News

AROCHA – CHRISTIANS IN CONSERVATION Arocha organized a wonderful camp at Zeekoeivlei Nature Reserve for 28 young people from various churches The programme was run by the Capetown Environmental Education Trust. To spend a weekend in nature and learn all about the eco-system was a real eye opener for the young people. They visited Rondevlei nature reserve, went in a dragon boat, visited the newly re-introduced Eland project and went for a night walk to see the stars. The wonderful thing is that Zeekoeivlei is right in the middle of the city and provides a green lung for the city. Arocha is a christian organisation which seeks to help people make the linkage between their faith and conservation. So the devotions were led by Rev Shaun Cozett and Rev Rachel Mash of Green Anglicans together with James Irlam from Arocha. As one participant said: “The best thing about the camp was being surrounded by nature and being able to worship in different ways with all the other young people. There’s always just something profound about being in the presence of the Lord, but even more so in a natural environment where creation seems to be untouched by harsh human impacts” The young people formed strong friendships and committed themselves to taking the message of caring for creation back to their communities.  These are some of their commitments “To tell people to look after the environment and actually to go to nature reserves and learn of the creatures that have been living with us forever” “I am going to transfer my knowledge over to my youth at church and hopefully they will learn about nature as well as how to work as a team more effectively” “Educate other people and spread the word about how nature and Christianity are linked.” if you would like to find out more about Arocha and the link between Nature and Christianity are linked, find out more at : http://www.arocha.org/en/

CELEBRATING SAINT FRANCIS  – WITH RYAN THE RHINO St Francis Church in Ravensmead had a ten week programme with their Sunday School, celebrating the Season of Creation. This culminated in a joyous celebration, ‘confirmed’ by a beautiful rainbow on a dreary Sunday morning – symbolic of God’s covenant with Noah. For ten weeks we have been teaching  the young about God’s creation and where we, as humans fit into His web of life. During the one-day training session, given by Revd Rachel Mash, the activities seemed easy, with little resources needed. In reality, it was at times overwhelming and stressful to put something of quality together with very few resources. The highlight of this program was Ryan the Rhino – something visible and tangible for the children to refer to during the sessions. Sharing what we had learnt with the congregation before the patronal festival, gave us an opportunity to showcase what we have learnt, but also enforced the importance of involving everybody to look after God’s creation – God’s creation, which not only include humans! To conclude this program – and very fitting to our parish – the grand finale, led by our very own Sunday School children was showcased at the patronal festival, where we celebrated the life of our patron Saint, Francis of Assissi.  The festivities started the Saturday already where a plant/vegetable competition was held where everybody brought their plants and vegetables they attempted to grow in their gardens. The congregants including the Sunday School children donated vegetables in thanksgiving to God for all His blessings upon us and the church was then decorated with these. Promises were made by the children and adults during the service to follow in St Francis of Assisi’s footsteps by preserving life on earth. The participation of those involved made the service a success, but also the congregants dressed in green to symbolise life and their commitment to ‘doing’ something about the current state of degradation and loss of biodiversity. We said goodbye to Ryan, he will sleep in our hearts, but will hopefully be visible in our actions. Where the promises made at the patronal festival will not only stay written on a piece of paper, but will be put to life in what we do!

MAKE PROFIT, NOT A PROBLEM – OUT OF WASTE   Swaziland Environment Authority has hosted a National Waste Indaba (discussion) for all the regions of Swaziland.  Mncedisi Masuku of the Diocese of Swaziland participated in this national event on behalf of the Church in the Hhohho Region.   The Indaba was meant for the public to discuss issues related to waste management under the theme, “Make profit out of waste not a  problem”. The minister of tourism and Environmental Affairs mentioned illegal dump sites, waste generation, water pollution, disposal of disposable nappies, plastics and disposal of hazardous waste as the national challenges on waste which the public had to discuss in the indaba (discussion).   The municipality council of Mbabane presented how they manage waste by encouraging people to recycle and make money out of waste and how costly it is to manage improperly disposed waste over recycling. Mbabane City has a population of 96 000 and it generates 38 tons of waste per day and the figures are increasing from day to day, increasing cost of waste management.   The public when making submissions from the round table discussions has stressed the importance of burning use of plastic bags in local shops, review of use and disposal of disposable nappies, strong fines on offenders of waste management regulations, community education among many solutions to this national problem.   The relationship between the Diocese of Swaziland and other organisations encouraging environmental protection as Swaziland Environment Authority (SEA) is getting stronger. The Diocese of Swaziland has done a lot with SEA such as clean-up campaigns, introductions of environmental curricular in pre-schools, environmental education to mention a few. The voice of the church on environmental protection is illuminated in the governments officials and nation wide.

GREEN ANGLICANS ABLAZE!! One thousand five hundred people gathered for the biannual Anglicans Ablaze in Cape Town. It was a wonderful chance for people from different Dioceses to discuss the fifth mark of mission – to care for creation. A Green Anglicans networking picnic was held the day before the official conference began. Tree-planting, water conservation, food gardens, urban-greening and cleaning, recycling and solar power are some of the exciting eco projects that were shared). The picnic was held at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on 4 October 2016 (St Francis Day), and included a tour of one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Being out in nature, and praying and worshipping together outside, is one of the best ways to build a care for creation movement in your parish or diocese. Delegates shared their involvement in various green initiatives all over Southern Africa.  Saldanha Bay  Diocese  was applauded for becoming paperless in all its chapter meetings after securing a donation of tablets. The delegates were part of over 70 people who attended the Care for Creation workshop held on 7 October as part of Anglicans Ablaze. Rev  Rachel Mash spoke on why Creation is a foundation of our faith. Co-presenter Ncumisa Magadla facilitated talks by representatives from various parishes and dioceses who explained to the inquisitive group how their innovative projects not only create awareness and save energy, but are fun, deepen our relationship with our Creator, and save money too. Lessons learned include the importance of building on a foundation of eco-spirituality, starting small in your parish with one or two projects, and then getting involved in advocacy and community issues. Successful green projects: are supported but not led by the clergy involve different ministry teams such as youth, worship, outreach and evangelism; are fun and build fellowship are community led, with the support of the church; include partnerships with government, business, community groups and NGOs; are often ecumenical The delegates were pleased to hear the provincial synod in September announced it would: Voice its opposition to the nuclear energy deal Divest its reserves and investments from fossil fuels And revise the canons to include greener elements. It is part of our faith to do what we can to care for creation. Go Green. God is Great. God is Green. Rev Martha Gordon

All Creatures Great and Small at St George’s Cathedral Violet the cart horse led the procession as St George’s Cathedral in Capetown celebrated the feast of St Francis with the blessing of animals great and small! Her good friend Kamalie joined the procession at St Stephen’s Pinelands. The feast of St Francis is a day of giving thanks to God for our companion animals. it is a day of giving thanks for this wonderful web of creation that we are part of, but it is also a day to weep for our guilt. According to the WWF, in the last 40 years two thirds of river creatures have been wiped out and 40% of sea and land animals. Today also marks the Day of Farmed animals as we remember and confess the cruel treatment of animals raised for food.