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As part of the Global Mothers Union 120 years celebration for its community work in various countries and communities, the Mothers Union of the Diocese of Johannesburg together with the Parish of Christ the King held a one day cleanup and awareness campaign. This took place in Coronationville, Johannesburg on the 27th of July 2024.  The aim was not only to observe the day but to show when organizations join forces with the local community members a lot can be achieved. The main message of the day was to highlight the importance of a clean environment and its impacts on the health and well-being of human-beings. The Mothers Union in the Diocese of Johannesburg calls on all of us to recognize that:  “We have destroyed the healthy relationship our ancestors had with the environment and most of the creatures on it. They knew the importance and the value of these relations for our physical, mental and spiritual well-being. We have ourselves thinking that we are the owners of this earth and of the creatures living on it. We think we can do as we wish with them without accountability, but the current state of our planet proves otherwise. Let us change our attitude towards Mother Earth and give the respect and care it deserves as people with ubuntu and as honorable citizens (refer People shall govern)”. One of the main lessons from this clean up is that community engagement and participation is important when it comes to the matter of caring for creation as this is our common home.

TO HOPE AND ACT WITH CREATION The theme for 2024 is “To hope and act with Creation” and the symbol is “The first fruits of hope”, inspired by Romans 8:19-25. Creation is groaning in the pains of childbirth (Romans 8:22) This biblical image pictures the Earth as a mother, groaning as in childbirth. Along with our Sister, Mother Earth, creatures of all kinds, including humans, cry out because of the consequences of our destructive actions causing climate crisis, loss of biodiversity, and human suffering as well as Creation’s suffering. And yet, there is hope and the expectation for a better future. To hope in a biblical context does not mean to stand still and quiet, but rather groaning, crying, and actively striving for new life amidst the struggles. Just as in childbirth, we go through a period of intense pain, but new life is coming forth. Creation is standing on tiptoe waiting for the children of God to be revealed (Romans 8:19) Creation is standing on tiptoe waiting for us to act! Creation is not given to humanity to use and abuse, rather, humanity is created as part of Creation. More than a common home, Creation is also a cosmic family that calls us to act responsibly as part of the web of life.. This is how the children of God have an intrinsic vocation and an important role to play in the manifestation of the kingdom of justice (cf. Romans 8:19). First fruits of hope (Romans 8:23-25) We act for a better future because we are people of hope, we know Christ has overcome the death caused by our sins. We know that we have caused a lot of damage to Creation, and to the world we are living in because of our negligence, because of ignorance, but as well, in many cases, because of our unrelenting wish to satisfy unrealistic selfish dreams (cf. Romans 8:22). Hope is not merely optimism. It is not a utopian illusion. It is not waiting for a magical miracle. Hope is trust that our action makes sense, even if the results of this action are not immediately seen (cf. Romans 8:24). We know how much bold action to restrain the climate and ecological crises is urgent, and we also know that ecological conversion is a slow process as humans are stubborn to change their minds, their hearts, and their ways of living. Together with Creation, let us hope and take action www.seasonofcreation.org Women Bishops This year we have invited six women bishops to prepare the sermon notes during the Season of Creation.  They come from Kenya, Brazil, Lesotho, Eswatini and the UK. The role of women in environmental leadership is very important. Women are often more impacted by climate change than men.  In many countries women are having to walk further and further distances to fetch water and firewood, reducing their opportunities for education and paid work. Women are more likely to be smallholder farmers who are dependant on rain fall rather than irrigation. And women are more likely to die in climate related disasters – carrying children and the elderly they are less able to flee. And yet women are also earth keepers and protectors – biodiversity is a source of food and healing.  They will also fight for the health of their children in the face of environmental degradation. And so this year we honour the role of women environmental leaders with these voices of women bishops. THE ICON This year’s icon by Bob Mash represents the Anglican Communion Forest. This is a vision of local activities of forest protection, tree growing, and eco-system restoration undertaken by provinces, dioceses and individual churches across the Anglican Communion to safeguard creation. Together we are united as a global family in this vision. The branches reflect the diversity of nature and the golden tints reflect the sacredness of God’s creation. To plant is to hope To restore is to heal To protect is to love www.communionforest.org “The leaves of the trees are for the healing of the nations” Rev 22:2 https://www.greenanglicans.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Manual-2024-compressed.pdf

On Saturday 27th of July members of the Girls and Boys Friendly Society (GFSF ) from the Diocese of Free State held its mini conference for the Bloemfontein , South and East Archdeaconries. As part of the global Plastic Free July campaign, Eco-Champ Mme Mdi gave a presentation on dangers of plastic, educating the members of the GBFS about how deadly and poisonous plastic is to us and the entire creation . She  also sharing tips on how we can safely dispose of plastic. Members of GBFS led by the Diocesan GBFS President Mme Tladi marched  around the streets of Managing were they walked to the nearby illegal dumping site ,which has plastic waste everywhere. During these march members of GBFS did community awareness on dangers of single use plastic while also calling for an end to the era of single use plastic.  #PlasticFreeJuly #EndSingleUsePlastic  By: Odireleng Sepato

Rev Dennis Nthenge was invited by the Archbishop of Uganda to conduct a two day Eco-theology course in the Diocese of Kampala.  The goal was to equip and commission lay and clergy to promote and practice stewardship of the environment. Rev. Dennis Nthenge Kiilu is the Chaplain to the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya and Coordinator of the Green Anglican Movement of All Saints Cathedral Diocese 50 members of the Diocese of Kampala attended the two day   event which was opened by the Diocesan Secretary and took place on the 18th and 19th of July . The venue was the beautiful setting of Lweza Retreat Centre The first day started with  an introduction to Eco-theology and the Biblical basis for Creation Care. The next topic was understanding climate change and its impact on communities, with theological reflections on Climate justice and the prophetic role of the Church. Then we moved on to practical eco-theology, considering sustainable agricultural practices and waste management and recycling in a church context. Participants then  broke into groups to develop sermons and songs focused on creation care. These were presented and refined, fostering creativity and practical application of the training. The second day focused on the practical side of the Green Anglicans movement, looking at case studies of successful eco-theological initiatives in the Green Anglican Movement Kenya. These were followed by group discussions on implementing eco-theology in local parishes. This was followed by a session on Engagement and Advocacy, looking at strategies for community engagement and raising awareness as well as advocacy for climate action at local, national levels. The final session  was spent in developing action plans.       Each participant created an action plan for implementing eco-theology principles in their home parishes. The course ended with a commissioning where  participants were commissioned to work for the Lord in caring for and protecting His creation. The eco-theology training mission in Kampala was a significant success. The enthusiastic participation and commitment of the attendees underscore the vital role of the Church in addressing environmental issues. This mission has laid a strong foundation for ongoing eco-theological education and action within the Diocese of Kampala. The seeds have been sown for the launch of the Green Anglican Movement.  I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda for the invitation to his diocese of Kampala, a special thanks to Rev. Canon Rachel Mash and my sponsors who purchased the return air ticket and the church leadership at Lweza Training and Conference Center for their unwavering support. Your investment in this mission is already yielding fruit, and I am confident it will continue to inspire and effect positive change in the stewardship of God’s creation. Additionally, I would like to express my deep appreciation to Rev. Chrysostom Akwetch Manager of the institution and Richard Erasto Coordinator of the Green Anglican Movement in Kampala Diocese for their kindness in hosting me and going out of their way to make my time in the Diocese of Kampala comfortable. Next Steps will involve continued support and follow-up with the trained members, through WhatsApp platform, to ensure the implementation of their action plans. This will be followed by planning additional training sessions and expanding the initiative to other dioceses. Rev. Dennis Nthenge Kiilu

Canon Thandekile Zulu from Eswatini, Nyendo Kinyonga from Tanzania and Rev Victoria from Namibia   attended a workshop for women faith leaders  organized by SAFCEI.  (Southern African Faith Communities Environmental Institute) held in Johannesburg Women Faith Leaders  from across 11 African countries are gathered  for a training on climate Advocacy. Climate change affects women and children the most ,women of faith play a crucial role in climate Advocacy.  The attendees of this workshop were all environmental activist who each shared an emotional story of inspiration. Amongst the topics discussed were: Issues of renewable energy-  a Russian Activist  Vladimir shared some of the risks of nuclear energy which is being promoted in Africa –  -risky, expensive a form of modern day slavery to countries that may be funded. The importance of indigenous foods in curbing climate change. Methodologies of environmental advocacy. The use of the different media platforms There was also a field trip to an aquaponics farm We are grateful to SAFCEI for the opportunity for this training Photo will Francesca Gasparis the director of Safcei Canon Thandekile Zulu

On June 29, 2024, Green Anglicans Lesotho took a significant step towards promotingenvironmental conservation by planting trees at a confirmation service in Hlotse.Rapelang Korotjoe, one of the Diocesan Green Anglicans coordinators, had the specialprivilege of participating in the tree planting ceremony alongside Bishop Kgabe andconfirmed candidates at St. Savior’s Parish.The event was a symbolic gesture of the organization’s commitment to caring for God’screation and promoting sustainable practices within the Anglican community in Lesotho.The act of planting trees not only helps to mitigate climate change but contributes to theAnglicans communion forest initiative which Green Anglicans align themselves with.Additional trees were left in the care of the parish’s Green Anglicans coordinators, whowill continue to nurture and monitor their growth. This hands-on approach toenvironmental stewardship not only fosters a deeper connection to nature but alsoempowers individuals to take action in their own communities.As we strive to protect and preserve the natural world for future generations, initiativeslike the tree planting ceremony at St. Savior’s Parish serve as a reminder of theimportance of caring for our planet and living in harmony with God’s creation. Throughcollective action and individual responsibility, we can make a meaningful impact on thehealth of our environment and create a more greener and sustainable future for all. These trees will form part of the communion Forest By: Mr Rapelang Korotjoe