Rachel Mash

The Green Anglicans Movement of Africa celebrates the Season of Creation at the Safe Church Conference

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The Anglican Communion held its global conference of the Safe Church in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The Safe Church Conference delegates were  from 80 Countries across the globe. A total of 250 Delegates participated in the conference. The Conference major outcome was a road map to ensure that the Anglican communion facilitates a Safe Church. Guidelines to safeguarding policies were deliberated on. Since this took place during the Season of Creation , it was also an opportunity for some members of the Green Anglicans Movement of Africa to meet up and organise a tree planting. His Grace The Archbishop of Central Africa  Dr Albert Chama planted  a Mango Tree at Kings Kraal Conference Centre in Bulawayo. In His Speech The Archbishop gave highlights to the Season of Creation informing the gathering the importance of the period 1 September to 4 October annually. This tree forms part of the Communion Forest.  The Communion Forest was a product of the 2022 Lambeth conference  as a commitment towards human sustenance. The second Mango Tree was planted by The Rt Revd Dr Jo Bailey Wells The Bishop of Episcopal Ministry in the Anglican Communion. The trees were planted as a symbol of the seed of safe church that had been planted at the conference and that now must be nurtured and grow. By Darlington Musekiwa

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Launch of the Season of Creation in Mozambique

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By Rev Aurelio Uqueio Hello Peace. Under the Theme: HOPE AND ACT WITH CREATION, the Mass marking the beginning of the Time of Creation 2024 was celebrated at the Anglican Diocese of Inhambane. The Holy Mass took place at the Pro-Cathedral B.A.V.Maria de Chambone-Maxixe and was led by the Diocesan Bishop Fr. Emanuel Boaventura Capeta (Provincial President for Climate Change and Environment). Was attended by the Diocesan Coordinator of the Green Anglican Father Micaias Caessa and Provincial Coordinator Father Aurelio Uqueio, the Diocesan Chancellor Jorge Cuinhane and the members of the Green Anglican. It was a wonderful service, which included in addition to the Eucharist Celebration, there was planting of fruit trees (avocado) and shade trees (acacacias), snack and a volleyball game. There were a total of 87 participants. More activities ahead…. Together for the environment

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Planting Trees to Celebrate Partnership Anniversary

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This summer, St. John’s, Lafayette Square, was delighted to plant trees in South Africa to celebrate 20 years of its partnership with the Kwasa College.  St. John’s visited Kwasa during a pilgrimage trip in August led by its Rector, the Rev. Robert W. Fisher.   Kwasa is an Anglican school located near Johannesburg, South Africa.  It now serves 450 children through grade 7.  Most of the children live in a nearby informal settlement comprised of corrugated metal shacks.   The Kwasa-St. John’s sharing began soon after the Rev. Sharron Dinnie started Kwasa.  Sharron began by holding classes in an abandoned mining camp building.   Over the years, the partnership has flourished.  St. John’s has regularly visited to see Kwasa’s substantial growth and has welcomed Sharron, teachers, and students to Washington.  Close personal ties have formed from this sharing. During the visit, the Kwasa children and St. John’s found joy in planting 20 native trees to mark 20 years of working together.  Armed with shovels, watering cans, and a guitar, Rob and Sharron blessed the trees, using an Anglican Communion Forest liturgy.  For their part, the Kwasa children committed to care for and to water the trees.  All voices were lifted in song during the blessing.  With his guitar, Rob led a joyful singing of an American spiritual hymn.  The Kwasa children responded by offering a spirit-filled South Africa folk hymn.  Tree planting to celebrate special occasions is a hallmark of the Anglican Communion Forest, a global initiative to safeguard God’s creation through local activities to restore and protect natural habitats.  The Diocese of Washington has embraced the Communion Forest. #communionforest  

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DIOCESE OF GEORGE ENVIRONMENTAL MINISTRY GAINS MOMENTUM

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Under the leadership of Bishop Edwin Pockpass, the Environmental ministry in the Diocese of George is taking off!  Pictured is the Environmental sustainable development committee with  Bishop Edwin , chaplain Maria Jacobs at their quarterly meeting held at the Church of the resurrection Sedgefield The parish of St Andrew’s in Riversdale celebrated their centenary  in July. They heeded the call from the Province for a Plastic free July and tried to make all their celebrations plastic free. They also used the opportunity to make the community aware of the 3Rs, reduce , reuse and recycle.  Pictured is the rector, Rev Canon Darian Petersen

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CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE AT COTT

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The College of the Transfiguration is the Seminary for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, with students from across the Province Every year they hold a SIM (Student Interest Ministries) week. This year one of the topics of discussion was Climate Change. Rev Rachel Mash the Provincial Environmental Coordinator was invited to address the students.  The day started with a bible study based on Psalm 104 which looked at our relationship with the web of life. Then we looked at the topic of “ Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi” As we worship, so we believe, so we live It is because of the lack of attention paid to creation in our worship and theology that we have neglected to care for God’s Creation.  We then considered the impact of climate change on  Southern Africa.  We are facing massive storm damage and heat impact. The most vulnerable are the most impacted “We are all in the same storm but we are not all in the same boat”. For instance the heat in a shack can be 10 degrees hotter than a house with insulation We followed the talk with a group exercise on climate disaster preparedness. Knowing that a flood was on the way , what actions would we take ? and after the flood how should the church respond? The day ended with planning for the greening of the college and the inclusion of an environmental rep in the SRC. We then visited the garden that has recently been started – first fruits !

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