News

              Anglican Youth Gather in Sada for 2nd bio Conference of Ukhahlamba   The Diocesan Youth Guild of Khahlamba Diocese hosted their 2nd elective conference at Sada from the 26-28th of June. For young people, this was a very successful event as there were over 300 young people who attended the conference, including youth guilders from our neighboring dioceses (AYSA-Mthatha, AYF-Mbashe, DYG- Khahlamba). The young people had identified a place which was in need of assistance, financially and in many ways. We had then visited the orphanage home and we were very overwhelmed and happy to see how we managed to leave a special mark in the lives and hearts of the orphans and their guardians. We were blessed by the presence of  the Bishop of Khahlamba, Bishop M.E. Tisani and fifteen clergy including our chaplains.The Provincial Chair Bino Makhalanayane was also present with his executive.   Lwandile Bada from The Green Anglicans, made an impact in changing our perspectives towards caring for our environment, with his presentation . The presentation started with an ice breaker called “Frontliner” (about how our daily life affects our tomorrow). he then dropped litter in the sanctuary and asked Bishop Mazwi how would feel if ever went to parish for Confirmation  and found it like that. The Bishop said “ very sad and disappointed” which exactly the  way God feels when  we mistreat our planet. We were created to take of mother nature so that she will take care of us. It was interesting to note that the majority of delegates didn’t know there were environmental days in our lectionaries. We were blessed by input from Bongs White and Mpumelelo Mtikiti from Mthatha who  shared how they have done environmental services in their Diocese. They also shared ways of convincing Parish Councils and rectors! It was interesting and very funny during elections when Bishop Mazwi saw a  young person throwing paper in the church “Pick it up GREEN ANGLICANS, GREEN ANGLICANS!!! he yelled!”  He also  changed  the theme and scripture readings of the last day of the conference which he was celebrant and linked it to creation. He taught us how we should always be thankful whenever we called are called to serve in leadership because from day one  we were created to serve.   A special thank you must go to the guilders for the commitment and effort you put into our guild “Hehaaaake Mngqusho”, Keep it up guys. Siphethe iAgenda yeZulu indeed. – Zizipho Dinga (Proudly Young Green Anglican Ukhahlamba)    

How beautiful on the Mountain are the feet of those bringing good news!   Young Green Anglicans climbed to the very top of Table Mountain. It was a hard walk up but worth it for the beautiful views on the top!!. How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7   Although the hike was tough and our legs were saw, we were inspired by the beauty around us. With these words young Green Anglicans held a short devotion on the very top of Table Mountain. They were inspired by the sense of peace and tranquility on the mountain to be peacemakers, to take this peace back into their communities  impacted by gangsterism, violence or xenophobia.   “Be still and know that I am God”                    

Green Anglicans  was in the Diocese of Mbashe in Eastern Cape from the 4th  -6th of June for a Young Green Anglicans Summit. We had arranged time to visit Siyakhana Childrens home which operates under the Diocese as one of their social  development projects. Based in Butterworth Siyakhana is home to 35 children under the care of Nonceba and her team. Siyakhana has a very beautiful vegetable garden which they depend on  to serve  fresh and healthy meals to the little one’s.   While we going through what is available in the garden , a member from Farming God’s Way  which we invited came along to assist them in growing their veggie garden better, and advised on different crops they could grow on that type of soil.  Nontsikelelo a trainer from Farming God’s Way agreed to invite Siyakhana to one of the three day training’s.  

  The Youth workers of the Diocese of the Free State, Bino Makhalenyane and Thapelo Mabule organized a wonderful workshop for the Sunday School teachers and St Agnes leaders of the Diocese of Free State. The teachers were trained by Rev Rachel Mash and her team, Ncumisa Magadla and Vincent Letala (Joburg) to use the Ryan the Rhino Manual. This is a ten week programme teaching children to care for God’s Creation in a practical and fun way. If God is everywhere…then the earth a holy place! The aim of the workshop was to teach and train diocesan Sunday school teachers and St Agnes leaders on how pollution impacts negatively to our environment and how we as the church can protect the earth. Once trained we can go out to spread the word and teach our children about caring for Creation. The workshop was also blessed by a visit from, Bishop Steve Diseko and his wife Brenda from the Diocese of Matlosane. Mrs Diseko will be rolling out the programme in her Diocese. “I came to understand more about the existence of God being everywhere when Reverend Rachel Mash and her team taught us how to take care of our environment and surroundings. Quoting of the book of Psalm 24:1, she explained that the earth is a Holy place, so it must be kept clean at all times”: Blondie Buang, Deputy Sunday School President -Blondie Buang

“Cleaning the city, is renewing the environment” In the context of defining new prospects for evangelization and world environment day celebration, the Anglican Youth of Maputo held last Saturday, June 6 a cleaning journey, on the beach of Catembe. This initiative under the theme “clean the city is renew the environment” aimed to celebrate the world environment day, as well as draw attention to the world for the appreciation of nature as God’s creation. The activity was attended by 55 Anglican youth of both sexes, who voluntarily identify themselves and commit to this cause; they collected trash in a length of 1000 meters of the beach. The type of waste collected, include: Glass bottles Plastic bottles Plastics and others To help the young people understand the importance of this initiative, we had a talk about public health and its relationship with the environment. Mr. Carlos Daniel Cumbe explained to the youth the story of creation according to Genesis books Chapters 1 and 2. The District Secretary of the Anglican Youth of Maputo, Mr. Moses Nelson Sengulane, stressed the importance of moving forward the initiative. He invited young people to reflect in the coming days about the sustainability of the initiative, in ways we return to Catembe Beach, to raise awareness on the people who use the beach, because men and women were chosen by God to look after their creation.Carlos Respeito  

It was May the 22nd when the Sunday school bible class of St Augustine’s of Hippo from Lotus River went on a camp. The camp was Organised by Green Anglicans with the purpose of teaching the children more about nature and the importance of taking care of our environment. The camp was in False Bay Ecology Park Environmental Centre which is in Zeekovlei/Rondovlei nature reserve, where there are still a few Hippos .  The Office organised the camp after Rev Mash saw they wonderful drama the Sunday School performed for her during Season of Creation. This was a great experience and a wonderful Camp, because we got to see that most of the kids were indeed aware of how to take care of our environment and they were keen on learning other new things. The Camp consisted of the walk to Rondevlei where we learnt more about the history of Hippos and what they do, We also learnt more on how to take care of our wet lands,  The team building where children learnt more on how important it is to look out for each other, The Devotions which included a few readings from the bible and the Story of Nature from Ryan The Rhino book, and the wonderful night walk which was a great experience because it also taught the kids on how they can depend on each other as they everybody was grouped in pairs. After the weekend I must say I learnt a lot from the wonderful Young hippos of St Augustine’s and their teacher. I would like to thank Anwar, Ricardo, John and Zoliswa the staff of the nature reserve for teaching our young people about the importance of nature and lastly let me thank the wonderful Sunday Teachers from St Augustine’s on their job of guiding the Sunday school and making them be aware of Nature.  Indeed after that weekend I can confidently say St Augustine’s has produced the Young Hippos (Jaden Berry, Jimmy Patrick, Jaden Messiah) to mention a few. Nature is one of God’s beautiful creations. Through nature, God is able to teach us, speak to us, and provide for us. For this reason we can find scripture that we as humans are called to protect all which is of He has created -Job 12: 7-10