice monthly clean ups along the river. Natural vegetation is being left to grow in the cracks of the canal so that water can seep down into the soil. A garden of succulents has been developed. A 100 Tree Plant Festival is planned for after the dry season. Due to the concern about plastic going into the river,  it was decided to embark on a #plasticfreepinelands campaign. The first challenge is to get all the restaurants and shops in Pinelands to stop using plastic straws. A final event for the year was held pruning back some of the overgrown plants and removing aliens. Young and old joined in – new friends were made and a lovely end of year tea was held at the house of Prof Njabulo and Mpho Ndebele’s home which is on the banks of the River.  

‘The diocese of Niassa formulates environmental plans Four brothers and sisters traveled to Malawi to attend a training on environmental ministry being administered by the Green Anglicans / Green Church movement.   The four of us who were Malawi: Ven.Eugenio Rafael, Rev. Francisco Bulaque, Rev. Malinga and Mrs. Ana Beade The first plan is to plant trees in each sacramental act, chrism baptism and marriage, every baptized member christened or getting married  on that date must plant a tree and commit to taking care of it. The second plan is  ‘about cleanliness in public places – schools churches hospitals markets and even on the beaches The third  is linked with the planting of trees we talk to the organizations that  have  plant nurseries to help us with  plants to distribute in churches and schools Report – Ven Eugenio Rafael,     A Diocese de Niassa formula planos ambientais Quatro irmãos e irmãs viajaram para o Malawi para participar de um treinamento sobre o ministério ambiental sendo administrado pelo movimento da Green Anglicans/Green Church movement.   Os quatro que fomos Malawi: Ven.Eugenio Rafael,Rev.Francisco Bulaque,Rev.Malinga e Sra Ana Beade O primeiro plano e’ de plantar arvores em cada acto sacramental,baptismo crisma e casamento,todo membro baptizado crismado ou k esta a casar naquela data deve plantar uma arvore e ficar a cuidar Segundo plano e’ sobre limpeza nos locais publicos escolas igrejas hospitais mercados e ate nas praias Terceiro esta ligado com o plantio de arvores vamos falar com as organizacoes que  tem viveiros de plantas para nos ajudar em plantas para distribuirmos nas igrejas e nas escolas

A CLEAN START TO THE NEW YEAR The Diocese of Lebombos started the Liturgical year  (Advent) with a Clean up and Tree planting at the Church of Sao Miguel e Arcanjo (Maxixe- Inhambane) and S Mateus (Cumbana) An enthusiastic group were involved in the clean up to leave the area beautiful at the start of Advent. Trees were planted after church with the motto-  A tree is medicine for the protection of the environment. Rev Aurelio Simao Uqueio

St Marks Diocese in Limpopo passed a Synod Resolution to go paperless. now they are putting it into practice with practical workshops