News

Four Dioceses gathered with the provincial structure at Glenrock Game and trout from Friday the 1st to 2nd     2016 for a workshop/strategic planning, even though it was freezing cold we managed to get the job done in a set up that had to be changed as it started snowing on Saturday.  Wood had to be used constantly “Green Anglicans we are”. The venue was beautifully laid back, full of nature from animals, to different plants and trees nestled on the mountainous dusty Mooi River (KZN) in the Diocese of Natal. Attending Diocese were: Diocese of Natal (the hosts), Diocese of Zululand, Diocese of Harare, Diocese of Umzimvubu (and lastly the Cape Town staff). Saturday morning, freezing as it was we began with a creation’s Eucharist service led by Rev Rachel Mash straight after we began the business of the day. Starting off by reporting what the attending dioceses are already doing, what their challenges were and what they would like to see in the next 5 years. What was pleasing to hear was that dioceses have begun on the journey of being Green some have been greening the church for more than 20 years (Diocese of Natal) but do acknowledge that a lot needs to be done to revitalise the program and to put in more young people on board, some have had events which 100% youth led (Diocese of Umzimvubu) however do need the buy in of everyone from young to old, clergy to be more involved. Also, noting the importance of introducing greening in our societies not only Anglicans so as not to seem like “we are pulling people away from their churches”.  Zululand had started 2 years ago and are still on their baby steps, but they brought along a beautiful banner which visualised 5 steps they are taking as the diocese.   Stopping littering getting rid of alien plants saving resources tree planting recycling They left us with a challenge to each own a banner for more visibility.  Diocese of Harare shared very inspiring stories of how they work as a diocese together with the government, it was pleasing to hear that their Bishop is on board which is very essential to keep the ball rolling. However biggest challenges have been getting more volunteers on board. What was one of each and every dioceses’ challenge was the issue around getting everyone involved without them thinking Green Anglicans is dissolving guilds and ministries. As it stands we have noted that the movement has been seen as one of the guilds, something addition to the already many guilds of our dioceses, after careful deliberation we all agreed that the onus lie solely on the green teams of each individual to involve all guild leaders from a diocesan level down to parish level so as to put in a clear message that Green Anglicans Movement is for everyone and it begins with each and everyone’s effort. We did agree however that this was not an overnight thing, which we all took as a challenge to learn more about each and every guild/ministry in our diocese, build relations with leaders then introduce Green Anglicans Movement. After a long session of discussion and group work, each diocese had to share their 5 year plan moving forward. The commonalities ranged from involving young people as there are the ones still with energy to move from point A to B. To have diocesan workers dealing with environmental issues faced by the communities in the dioceses, budgeting issues, what was most important to note was to get the buy in of the clergy sooner rather than later as they pose an important influence to their congregants. After being nestled around the fire all day we managed to revive dioceses that have been greening already. Also, to provide a platform where diocese can learn from each other and use what would be relevant to their areas. We ended the day by watching a creations video and a series of prayer. Then left the freezing Mooi River.  -Mandisa Darkie Gumada 100% Green Anglican

The Youth of Maputo had  a Cleaning Day on KaTembe Beach on the 25th of June. It was based on the theme: conservation of heritage that God has given us.(A clean and healthy environment.) The event was attended by 45 young people from various groups of Maputo District, Several groups were created  for the removal of solid waste, and  we  cleaned the Katembe Beach waterfront . Following this we had our  program where we had a talk that had as main objective to sensitize young people to take good care of the environment, and then we had lunch and a Sports afternoon (where there was some beach football moments and some traditional games)  We ended the day with  praise and worship. Achievements made through this activity: partnership with the city council and residents of Katembe and NEWSPAPER PORTO. Rating: Positive     A juventude Anglicana do Distrito eclesiástico de Maputo realizou no dia 25 de Junho do ano em curso a jornada de limpeza na pária de Katembe. Que tinha como principal tema conservação da herança que Deus nos deu( um ambiente limpo vida saudável), o evento contou com a presença de 45 jovens vindo de vários grupos desse distrito. Onde criou-se varias grupos para a retirada dos resido sólidos ( lixo) e após a limpeza da orla da praia de Katembe seguiu-se com o programa onde tivemos uma palestra que tinha como principal objectivo sencebilizar os jovens a cuidarem bem do ambiente e desseguida tivemos o almoço e a jornada desportiva ( onde houve alguns momentos do futebol de praia e algumas jogos tradicionais) e terminou com a parte do louvor e adoração. Conquistas feitas através dessa actividade: parceria com o conselho municipal e moradores de Katembe e o jornal porto. Avaliação: positiva

The Anglican Diocese of George , passes a motion under rural ministry to encourage good stewardship in the diocese. Motion on Creation and the Environment Principle/ Background: WHEREAS our Planet Earth has in recent decades suffered the environmental impact of: Over-consumption, increasing population growth, deforestation, over-fishing, exploitation of non-renewable resources, insurmountable waste dumps, and pollution; AND WHEREAS we believe that this has been the underlying cause of:  environmental disasters, acid rain, ozone depletion, climate change, and the extinction of species; AND WHEREAS one of the five marks of mission of the Anglican Communion is:  “To strive to safeguard the integrity of Creation and sustain and renew life of the Earth”; and the ACSA Environment Network, SAFCEI (The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute} and other organisations are promoting the application of this through the eco-congregation movement. AND WHEREAS the Encyclical “Laudato si” (“Praise be to you”) of Pope Francis has been met with universal acclaim, and echoes the prophetic sentiments of the “Green Movement”, and the call for us to be good stewards of God’s Creation; And Whereas Our Diocese should accept responsibility to safeguard the environment in a practical and meaningful way, Whereas The Anglican Church of Southern Africa has implemented the notion of Environment as one of its five marks of mission by declaring the following: “To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and to sustain and renew life on the earth” And Whereas Every Anglican in our Diocese should become involved and should strive to achieve the above assertion. And Whereas Our Diocese should accept responsibility to safeguard the environment in a practical and meaningful way   Resolution:  NOW LET THEREFORE THIS SYNOD RESOLVE THAT: The Diocese of George, through its structures, be encouraged to: Listen to ‘the cry of the Earth’ and identify, proclaim and implement measures to protect the Environment and reduce our own ‘carbon footprint’. Engage with different communities to listen to, discuss with and challenge them regarding their use and abuse of the Earth’s resources, to foster responsible ‘Earth-keeping’ for future generations, appropriate to their circumstances. All Parishes be encouraged to: “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” – both as a parish and as individuals – through the use of paper, glass and plastic recycling bins in Parishes. Go a step further, to: (a)          Find ways to save water and electricity. (b)          Develop and use their grounds of the church to the benefit of the community (e.g. food gardens). (c)           Use their Church plant space to the benefit of the community. Study environmental issues, and share ways to be “Good Stewards of God’s Creation” – through articles in “Quill & Quiver” and by other means. Celebrate A Season of Creation and/or special Environment days. The Bishop be respectfully requested to: Facilitate the formation of a Diocesan Environmental Task Team to address the relevant issues and appoint Environmental coordinator in the diocese, whose task would be to amongst other things, create awareness, educate and facilitate issues around environment in the diocese. Furthermore facilitate advocacy and lobby support of other partners in realising 5th marks of mission of the Anglican Communion. Mandate the Liturgy Team to source and facilitate special liturgies to celebrate Creation and the Environment. Mandate the Environmental Desk and Spiritual Formation to source study material and to train our Clergy in Environmental Theology. -DIOCESE OF GEORGE

The Green Anglicans partnered with the Anglican Students’ Federation for the success of their 56 th annual conference which took place on 26 June – 01 July 2016 at the beautiful game and farm in Mooiriver, Diocese of Natal. The conference was attended by 184 people, this included students and chaplains from across the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. There was also a visiting priest, Revd. Samuel Sifelani from the Diocese of Harare (Zimbabwe) in the Church of the Province of Central African. Ncumisa Magadla did a thought provoking presentation in which she challenged and encouraged the students to be responsible citizens and caring for creation. The also students committed to becoming responsible and good stewards of God’s creation. The Green Anglicans also sponsored 10 students (7 from Namibia and 3 from Mozambique). The Dioceses of Namibia and Lebombo in Mozambique often find it difficult to send students to the conference.   The students, in their respective bible study groups, discussed and highlighted strategies towards a healthy planet for all – starting at their campuses. As the first practical step towards caring for creation, the students and their chaplains took to the streets of Mooiriver and picked up litter. As powerful as the word is, they decided to put some action so that the call to care for creation have a vital meaning for the community. To wrap things up, the Green Anglicans treated the students to some fun times with the fuffi slides. Each student had a chance to slide on 250m zip across the lake.\ -Molly Jankie

Anglican Leaders hear the cry of the Small Island States Bishop Mzamane Diocese of Mthatha (South Africa) and Esther Kazilimani Pale from Diocese of Lebombos (Mozambique) are among the leaders who are representing Africa at the Encountering God in the Storm Conference in Fiji The Small Island States are at the forefront of climate change due to sea level rise. Fiji already has 676 villages at risk of flooding and being forced to consider relocating. This leads to economic impact as the salt water ruins farmlands, but also social devastation and ancestral lands are destroyed. The Fiji conference “Encountering the storm” is looking at climate change in the different Anglican communion context. For most of the developing world, Africa, Asia South America (Brazil) deforestation is playing a huge role. Big business cutting down trees, farmers cutting down trees to clear agriculture land and charcoal burners. The conference is focusing on how the church can respond. The consultation is being held in Fiji at the invitation of the Most Revd Dr Winston Halapua, who is Bishop of Polynesia and Primate and Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand & Polynesia.

Ryan the Rhino has become loved throughout the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. This is a ten week manual which  teaches Sunday School children to care for Creation in fun, practical ways. The manual is based on the Genesis stories of Creation and also shows how we as human beings are messing up Gods Creation. But it shows how we can make a difference even as young children. Now it is time for Ryan to visit Mozambique and Angola and take the message to the Portuguese speaking countries. We are delighted to announce that Ryan o Rinoceronte is ready and eager to take the message on! If children are raised to love and understand the sacredness of the Earth then they can influence their parents and truly we can see a brighter future for this Planet! RYAN THE RHINO PORTUGUESE