News

On Sunday, the 21st September, the Sunday School of St Agnes, Zoar, in the Diocese of George, expressed their creativity and commitment to environmental awareness through a series of imaginative displays. Using paper, cotton wool, and cardboard, the children created pictures that spoke to themes of desolation, trees without shelter for birds and people, and trees that bore no fruit, symbolising the cries of creation and humanity for healing and renewal. Inside the church, a range of information signs and symbols were displayed to raise awareness on critical issues. The messages included: “We say no to polystyrene and plastic,” “Save nature by planting trees,” “Use more bicycles, fewer cars and avoid air pollution,” and a reminder that “We are the stewards of the environment.” The decorations tied together three key themes of the three weeks of the 2025 Seasons of Creation: The Potter’s Earth, When the Earth Mourns and Healing the Wounds of Creation.    Meanwhile, at St Paul’s, Conville, the Parish held a joyous baptism service. As part of linking faith with creation care, parents of the newly baptised children were gifted a packet of seeds to plant. This simple but meaningful gesture served as a living token of hope and healing for the wounded earth. Together, these initiatives highlighted how the Diocese of George continues to nurture both faith formation and environmental stewardship, reminding the church that caring for creation is a vital expression of discipleship. By: Revd. Maria Jacobs

On Sunday, 21 September 2025, the Diocese of the Free State gathered at St John’s Anglican Church, Fauresmith, in the South West Archdeaconry for a day filled with faith, celebration, and creation care. The service was marked by several significant milestones in the life of the church: a Confirmation Service, the Licensing of Lay Ministers, and the admission of new members to the St Francis Servers Guild and the St Agnes Guild. Meanwhile, on Thursday, 18th September, in the Sasolburg Archdeaconry, members of the Mothers’ Union from St Anthony’s, Vredeford, expressed their devotion through creation care by planting a rose garden in the churchyard. This beautiful act added both colour and meaning to the parish grounds, serving as a lasting symbol of faith and nurture. Adding to the joy of the celebrations, the Green Anglicans Movement joined in planting trees at Fauresmith as a living sign of hope and renewal. This act symbolised the church’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and its call to care for creation for generations to come. This week’s events were a reminder that faith and creation care walk hand in hand, as the Diocese of the Free State continues to grow in discipleship, service, and responsibility for God’s world. By: Eco-champ Mogorosi Molisapoli

On Wednesday, 17 September, the community of St Mary Magdalene Chapelry in the Parish of St Helena Bay gathered for the Morning Eucharist at Steenberg’s in the Diocese of Saldanha Bay, led by Archdeacon Paul Van Reene. During the Eucharist, Fr. Paul shared a reflection that invited the congregation to consider their relationship with nature, particularly the ocean. As a fishing community, the sea sustains livelihoods, offers beauty and wonder, and continually reminds us of God’s abundance. Yet with these gifts also comes a responsibility: to appreciate, respect, and care for the ocean that gives us life. The theme for the day, “Our Intriguing Relationship with the Ocean,” calls us to pause and recognise how creation speaks of God’s glory, and how we, as faithful stewards, are invited to live in harmony with it. By: Ven Paul Van Reene

On Saturday, 13 September 2025, the Green Anglicans, in partnership with Green Connection, hosted an engaging environmental workshop for young people from the Dioceses of Cape Town and False Bay. The event was designed to equip youth with knowledge and inspire action towards the care of God’s Creation, with a special focus on the oceans. The day began with a morning devotion, drawing from the Season of Creation 2025 liturgical resource. This time of prayer and reflection grounded the participants in the theme of the season, reminding them of their calling as stewards of God’s Creation. The programme then moved into the screening of the documentary “SPOILED”, produced by Green Connection. The film shed light on the destructive impacts of ocean blasting and other harmful practices on marine ecosystems and coastal communities. Following the screening, Liz McDaid from Green Connection led a heartfelt discussion, inviting the young people to share their reactions. She encouraged them to think creatively and practically about how they could play a role in protecting the oceans, particularly for the sake of future generations. The workshop also featured two powerful teaching sessions. Through prayer, learning, discussion, and challenge, the young people left the workshop with a deeper awareness of the urgent need to act for Creation and a renewed commitment to live out their faith through environmental justice. We thank the Parish of St. Thomas, Rondebosch, for hosting us and Green Connection for partnering with us to make this day possible.   Photo credit: Lelethu M

On Sunday, 14 September 2025, young people from the Parish of St Anne’s Anglican Church, Pigg Peak, in the Diocese of Eswatini celebrated Provincial Youth Sunday, under the Season of Creation theme: “Peace with Creation.” The gathering brought together young people and the wider congregation to reflect on God’s call for harmony between humanity and the environment, and to affirm the role of youth in championing climate justice and ecological reconciliation. As people of God, we are urged to restore and live peaceably with God’s Creation. In the Garden of Eden, God created everything to be good and peaceful. There was no indiscriminate burning, no killing and no enmity amongst man and Creation, yet now it’s directly opposite. Creation lives in fear of man; the beauty of nature is deteriorating in the hands of man. Man is urged to be reconciled with God so that peace can be achieved. Man must stop burning and destroying vegetation, man must stop killing animals and microorganisms, as they are all players in the ecosystem. Let’s advocate for peace. Colossians 1:20 says, “and through God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. We planted a peach tree as a symbol of commemoration. Each time it bears fruit, the message of peace with Creation must be remembered. Although it was a youth event, everyone participated, especially the young people, to ensure that the message of climate justice never leaves our minds, even when we have grown older. By : Mhlobiso Vilakati

The Season of Creation 2025 was ushered in with creativity, prayer, and practical action as dioceses across the Anglican Church of Southern Africa held events to celebrate and care for God’s creation. From environmental awareness programmes to tree planting and sustainable practices, Anglicans demonstrated that Peace with Creation is truly at the heart of Christian discipleship. On Thursday, 4 September, the Mothers’ Union, St Mary Magdalen, and Anglican Women’s Fellowship members from the Diocese of Mbashe partnered with the Chris Hani District Municipality and Dr A.B Xuma Local Municipality for a community environmental awareness programme. The event included sessions on environmental protection, waste classification, and safe disposal. The Mayor and Community Services Manager joined the gathering and handed over bins, garbage bags, rakes, and watering cans, donations that will support the MU Centre and All Saints Cathedral. That same day, in the Diocese of the Free State, members of the Mothers’ Union from St Mary’s and St Edward’s, Parys, led by Eco-Champs Mme Mohale, Mme Manibijara, and Revd Andrew Pule, held a moving outdoor service under the trees. The celebration concluded with a tree-planting ceremony at Thabang Clinic, Tumahole, linking the Season of Creation with the wider vision of the Communion Forest, a global Anglican initiative to restore and protect forests. In the Diocese of Christ the King, the Girls’ and Boys’ Friendly Society hosted their Diocesan Conference from 5–7 September, transforming the venue with decorations and outfits made entirely from recyclable materials. The creative use of sustainable resources reflected their commitment to eco-friendly living and inspired young members to embrace practical steps for a greener future. On Sunday, 7 September, in the Diocese of George, Revd Calvin Frans of St Alban’s, Pacaltsdorp, led worship under the theme “The Potter.” The church was beautifully decorated with paper doves and flowers, along with clay and stone vases, symbolising both fragility and resilience in creation. Meanwhile, in the Diocese of Matlosane, the Mothers’ Union of Tsogong Cathedral, Potchefstroom, marked the Season of Creation and Arbour Week by planting a tree as a sign of peace with creation. From rural clinics to cathedrals, from children’s ministries to Mothers’ Union gatherings, Anglicans across Southern Africa are showing that the Season of Creation is not just about reflection but also about action. These initiatives remind us that every act of planting, recycling, and teaching is part of building a more just, sustainable, and hopeful future for all.