Rachel Mash

Padre Aurelio – the Provincial coordinator of the Anglican Church in Mozambique and Angola was due to travel to belem in Brazil. . Unfortunately he was unable to travel so I asked him to share what would have been his message if he had been interviewed in Brazil. Here itis … 1 – SHARING MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH CLIMATE CHANGE Local ImpactsMy personal experience, and that of my family and community.In Mozambique, due to its geographical location, communities are cyclically affected by rising temperatures, droughts, floods and other extreme events. For example, in 2022 we experienced rising sea levels and flooding in Maxixe, where my pastoral residence was severely affected and partially destroyed, forcing us to postpone a wedding. The Diocesan Offices were partially destroyed and most of the Church’s documents were lost. Ninety-six families from my Parish lost their homes (67 partially destroyed and 27 completely destroyed). It was deeply tragic, and there was a prolonged struggle to rebuild and recover belongings. Farmlands were completely destroyed, with severe erosion. Our communities depend entirely on small-scale family farming. Unfortunately, due to the heatwave in 2023, all the crops (maize, peanuts and beans) were burned. This has resulted in two consecutive years of extreme hunger in our communities. Because of this and other factors, some young people were forced to seek refuge in the city of Maputo or in neighbouring South Africa in search of better conditions. Due to the strong storms that hit in 2024, two Primary Schools and a Health Centre (Hospital) were drastically affected, and their reconstruction remains uncertain. All services are currently operating under trees.Great suffering. 2 – ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE: Personal and Community Stories To stop or mitigate the advance of the sea, we are planting mangroves and casuarinas along the shoreline of the Chambone Mission (Maxixe). From 2017 to 2025 we have planted 2,158 mangrove seedlings, and from 2023 to 2025 we planted 123 casuarinas. We are also planting fruit trees and cashew trees, and at this point we have planted around 818 trees, which, in addition to sequestering carbon, could improve the communities’ diet. We created a mechanism to educate and motivate young people to participate in these activities through sports—mainly football and beach volleyball—where the “entry fee” is simply a bag of rubbish. This approach has produced excellent results. I would like to take this opportunity to request support with materials for these two sports (football and beach-volleyball balls and nets), if possible. Prayers and ReflectionsWe hold services on the beach with the intention of connecting young people to God the Creator. We always celebrate the main environmental days (Earth Day, Water Day, Biodiversity Day, Animal Day, Environment Day, Season of Creation) in open places (markets, schools, etc.), offering talks and planting trees along some of the city’s avenues. Deepening of Faith 3 – GOD IS CALLING THE CHURCH GLOBALLY TO: Note: At this moment I am experimenting with cultivating local mangrove seedlings, starting on 25 September. So far, the results have been very positive. This experiment aims to avoid bringing mangrove seedlings from another region with completely different soil and climate. With this approach, we will have seedlings from the same region, same soil and same climate, which will greatly reduce losses due to adaptation time.Pray for this PROJECT, which tomorrow may become a SCIENTIFIC PROJECT. For now, it is a dream. Kkkkk!

Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus Anglicans Ablaze is the biggest gathering of Anglicans from across Southern Africa — and this year, nearly 2,000 people came together in Durban! 🇿🇦 Delegates arrived from South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, and eSwatini, with strong representation from Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe — supported by twenty bishops! The Green Anglicans team was on fire 🔥 with four exciting sessions that inspired, challenged, and motivated people to live out their faith through caring for creation. 🌍 Creation Spirituality Rev. Rachel reminded us that God speaks through both Scripture and nature — the “first book” of God. Psalm 19 says that creation declares the glory of God — but are we really listening? She encouraged everyone to take time to pray and worship outdoors, to connect with the Creator through creation itself. Rev. Sabelo Mthimkulu (Natal) shared practical tips on holding an outdoor Eucharist, and the lessons learned from celebrating in the park — yes, there were a few challenges!Rev. Samu (Highveld) inspired us with creative ways to help urban youth experience spiritual hikes and prayer walks even in city spaces. ✊ Climate Justice Ms. Abongile Mpu from the Ujamaa Centre gave an amazing talk on “Climate Advocacy: Youth and Environmental Ministry.” She challenged young people to speak up with a prophetic voice against environmental injustice — reminding us that faith and climate action belong together. Abongile explained how Ecotheology calls us to move from a human-centered mindset to a creation-centered one — seeing all of God’s creation as valuable. Linking her message to SDG 13 (Climate Action), she called for faith in action — not just words. Afterwards, Bino Makhalanyane led a creative art session, where participants drew and wrote messages of hope and justice on doves — a symbol of peace for the whole conference. 🕊️ 🌱 Ministry at the Grassroots In one of the main plenary sessions, Bino hosted a panel of changemakers working at the grassroots level. Mama Pinki, a Mothers’ Union Eco Champ, spoke passionately about how faith and creation care go hand in hand: “We must listen to God through nature and act to change the world around us.” Refilwe Ferrelson raised a vital point — young people want to make a difference, but often face barriers when seeking support from their churches. Her message was clear: “Support and trust your young people — we’re ready to lead!” Rev. Shaun Cozett painted a powerful image: “Imagine your grandmother prepares a beautiful meal, and you throw it on the ground. That’s how God feels when we destroy creation.” 💔 🎥 Watch their video here: Green Anglicans in Action 🙌 Youth Plenary: Creation Care from the Ground Up The youth plenary was all about action! AYSA President Ofentse Kwapeng hosted a dynamic panel of voices from across Southern Africa. Rev. Gcobisa from Mthatha — a region recently hit by deadly floods — urged everyone: “We must move from awareness to action. Start small if you have to, but start now.” Rev. Rachel shared how young people have always been at the heart of the Green Anglicans movement, taking bold steps for climate justice. Refilwe echoed that call: “We are not just the future of the Church — we are the now. All we ask for is your support, guidance, and prayers.” Bino highlighted the amazing work being done by Climate Yes!, an ecumenical youth network taking climate advocacy to the next level. And to close, 14-year-old Reo, an eco-champ from K & K, left everyone inspired with her message of hope and determination. 🌱✨ 🎬 Watch the full session here: Youth Plenary – Care for Creation

Meeting on line, the Provincial Standing Committee agreed to key actions including preparing a disaster readiness plan, ‘offsetting’ flights with grants to the Diocesan work, and that each Diocese should set aside a portion of land as part of the Communion forest. Whereas: This PSC requests each Diocese to implement the following: 1 Disaster Preparedness A group with representatives from all Provincial Organisations to prepare disaster preparedness information. 2. Water scarcity That each Diocesan Centre and  parish works towards a water tank and or gray water system according to the local regulations. 3. Food security and Community gardens We encourage parishes to  engage in food security and community garden programs. 4 Communion Forest Celebrates the wonderful work of tree or succulent planting for confirmations, installations of priests, patronal festivals, conferences etc. And in addition each Diocese set aside a portion of land which would become officially part of the Anglican Communion forest 5. Carbon ‘offsets’ Acknowledging the environmental damage of flying each Diocese allocates R100 per local flight and R200 per international flight booked for the work of their  Diocesan Environmental team. That the Provincial office would allocate the same for the Provincial Environmental work. For Provincial travel , the Provincial office towards the provincial work That Diocesan and Provincial Organisations would do the same . 6. Monitoring and evaluation That each Diocesan Coordinator reports on progress on these resolutions to DSC by June 2026 and a report is made to Provincial Synod in September of 2026

Cape Town recently hosted the Micah Global Consultation under the inspiring theme “Walking Together in Hope.” The global network brings together Christians passionate about mission, justice, mercy, advocacy, and development — and this year, one of the most powerful tracks focused on Creation Care. Lament for a Wounded World. The Creation Care track led by Dave Bookless, Kuki Rokhum and Laura Yoder explored what it means to love God and our neighbours in a world facing droughts, floods, and ecological collapse. The goal was clear: to see creation care not as a side issue but as a core part of the Gospel — woven into our faith, our work, and our daily choices. Day one opened with a powerful message from Dave Bookless of A Rocha International, reminding everyone that caring for the planet is integral to Christian mission. He challenged participants to rethink development that ignores the environment. Stories of pain and hope followed. Levi Jona shared how conflict in South Sudan is fuelled by competition for water. A moving video from Kwada Matiwane in Mthatha, South Africa, showed the devastation caused by floods that claimed over 100 lives. Rev. Rachel Mash spoke of the droughts and floods gripping Southern Africa and led a collective moment of lament — using the Hebrew word “Ashamnu” meaning “we are all guilty.” Watch the moving reflection here: https://drive.google.com/…/1tDjCz6Kkuz4fzX5GMqf…/view… Learning from the Land The next day, participants took to the field — literally. Led by Colleen Saunders and Rev. Rachel, the team explored three Cape Town communities where environmental justice meets everyday life. First stop: Philippi Horticultural Area (PHA) — a green lifeline that supplies about 60% of Cape Town’s vegetables. This precious farmland sits on a vital aquifer but is under threat from development and sand mining. The group met local activists and young farmers fighting in court to protect both the land and the city’s food future. Next came Princess Vlei, where participants heard stories from locals who were once banned from beaches under apartheid. The community’s long fight to save the vlei from a shopping mall is now a story of hope — schools, volunteers, and eco-warriors are restoring the area’s biodiversity and healing both land and people. The journey ended at Kalk Bay, where the fishing community shared their struggles. Once threatened by apartheid removals, they now face new challenges — pollution, dwindling fish stocks, and unfair corporate fishing rights. Their resilience is a reminder that justice for people and for creation are deeply connected. Walking Forward in Hope Over 30 people from around the world, from Pakistan to Peru, UK to Uganda took part in the track – different contexts and challenges but with one heart. The Creation Care track didn’t just tell stories — it built connections, inspired action, and called for a renewed sense of shalom: peace that includes both people and planet. As Christians today, we are invited to keep walking together in hope — protecting creation, speaking for justice, and embodying love for our shared home. Creation care must be the foundation for our development work, not an added extra. As we walk forward in hope, we will treasure the words from a sign board at Princess Vlei Let us listen to the wisdom of first nations; cherish the waterways, Tread these paths with kindness . Leave only footprints. Take only memories #micahglobal #arocha

The Diocesan Green Anglican crew rolled up their sleeves for a powerful cleanup in the Emvutjini community, Ezulwini Parish — and it wasn’t just church members who showed up! Joining the mission were top officials from the Eswatini Environment Authority, the CEO of Ezulwini Municipality, a rep from the Royal Eswatini Police, local leaders, and tons of passionate community members. Why We Did It The goal? Simple but huge. A nearby river had turned into a dumping spot for all kinds of waste — a serious health threat to families who depend on that water. The campaign set out to clean up the mess and to bring together all diocesan guilds in one big act of creation care. What Happened The day was more than just picking up trash — it was about teamwork, awareness, and action. Everyone, from church leaders to environmental officials, got their hands dirty for the planet. The Eswatini Environment Authority even put up a warning sign to stop future dumping, and both the Authority and town council promised to back more church-led cleanups in the future. Healing the Land The team didn’t stop at trash removal — they also tackled invasive plant species that were choking the local ecosystem. Seeing clergy in gumboots, pulling weeds and clearing waste, sent a clear message: the church is serious about protecting God’s creation. Together, this campaign wasn’t just a cleanup — it was a statement. Faith and action can go hand in hand for a cleaner, greener Eswatini. 🌱✨ Rev Sigudla

Please find the Season of Creation resources from the Anglican Church of Southern Africa for 2025 on the Theme of Peace with Creation The Sermons are based on the Revised Common Lectionary readings and we are focusing on the readings from Jeremiah This year for the first time we have a resource for Bible Study as well as suggestions for youth and Sunday School