We would like to share with you some materials for World Environment Day. You might like to use them on Sun 7th of June or for your youth service later in the month There is a drama and some prayers. Follow this link: Youth Materials for World Environment Day
Youth Materials for World Environment Day Read More »
The Confirmation candidates of two of South Africa’s best known Anglican schools – Bishops and St Cyprians gathered at Mizpah centre for their confirmation retreat. In this beautiful setting they learned about their faith and creation. They started the morning with a quiet reflective space and built their own prayer labyrinths. Then they had a workshop with Rev Rachel Mash, Environmental Coordinator, who challenged them to think about the challenges of Caring for Creation. The fifth mark of Anglican Mission is to sustain creation, and we as humans have done a bad job so far! They did a bible study in small groups looking and the story of the Fall in Genesis and its consequences. We then looked at what a holistic understanding of salvation would mean for our lives. The learners then used their creative talents to prepare short dramas on the themes of climate change, litter, and water. A lot of fun was had by all, and they were able to educate the late comers who arrived from sports just in time to watch the dramas..!!
Caring for Creation at Confirmation Camp Read More »
The College of the Transfiguration is the only provincial residential college of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. Under the leadership of the new rector Revd Dr Vicentia Kgabe, the College is committed to take up the challenge of the Fifth Mark of Anglican Mission, to sustain God’s Creation. As a practical step they have installed recycling bins so that the students, future Anglican clergy can make this a regular part of their lives and initiative recycling in their to which they are placed in the future.
The College of the Transfiguration is going Green! Read More »
The Namibian Diocesan Environmental Conference took place at convent of the Holy Family at Onekwaya, about as far to the north of Namibia as you can get! We were greeted by the warm and hospitable Sister Gertrude who hails from Lesotho. The north of Namibia is in the grip of one of the worst recorded droughts. Families are struggling as their crops have failed and the government has encouraged people to slaughter their precious cows rather than let them starve to death. This has then flooded the market and dropped the price of beef. People wept as they came home with the tiny amount they were paid for a precious head of cattle. The environmental conference was organized by Fr Joseph Hanghome, Diocesan Environmental Coordinator, Fr Lasarus Ngube and Emmanuel Nakambale Although the numbers were small they were enthusiastic –with members from nine churches and four of the seven archdeaconries present. Rev Rachel Mash, provincial Environmental Coordinator shared the gospel call to respond to environmental challenges and climate change. Emmanuel Nakambale, a teacher gave us some statistics on global warming as well as practical hints on how to reduce our footprint. Rev Joseph shared ways to deal with solid waste. We had a wonderful practical session on farming led by Fr Lasarus, a passionate farmer who took us on a visit to the sisters vegetable garden. What a beautiful sea of green amongst the sandy desert!! They gave us vision and hope about what can be done. Namibia is faced with multiple challenges, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, drought and climate change. Litter blows in the wind and the children play amongst broken glass. And then the conference broke into groups to discuss how they would respond to the challenges. In response to deforestation they agreed to call on confirmation candidates to plant a tree. They also want to take up recycling and see how it can be used to raise funds for church use. Littering will be challenged as it is not caring for Gods sacred earth. The local archdeaconry committed itself to organizing an environmental conference… watch this space!! The Sunday saw a packed congregation at St Mary’s Odibo , reported to be the largest church in the Diocese! Rev Mash preached about the sacredness of God’s creation and how we often forget the first commandment – to care for Gods Earth (Gen 2:15). She gave an example which the congregation will not forget when she dumped a plastic bag of rubbish from the pulpit! We care when our holy church is filled with rubbish, yet we do not care when God’s sacred Earth is filled with junk! The children watched with wide eyes!! The service was filled with wonderful singing and especially Hymn 199 which said “the heavens declare the glory of the Lord” St Mary’s Odibo was also home to the famous artist John Mafuangejo, who studied there and several of his beautiful prints are on display at the archives run by Nancy Robson.
Namibia – “Hope and optimism in spite of present drought” Read More »
Green Anglicans was invited to the Western Cape Anglicans Ablaze on the 02 May 2015 to enlighten people about environmental challenges facing Western Cape as a province and how the church can respond to those. About 35 people attended the environmental session to participate on ways of which we can cut down our carbon foot print and the day began with vibrant ice breaking games lead by Ncumisa Magadla. Rev Rachel Mash shared impacts of climate change around the province what it is to expect in future. She also clearly defined what is green Anglican and why it is important we become green especially in the Western Cape. Rev Shaun Cozett presented practical steps that can be taken by church’s to cut down on their carbon footprint and ecologically friendly. He made reference to some of the things his church has done and how they inspired other people to take part. Participants were later divided into focus groups discussing different environmental issues (water, energy, worship, land& water) and how the church can respond to them respectively. At end of workshop everyone agreed we all have to play a role in caring for creation. The event was also graced by a new member of the Green Anglicans team, Malakhiwe Bada, who joined the provincial office in April 2015 all the way from Eastern Cape. We welcome you Malakhiwe!
Western Cape Regional Anglicans Ablaze Read More »
They refer to the Diocese as the diocese with a difference and we indeed saw them striving for change. The Anglican Diocese of Mthatha held their first environmental conference on the 24th-25th of April 2015. On the first day the conference started with a clergy workshop focusing on the link between theology and the environment, Rev Andrew Warmback, Assistant Dean and Diocesan Environmental Coordinator for the Diocese of Natal fixed on issues the diocese may face environmentally because of their geographical orientation. With life threatening repercussions from climate change and other environmental issues the clergy agreed that care for creation and environmental ministry must be prioritised in churches. Graced by mist the second day of the conference started with a service outside led from the Season of Creation Eucharistic book and it made history to be the first time the diocese had an environmental service outside. It was followed by full day workshop which had various programs for women, lay and clergy, as well as youth. Farming Gods Way a resourceful organisation which provides training on various ways of food presented a story of success through their way of farming and listened to challenges the diocese has with their food gardens. They offered practical solutions and even agreed to visit the diocese again for a special training on farming Gods way. Bonginkosi White the Diocese Environmental Coordinator of Mthatha ended the conference with words of encouragement for the diocese to take up this as one of their aims and goals, thanked the presence of Thulethu Ngudle who will be assisting him towards the goal of being an Eco Diocese. -Ncumisa Magadla
Diocese with a Green difference Read More »
