Ncumisa

I am who I am, because I believe in the protection of Godly created things

Christ is King of All the Earth

Arriving at All Saints Church in Somerset West on Sunday the Congregation was greeted with the unpleasant sight of household plastics strewn around the Altar. The Rector in his Homily referred to the great Feast of Christ the King, saying that respect for the Creation is respect for Christ the King. Destroying, annihilating and polluting the earth, rivers, lakes, seas and skies is tantamount to destroying, annihilating and damaging the Image of Christ in Creation. The Rector called on all Parishioners to become more conscious of how much household plastics we use and how we dispose of these items. The congregation was urged to take very seriously the re-use and recycling of all non-biodegradable items. Christ is Sovereign over the earth, the Church, our hearts and spirits. Photo credit All Saints Somerset West, Diocese of False Bay

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Using Sport to save the Environment

The Diocese of Lebombos in Mozambique had the brilliant idea of using Beach Volleyball as a fun way to encourage beach cleanups. A clean up was held on the Beach of Chambone Mission with the youth from Saint Michael the Archangel Church and the Blessed Virgin Mary of Chambone. After the clean up they took part in a fun beach volley ball tournament Rev Aurelio Uqueio Mais uma Jornada de Limpeza foi realizada está manhã na Praia da Missão Chambone pela Juventude de S. Miguel Arcanjo de Maguiane e da Bem-Aventurada Virgem Maria de Chambone. No final da jornada foi realizada um jogo de Voleibol. Desporto em defesa do Meio-Ambiente. ( Vitória sem Vencido)…. Another cleaning journey was held this morning at the beach of the mission chambone by the youth of s. Michael Archangel of maguiane and the blessed virgin Mary of chambone. At the end of the journey a volleyball game was held. Sport in defense of the environment. (victory without won)….

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Green Anglicans from four countries contribute to International Eco Theology Conference

An international conference on churches in Southern Africa as Civil Society Actor for Ecological Sustainability was held in the University of Pretoria on 28th to 31st October 2019. This conference was blessed with the presence of presenters from Academia (both science and theology), environmental expects in the corporate world, environmental networks and organizations from faith and non-faith based organizations, clergy from across all Christian Ecumenism. Worth noting is that in this conference the Green Anglicans movement had four Green Anglicans champions (from South Africa, Eswatini, Malawi and Zimbabwe)  that were representing their various organization. In the panel of presenters was Charles Bakolo who was representing Malawi Creation Care Network and the Green Anglicans Malawi In his presentation he outlined how deforestation in Malawi had deprived the beauty of the country that was attracting tourists. He further outlined the measures that are taken by Green Anglican to curbe the situation whre they are running a number of campaigns namely one-tree-one-confirmation, one tree-one-holy-matrimony just to mention a few. He further presented how as Green Anglicans and Malawi Creation Care Network in Malawi had engaged the government on the issues of plastic pollution which led to the ban of single use plastics in Malawi. His presentation got positive feedback and the participants requested that the creation care liturgies must be shared to them as they are interested to follow these in their various congregations. Mncedisi Masuku from the Diocese of Swaziland was directly representing Green Anglicans and he shared some projects and programmes by the Green Anglicans movement such as Clean-up campaigns, tree planting campaigns, season of creation, available liturgical resources (including the youth manual and Ryan the Rhino) and how the Green Anglicans partners with other organizations on creation care among others. Most of the people who attended the table for Green Anglicans were impressed by the good work by Green Anglicans. It was recommended that an evaluation of the Green Anglicans project be made to share with other denominations. Kate Davies and Lydia from SAFCEI both had different slots to present in the conference and were seen making reference to project and liturgical materials by the Green Anglicans which also shown that the Anglican Church indeed is doing a lot on Ecological justice and creation care.  Rev Sam Sifelani represented the Zimbabwe Council of Churches and presented a bottom up approach of how the church can have influence from Grassroots in communities up to civil/organized society and way up to policy makers. One other key conference highlight was the public lecture by his Grace the Right Reverend Dr. B.E. Lekganyane, Bishop of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC). He presented on the topic, “Ecological Sustainability as a topic of redemption within the theology of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC). The Bishop highlighted that the ZCC church is concerned about ecological sustainability and have seen the effects of climate change such as drought and is concerned about peace and justice in the world. The Bishop declared that the church is opened for more innovative solution and partnership on the subject. African initiated independent churches especially the indigenous churches have been viewed as not paying attention on ecological issues thus the lecture by the Bishop was key milestone in efforts of the church on ecological justice and sustainability.   There was a lot that was presented by other organizations and speakers which collectively shown that the church has an advantaged position to bring positive change on ecological issues. The conference had seen the need to come out with a manual on ecological sustainability which includes theological perspective to address environmental issues.   

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Rebuilding homes after Cyclone Idai

The Anglican Diocese of Lebombos, Mozambique is assisting families who lost their homes in Cyclone Idai. Bishop Carlos visited Lamego in Nhamatanda District and launched seeds distribution for 500 families and checked the bricks baking to get ready for rebuilding houses. Each homestead has baked about 2000 bricks and now waiting for our help in cement, ion, timber and roofing material.

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Care for Creation Youth Training – Diocese of Pretoria

Care for creation youth training in the Diocese of Pretoria The Green Anglicans workshop was held at St Peters Anglican Church in Ga-Rankuwa on the 16th of November 2019. The main purpose of this workshop/training was to educate all youth structures and Sunday school teachers on how to care for creation. The workshop started with Morning Prayer conducted by Rev Raynard Schovell (Environmental Chaplain) using the following scriptures and prayers from Season of Creation no: 6-Numbers 22:22-35, Psalm 104:1-30-, Colossians 1:15-23 – for instance did you know that God spoke through a donkey? There was a presentation on what is Green Anglicans and what we stand for and what activities are conducted. The workshop covered the following topics: water, food, stuff (materialism and consumerism), energy waste, land and trees. Two groups were formed to discuss what the participants learnt and what can be done to prevent environmental harms from each topic covered. The workshop also had a training on the book: Ryan the Rhino – which is a Sunday School manual. The diocese was encouraged to cover each topic on a monthly basis so that children get to learn about creation monthly. There was a session covering the importance of the book. The topics in the book include: sky and climate change, land and plants, water and biodiversity. The book has topics and songs for each month and verses which teachers will  explain to the children, thereafter the children will have an activity or games related to the topics covered The workshop was so successful the youth members and Sunday school teachers and kids really had fun. We pray that when they go back to their churches they will practice a Green Lifestyle Katlego

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