Rachel Mash

ZULULAND DIOCESAN YOUTH GUILD 16th JUNE COMMEMORATION CONFERENCE The Zululand Diocesan Youth Guild   held it’s 16 June commemoration conference on the 23 till 25 June 2023 at  Zwelithini High School in eShowe, during which just over 500 young people from across the diocese attended . The conference brought about high levels of environmental understanding. Young people learnt a lot about the environment and below will share some of the things that out stood the presentation. Humans are part of the environment, the better the environment the better we are. The environment reflects us as humans. The environment is responsive of how we work with the it. Are we working in harmony with the environment? is a frequent question we should ask ourselves. Taking care of the environment is everyone’s’ ministry. When God had created all He then said it is good and the question is who are we to deteriorate what God created passionately and deemed good. With such comprehension it should dawn to us that we will account on how we treated God beautiful creation when the Day comes. Great stewardship begins from taking care and optimising the immediate environment. There was a planting of a tree as part of the Anglican Communion Forest By: Cyanda Ngubane Photo Credit : Sanele Mchunu      

ECO CAMP WESTERN CAPE  On the 26th to 28th of June 2023, the Green Anglicans of Southern Africa  hosted a three days Western Cape (namely    Dioceses of : Cape Town, Saldahan Bay, False Bay and  George) regional  camp  at Nature Connect Conservation Centre, Zeekoevlei, Cape Town. The Eco-camp was about learning more about Faith and the Environment, and the role of young Christian’s in response to  Climate Action. Key Themes like Plastic pollution, Climate change and environmental sustainability were addressed by different speakers including Diocesan  Environmental Coordinators . “This camp was very interesting and very useful and informative, it helped in promoting environmental awareness and protection. We definitely had fun and enjoyed ourselves as we also had time  for team build games, gained public speaking skills and had an opportunity to come up with  youth led environmental  Diocesan plans which we are to discuss with our coordinators.”By: Sivenathi Mabena Although it was the wettest winter for 47 years! The young eco warriors were not deterred! 28 young people braved the weather to join the Eco Camp and to be learn about climate change, plastic pollution, eco system restoration and communication skills The programme was full of laughs and learning – the Nature Connect team immediately divided them up into teams with names  such as buffalo and they worked right through in those teams Mitchelle from African Climate Activists unpacked the impact of climate change on the Western Cape – namely drought , flooding and fires which follow after drought. There are many impacts but all of them lead to challenges of infrastructure and food insecurity. Mel Awu led an exciting interactive session on communications and each person – no matter how nervous!  presented a one minute – environmental message! Rev Deon, Coordinator of False bay, led a very informative session on the impact of plastic pollution which was eye opening and very worrying Rev Shaun Cozett Environmental Coordinator of Cape Town led an interactive session on what the Bible says about creation care – which brought out everyone’s competitive nature! Later on they had to prepare their own biblical presentations Morning and evening devotions focussed on Scriptures about caring for creation, led by Lucy Burgess, Bino, John Paul and Rev Rachel We are so very grateful for the support of Rotary Club of Claremont  to be able to run this camp The final session was to prepare action plans around the themes of Climate change, Plastic Pollution and Eco-system restoration in the Diocesan Groups

Ladies Organization (Mafumahadi) @HOLY CROSS ANGLICAN Bloemfontein and Diocese of the Free State Green Anglican. Donated Clothing in good condition and Planted Trees at the Red Cross Provincial headquarters as part of the Green Anglican strategy of Waste Management of reusing, repairing, reducing, repurposing and recycling of unwanted materials to minimize environmental degradation (@ landfills). John 6:12- ” Let nothing be wasted” They also planted a tree  We strive to safeguard the integrity of creation.

False Bay Go Green! The false Bay Diocese is having their clergy formation week at Houw Hoek Hotel. During this week False Bay Go Green had the opportunity to highlight the work we do as part of the Green Anglican ministry. Our main area was to impress on clergy to implement the Greening of the Canons among other themes. Rev Deon McMillon

The Parish of St John’s the Baptist, Mganduli  officially opened the church Hall through dedication and blessing by the  Bishop  Rt Rev J T Ngombane The event also involved  planting a tree for climate adaptation Mr Bonginkosi White was invited to assist with the planting of the tree and lead an awareness about the importance of tree growing. The parish is the home parish for UDM leader Gen.B. Holomisa and MP Chief P. Holomisa The tree forms part of the Communion Forest   Mr Bonginkosi White   

The ACSA Diocesan Environmental Coordinators met together with reps from the Provincial Organisations for learning, fellowship and to make actions plans The three day workshop was interwoven with the spirituality of creation care, with an opening worship based on Ezequiel 47 reminding us that water leads to the restoration of eco -systems, healing of the land and renewing of God’s people In the opening session we got to know each other with a fun icebreaker and then shared our challenges and joys in small groups. Resources were shared regarding what the church is already doing. Ours is the Mission of the whole church, not just a few, it is core business, the fifth mark of Anglican mission. We also learned about the importance of the Season of Creation a key time in our church year (1st of Sep to 4th of Oct) where we focus on the Scriptures about creation care, and pray, preach and act for Creation . Next we looked at the Provincal resolution that has been passed to ban the use of  plastic and Styrofoam – the health impacts on us and eco-systems and how they contribute to flooding. The challenge is implementation, but people shared that it is do-able. The “Greened” canons. Over the last few years the Province has incorporated the different environmental resolutions into the Canons. These are a very useful tool to encourage parishes to implement water saving, food gardening, tree planting etc  Our day ended with an evening prayer on the theme of trees.  Trees help to hold the soil when there is heavy rainfall, they reduce the temperature and they also take in harmful pollution and carbon emissions, the leaves of the trees do heal the nations! Theme : Trees The next day started with a Contextual bible study on Gen 41  , looking at the story of Joseph preparing for seven years of drought in Egypt. What can this story teach us about making the necessary changes in response to climate change? This was led by Geke who is a PhD student who will be researching the Green Anglicans Movement Next up was a wonderful presentation by the Dep of Forests, Fisheries and Environment about tree planting.  We learned about  indigenous and alien trees, how to choose the best tree for your eco-system, and when to plant.  ACSA has formed a relationship with DFFE and all Dioceses can request trees for free.  The presentation ended with a practical tree planting moment and we shared the liturgy from the Communion Forest tree planting Next up was the Impacts on agriculture of climate change. Anathi Makamane is a young inspiring lecture from UFS who happens to be Anglican.  She shared the impacts  of impacts of CC on food growing and possible adaptation methods. She reminded us of the passage where the wise man builds his house on the rock!  (Matt 7)  Moving videos were then shared showing the impacts of climate change and the losses and damages that they cause to lives, homes and infrastructure. A beautiful outdoor Eucharist using the Season of Creation liturgy was led by Canon Mpho Mohale. Rev Mash challenged us to “Choose life -so that future generations may live “ Deut 30 We were then blessed with a presentation on the Just Transition PCC commissioner Blessing Manale . We learned that the transition could lead to losses in the coal mining sector but new mining jobs in the minerals needed for batteries. The potential for South Africa to become a manufacturing hub for renewable energies is very high and would create many green jobs. Role of coordinators A discussion took place about our role as Diocesan Environmental Coordinators or Chaplains which helped us to understand better what God is calling us to do . The youth reps led an evening prayer on the theme of climate change The last day was short as we ended at midday . The opening prayer looked at the impacts of mining on people and nature.  We then turned to goal setting and action plans for Dioceses and Cluster groups. Rev Maria Jacobs led our outdoor closing eucharist and Rev Mash challenged us to ‘preach the good news to the whole of creation”  (Mark 16:15) We are very grateful for the support of the Bishops for transport to attend the workshop and for the adaptation network and the Anglican Overseas Aid.