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As part of their service to the Lord the Diocesan Servers from Diocese ofJohannesburg met at St. James Anglican Church in Diepkloof Soweto for anenvironmental workshop.The day started off with Ms. Palesa Phayane ( Servers Environmental Affairs Coordinator) sharing the mission of having an environmentaldesk within the server’s guild. The dream is to not only grow trees or pray for theenvironment but to use this as on opportunity of restoring biodiversity while alsoputting up climate smart vegetable gardens at parishes. The produce could bedonate to local shelters, orphanage or used for parish soup kitchens. She also addedthat servers are known to be united, supportive and strong willed which is whystarting this initiative within the server’s guild gives a better chance of success. Theenvironmental initiative within the Diocesan servers guild has got both short term andlong term activities which have been outlined.Mr Bino Makhalanyane shared a presentation on the impacts and effects of climatechange under the theme of “The Earth is the Sanctuary of God”. He called onmembers of the servers’ guild , who are called to serve God within His Sanctuary tonot only limit themselves within church walls but to know and understand that thewhole earth is full of His Glory (Isaiah 6:3). Therefore we also have the responsibilityof taking care of our common home which is the earth .Attendees were then divided into six groups where each group had to design what apossible logo for the environmental desk within the diocesan Servers Guild wouldlook like.The day ended with a short wellness meditation.The motto for the Diocesan Servers Guild environmental initiative will be :PROTECT the environment so that we have a healthy place to live,PRESERVE so that future generations get to experience what we did,IMPROVE in order to enhance our lives and that of the other life forms around us Photo Credit : Ofentse Mogotsi

On Monday 17 June 2024 , 43 young people from the ecumenical joined the Climate YES one day workshop on Generational Restoration under climate justice. Eco-champ Morena Pule ( attendee of CY 2023 Bootcamp) began the day with a brief bible study on See, Judge and Act using Deuteronomy 6 as the base of bible study, the aim here was to make attendees aware that we cannot do anything if we do not open our eyes and minds to see, then judge for us to reach the goal of eco-restoration as a generation. The day progressed with a hands-on activity where attendees had to think about the different communities in which they come from and identify areas which need to be converted into better habitats for all creation. Attendees also took time to look at the root causes and came up possible solutions. Some of the key solutions was the call to mobilize faith leaders and groom them into eco-champs as they have a seat in strategic government and private sector networks, the need for Climate Change issue to be an inter-generational thing and not just focus on young people as our context still listens more to elders than they would to young people. The day ended off with a message from the Free State Diocesan Mothers Union President who committed and pledge her support in mobilizing mothers to support and listen to young people when it came to issues of eco-restoration. Photo credit: Morena Pule  

On Saturday 15 June 2024 over 80 young people from across the Diocese of Matlosane gathered together at the Diocesan Centre to celebrate nation youth day under the theme of Care for Creation . The day started of with an outside eucharist service lead by the Diocesan Bishop , where he encouraged the youth to new stop dream and chasing their dreams to become reality, but equally so they should learn to let go of things that keep hold one back from achieving the ultimate goal. He also encouraged the youth to take care of the environment by getting involved and embracing the Green Anglicans movement, as we only have one common home with all creation and need to therefore, they is a need to live in harmony with all creation. After the service the young people went into different groups for a bible study under the theme of :Generational Restoration , where they had to observe they’re surroundings and notice what has been broken, develop a plan and list action points. Part of the bible group discussions was for each group to look at how best young people can Recycle, Reuse and Reduce Plastic, Tins and Bottles. The day ended with the #Serethe challenges where the Bishop Diseko, Diocesan Servers Chaplain Revd Setlhafuno ,Diocesan Youth Coordinator Kgowe Moleme, Diocesan Green Anglicans Coordinator Ven. Peme and all young people took part as part of the provincial challenge .  Photo credit : Kgowe Moleme

Anglican Women Fellowship members from St Alphege Parish at Libode in the Diocese of Mthatha celebrated World Environment Day on 5 June by planting a spekboom on the parish grounds. Spekboom ( igwanisha in Xhosa) is a waterwise plant has medicinal properties and the leaves can be added to salads. Spekboom also helps clean the air because it absorbs a lot of carbon dioxide. So by planting a spekboom we are mitigating climate change. By: Thulethu Ngudle

Mothers Union in the Diocese of Lesotho had planned to commemorate World Environment Day on the 9th instead of 5th June 2024 as it fell within week day. Despite the freezing cold and snowy week, the St. Mary and John Parish in Maseru, had a session on the theme “Land, Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience” (translated in Sesotho), followed by comprehensive cleaning campaign of the church’s surroundings, de-weeding their existing flowering lawn and preparing soil for the additional new lawn. They appreciated the teamwork and unity brought by this day. They sung while working and shared their homemade meal afterwards. by: ‘Máseitshiro Khooe

  On the 05th June 2024 the Parish of St Peter’s Greenpoint hosted the Bishop and had the confirmation service that coincided with World Environment Day and as a symbol our of faith and commitment to caring for creation a small spekkebom plant was planted. #Careforcreation#EnvironmentalDay#CommunionForest#RadiatingChristslove#DioceseofKimbeley&Kururman by :Revd Tshenolo ,Ms.Kaone & Ms.Refilwe