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On Saturday 30 April 2022 the Diocese of the Free State Environmental team gave a presentation to the ASF of the Free State on the theme of Eco-Friendly Campus. Mr Molisapoli  started off by explaining how the Environmental Network came into being and the Anglican Communion’s five  marks of mission. He  then shared with us examples of how  greed has continued to rob many people more especially the poor not only humankind but also God’s creation which in Genesis it written “For it was good”.  The challenge of the day was that we all need to do our bit in caring for God’s creation and it start with reducing our level of consumerism . The team was made up of three members Mr. Molisapoli ( Diocesan Environmental Coordinator ) Canon Mafereka ( Diocesan Education officer ) and Ms Refilwe ( Youth rep). By Bino Makhalanyane

On Saturday 30 April 2022 the Diocese of Free State Environmental team had the privilege of presenting a paper “Creating Heaven on Earth Now” to the Bloemfontein Mother’s Union Archdeaconry who sat under the conference theme “Transformation Now’. Revd Canon Mafereka (Diocesan Education officer and member of Eco-team)  spoke with Mothers’ Union on how our own waste continues to become a disasters and hazard problem  in our local communities, he made an example of when a child is baptized in church saying “ We all ensure that the water is clean and even the surroundings within the church are clean and beautiful, symbolising the beauty of the river of Jordan , however as soon as the child walks out just a few meters from the church the local river streams are full of litter and human waste  coming from our own homes, the real river is so filthy no one wants to drink or even swim in it”. . He went on to say it’s like giving the child a glimpse of what heaven looks like and then moments later send them straight back to hell. The main message to members of Mothers Union was that of Transforming our communities for a better future of our children. This transformation needs to start now as things are getting destroyed and messed up now, children no longer see clean river streams, yet we speak of a Christ baptized by the river. Our communities have become dumping sites with no space for our children to play without putting them in danger.  So the time is now to transform from our old habits and build our heaven here on Earth. The Conference was Styrofoam free in line with the MU Provincial Resolution. Bino Makhalanyane

Churches from across the Diocese of Cape Town celebrated the first Sunday after Easter with a service in Creation. Some of them used the Earth Day liturgy. Fellowship and food was enjoyed afterwards!  

WE FEED OUR EARTH, PLANTING MORE TREES.   Thus was our motto on this April 22 World Earth Day, in which the Students of the Degree Course in Environment and Community Sustainability, Maxix Municipal Council and the Green Anglican-Inhambane performed tree planting of Shadow ( Houses) at Ngungunhane Avenue ( City of Da) Max). The personalities of this city (President of the Municipal Council, Administrator and Permanent Secretary), took part in the activity. The Earth is like a Child, it needs to be fed. Plant a tree and take care of the Earth!   Rev Aurelio Uquei

Earth Day falls on the 22nd of April. What is the link between Easter and the Message of Earth Day? here are some resources that you can use on Earth Day or on the Second Sunday of Easter  

On Friday the 1st of April 2022 the Green Anglicans Movement in Southern Africa together with the Anglican Diocese of Cape Town launched the “Green Teens Climate Activist” programme aimed at empowering teenagers from Cape Town and surrounding areas on issues of climate change and how they can become future Eco-warriors, who advocate for the protection of our environment both for this generation and those to come.  The day started of with some singing which led to the opening devotion led by Rev Shaun Cozett (Diocese of Cape Town Environmental Coordinator), under the theme of ‘Joining the trend so others might know’, we then moved on with getting to know each other by means of  an ice-breaker led by Ms Mel Awu, who is from St Paul’s Rondebosch and part of Toastmaster International and a very good public speaker.  The teens had to introduce themselves , tell us about their favourite bible verse and hints on how to save our planet and fight Climate Change. Amongst other things the teens warned us to stop burning our waste as the fumes are very toxic and dangerous, others encouraged buying of good quality second hand clothing which in turn saves us money and avoids clothing waste, many other ideas were shared and what came on top was community urban transformation clean ups (most of our teen are from communities which have illegal dumping sites).  Ms Mitchelle Mhaka from African Climate Alliance blessed us with a wonderful talk on why we are called to serve and to fight climate change and what the bible calls us to do. That Jesus in his own right was a radical activist. Caring about social and political reforms that helped the oppressed. It was inspiring to hear how God called so many teenagers in the Bible! The day was closed with a vote of thanks and what is expected from the teens by Rev Dr Rachel Mash. Story – J.P Roberts