Rachel Mash

Meeting at Benoni, the Provincial Synod of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia) passed the following resolution 15. Seventh Motion: TO SUPPORT THE ADOPTION OF AN ECUMENICAL FEAST DAY OF CREATION IN OUR LITURGICAL CALENDAR Whereas: 1. The Feast of Creation of September 1, also known as Creation Day or World Day of Prayer for Creation, has gained vast ecumenical popularity and has given rise to a month-long Season of Creation. Inspired by a rich tradition of the Orthodox Church (where September 1 is the first day of their liturgical year), it was later embraced by the Council of European Churches in 1997, the World Council of Churches in 2008, the Anglican Consultative Council in 2012, and the Roman Catholic Church in 2015. 2. After decades of ecumenical celebrations of the Feast of Creation, a historic conference took place in Assisi in March 2024, co-sponsored by the Anglican  Communion, the World Council of Churches, and other worldwide communions, to explore a proposal to elevate the observance to become a liturgical festival in the calendar of Western Churches. A strong consensus emerged about the need to move ahead with this joint initiative, particularly as a gesture to mark the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in 2025. 3. Theological underpinnings 4. The feast has profound theological underpinnings derived from its ancient symbolism in the Orthodox Church as the day representing the divine “act” of Creation. Thus, it can enrich the liturgical calendar with a feast that is both Trinitarian and Christological, motivating stronger attention to the Triune God as Creator, the great mystery of Creation, and the sacredness of all creatures. Thus, it is not only a celebration of Creation as the created order, but most importantly it is a celebration of Creation as theological mystery and a proclamation of our Nicene belief in the Father as “maker of heaven and earth”, in Christ “through [whom] all things were made”, and in the Holy Spirit as “the giver of life”. 4. Environmental Crisis • The “signs of the times” of the Triple Planetary Crisis of Climate Change, Biodiversity loss and Pollution • Impact on the most vulnerable • Intergenerational injustice • The need for a spiritual response This Synod recognises: • The growing acceptance of the Feast of Creation and the accompanying Season of Creation globally and ecumenically • The critical moment and the need for the church to respond. • Many churches celebrate Environmental Days such as Earth Day , World Environment Day – where  the focus tends to be on the Created order rather less than the Mystery of God the Creator • The importance of the Revised Common Lectionary in our ecumenical church lives • The ecumenical significance of 2025 as a celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea that requires tangible acts of communion, not just statements. This Synod Resolves to: • Support the global ecumenical efforts to declare a Global Feast day for Creation in 2025. This support should include inter-alia participating in liturgical and theological conversations with Anglican and Ecumenical partners, to gain consensus on issues such as the name of the Feast Day, liturgical resources and 3 year lectionary readings. • Include the Feast in the Lectionary, once the global ecumenical process achieves consensus on the details and following consultation with the Provincial Liturgical Committee  • Recognise that it is on Provincial Youth Sunday on which we encourage the theme of creation as it is the start of the Season of Creation.  • Continue to promote and encourage the adoption of the Season of Creation with liturgical and other resources – with a particular focus on youth and Sunday school. Proposer: Rt Revd Edwin Pockpass  Seconder: The Ven Dr Meshack Mariri

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

A wonderful selection of hymns based on the lectionary readings has been prepared by Cedric Williams. These are new words set to well known tunes  

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