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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

On August 5, 2024, at the Cathedral of St. Mary the Virgin, Dr. Mash, Provincial Coordinator for the Green Anglican Movement, hosted by Mrs. P. Koltana, Port Elizabeth Diocesan Chaplain, facilitated a pivotal workshop on plastic pollution and climate change. This event proved to be a transformative experience, illuminating the critical intersection between environmental stewardship and faith. The workshop provided a comprehensive overview of plastic waste statistics in our oceans and the pervasive presence of microplastics in even the most remote regions. It emphasized that addressing plastic pollution extends beyond mere litter removal to encompass systemic issues related to consumption patterns and economic structures. Dr. Mash touched on the theological and ethical dimensions of environmental care, emphasizing how faith communities are engaging with global challenges. The participants were challenged to reflect on their own experiences by focusing on practical steps for reducing plastic use, from personal lifestyle changes to community initiatives, fostering solidarity and collaboration among like-minded individuals.

On the 2nd and 3rd of August 2024, the South Africa Climate Action Network, the Global Shapers Community: Tshwane Hub and the African Climate Reality Project hosted the Local Conferences of Youth LCOY South Africa (LCOY: an event under the umbrella of YOUNGO, the official youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Its fundamental objectives revolve around enhancing localized youth-driven climate action and providing valuable insights for international conferences) . This was more than just any conference, but more of a movement, as a space where over 100 young people from the Gauteng province and surroundings could share ideas, and concerns and come up with innovative solutions to the climate crisis we face. During the two-day conference, five members from the Green Anglicans movement (namely: Gontse Motlopye, Tumiso Mohlahlane, Boipelo Mojapelo: Diocese of Pretoria, Morena Pule: Diocese of Free State and Tlou Mpia: Diocese of St Marks the Evangelist  ), formed part of the young people representing the religions sector.    LCOY offered a unique opportunity to connect with similar thinkers and individuals from various backgrounds and industries. We exchanged ideas, forged new partnerships, and laid the groundwork for future collaborations. The sense of community and solidarity was evident and empowered us to tackle the climate challenges ahead. The two-day event also served as a reminder and wake-up call that the climate crisis requires urgent collective attention from all sectors including ecumenical youth, as young people, we have the power to shape the future and demand change. As a youth leader within the religious space, I urge all young people within and beyond the Anglican church to get involved with Caring for Creation and join the voices of many young people across the globe demanding action and a sustainable future for all. By Gontse Motlopye

As part of the Global Mothers Union 120 years celebration for its community work in various countries and communities, the Mothers Union of the Diocese of Johannesburg together with the Parish of Christ the King held a one day cleanup and awareness campaign. This took place in Coronationville, Johannesburg on the 27th of July 2024.  The aim was not only to observe the day but to show when organizations join forces with the local community members a lot can be achieved. The main message of the day was to highlight the importance of a clean environment and its impacts on the health and well-being of human-beings. The Mothers Union in the Diocese of Johannesburg calls on all of us to recognize that:  “We have destroyed the healthy relationship our ancestors had with the environment and most of the creatures on it. They knew the importance and the value of these relations for our physical, mental and spiritual well-being. We have ourselves thinking that we are the owners of this earth and of the creatures living on it. We think we can do as we wish with them without accountability, but the current state of our planet proves otherwise. Let us change our attitude towards Mother Earth and give the respect and care it deserves as people with ubuntu and as honorable citizens (refer People shall govern)”. One of the main lessons from this clean up is that community engagement and participation is important when it comes to the matter of caring for creation as this is our common home.

TO HOPE AND ACT WITH CREATION The theme for 2024 is “To hope and act with Creation” and the symbol is “The first fruits of hope”, inspired by Romans 8:19-25. Creation is groaning in the pains of childbirth (Romans 8:22) This biblical image pictures the Earth as a mother, groaning as in childbirth. Along with our Sister, Mother Earth, creatures of all kinds, including humans, cry out because of the consequences of our destructive actions causing climate crisis, loss of biodiversity, and human suffering as well as Creation’s suffering. And yet, there is hope and the expectation for a better future. To hope in a biblical context does not mean to stand still and quiet, but rather groaning, crying, and actively striving for new life amidst the struggles. Just as in childbirth, we go through a period of intense pain, but new life is coming forth. Creation is standing on tiptoe waiting for the children of God to be revealed (Romans 8:19) Creation is standing on tiptoe waiting for us to act! Creation is not given to humanity to use and abuse, rather, humanity is created as part of Creation. More than a common home, Creation is also a cosmic family that calls us to act responsibly as part of the web of life.. This is how the children of God have an intrinsic vocation and an important role to play in the manifestation of the kingdom of justice (cf. Romans 8:19). First fruits of hope (Romans 8:23-25) We act for a better future because we are people of hope, we know Christ has overcome the death caused by our sins. We know that we have caused a lot of damage to Creation, and to the world we are living in because of our negligence, because of ignorance, but as well, in many cases, because of our unrelenting wish to satisfy unrealistic selfish dreams (cf. Romans 8:22). Hope is not merely optimism. It is not a utopian illusion. It is not waiting for a magical miracle. Hope is trust that our action makes sense, even if the results of this action are not immediately seen (cf. Romans 8:24). We know how much bold action to restrain the climate and ecological crises is urgent, and we also know that ecological conversion is a slow process as humans are stubborn to change their minds, their hearts, and their ways of living. Together with Creation, let us hope and take action www.seasonofcreation.org Women Bishops This year we have invited six women bishops to prepare the sermon notes during the Season of Creation.  They come from Kenya, Brazil, Lesotho, Eswatini and the UK. The role of women in environmental leadership is very important. Women are often more impacted by climate change than men.  In many countries women are having to walk further and further distances to fetch water and firewood, reducing their opportunities for education and paid work. Women are more likely to be smallholder farmers who are dependant on rain fall rather than irrigation. And women are more likely to die in climate related disasters – carrying children and the elderly they are less able to flee. And yet women are also earth keepers and protectors – biodiversity is a source of food and healing.  They will also fight for the health of their children in the face of environmental degradation. And so this year we honour the role of women environmental leaders with these voices of women bishops. THE ICON This year’s icon by Bob Mash represents the Anglican Communion Forest. This is a vision of local activities of forest protection, tree growing, and eco-system restoration undertaken by provinces, dioceses and individual churches across the Anglican Communion to safeguard creation. Together we are united as a global family in this vision. The branches reflect the diversity of nature and the golden tints reflect the sacredness of God’s creation. To plant is to hope To restore is to heal To protect is to love www.communionforest.org “The leaves of the trees are for the healing of the nations” Rev 22:2 https://www.greenanglicans.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Manual-2024-compressed.pdf