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Beat Plastic Pollution! Please find some resources for the 1st of June, sermon materials  based on the Revised Common Lectionary readings Please find some materials to use with youth and Sunday School

On 15 May 2025, the Green Anglicans of the Free State hosted a transformative DIY Solar Light Workshop at St Patrick’s Church, with support from SAFCEI’s small grants programme. This hands-on, faith-rooted gathering brought together 10 passionate participants from local communities, united by a shared vision: energy justice for all. The workshop embodied the Green Anglicans’ mission to care for creation through practical action and deep faith. It began with a powerful reflection on stewardship and energy justice, reminding participants of our biblical call to “tend and keep” the earth (Genesis 2:15) and ensure that no one is left in the dark, literally or spiritually. Participants then engaged in a simple but empowering training session: learning how to build their own solar-powered lights. With guidance from local facilitators, each person assembled a complete lighting kit, gaining not only a practical tool but a new sense of dignity, safety, and hope. One attendee shared, “I didn’t think I could ever do something like this myself. Now I can light my home, and teach others, too.” The session also sparked rich conversations around the Just Energy Transition, and the role of faith communities in addressing energy poverty. This was not only a technical workshop—it was a spiritual and communal act of justice. Jenni Strous, the lead coordinator and a committed Earth Keeper, noted, “Faith communities must be at the forefront of climate justice. When we equip people with knowledge and tools, we help them reclaim power—both figuratively and practically.” The workshop concluded with the distribution of solar kits and a closing prayer for the Earth. Participants left not just with lights in hand, but with fire in their hearts—to serve, to teach, and to spread the glow of justice throughout the Free State. This event was made possible through SAFCEI’s R10,000 grant, proving that even small resources, when placed in faithful hands, can ignite large change. by Eco Champ: Tshegofatso Lekgetho

The 1st of September, known globally as the World Day of Prayer for Creation, marks the beginning of the Season of Creation. In March 2024, a major conference held in Assisi explored the vision of elevating this day into a liturgical feast or festival shared across Western Christian denominations with a common calendar. This proposal draws on the day’s deep symbolic roots and its established liturgical significance in the Eastern Orthodox Church. This week’s conference continued to build on that vision. Entitled “Creation Day & The Nicaea Centenary: Crystallizing the Ecumenical Dream of a New Liturgical Feast”, it recognized two significant anniversaries in 2025: the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures. The gathering brought together leaders from churches and communions, ecumenical and liturgical bodies, theologians, ministers, and community representatives. Notably, participation expanded since the first conference, with strong representation from Eastern Churches and new voices such as the Pentecostal World Fellowship, bringing the total number of represented communions to fifteen. The Anglican Communion was well-represented, with delegates from England, Scotland, South Africa, Wales, Italy, USA, Australia, and Canada attending in person, and participants from New Zealand and Brazil joining online. The conference opened with a moment of silence in remembrance of Pope Francis, followed by an ecumenical service. Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, Chair of the World Council of Churches, offered a message in which he described the proposed feast as “a beautiful expression of the Trinitarian essence that unites us as churches,” and as a meaningful spiritual response to today’s pressing ecological challenges. Several denominational leaders shared greetings, including Bishop Anthony Poggo, who stated: “The Orthodox Churches of the Ecumenical Patriarchate have led the way in developing a theology of the environment and its liturgical expression — a gift for which all Christian communions may give thanks. The Anglican Communion has observed the Feast and Season of Creation since 2012. Now we have the opportunity to build on this foundation, helping Churches of East and West glorify the Triune God together.” The conference’s opening session, “Nicaea, the Triune Creator, and Creation Day”, featured a panel of representatives from various communions. Representing the Anglican Communion, the Rt. Rev. Anthony Ball, newly appointed Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome, reflected: “We gather in Eastertide, celebrating Christ’s resurrection and the gift of new life through Him, through whom, as the Nicene Creed affirms, ‘all things were made.’ Yet, we also gather at a time of crisis in creation. In Westminster Abbey, we regularly mark national days for Commonwealth nations. When we pray for Kiribati and Tuvalu, I am reminded of Archbishop Winston Halapua’s witness from the Diocese of Polynesia — a region that includes three of the five nations projected by the UN to be submerged within the next fifty years. In Fiji alone, hundreds of villages face relocation due to saltwater intrusion. Is this the will of ‘the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth’? With 2.4 billion Christians worldwide, we must recover the spiritual tools to deepen our relationship with the Creator, with creation, and with one another. Prayer, inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit — ‘the giver of life’ — is essential to turning from a path of destruction toward the light and life we proclaim this Eastertide. The work done leading up to this conference, and emerging from it, marks a significant contribution to the ecumenical journey. A shared liturgical Feast would be a powerful sign of our unity and a call for the global Church to celebrate the mystery of Creation while taking action to care for our common home. The Anglican presence was strong with many Anglicans presenting in plenaries and breakout groups. • “The Signs of the Times Challenge the Liturgy – Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi” – Rev. Jacynthia Murphy (Anglican Indigenous Network & Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia) • “The Feast’s Title: Christological, Trinitarian, or Other?” – Rev. Christopher Irvine (International Anglican Liturgical Consultation & Mirfield Liturgical Institute) • “The Feast in Sacred Space: Church and the ‘Cathedral of Creation’” – Rev. Dr. Luiz Carlos Teixeira Coelho (State University of Rio de Janeiro & Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil) • “The Feast’s Lectionary Readings – New Testament” – Rev. Eileen Scully (Consultation on Common Texts and Anglican Church of Canada) • “Creation Day, the Season of Creation, and Ecumenical Action” – Rev. Dr. Rachel Mash- Anglican Communion Environmental Network – Province of Southern Africa • “Creation in Scripture and Lectionary Options” – Dr. Richard Bauckham (Ridley Hall, Cambridge) Church of England • “Liturgical Prayers for the Feast – Eucharistic Texts” – Rev. Thapelo Masemola (Anglican Church of Southern Africa) • “Creation, Incarnation, Paschal Mystery – Interconnected Mysteries and Feasts” – Dr. Mark Clavier – Church of Wales • “Preaching Creation Day” – Rev. Dr. Dave Bookless (Lausanne Movement), and Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas (Episcopal Church) • “Liturgical Prayers – Non-Eucharistic Texts” – Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Smith (Anglican Church of Australia & International Anglican Liturgical Consultation) • “From Dream to Bloom” – Reflections on the First Year of Proposals – Neil Vigers (Anglican Communion Office) Rev Rachel Mash (Southern Africa) was one of the co- facilitators of the Conference. Each day began and ended with ecumenical prayer services, led by different communions. A particularly moving moment came during prayer with Eastern Christian partners, as the Lord’s Prayer was sung in Aramaic — the language spoken by Jesus himself. A small working group then stayed on in Rome for two more days to draw together what had been discussed at the Conference and to work out the process going forward once the Vatican with new representatives from the dicasteries is on board. We were very blessed to be there when the white smoke rose and to rush to St Peter’s Square and be present when Pope Leo appeared on the balcony- what a historic moment! With the election of Pope Leo and his clear support for Care for

Led by the two diocesan Green Anglican coordinators, the Diocese of Lesotho recently held a productive meeting with it’s Green Anglican team, where we discussed our plans for the upcoming year and gathered valuable input from each parish regarding their environmental needs. It was inspiring to hear everyone’s ideas and commitments to making a positive impact in our communities! In addition to our planning session, we took action by organizing a clean-up at St. James High School. We tackled an unattended dump area behind the classrooms, transforming it into a cleaner, safer space for students and staff. This initiative not only beautified the school grounds but also motivated our coordinators and participants to stay engaged in environmental stewardship. Together, we are making strides towards a greener future! Let’s continue to work hand-in-hand to care for our planet and inspire others to join us on this important journey. #GreenAnglican  #CommunityCleanUp #EnvironmentalStewardship #TogetherForThePlanet By; (Diocesan GA coordinators ) Maipato Kotelo & Rapela Korotjoe

Amid rising unemployment and the high cost of living, the Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Lesotho has launched a “Let No Food Go to Waste” campaign. The initiative addresses the significant loss of fresh food following the harvest season due to limited preservation methods. Drawing on indigenous knowledge, the women have revived traditional practices of food sharing and preservation. These methods ensure that surplus harvests can be used during off-seasons. Additionally, by aligning with the national ploughing calendar, they optimize their home gardening efforts, planting the right crops at the right time for maximum yield.

On 1 May 2025, the Archdeaconry of Vryheid in the Diocese of Zululand hosted a Youth Hiking Event at Mount Sinai, drawing over thirty enthusiastic young people from across the Archdeaconry. The adventure combined physical challenge and spiritual reflection—hiking through the mountains, braving the heat, cooling off in mountain streams, and soaking in the beauty of creation. A special highlight of the day was a vibrant outdoor Eucharist service led by Canon Mondli Nkosi, the Diocesan Green Anglicans Coordinator. Surrounded by nature, the group paused to give thanks to God for the wonder of His creation and to reflect on encountering the risen Christ in the stillness of the mountain. By: Siyanda Ngubane Photo Credit: Silungi Zondo #Godscreation #godscreationsarebeautiful #GodCares Revd. Nkosi celebrating the Eucharist a reading during the Eucharist  a break on the way to the top