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On Saturday, 22 November 2025, the Anglican Society UWC/CPUT branch came together for a hiking experience that blended adventure, fellowship, and spiritual renewal. The chosen trail, Lion’s Head’s contour loop, is a path that winds around the mountain, offering panoramic views of Cape Town’s skyline, the Atlantic Ocean, Robben Island, and the majestic outline of Table Mountain. With backpacks and hearts open, the students went on a journey that was more than just physical; it was a celebration of creation and the joy of shared purpose. The hike was designed to be inclusive and reflective, allowing students to move at their own pace while soaking in the natural beauty around them. At different stations along the trail, students paused to reflect and take pictures, reminding all that creation itself is a sacred space for renewal and gratitude. Laughter and spontaneous conversations created new friendships and strengthened old ones. At one point, the group split into two, as they were searching for a trail that would lead to the beach, while others continued up the mountain. Though separated for a little while, the spirit of unity remained strong. Eventually, both groups reunited and found their way to the beach, where the sound of waves and the open horizon provided the perfect scene for rest and renewal. Once together again, the students shared refreshments, sitting on the sand, and they exchanged stories, laughter, and reflections on the hike. What could have been a moment of division became instead a symbol of diversity within unity, different paths taken, but one destination reached together. The hike was a much-needed break from the pressures of exams and campus life, a chance to breathe, reset, and remember that they are part of something larger than themselves. The day captured the essence of ASF’s #home_away_from_home character. It was not just about conquering a mountain or reaching the beach, but about walking side by side, supporting one another, and celebrating the joy of shared experiences. Every step brought us closer to nature, to each other, and to the One who walks with us. Article by Lionel Mokgata (ASF- WC Chair) Photo credit: Emihle Sobekwa

On Sunday, 23 November, the Eco-Champs from St Mary, Parys in the Diocese of the Free State took a creative step in nurturing environmental awareness among young people preparing for confirmation. As part of their ongoing commitment to promoting care for Creation, the Eco-Champs prepared succulent plants to be gifted to the confirmands. During the service, the Diocesan Bishop, the Right Revd Dintoe, personally handed over the succulents to the confirmands. This symbolic gesture served as a reminder of their responsibility to care for God’s earth as they continue their journey of faith. Succulents were chosen for their resilience and low-maintenance nature, reflecting the importance of cultivating sustainable habits even in small, meaningful ways. The initiative was warmly received, encouraging the confirmands to see environmental stewardship not just as a project, but as an integral expression of their Christian discipleship. By: Mme Mamosili Mohale Diocesan Mother Union Eco-Champ

The Green Anglicans movement in the Diocese of Mthatha hosted a successful workshop on 15 November 2025 at St. Bartholomew Parish, Corane, in the Archdeaconry of Misty Mount. The gathering brought together clergy, parishioners, and community members to explore practical and faith-rooted approaches to caring for the environment. Food gardening and waste management were the key focus areas of the workshop. Participants gained valuable knowledge on the importance of home food production, worm farming, and the nutritional and economic benefits of soy farming. They also explored creative ways to reuse old materials, an effort aimed at reducing pollution, minimising waste, and promoting responsible stewardship of God’s creation. The workshop concluded with participants feeling equipped and inspired, leaving with practical strategies they can implement both at home and in church-based environmental projects. By: Bonginkosi WhiteGreen Anglicans Diocesan Coordinator

Padre Aurelio – the Provincial coordinator of the Anglican Church in Mozambique and Angola was due to travel to belem in Brazil. . Unfortunately he was unable to travel so I asked him to share what would have been his message if he had been interviewed in Brazil. Here itis … 1 – SHARING MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH CLIMATE CHANGE Local ImpactsMy personal experience, and that of my family and community.In Mozambique, due to its geographical location, communities are cyclically affected by rising temperatures, droughts, floods and other extreme events. For example, in 2022 we experienced rising sea levels and flooding in Maxixe, where my pastoral residence was severely affected and partially destroyed, forcing us to postpone a wedding. The Diocesan Offices were partially destroyed and most of the Church’s documents were lost. Ninety-six families from my Parish lost their homes (67 partially destroyed and 27 completely destroyed). It was deeply tragic, and there was a prolonged struggle to rebuild and recover belongings. Farmlands were completely destroyed, with severe erosion. Our communities depend entirely on small-scale family farming. Unfortunately, due to the heatwave in 2023, all the crops (maize, peanuts and beans) were burned. This has resulted in two consecutive years of extreme hunger in our communities. Because of this and other factors, some young people were forced to seek refuge in the city of Maputo or in neighbouring South Africa in search of better conditions. Due to the strong storms that hit in 2024, two Primary Schools and a Health Centre (Hospital) were drastically affected, and their reconstruction remains uncertain. All services are currently operating under trees.Great suffering. 2 – ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE: Personal and Community Stories To stop or mitigate the advance of the sea, we are planting mangroves and casuarinas along the shoreline of the Chambone Mission (Maxixe). From 2017 to 2025 we have planted 2,158 mangrove seedlings, and from 2023 to 2025 we planted 123 casuarinas. We are also planting fruit trees and cashew trees, and at this point we have planted around 818 trees, which, in addition to sequestering carbon, could improve the communities’ diet. We created a mechanism to educate and motivate young people to participate in these activities through sports—mainly football and beach volleyball—where the “entry fee” is simply a bag of rubbish. This approach has produced excellent results. I would like to take this opportunity to request support with materials for these two sports (football and beach-volleyball balls and nets), if possible. Prayers and ReflectionsWe hold services on the beach with the intention of connecting young people to God the Creator. We always celebrate the main environmental days (Earth Day, Water Day, Biodiversity Day, Animal Day, Environment Day, Season of Creation) in open places (markets, schools, etc.), offering talks and planting trees along some of the city’s avenues. Deepening of Faith 3 – GOD IS CALLING THE CHURCH GLOBALLY TO: Note: At this moment I am experimenting with cultivating local mangrove seedlings, starting on 25 September. So far, the results have been very positive. This experiment aims to avoid bringing mangrove seedlings from another region with completely different soil and climate. With this approach, we will have seedlings from the same region, same soil and same climate, which will greatly reduce losses due to adaptation time.Pray for this PROJECT, which tomorrow may become a SCIENTIFIC PROJECT. For now, it is a dream. Kkkkk!

On Saturday, 8 November 2025, the Anglican Women’s Fellowship (AWF) of the Diocese of Free State held their final Diocesan Executive Meeting, hosted by the Parish of the Resurrection, Kroonstad in Free State. The women gathered, dressed in elegant white, symbolising peace, and carried their banner high to raise awareness about gender-based violence and femicide. Their message was strong yet compassionate: “We come in peace. Please stop GBV and femicide.” As part of their commitment to environmental stewardship, Diocesan President Mme Mpule, AWF Diocesan Eco-Champ Mme Mamikie, and Ven. Percy planted a symbolic tree, reaffirming their dedication to caring for God’s Earth. “What a beautiful and meaningful way to end the year, celebrating peace, unity, and care for creation among these inspiring women of faith,” said Eco-Champ Mme Mamikie.

Fourteen members of the Mothers’ Union from the Diocese of Highveld took part in the Farming God’s Way Saturday training series held on 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 August and 6 September 2025 in Benoni, east of Johannesburg. The sessions were led by a passionate and knowledgeable facilitator whose heartfelt teaching and engaging approach deeply inspired participants, creating a meaningful and transformative learning experience. A key highlight for many was discovering the deep connection between farming and the Bible realising that many agricultural principles reflect God’s Word. Participants were encouraged to approach farming with intention, excellence, and a sense of faith. The concept of “Stake My Claim” stood out especially, resonating deeply with participants on both a personal and spiritual level. In her reflection, Mrs Nobesotho Mdebuka, a Mothers’ Union member who attended, said, “Understanding farming in this way was just so phenomenal. Implementing what we were taught at home is a wonderful experience. Seeing the real difference between conventional farming and Farming God’s Way in my own garden is truly amazing.”