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The Clergy of the Diocese of Cape Town decide to pray and fast for the climate

Day of Fasting and Prayer for the Climate   At their recent Bishop’s forum the clergy of the Diocese unanimously agreed to put aside the first day of each month to fast and pray for climate justice. This process will continue until the 2015 Paris Climate Conference known as COP 21 which will take place in December . This conference is very important as it will for the first time in over 20 years of UN negotiations, aim to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C. Here is a suggested prayer to meditate on as you fast A prayer for our earth All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one. O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth. Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light. We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace. (Pope Francis: Laudato Si)   www.prayandfastfortheclimate.org.uk Facebook : Fast for the Climate   Photograph taken at the renewal of priestly vows on Maundy Thursday

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YOUNG GREEN ANGLICANS OF SALDANHA BAY

Rev Makhosini conducted a workshop and retreat for young people in the Diocese of Saldanha Bay. He shared life skills with the young people from a theme from the book of Matthew equipping the participants with ways of dealing with the challenges of growing up in the modern world.  He challenged young people on how to take care of themselves as young stewards of God. The workshop was attended by different Youth guilds (Anglican Youth Fellowship, Girls and Boys Friendly Society and Bernard Mizeki Men’s Guild) from five perishes in the archdeaconry of Bellville and Paarl. Green Anglicans was invited to share with the young people about care for creation and being a young Green Anglicans. The presentation started with a drama that portrayed God as an artist who gave his wonderful painting (the world) to humans with a command to take care of it. In the story humans destroy the painting by drawing factories, roads, building as well as replacing trees and grazing velds with landfills. A lot of talent and participation was shown by the youth that present. We  learnt so much from the participants and had an opportunity identify movers and shakers that could assist in spreading the ministry. We would like to thank Rev Maci for his brilliant role in teaching young people about life values and the importance of taking care of the creation.  All the best for the youth as they are starting their journey as Young Green Anglicans. Percy Matanda  

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Mbashe AYF Launches Environmental Project& Youth Summit

On World Environment Day, 5th of June 2015  the Anglican Youth Fellowship of the Diocese of Mbashe hosted an environmental workshop in pursue of their aim to be “young green Anglicans”. The theme for the weekend was “Let’s go Green and save the nation”, in that spirit they launched a garden and implemented a few activities that would take place in their respective archdeaconries to kick start the care for creation program. The conference was blessed by the presence of the Diocesan Youth Chaplain Revd. Luzuko Doda, Diocesan Dean- the Very Revd. Mluleki Fikizolo. The Green Anglicans team Lwandile Malakhiwe Bada & Ncumisa Magadla came to All Saints Cathedral assisting the young people on practical ways of achieving this goal.  

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INTERDIOCESAN GREEN CARNIVAL

INTERDIOCESAN GREEN CARNIVAL The three Dioceses of the Western Cape held their first ever Green Carnival to celebrate World Environment Day on the  5th of June. The theme for the day was recycling and it was a day of great fun and excitement! Our two Very Important Persons for the day  were Bishop Margaret of False Bay and the Tin Man ! Bishop Margaret, wearing green pants and a flowery sweater inspired the youth to make a difference and the Tin man entertained us all and inspired us to Collect a Can! Music was led by Jazzinco and the wonderful musicians of Church of the Reconciliation Manenberg. There were stalls explaining the importance of recycling and wonderful crafts from the Khayelitsha craft market which showed how to make a living from crafts such as beads made from old magazines, ornaments made from old tin cans. We were inspired by Sedrico Husselman who started with an fun ice breaker which showed how we can all be leaders not just followers. He then challenged the young people by talking about the need for us to follow God by caring for Creation and explained some of the new technologies that are making a difference. Various youth groups had wonderful eats for sale, from the ASF, Diocesan Youth Council, Church of the Resurrection, St Michaels,  and the smaller members had fun on  the bouncy castle. And the moment we had all been waiting for – the Green Talent competition! The talents were quite impressive, from the little children of St Michaels Sunday school, the beautiful dance of St Marks District Six. Music was inspirational from St Dominic’s and from Kraaifontein. The competition was tight but the winners were the St Michaels who walked away with great excitement with the Green Carnival Trophy.. A huge thankyou to our wonderful MC, Barry who made us laugh and wowed us with his incredible voice! Rev Renee August inspired us to Care for God’s creation and to love the world as God does.. So we are left with one question…who will gain the trophy next year!!!

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Diocese of Lebombo- Sunday School children caring for Creation!

DIOCESE OF LEBOMBO – SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN LEARNING TO CARE FOR CREATION   Diocese of Lebombo, Mozambique: Sunday School Teacher are engaged in teaching children how to care for creation. The Parish of St. Stephen and Lawrence ( Diocese of Lebombo) had their workshop on “how to care about the creation” by:   1- Saving water 2- Planting Trees, small plants and flowers 3- Recycle, Reduce, Reuse   The above topics were accompanied by practical activities:   a)  They had Gymnastics to warm-up since it was a cold morning b) Children watched a 5 min movie on “if all trees disappear, all things die” c) They did research… children were separated in three groups: one group to find cans another group for glass and the third group for paper and plastics. They all won because the managed to put the garden clean.   Children also identified things that are not good in the parish garden:   – The way the waste is kept – Trees are getting dry – Erosion is taking part of the garden land   Two Children from the group were chosen to take notes of the findings and they have a proposal which will be sent to the parish council.   The last activity of the day was gardening. We now have a little Sunday school garden. Children have planted some palm trees which they say will be used during the next year palm Sunday. They also planted different kind of flowers seeds. They are anxious to see the results in a few months.

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