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I am Rev. JN Hanghome from the Diocese of Namibia, I was honoured to be part of Faith Leaders Environmental Advocacy training, held on the 25-27 July 2017 in Johannesburg. I have experienced that Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute (SAFCEI) is the strong body that is able to build capacity between the faith Leaders from different corners of all continent and Religions. It’s also in the same manner that I came to understand what SAFCEI is, because I was not aware about it and its mission. I have learned that SAFCEI is a multi-faith organisation committed to increase awareness, understanding and action-taking on eco-justice, sustainable living, climate change by faith leaders and their communities in Southern Africa. In addition, I have learned that we need to join hands as faith Leaders and come together to empower our self for the sake of caring for the Earth. Not only that, we need to put aside the regionalism and keep in mind that we are all created in the image of God. And we are given the obligation to take care of the Earth and everything in it Gen 1:28-30. Lastly I learned that faith Leaders can play a major role in their communities to advocate on the caring for the Earth. Also that African country has similar environmental Challenges. Means through collaboration and networking we will fulfil God’s obligation. I have also learned that, the religion books for Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam are having different text on caring for the Earth. -Rev Hanghome

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR CREATION: THE POOR AND THE EARTH ARE CRYING OUT A wonderful event was held in Cape Town to celebrate the World Day of Prayer for creation as we start the Season of Creation The service started with words from the Laudato Si “The poor and the Earth are crying out. Help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future” read by Rev Natalie- Simons Arendse Ncumisa Magadla (Green Anglicans) led us in a Celtic Prayer : “This we know, the Earth does not belong to us – this we know, the Earth is the Lord’s and so are all that dwell therein” Young People from the interfaith organisation GOAL led us in prayers challenging us to change our lifestyle and attitudes to the Planet. Archbishop Brislin from the Catholic Archdiocese of Cape Town reminded us of the challenges we face, with fake news and the difficulties of people changing their life-style. Then representatives of the different faiths  from the Cape Town Interfaith Inititiative led in beautiful prayers reflecting the need to be good stewards of the Earth.  Khoisan Chief Arries, from the First Nation shared this prayer “our Father, Father of our Ancestors, let is rain upon us. Let our flocks live, let us also live. Please we are very weak from thirst and hunger. let us eat fruits of the field and share in the riches of our soil” We joined together in the words of the Laudato Si led by Father Bernard “Teach us to discover the worth of each living thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light” Rev Rachel Mash of Green Anglicans led us in a time of commitment to being Guardians of the Earth and of the water as we placed stones onto a cairn. What we do in the next five  years may change the course of human history.   She quoted from the Hopi nation as she said “You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour, now you must go back and tell them that this is the Hour.  At this time of history we are to take nothing personally , least of all ourselves. For the moment we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt. We are the people we have been waiting for” Francesca de Gasparis from SAFCEI led us in a moving prayer as we faced the East – from where comes  the dawn, the day, hope and strength. We faced the West – where the sun sets, confessing the destruction we have caused to all forms of life. We turned to the North  –  from where the oppressive forces came that enslaved and dominated the land – we will work to restore justice and right relationships . Then we turned to the South – land of hope and dance , the song of the poets, the cry of the suffering, the voice of the prophets. And finally we turned to each other – knowing that we are filled with love and solidarity to journey together. Bishop Geoff Davies, our Green bishop led us in a final prayer to  know Gods peace and presence in all of creation. Finally the service ended with a planting and blessing of a tree by Canon Desmond Lambrechts. #greenanglicans #seasonofcreation

Sepedi Season of Creation 2   Tempo da Criação 2017

The young and children’s division of the Women’s Mission Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church: Young People’s Division (YDP) held its annual conference in Manzini (Labotsibeni AME church) on the 16 of August 2017. The YDP has the environment as one of the priorities on their constitution and annual plan of action. The leadership noticed that over the years environmental issues were addressed without or less meaning for most of its members. Noting the vibrancy of the Green Anglicans in Swaziland; Mncedisi Masuku was invited to do a presentation on the importance of being stewards of creation as a church before the youth go for a clean-up campaign. Mncedisi in the company of Ndumiso Malindzisa emphasised on the first call for humans by God to care for creation (Gen 2.15) and how human activities has affected the globe of life. He encouraged young people to live green at home, school, and work and in their daily life. He encouraged them to participate in season of Creation and other environmental important days. The YPD has been invited to join the Green LUSHE (ANGLICAN and Lutheran Church) movement. LUSHE is a combination of Luthela and Esheshi which are Swazi names for the Anglican and Lutheran churches. The AME church is known as KUSH in Swaziland. Sihle Motsa the YDP president jokingly said we shall now be KULUSHE Green Movement and she promised to mobilise her church youth to participate in the Season of Creation service organised by LUSHE.

YOUTH OF THE DIOCESE CALL FOR A PAPERLESS SYNOD The Diocese of Cape Town has just concluded their Diocesan Synod.  During the process they used enough paper to cut down three and a half trees. Gabriella Jacobs put forward a motion that the Synod should move to being primarily paperless by 2020 and totally paperless by 2023. Although she recognized that this might be hard for the older generation , the youth are used to electronic devices and can help with the process as many people in the room could be seen to be using smart phones, tablets or laptops. Music can be displayed on the screen and paper where it has to be used can be double sided and save as much as possible. An motion on Water justice was also passed by Rev Shaun Cozett and Rev Rachel Mash which called on the Church to study water in scripture during Lent 2018, celebrate World Water Day close to March 22nd and to hold a Diocesan Conference on water during 2018. In her presentation Rev Mash highlighted that even with normal rains up until the end of September we will be left with 200 days of rain. Day Zero for running out of water is March 2nd. At that time very expensive measures such as desalination, boring of the aquifers and treatment of waste water will have to kick in. The Diocese of Cape Town is also celebrating  25 years of the ordination of women. #greenanglicans #gopaperless