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Archbishop Thabo Makgoba On this Good Friday, we reflect on the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Our view of salvation has often focused on our individual souls and journey to heaven. Our responsibility to care for God’s Creation has been overlooked or ignored. We have acted as if Christ only died to save the human race. The truth of the redemption of all things in Christ, which is the message of the life-giving cross, must be reclaimed (Colossians 1:20). Last month I invited a group of Anglican bishops from those parts of the world most impacted by climate change to strategise around the response of the Anglican Church, which consists of more than 85 million people. As the bishops shared their stories, our hearts were broken as we heard of the destruction caused by the hurricane in the Philippines and the devastation in Fiji, where rising sea levels is threatening to displace whole communities with the consequent loss of culture and identity. We mourned the loss of the lungs of our planet through deforestation in the Amazon, and the devastating effects of acidification of seawater and depleted fishing grounds; the impacts of air pollution and destructive mining, and energy extraction and transportation practices. In the face of such environmental degradation what does it mean to believe that “God so loved the world that He sent his only begotten son?” (John 3:16). Interestingly in the original Greek this verse would read “God so loved the cosmos”. So if God sent His son to save the whole cosmos and not just the people in it, what does that mean for us? I would like to share with you some of our reflections as a group of bishops gathered together from different parts of the globe. Climate change is a spiritual problem as well as an economic, scientific and political one, because the block to effective action relates to basic existential issues of how human life is framed and valued. These issues include the competing moral claims of present and future generations, human versus non-human interests, and how the lifestyle of wealthy countries is to be balanced against the basic needs of the developing world. For this reason people of faith must urgently find their collective moral voice. Climate justice for us as Christians demands a faith response. Creation is holy, and we are called to serve and protect the Earth now and for future generations (Genesis 2:15). We have been complicit in a theology of dominion (Genesis 1:26), and now realise that human dominion over the earth can only be exercised in the light of Jesus’ command that the greatest is the one who serves (Luke 22.26). We believe that the voices of indigenous peoples, whose relationship with creation remains integral to their spirituality and relationship with God, is of central importance to ongoing ministry on climate justice. We are painfully aware that women frequently bear a disproportionate burden of climate change largely because they make up the majority of the world’s poor, and are often more dependent for their livelihood on natural resources threatened by climate change. There is a compelling need to listen to the voices of our youth who will inherit the challenges and catastrophes we fail to address. We believe the issue of climate change is a moral issue at its heart. Attending to the current and future life and health of our planet will require sacrifices now, both personal and collective, a deeper appreciation of the interdependence of all creation, and a genuine commitment to repentance, reconciliation and redemption. We accept the evidence of science concerning the contribution of human activity to the climate crisis and the disproportionate role played by fossil fuel-based economies. Although climate scientists have for many years warned of the consequences of inaction, there is an alarming lack of global agreement about the way forward. To live in the way of our Saviour, who reconciles all of Creation to himself, we therefore committed ourselves to the following initial actions and to developing a strategic plan of action in the months ahead. The initiatives listed below are our first steps and we invite people of faith and goodwill everywhere to join us in these endeavours: lTo fast for climate justice on the first day of every month in solidarity with the Earth. lTo strengthen our ecumenical and inter-faith partnerships globally and locally, standing in solidarity with all people of goodwill in response to the climate crisis. lTo develop and distribute educational materials on climate justice and Care for Creation. lTo review our churches’ investment practices with a view to supporting environmental sustainability and justice by divesting from industries involved primarily in the extraction or distribution of fossil fuels. lTo implement energy conservation measures in church buildings and move to renewable energy sources as quickly as possible. lTo conserve water and recycle waste around church buildings and properties. lTo nurture biodiversity on church land by creating a safe habitat for indigenous species and to support local communities by sharing land resources for local food production. lTo advocate for sustainable water, food and agricultural practices in our communities We also call upon political, economic, social and religious leaders in our various countries to address the climate change crisis as the most urgent moral issue of our day. We urge them to: lWork with all possible commitment and speed towards fair, ambitious, accountable and binding climate change agreements at national and international levels. lMove from dependence on fossil fuels to renewable energy on a national level. lDevelop policies that genuinely assist environmental and climate refugees, and promote mechanisms of intergovernmental co-operation that ensure their human rights, safety and resettlement. The covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own, Father, forgive. The greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays waste the Earth, Father, forgive. l The Archbishop of Cape Town, the Most Rev Dr Thabo Makgoba, Chair of the Anglican Communion Environmental Network. The full Good Friday

The Green Saints an environmental group from All Saints Landsowne celebrated Earth Hour on the 28th of March.  The evening service had a great turn out with visitors from other parishes.  They celebrated with poetry, songs accompanied by the guitar, breathing and laughter exercises and education about natural cleaning products vs harmful chemicals. Wonder Bags kept the healthy soup warm and the candles in jam jars gave a comforting soft light. “What a lovely warm fellowship evening. We look forward to more green evening where we learn about greening our bodies, homes and the environment.” The Green Saint’s mission is to create an awareness to be green conscious, to have green evenings where knowledge is shared and to raise funds for green initiatives at the church and community. For more green ideas or churches wanting to do similar activities, get hold of the Green Saints contact Glenda Pieterse at  [email protected] or 021 6962156   It is often difficult to judge how our actions and their impact on the environment are likely to affect others. What is clear is that we are the only species with the power to destroy the earth. Birds and insects have no such power, nor does any other mammal. And yet if we have the capacity to destroy the earth, we also have the capacity to protect it. I believe we have an urgent responsibility to do so. Dalai Lama

St John’s Walmer in the Diocese of Port Elizabeth held their first parish E- waste collection on the 21 of March 2015.  Tim Douglas-Jones who was part of this nature- caring initiative says the day started at 12 midday and the turnout was good and had a positive response which was encouraging. They worked with MicroDoctor, an initial computer company that has interest in e- waste who assisted them in orchestrating the waste.  The day ultimately was a success as they had a full bakkie load of waste on Monday the 23rd of March 2015 which was then carted off to recycling.   St John’s in Walmer will have another E-waste collection very soon, look out for the dates and times.

Here are some prayers for Earth Hour.Earth Hour Prayer 2015

Earth Hour started in 2007 as a lights-off event to raise awareness about climate change. We have grown to engage more than 162 countries and territories worldwide. Earth Hour is on Saturday, 28 March 2015 at 8:30 pm local time. We have adapted some materials from the Scottish Eco-Congregations for your use, which are available at this link: Earth hour pack Watch and share this video which shows how the impact of Earth Hour is growing – it is a symbolic action, an awareness raiser that tells us the Power is in our hands! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxIMib4e8f8