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She could be the youngest Canon in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa and she is joining the environmental ministry in the Diocese of Port Elizabeth. Canon Melissa Awu is the new environmental coordinator for the diocese of Port Elizabeth and we had to take some time and know her better. Describing herself as a servant of Christ, Mel is  deeply rooted in her faith. Born in PE and a member of St Stephens Parish in New Brighten she started her journey at a very early age, at once being a diocesan president for the Servers Guild in the diocese, and is currently a member of the Anglican Youth Fellowship and Probationer of St Mary Magdelene Guild. Raised in an environmentally aware home made it easier for Mel to take up this responsibility at such a young age, she said “I care about the Environment because it is a command from God. I love God, therefor I obey His commands. I want to leave this earth in a better place, for the next generation.” Growing environmental ministry in our church’s and communities is not an easy task, having support from the former Coordinator, Betty Bala, Mel has a strong foundation. Taking it further she is planning to create awareness in the diocese and get a committed environmental task team, which will journey with her. “I plan to introduce others in this ministry that we may all one day, do our bit for the environment. I cannot do it alone, so in my areas of influence I speak ‘GREEN’. In everything I do, I trust God, He is my help.” With just a few weeks in the office, Mel has big dreams for the diocese and its environmental future, taking care for creation to another level, Mel hopes she can get each parish to adopt the movement to be part of their lifestyle, “I want PE to be a completely GREEN DIOCESE, as Tatu Mandela say ‘It always seems impossible until its done’.”

WHEN PURPLE GOES GREEN In growing the Green Movement in the Anglican Church, when Bishops become involved in a hands-on way , it is inspiring to their followers. Bishop Cleophas (Matabeleland) and Bishop Chad (Harare) officially opened the inaugural St Agnes Guild National Conference in Harare. More than 2000 girls camped at St Mary’s Mission about 30km outside Harare from 21-24 April. The two bishops donned green overcoats over their purple cassocks and planted trees with their wives as a symbol of the church’s commitment to Earthkeeping. The next day the guild chairpersons planted an orchard before they led the girls on a march and clean up at a nearby shopping centre.

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A vibrant clergy conference was held at St Bede’s Mthatha on the 2nd of May. Almost one hundred people, over 80 clergy gathered to discuss the Mission to care for Gods Creation. They came from Mthatha, Mzimvubu and Mbashe Diocese in the Eastern Cape of South Africa Rev Dr Rachel Mash led an environmental Eucharist, starting outside and using the Season of Creation Eucharistic prayer – reminding us that “The Earth is the Lord’s” therefore all places are holy. The Conference was opened in prayer by Rev Gabula, 86 years old who was the first ever Environmental Coordinator in ACSA, and served under the Green bishop, Bishop Geoff Davies in Mzimvubu Diocese. He had the conference in stitches as he mimed the chicken walk – as he challenged us to grow our own happy chickens and not eat chickens tortured in cages who cannot even walk Rev Rachel reminded us that the first commandment given to the Human race is to care for God’s garden planet, the first Gardener was God and we are made in his image. She then shared some insights into the Eucharist and the Environment, from Bishop Ellinah’s important research. Truly it was a mind opener. The three Dioceses of Mthatha, Mzimvubu and Mbashe were represented in their numbers, and the Green Team of Mthatha shared a wonderful story of what they have already achieved. Ms Thulethu Ngudle shared how the unemployed can make money through worm farming and making goods from recycled items. The Diocese of Mbashe has just appointed their first Environmental Coordinator who is the Dean Fikizolo so exciting actions will be coming forth from that Diocese.! Rev Mandla Rangana shared how his Diocese is taking up the challenge of the environment and to really become green – they have lot of land in Mzimvubu and it can be used to help grow food for the hungry. The afternoon session was used for action plans: Each Diocese is determined to have a Diocesan team but to also take the Green movement down to the parish level “Be green in the corner where you are” Photos: Mandisa Darkie Gumada

Following the Lusaka Young Green Anglicans conference, the delegates moved into action fast! They called a National Meeting whereby all Diocesan Youth Chaplains from the four Dioceses namely SouthernMalawi, Upper Shire, Northern Malawi and Lake Malawi were gathered to be briefed on the resolutions made in Lusaka, Zambia. After this they called Archdeaconry and parish youth leaders from Diocese of lakeMalawi, where they were all briefed and they pledged their support towards this campaign of Young Green Anglicans. They have already identified a tree nursery and will be partnering with Mothers Union and Fathers Union to take this campaign forward. They believe that tree planting should be a key part of their implementation. “When a child is born a tree must be planted in honoring the birth of that child, the tree must be kept and sustained till a child grows and appreciate his or her tree. If a child is 12 years old then it means the tree has been there for twelve years this will be historic for a child and a family hence making the church, community and the country go green, green, green and green. This is just an appetizer of what is to come on green campaign” A meeting was called at the Cathedral where they briefed the young people on climate change and the response of the Church. Climate change is a huge issue in Malawi and is affecting rainfall and crops, leading to hunger. Deforestation is widespread, which leads to soil erosion. The young people will be involving Bishop Kaulanda in the campaign Let us pray for the Young Green Anglicans of Malawi as they take up the challenge! Here in Malawi– we feel the Spirit of the Lord!!! Shadreck Nyanja Mike Nambote

Forty five members of the three Dioceses of Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown and Khahlamba Diocese met for an Environmental Conference held at the College of the Transfiguration in Grahamstown. Rev Rachel Mash shared the challenges faced in Southern Africa because of environmental Degradation and global warming. Drought, soil degradation and flooding are affecting the quality of land, and crop production is dropping, affecting the poorest of the poor. She shared how we can incorporate a concern for the environment in our Theology and in our understanding of the Eucharist An inspiring presentation was made by “God’s way of farming” showing how if we go back to the way that God farms, using mulch as a blanket and no tillage, we can increase our yields The Dioceses then divided up to prepare their action plans for the year ahead. The three Dioceses now have task teams and are ready to move ahead. Port Elizabeth has appointed a Lay Canon for the Environment Mel Awu. Bishop Mazwi encouraged the group with a prayer and words from Psalm 148