The Anglican Youth Ministries (AYM) in the Diocese of Free State held it’s Leadership Training weekend , from the 26th to the 28th of April 2024. The Green Anglicans formed part of this event and were given a platform to address the 150 leadership of youth structures from across the diocese. The Green Anglican Free State Diocesan coordinator, Mr. Mogorosi Molisapodi, gave the background and history of the Green Anglicans. He outlined the elements that form part of the Anglican Communion, that have goals and strategies on the care for creation. Mrs Kebaabetswe Sepato ( Diocesan eco-champ) did a presentation on Earth Day. The theme for this year’s Earth Day which was on Monday 22 April 2023 under the theme Planet vs. Plastic, She shared ideas on how young people could reduce the use of single use plastic and called the young leaders to join the call for banning of Styrofoam at all church gatherings . Dr. Rebotsamang Shago gave insight on curbing climate change. She began by sharing the scripture of Genesis 1:1, ‘In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth’. The young leaders learnt about the Greenhouse effect – Sun rays that are reflected by the surface of the earth that get trapped in; resulting in high temperatures. In conclusion, she discussed water pollution effect from mining; and mine tailings (waste) from Jaggersfontein and how people from the Goldfields area might be at high risk. Mrs. Manibijara R. Pule highlighted the importance of growing tree which are the lungs of the earth. She shared the importance of the Spekboom, in particular how it increases oxygen and decreases carbon dioxide thus reducing the scorching heat. She then encouraged each young leader to start up vegetable gardens at their respective homes as a source of nutritious food source but also a way of combating the economic state which are currently faced with . Mr. Bino Makhalanyane shared with the leaders the importance of being a church in mission and that the mission of the Anglican church is the mission of Christ. He called on the youth leaders to take care of God’s creation with respect , the same way we would expect someone whom we borrow our belongings to should treat what’s ours . On Sunday before the service, attendees and procession team went to a dumping site that is inside the premises of the church and we picked up any piece of litter. The young Eco-champs, Sister Karabo C. Mokheseng, Brother Reitumetse Chabeli, Brother Itumeleng Matseme and Brother Tebogo Ngumashe prepared placards for the procession as we raise awareness on the theme Planet vs. Plastic. The leadership of Green Anglicans brought along trees that were distributed to all clergy present at church , the Diocesan Lay Ministers President , the Diocesan AYM President and all AYM Archdeaconry chairpersons. We also handed out 160 spekboom to the congregations after the church service. Morena Pule #earthday #communionforest #saynotoplastic
