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  THE COMMUNION FOREST AT  EYE23 The Episcopal Youth Event (EYE23) was attended by over 1000 young Episcopalians and took place at the University of Maryland which is in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington The Creation Care Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington decided to set up an interactive booth to share about the Communion Forest action program.   Visitors to the booth were invited to add a prayer leaf on a prayer tree and  to mark on a U.S. map any hands-on creation care projects at their respective parishes or in their respective dioceses. It was a good launching pad to begin a conversation about creation care.  We collected over 100 prayers leaves for the tree and identified over 60 projects on the map. They  plotted on a map parish and diocesan work projects to protect and restore local habitats, including planting native specious, removing invasive species, and cleaning up parks, rivers, and beaches.   We  were able to chat with a wide range of young people about the call to action found in the Communion Forest program.  We emphasized that churches around the world are already engaged in transformative acts to protect and restore habitats in their own communities. We saw substantial energy among the young people for creation care, environmental justice, and concern for climate change.  We are hopeful that that energy will translate into concrete action. A 7-foot high Communion Forest banner was printed for the exhibition Abbott McCartney Creation Care Committee Episcopal Diocese of Washington    

ZULULAND DIOCESAN YOUTH GUILD 16th JUNE COMMEMORATION CONFERENCE The Zululand Diocesan Youth Guild   held it’s 16 June commemoration conference on the 23 till 25 June 2023 at  Zwelithini High School in eShowe, during which just over 500 young people from across the diocese attended . The conference brought about high levels of environmental understanding. Young people learnt a lot about the environment and below will share some of the things that out stood the presentation. Humans are part of the environment, the better the environment the better we are. The environment reflects us as humans. The environment is responsive of how we work with the it. Are we working in harmony with the environment? is a frequent question we should ask ourselves. Taking care of the environment is everyone’s’ ministry. When God had created all He then said it is good and the question is who are we to deteriorate what God created passionately and deemed good. With such comprehension it should dawn to us that we will account on how we treated God beautiful creation when the Day comes. Great stewardship begins from taking care and optimising the immediate environment. There was a planting of a tree as part of the Anglican Communion Forest By: Cyanda Ngubane Photo Credit : Sanele Mchunu      

ECO CAMP WESTERN CAPE  On the 26th to 28th of June 2023, the Green Anglicans of Southern Africa  hosted a three days Western Cape (namely    Dioceses of : Cape Town, Saldahan Bay, False Bay and  George) regional  camp  at Nature Connect Conservation Centre, Zeekoevlei, Cape Town. The Eco-camp was about learning more about Faith and the Environment, and the role of young Christian’s in response to  Climate Action. Key Themes like Plastic pollution, Climate change and environmental sustainability were addressed by different speakers including Diocesan  Environmental Coordinators . “This camp was very interesting and very useful and informative, it helped in promoting environmental awareness and protection. We definitely had fun and enjoyed ourselves as we also had time  for team build games, gained public speaking skills and had an opportunity to come up with  youth led environmental  Diocesan plans which we are to discuss with our coordinators.”By: Sivenathi Mabena Although it was the wettest winter for 47 years! The young eco warriors were not deterred! 28 young people braved the weather to join the Eco Camp and to be learn about climate change, plastic pollution, eco system restoration and communication skills The programme was full of laughs and learning – the Nature Connect team immediately divided them up into teams with names  such as buffalo and they worked right through in those teams Mitchelle from African Climate Activists unpacked the impact of climate change on the Western Cape – namely drought , flooding and fires which follow after drought. There are many impacts but all of them lead to challenges of infrastructure and food insecurity. Mel Awu led an exciting interactive session on communications and each person – no matter how nervous!  presented a one minute – environmental message! Rev Deon, Coordinator of False bay, led a very informative session on the impact of plastic pollution which was eye opening and very worrying Rev Shaun Cozett Environmental Coordinator of Cape Town led an interactive session on what the Bible says about creation care – which brought out everyone’s competitive nature! Later on they had to prepare their own biblical presentations Morning and evening devotions focussed on Scriptures about caring for creation, led by Lucy Burgess, Bino, John Paul and Rev Rachel We are so very grateful for the support of Rotary Club of Claremont  to be able to run this camp The final session was to prepare action plans around the themes of Climate change, Plastic Pollution and Eco-system restoration in the Diocesan Groups

Ladies Organization (Mafumahadi) @HOLY CROSS ANGLICAN Bloemfontein and Diocese of the Free State Green Anglican. Donated Clothing in good condition and Planted Trees at the Red Cross Provincial headquarters as part of the Green Anglican strategy of Waste Management of reusing, repairing, reducing, repurposing and recycling of unwanted materials to minimize environmental degradation (@ landfills). John 6:12- ” Let nothing be wasted” They also planted a tree  We strive to safeguard the integrity of creation.

False Bay Go Green! The false Bay Diocese is having their clergy formation week at Houw Hoek Hotel. During this week False Bay Go Green had the opportunity to highlight the work we do as part of the Green Anglican ministry. Our main area was to impress on clergy to implement the Greening of the Canons among other themes. Rev Deon McMillon

The Parish of St John’s the Baptist, Mganduli  officially opened the church Hall through dedication and blessing by the  Bishop  Rt Rev J T Ngombane The event also involved  planting a tree for climate adaptation Mr Bonginkosi White was invited to assist with the planting of the tree and lead an awareness about the importance of tree growing. The parish is the home parish for UDM leader Gen.B. Holomisa and MP Chief P. Holomisa The tree forms part of the Communion Forest   Mr Bonginkosi White