Hymns for the Season of Creation
A wonderful selection of hymns based on the lectionary readings has been prepared by Cedric Williams. These are new words set to well known tunes
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News
Planting Trees to Celebrate Partnership Anniversary
This summer, St. John’s, Lafayette Square, was delighted to plant trees in South Africa to celebrate 20 years of its partnership with the Kwasa College. St. John’s visited Kwasa during a pilgrimage trip in August led by its Rector, the Rev. Robert W. Fisher. Kwasa is an Anglican school located near Johannesburg, South Africa. It now serves 450 children through grade 7. Most of the children live in a nearby informal settlement comprised of corrugated metal shacks. The Kwasa-St. John’s sharing began soon after the Rev. Sharron Dinnie started Kwasa. Sharron began by holding classes in an abandoned mining camp building. Over the years, the partnership has flourished. St. John’s has regularly visited to see Kwasa’s substantial growth and has welcomed Sharron, teachers, and students to Washington. Close personal ties have formed from this sharing. During the visit, the Kwasa children and St. John’s found joy in planting 20 native trees to mark 20 years of working together. Armed with shovels, watering cans, and a guitar, Rob and Sharron blessed the trees, using an Anglican Communion Forest liturgy. For their part, the Kwasa children committed to care for and to water the trees. All voices were lifted in song during the blessing. With his guitar, Rob led a joyful singing of an American spiritual hymn. The Kwasa children responded by offering a spirit-filled South Africa folk hymn. Tree planting to celebrate special occasions is a hallmark of the Anglican Communion Forest, a global initiative to safeguard God’s creation through local activities to restore and protect natural habitats. The Diocese of Washington has embraced the Communion Forest. #communionforest
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DIOCESE OF GEORGE ENVIRONMENTAL MINISTRY GAINS MOMENTUM
Under the leadership of Bishop Edwin Pockpass, the Environmental ministry in the Diocese of George is taking off! Pictured is the Environmental sustainable development committee with Bishop Edwin , chaplain Maria Jacobs at their quarterly meeting held at the Church of the resurrection Sedgefield The parish of St Andrew’s in Riversdale celebrated their centenary in July. They heeded the call from the Province for a Plastic free July and tried to make all their celebrations plastic free. They also used the opportunity to make the community aware of the 3Rs, reduce , reuse and recycle. Pictured is the rector, Rev Canon Darian Petersen
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CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE AT COTT
The College of the Transfiguration is the Seminary for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, with students from across the Province Every year they hold a SIM (Student Interest Ministries) week. This year one of the topics of discussion was Climate Change. Rev Rachel Mash the Provincial Environmental Coordinator was invited to address the students. The day started with a bible study based on Psalm 104 which looked at our relationship with the web of life. Then we looked at the topic of “ Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi” As we worship, so we believe, so we live It is because of the lack of attention paid to creation in our worship and theology that we have neglected to care for God’s Creation. We then considered the impact of climate change on Southern Africa. We are facing massive storm damage and heat impact. The most vulnerable are the most impacted “We are all in the same storm but we are not all in the same boat”. For instance the heat in a shack can be 10 degrees hotter than a house with insulation We followed the talk with a group exercise on climate disaster preparedness. Knowing that a flood was on the way , what actions would we take ? and after the flood how should the church respond? The day ended with planning for the greening of the college and the inclusion of an environmental rep in the SRC. We then visited the garden that has recently been started – first fruits !
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Plastic Pollution and Climate change Workshop Port Elizabeth
On August 5, 2024, at the Cathedral of St. Mary the Virgin, Dr. Mash, Provincial Coordinator for the Green Anglican Movement, hosted by Mrs. P. Koltana, Port Elizabeth Diocesan Chaplain, facilitated a pivotal workshop on plastic pollution and climate change. This event proved to be a transformative experience, illuminating the critical intersection between environmental stewardship and faith. The workshop provided a comprehensive overview of plastic waste statistics in our oceans and the pervasive presence of microplastics in even the most remote regions. It emphasized that addressing plastic pollution extends beyond mere litter removal to encompass systemic issues related to consumption patterns and economic structures. Dr. Mash touched on the theological and ethical dimensions of environmental care, emphasizing how faith communities are engaging with global challenges. The participants were challenged to reflect on their own experiences by focusing on practical steps for reducing plastic use, from personal lifestyle changes to community initiatives, fostering solidarity and collaboration among like-minded individuals.
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Green Anglicans At LCOY South Africa
On the 2nd and 3rd of August 2024, the South Africa Climate Action Network, the Global Shapers Community: Tshwane Hub and the African Climate Reality Project hosted the Local Conferences of Youth LCOY South Africa (LCOY: an event under the umbrella of YOUNGO, the official youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Its fundamental objectives revolve around enhancing localized youth-driven climate action and providing valuable insights for international conferences) . This was more than just any conference, but more of a movement, as a space where over 100 young people from the Gauteng province and surroundings could share ideas, and concerns and come up with innovative solutions to the climate crisis we face. During the two-day conference, five members from the Green Anglicans movement (namely: Gontse Motlopye, Tumiso Mohlahlane, Boipelo Mojapelo: Diocese of Pretoria, Morena Pule: Diocese of Free State and Tlou Mpia: Diocese of St Marks the Evangelist ), formed part of the young people representing the religions sector. LCOY offered a unique opportunity to connect with similar thinkers and individuals from various backgrounds and industries. We exchanged ideas, forged new partnerships, and laid the groundwork for future collaborations. The sense of community and solidarity was evident and empowered us to tackle the climate challenges ahead. The two-day event also served as a reminder and wake-up call that the climate crisis requires urgent collective attention from all sectors including ecumenical youth, as young people, we have the power to shape the future and demand change. As a youth leader within the religious space, I urge all young people within and beyond the Anglican church to get involved with Caring for Creation and join the voices of many young people across the globe demanding action and a sustainable future for all. By Gontse Motlopye
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