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The Diocesan Eco-champions in the Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman actively participated in the Diocesan Family Weekend, held in Taung, Molopo Archdeaconry, from August 29th to 31st. The prayer walk brought together clergy, laity, and families from across the Diocese, serving as a highlight and reminder to the Church’s role in nurturing both spiritual growth and care for creation. During the Diocesan Family Weekend, a significant amount of time was dedicated to fellowship and spiritual renewal among Diocesan members, the prayer walk served as a powerful symbol of unity between our faith and environmental responsibility. The walk was not only an act of worship but also a public witness to the urgent need for environmental consciousness amid global climate challenges. It brought together people from diverse parishes within the Diocese, fostering solidarity and encouraging collective action towards sustainable living. By integrating prayer with environmental advocacy, the Diocesan Eco-Champions reinforced the message that caring for creation is a spiritual imperative. The Eco Champions’ participation marks a milestone in the Diocese’s ongoing efforts to address environmental issues through faith-driven initiatives. It demonstrated a show of growth and awareness in the Anglican Communion. It is through such events that the Diocesan Eco Champions continue to inspire members to live out their faith practically by engaging with and caring for creation, which awakens something in us all to nurture a Green and just future for all within the Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman and those that will come after us. By: Eco-champ Refilwe Ferrelson

On the 26th of August 2025, two young people ( Mr. Morena Pule and Ms. Ofentse Kwapeng) together with two priests (Revd. Mudau and Revd. Mash) from the Anglican Church of Southern Africa participated in the National Colloquium organised by the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC), which took place in Santon, Johannesburg. This event followed a series of contribution sittings that commenced in November 2024. Rev Rachel presented on behalf of the faith sector you can find her talk here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QTIo2HPHAe3syUEcfVyAeXsq3gsauvJJ/view?usp=sharing   The targets presented during the colloquium were the result of input from various stakeholders, including youth organisations, the business sector, faith-based groups, civil society, and labour unions. These targets were compiled and introduced by the Executive Director of the PCC. Additionally, representatives from multiple unions, taxi associations, and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) were present, and they formed part of the panel, which was given the opportunity to voice their concerns and feedback regarding the proposed targets. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment also offer its input, particularly in relation to preparations for COP30 and the upcoming submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).  This highlights a broader issue: South Africa is not yet prepared to effectively address climate change. Many citizens remain unaware of the significance of international agreements such as the Paris Agreement, particularly the target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Furthermore, the unseasonably warm weather experienced in 2024 has raised questions, but there remains a lack of understanding about the underlying causes. The government must prioritise comprehensive climate education to raise public awareness. An informed population would be better equipped to contribute meaningfully to the implementation of the targets related to climate mitigation, adaptation, and sustainability.  There is also a pressing need to incorporate climate education into local communities, particularly through churches and youth engagement initiatives. Encouraging young people to participate in climate action can foster long-term behavioural changes that will contribute significantly to addressing the climate crisis. To achieve this, we must cultivate a generation of climate advocates and ensure that climate discussions are embedded in all aspects of society. Upon reflecting on the discussions throughout the day, it became apparent that the South African government is still not adequately prepared to take the necessary steps to address climate change. While the colloquium covered critical topics such as climate finance, mitigation, and adaptation, these discussions often fail to progress into actionable plans for implementation. A significant point of concern was raised by the South African Local Government Association, which shared the progress being made within local governments and metropolitan areas on climate education. However, they also suggested that climate change is a key factor behind service delivery challenges. This perspective, however, was troubling, as it implied that the government might be using climate change as a convenient explanation for inadequate services in local townships. In reality, climate change awareness is virtually non-existent in these communities, with only a small number of individuals being informed, mainly due to the efforts of faith-based organisations and some churches. By : Ofentse Kwapeng

The Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Grahamstown recently gathered under the bold theme: “Join us and Join in, Mothers’ Union is changing lives.” The conference highlighted the transformative role that mothers play in shaping families, communities, and society. One of the keynote speakers was Revd Gwen Mvula, Diocesan Green Anglicans Coordinator, who spoke passionately about the urgent call to environmental stewardship. Grounding her message in Scripture, she reminded delegates of Genesis 2:15, where God commands humanity to “till and keep” the earth. Revd Mvula connected this biblical call to the daily struggles many communities face — from water shortages and illegal dumping to rising food costs and power outages. “Creation is suffering,” she said, quoting Romans 8:22: “The whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” She challenged the Mothers’ Union to take practical action by: reducing household waste, turning parishes into green witnesses, raising their voices for justice and rejecting throwaway culture. Her message concluded with a powerful declaration: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord, by caring for His creation” (Joshua 24:15). The conference also received a boost from Eastern Cape MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe, who donated vegetable seedlings and garden tools to each Archdeaconry. This contribution, aligned with the conference theme, strengthens the Mothers’ Union’s commitment to food security as a practical way of changing lives.

The Parish of St. Alban’s in the Diocese of George has taken an exciting step towards caring for creation by receiving four wheelie bins from Henque Waste to support their recycling efforts.Inspired by a recent Green Anglicans workshop, parish eco-champion Vivienne Langeveldt reached out to Henque Waste, requesting additional bins and shared the vision of the Green Anglicans movement.As a result, there is now a strong possibility that Henque Waste may extend its support to provide recycling bins to parishes across the diocese. This initiative will not only help reduce litter and illegal dumping but also empower church communities to live out their commitment to environmental stewardship in practical and visible ways.

Mary Sumner Day, celebrated annually around 9 August, honours Mary Sumner, the founder of the Mothers’ Union (MU), who began a movement in 1876 to support mothers in raising their children in the Christian faith. On Thursday, 7 August, MU members from St Mary’s, St Edward’s, St Anthony’s, and St Christopher’s gathered at Lehlohonolo Day Care Centre in Tumahole, Parys, Free State, for their annual celebration. Mrs Maria Mohale, the diocesan MU Eco-Champion, spoke about the importance of establishing and maintaining vegetable gardens to promote food security, while Mrs Manibijara Pule encouraged participants to care for the environment. The group also shared creative ideas for reusing plastic waste to make useful handicrafts that could be sold to support households. Still in the Diocese of Free State, MU members from Resurrection Church in the Kroonstad Archdeaconry have started a church-based vegetable garden. This initiative aims to provide fresh produce for both the parish and the wider community, while teaching practical gardening skills. In the Diocese of Natal, the MU at St Phillips, Stanger, marked the occasion by showcasing their homegrown vegetables. The celebration doubled as a fundraiser, reflecting their commitment to self-sustainability, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment. The sale of fresh produce helped fund parish activities and inspired the community to grow their own food. On 9 August, in the Diocese of Johannesburg, MU members celebrated at St Francis of Assisi, Moroka, Soweto. Following the service, they planted a tree, which was blessed by the diocesan MU Chaplain, showing a living symbol of growth, faith, and care for creation. In attendance was also the ACSA Provincial MU President.

On Saturday, 2 August, the Diocese of the Free State Green Anglicans and Eco-Champions gathered at the St Andrew and St Michael Cathedral in Bloemfontein, Free State, for the official launch of the diocesan Anglican Women’s Fellowship (AWF) Environmental Desk. The event brought together members of AWF from across the diocese with a united call to care for God’s creation. The programme focused on practical and faith-driven ways to protect the environment. Key agenda items included integrating environmental stewardship into the life of the Church, exploring sustainable energy solutions, initiating community-based environmental projects, and promoting tree growing. A special emphasis was placed on vegetable gardening as a sustainable way to ensure food security while safeguarding creation. The gathering reaffirmed the commitment of the Diocese to the Green Anglicans’ vision: “We Safeguard Creation.” By : Mr Mogorosi Molisapoli ( Diocesan Green Anglican Coordinator)