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The Diocese of Umzimvubu, Clydesdale Archdeaconry, Christ the King Parish celebrated their Environment Day in an event full of activities but what was most special was the Clean Up outreach which saw parishioners young and old team up together walking down the streets of Clydesdale with plastic bags and rubber gloves for protection. Branded t’shirts written Mzimkulu Archdeaconry infront, “Green is a solution, make it a resolution” were sold as a youth fundraiser, Sunday school had theirs written “Go green, there is no Planet B” so was the cake (yummy) every bypasser could tell what was the reason for our gathering. A beautiful banner for the Green Anglicans Mzimkulu Archdeaconry was carried, and as we reached our site for cleaning up banner bearers stood facing the streets to show every car or taxi passing that Anglicans were at work. Archdeacon Revd. Mzukisi Nomatshila shed some light as to why that particular site was chosen, he explained that where we stood was once where the water ran towards Cholwane River, that some of the church’s congregants were baptised with water drawn there. All we could see were papers and more dirt with golden brown dry grass, he then apologised to God on our behalf as it is us humans whom create such dirt. We cleaned the area and walked towards the almost dried river below a bridge more dirt was discovered, there sat two young ladies washing clothes nearby whom when asked if they: “know the chemicals used to make soap is dangerous and endangers animals and anyone drinking the water” could only respond with a giggle as Revd. Cengimbo helped them wash. On finishing we walked a few metres towards an open space outside a tarven where bottles were a pile up some broken. The young men at the tarven some washing cars looked shocked as they watched us cleaning the area up, that gave a clear understanding that, not only Anglicans should know about Green Anglicans Movement. Right infront of the tarven we gathered the black plastic bags and a van made 3 trips carrying bags. A series of photos were taken which is something young people enjoyed the most. We then realised we can save the planet and still enjoy doing it. Back at the church were three green bins written Paper, Glass, Plastic which stood close to the pile of black plastic bags for later sorting. Second phase of the day’s program kick started with Miss Azola Ludidi the MC called upon the church warden to welcome  everyone, after which Miss Zoleka Mdlalo introduced visiting guests (Revd. Nkosikhona Nyikiza-Rector of St Peter’s, Revd. Swazi Matomane of St Philip’s Mfundweni, Revd. Lekena of St Faith’s kwaMthwana, Revd. Lungile Cengimbo-Archdeacon of Lusikisiki and Rector of St Andrew’s, Revd. Loyiso Zibi of St Oswald’s in Mt Ayliff-Mt Frere Archdeaconry then Miss Mandisa Gumada of kwaMsindisi-Holy Cross Archdeaconry. Mrs Nombulelo Mjoli introduced the day and briefed us on Green Anglicans. We were then treated to a feast of talent which kick started with a poem titled “I’m green” by a young lady Intle the poet, with lines like “All I examined was not exclaimed, it’s not an issue but a tissue. So do it and be witty…” Sunday school and Youth from various parishes in the archdeaconry each rendered musical items, modelling and an outdoor skit by St James outstation of Christ fhe King Parish. Revd. Lekena the director of environmental affair in the archdeaconry encouraged all present to start walking the talk while Mrs Mjoli showed us Mother’s Union handwork in them was a beautifully crafted umbrella. After all its said and done, our host Archdeacon Revd. Mzukisi Nomatshila qouted a script from Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s , and everything in it…” urged each and every indivi dual to refrain from buying plastics everytime we go shopping but rather re-use the ones we have or save money and buy shopping bags to minimise dirt and save ourselves money in the process. On departure all we could do was breath a sigh of relief and say WE DID IT, so can you. Lunch was served and the yummy Green Anglicans red velvet cake!   Mandisa Darkie Gumada 100% ‪#‎GreenAnglican

The green Anglican team was invited to address the energetic youth of the diocese of Zululand’s about the importance of safeguarding our environment, which the message was well received. The group was very much diverse in terms of the age groups represented from Sunday school children to a much older youth. The approach was then the usual the focus was on mobilizing fellow church members to engage in environmental challenges that are unique in their area by committing themselves in becoming green such as finding solution for water and energy crises, recycling matters, awareness campaigns and most interestingly empowering more eco-schools. Ideas were flying across the room which showed their understanding and concerns of the environment at large. “To my surprise the crowed showed enthusiasm and how well equipped they are in terms academia and general knowledge they had”, says Sibusisiwe Shezi representing the green Anglican team. The crowed was very much energized by the issues brought forward that it spark an interest in the clergy that was present to a point where they shared their stories and committed themselves in working together with the youth whether it will be recycling or building awareness. Other rectors were able to gel the importance of our roll when it comes to being the stewards of God’s creation with their sermons preached earlier during the day. This wild and out team is ready to put their suggestions and solutions into action and already planning for Mandela day and want to make a spectacular event for their 67 minutes which they will be dedicating it in becoming green with the assistance of the green Anglicans to put their plans into actions, we are looking forward to this and hoping that the green Anglicans can fully support the youth of Zululand as they embark in this new journey.  Overall it was a great experience and looking forward to our next visit to the Diocese in the future.  

Diocesan Coordinators met with key ‘movers and shakers’ from the Diocese of Lesotho and the Diocese of Free State at the beautiful Diocesan Centre of St Augustines. The goal of the meetings was to share ideas and strategies to grow the environmental ministry. Several of the participants had just returned from Zambia and were full on inspiration and keen to be part of the national action plans that had been put together there. Some of the key strategic issues that were raised at the gathering were the following: How to keep the fire burning? Often people start with the environmental ministry but then they burn out or they lose interest. Some of the strategies that were discussed were – to create Green Evangelists –identify those with the passion and equip and inspire them. They need to be equipped with enough knowledge to educate others with theology and science in a non- academic way. We need to have ongoing sharing and gatherings across the Diocese. The Bishop could be encouraged to give “eco-champion” certificates when he comes for confirmation visits. How to make environmental ministry a priority not an add-on? The messaging that we used for HIV is helpful – if you are not affected, you are infected! I may not have a drought in my Province, but the world is infected with climate change. We need to incorporate environmental prayers and teaching into our main seasons such as advent and Pentecost, not just the environmental days. We need to ask for slots at the Conferences and gatherings of other guilds and organisations such as Mothers Union or Anglican Youth. In this way we are starting a movement (Green Mothers Union, Green Youth Group) rather than an organisation which people may feel  is taking members away from their guild. When we are reporting to diocesan structures such as archdeaconries or parish council, we should ‘share’ rather than ‘report’, which is a more inclusive way of reporting. Environmental policies and resolutions passed at Synod need to be repackaged in the language that all will understand.  For upcoming Synods, the resolutions should be workshopped with different role players. It is important to involve the Sunday school in this ministry – once children grow up caring for God’s creation it will be a priority for life.  

World Environment Day is a global day set aside to grow and encourage global awareness and action on care for creation.  In Genesis 15:2 God gave us a mandate to look after his earth, and as  people made in  his image we ought to care for his creation and keep it clean and intact just like he made it beautiful. This day serves as an opportunity for people to focus on giving back to our wonderful planet by becoming agents of change as well as curbing global warming, climate change and other related issues while cutting down their carbon foot print. As people of faith our actions can begin in our place of worship and trail down to our communities, reminding people on how God took his time to make this earth beautiful. This we can achieve if we work together as people of God. The theme for this year is “Go Wild for Life” which is focusing on the high volume of illegal trading of wild life.  Visit World Environmental Day for materials and activities that you can do on the day. The campaign began in 1974 and has grown since, celebrated across by over 100 countries worldwide, every year different countries are chosen to host the official celebration and this year, it’s Angola.  Angola is seeking to restore its elephant herds and conserve its biodiversity, and safeguard the environment as it continues to rebuild after a quarter century of civil war. The Anglican Church of Southern Africa’s Environmental Network “Green Anglicans” will be hosting an Earth Festival on the 4th of June 2016 in Cape Town to celebrate World Environmental Day. Be part of the global action and let us unite to save our planet, be Bright and Green in the corner where you are. Tell is what are you doing?

          We have an electricity crisis. One out of every four families in South Africa do not have access to electricity. Children cannot study, parents cannot read the prescriptions on medication. Children’s health is compromised by inhaling unhealthy fumes and there is the ever present danger of fires. The economy is suffering. How do we get the electricity we need? Nuclear energy is not the answer to South Africa’s electricity crisis according to Kumi Naidoo, formerly of Green Peace at a breakfast organized by SAFCEI. There are four main arguments against Nuclear 1. It is too expensive Although there is a lot of secrecy around the nuclear deal, it is certain that it is going to be extremely expensive. The government is talking in the region of 1 TRILLION rand , which with currency fluctuation as well as over spend would probably end up being in the range of 1.5 trillion. 2. It creates few jobs Germany gave up on nuclear mainly because of the jobs implication. They were heavily subsidizing nuclear which gave 30,000 jobs whereas renewable energy was creating 400,000 jobs. it is a no brainer which energy source was better for the people of Germany 3. It is too dangerous The waste produced from nuclear takes at least 200 to 1000 years before it is ceases to be dangerous. Kumi Naidoo shared his experiences of visiting Chernobyl 25 years after the accident – people working there must work 6 weeks on and 6 weeks off due to radiation danger. They are creating a huge steel cover to put over it as cracks are appearing in the walls. Japan is spending billions on merely keeping Fukishima safe, and there is still danger it could explode. It is costing the UK 100 billion pounds to decommission their nuclear power stations. 4. It is too little, too late The average time to build a nuclear plant is 10 years, with overruns, it could take much much longer. Russia’s record on construction is poor, some of their worst plants have taken 28 years to construct! our economy needs electricity now! Renewable energy plants such as solar or wind can go on line in 18 months. Safcei has a court case against the government because Nuclear energy is morally wrong. 1 Trillion rand is a figure the country cannot afford. The impact on the economy will be huge. The negotiations for the Nuclear deal have taken place in secrecy , although the constitution says that there must be approval in Parliament. Our long term energy plan is being built on the back of a web of corruption. Safcei and Earthlife SA want the Department of Energy (DoE) to concede they did sign a secret nuclear deal with Russia, an allegation that could derail the procurement programme. Minister Nene refused to sign off on the nuclear deal and was removed. . Safcei are fundraising for this very important court case. if you can support please go tohttps://www.givengain.com/cause/6357/campaigns/15676/ Photos Matthew Le Cordeur

Bishop  of Swaziland Ellinah Wamukoya is the first Anglican Women Bishop in Africa.  She was appointed  as the Chairperson of the Anglican Communion Environmental Network at the Anglican Consultative Council 16 in Zambia in April 2016.  She is also a liaison Bishop for the  Anglican Church of Southern Environmental Network. Message from the Chairperson : In Genesis 2:15 God says; The Lord God put humans in the Garden of Eden to work the soil and take care of the garden. This was God’s first commandment to humankind; “Look after my earth” But what have we done? We have polluted this earth, 60% of the eco-systems on which we depend for life are now degraded beyond the point of repair. The Lord God says; I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance detestable. Jer 2:7 Creation is in agony; We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 8:22 Meanwhile Creation is waiting for us…… For creation waits with eager longing for the children of God to be revealed. Romans 8:19. Gus Speth speaking on speaking of scientists has this to say; “We scientists do not know how to do that. I used to think the top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that with 30 years of good science we could address those problems. But I was wrong. The top environmental problems re selfishness, greed, and apathy……. and to deal with those we need a spiritual and cultural transformation and we scientists do not know how to do that”. The Fifth mark of ANGLICAN MISSION is; To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth and in the statement by Anglican Bishop in Cape Town in February 2015 that; The World is Our Host We then ask ourselves; HOW CAN THE CHURCH RESPOND?