Rachel Mash

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  

Today in the parish of Saviour of the World in Xai- Xai, Anglican Diocese of Maciene, we spoke about the impacts of plastic pollution on the terrestrial and marine eco-systems and on human health. We also presented possible solutions to reduce the use of plastic and inadequate waste disposal Padre Aurelio Uqueio JULHO LIVRE DE PLÁSTICO HOJE NA PARÓQUIA SALVADOR DO MUNDO EM XAI-XAI, DIOCESE ANGLICANA DE MACIENE, CONVERSAMOS SOBRE OS IMPACTOS DA POLUIÇÃO PLÁSTICA NOS ECOSSISTEMAS TERRESTRES E AQUÁTICOS, E NA SAÚDE HUMANA. APRESENTAMOS AS POSSÍVEIS SOLUÇÕES PARA REDUZIR O CONSUMO E DESCARTE INADEQUADO DE PLÁSTICO.

It was more than just a cleanup—it was a movement. Students in Kabuku Town rolled up their sleeves and hit the streets alongside Bishop Dr. Emily Onyango, kicking off a powerful day of climate action organised by the Centre for Anglican Women’s Leadership and Research in Africa (CAWLRA). The event, held at St Paul’s Limuru, brought together inspiring leaders including Canon Rachel Mash, Rev Dennis Nthenge, and Rev Captain Janet Kariuki from the Green Anglicans movement. Rev Dennis shared his personal challenge to “Follow Your Waste”—a campaign that took him from his own bin to Dandora dumpsite. “I saw kids playing barefoot near burning piles of plastic. Families raising children in smoke-filled air. It hit me—our waste doesn’t disappear, it just moves… often into someone else’s home.” He urged students to rethink how they manage their trash: sort it at the source, separate plastics, glass, and organic waste, and see waste not as garbage—but as opportunity. “This is more than going green,” he said. “It’s loving your unseen neighbour. It’s living the Gospel.” Canon Rachel Mash brought a hard truth from scripture: “I brought you into a fertile land, but you made my inheritance detestable” (Jeremiah 2:7). She reminded the group how plastic is now everywhere—our rivers, our food, even unborn babies. She challenged students to take action like activists and innovators: With high energy, the student team swept through the streets of Kabuku, turning faith into action and leaving a visible difference behind. Rev Dennis also shared striking photos from his Dandora visit, part of Tearfund’s environmental campaign—images that challenged everyone to do more, and do it now. 📸 Photo credits: Tearfund and St Paul’s Limuru