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“Irreversible catastrophic changes are now a possibility” –Three Archbishops from Africa respond to the IPCC report The announcement  from the UN’s panel on Climate Change is apocalyptic –  irreversible climate changes are a possibility unless we act very quickly. Millions of the most vulnerable of the  peoples of our Earth will be affected by devastating  drought, flooding and  sea level rise . Some Christians who believe that we do not need to act-  for the Bible tells us “ I see a new heaven and a new Earth , for the first heaven and the first Earth had passed away” (Rev 21:1) Salvation is an escape to a new earth, it is not our role to get involved in saving the Earth. However, this is not what the Bible teaches – In Greek there are two words for new – “neos” and “Kainos”. Neos  means brand new – throw away the old and bring out the new. Kainos – means renewed, restored to a better state than before. This is what the  bible tells us – “ I see a new heaven and a (kainos) renewed Earth” (Rev 21:1). There is no Planet B – we are called to renew this one. So we as Christians are called the renew the earth. The very first commandment that we were given as human beings was to care for the Earth (Gen 2:15) – “work the Earth and look after it” So how can we do this?- The IPCC indicates that we need to  cut greenhouse emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and eliminate them by 2050. This means that all of us must act – we must put pressure on our governments to stick to the commitments they made in line with the Paris agreement (Nationally determined contributions – NDCs) It is time for us as Christians to take action The Bible tells us that Creation is groaning as in child birth. (Rom 8:22) This is a very positive image – the Earth is in serious pain at the moment but we are in the process of ‘birthing’ a better future- with clean energy, clear rivers and fresh air for our children and grandchildren. We also know that Creation is standing on tiptoe waiting for the sons and daughters of God to be revealed (Rom 8:19) – it is time for us to act. As Churches of Southern and Central Africa we are committed to the following: Encouraging churches and families to reduce their carbon footprint in travel, energy and food choices That Church buildings should be models of energy efficiency for the community to see. Developing small scale solar farms on some church land. Divesting our funds from fossil fuels Planting trees The Archbishops also are committing to personal lifestyle changes to reduce their carbon footprint: Most Revd Dr Thabo Magkoba, Anglican Archbishop of Capetowna and Primate of the  Anglican Church of Southern Africa I pledge to use more gas at home than electricity, to tree planting after major travelling and to continue abstaining from eating meat. Most Reverend Albert  Chama, Archbishop of Anglican Church of the Province  of Central Africa “ I pledge where possible to eat locally grown food , to plant as many trees as possible and to reduce my use of energy as much as possible” Most Reverend Stephen Brislin, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Cape Town. I pledge to using aircon and heating less, to only use my car when absolutely necessary and to continue to reduce, recycle and re-use. And, of course, I will plant trees whenever possible.    

LIVING THE CHANGE AT ANGLICANS ABLAZE Over 2000 Anglicans from eight  countries gathered in Durban for an inspiring three day conference and time of spiritual revival One of the themes of the conference was Care for Creation The Green Anglicans Team were present every day with their stall, inviting people to make a pledge to change their life-style to live the change, reducing our impact on this planet At the accommodation for youth – Vuleka Centre a fun evening was had with icebreakers and snacks, to introduce the youth to the Green Anglicans movement. Canon Rachel Mash shared how she as a “recycled youth” has realised that young people need to be at the forefront of the movement. “My generation” she said “have been the ones to damage the earth. Your generation is being called the be the healers”. 9 year old Lubabalo from Mthatha pledged to start a childrens movement called Kids go Green At the main conference some 400 people packed the hall for the Care for Creation Session. The young green anglicans started with the son which is becoming the Green Anglican Anthem “Here and everywhere we feel the spirit of the Lord”. Canon Rachel Mash, Environmental Coordinator shared an overview of the Biblical Call to care for creation. Humans were given a garden of paradise and told to work it and look after it (Gen 2:15) but then the sin of green came in –  we had enough for all our needs, but were tempted to eat of the fruit which was forbidden. And our relationship with God, humans and the earth was broken. That relationship was restored in Jesus who died for all things and all people.(colossian 1 :20) We are called to work for the renewal of the earth . There is no planet B! Bishop Ellinah Wamukoya (Bishop of Swaziland) inspired us to consider the environmental message of the Eucharist – it is food, it is fellowship. We are inspired to confess our sins of greed that have damaged the earth and to recognise the sacredness of the Earth 9 year old Lubabalo prayed for the Archbishop as he began his talk – that he would have courage. Archbishop Thabo gave thanks that in the Province the environment is no longer seen a ‘tree hugger” issue, but as an issue of social justice.  He inspired us all to take practical actions to make a difference – saving water, energy and reducing our impact The talks were followed by workshops.  After an icebreaker led by Mandisa Gumada , we divided into groups to look at the three issues of Air Pollution, Water Pollution and Land Pollution – using the “problem tree” methodology – led by Bino Makalanyane.  First we looked at the ‘fruits’ or results of the pollution and then at the roots, what are the causes. And finally we looked at what actions the church should take- Education people about the challenges Churches to run clean up campaigns Churches to provide recycling and education about waste Save electricity and water Share transport Faith based advocacy – messages based on the Bible Use our land for planting vegetables and indigenous plants Collaborate with other sectors such as government and other churches Put pressure on the mining industries to reduce water use and pollution Finally people made pledges about how they can personally be #livingthechange

AN INSPIRING STORY FROM MALAWI Charles Bakolo launched a One Student One Tree Campaign in memory of his parents. The campaign was launched on 28th September 2018 at one of the Anglican Church primary schools in the Central Region of Malawi as part of the Green Anglican activities on Creation Care. More than 22 trees (both fruit and non-fruit) were planted during this event. The activity was organised to award the best performing girls at this school. 42 girls Uniforms and school writing materials were distributed to 42 outstanding girls from Standard 1 to Standard 8. Charles Bakolo Mvula planted a tree to mark the launch of the Campaign where Chiefs and School Authorities were in attendance. In addition 40 outstanding boys at the schools received writing materials as a way of motivating them to work hard in class. There will be a similar activity at Chalundu Primary School in the same District when funds will be available. #seasonofcreation #greenanglicans #Anglican #greenchurchmovement

HOLY CROSS CHURCH GOES CLEAN AND GREEN WITH THE HELP OF ANGLICAN STUDENTS> The Anglican Students Federation from University of the Western Cape and CPUT branch decided to bless Holy Cross Church in Nyanga with a greening of the site. Some twenty six students took part, they planted seedlings in the garden, and laid indigenous plants in the Front of the church.. They mowed the lawn and left the Church clean and green “Thank you Lord. We came and we delivered at “Holy Cross ” … our community outreach project done and dusted… Thanks to everyone who made it happen and Green Anglican for assisting us..not forgetting Holy Cross family for allowing us to work with them ?”  Sibonisile Buthelezi #seasonofcreation  #greenanglicans

SEASON OF CREATION CELEBRATED AT ST. PAUL’S UNITED: HAENERTSBERG (DIOCESE OF ST. MARK THE EVANGELIST) On the 30th September 2018, St. Paul’s United in the small “green village “called Haenertsberg celebrated the Season of Creation under the theme “Environmental Stewardship”. This congregation is a United church consisting of Anglicans, Methodists, Presbyterian and Baptists. They worship together as they form one body of Christ. The as the service began the minister-in charge Fr. Jonathan Meintjes declared that the service will be dedicated to the environment. Makwetša Ramusi was then called to talk to the congregation of St. Paul’s. He mentioned that we all have ability to be change makers, and that we have to be a source of education to the world. Especially about the misuse of plastic. In Father Jonathan’s sermon (Genesis 1: 21-2:15) , he preached about we as the people being the servants of the environment. We should be the ones who implement the change within the environment we live in. He then mentioned that we are the ones whom are capable of taking care of our children’s legacy, which is taking care of the environment. Ramusi Makwetša

SEASON OF CREATION KICKSTARTS FOR SESHEGO PARISH (DIOCESE OF ST. MARK THE EVANGELIST) On the 9th September, St. Matthew’s Parish (Commonly called Seshego Parish), outside Polokwane celebrated the season of creation under both themes water and waste. They dedicated to them both because the previous day there was a good rain and it was dry ever since early 2018. The diocesan environmental desk was acknowledging them for the good work of recycling which they have been doing since 2012. The coordinator Revd. Suzan Mahlase and assistant Revd. Lucia Komape have a team of 5 MU members whom they get to collect the plastic bottles. Their project is aimed at assisting the parish in building a much bigger church building, since it is a township parish and it being statistically growing. With this project, they have made over R10000 for the past 5 years and they are being supported by the congregation, neighbours and their friends. This vibrant parish pledged to keep on addressing environmental issues and the recycling team have pledged to now become their own parish environmental desk. They also get assistance from the after-care project for school children for the grading of the bottles. Truly they felt motivated. Ramusi Makwetsa and Lamola Kenneth