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THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF SOUTHERN AFRICA DECLARES A CLIMATE EMERGENCY The following motion was passed the Provincial Synod of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa 5.7 CLIMATE CHANGE EMERGENCY This Synod noting that: We face a triple emergency of climate change, biodiversity loss, poverty and inequality with reference to: 1. The latest Climate Change Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicates that we have less than twelve years to make a rapid transition away from fossil fuels to renewables or will face out of control climate change; 2. This is a Kairos moment; 3. Rapid climate change, with its increasingly severe weather patterns is having devastating effects on humanity, with its detrimental effects on agriculture, the increase in diseases and various negative impacts on human health; 4. One million out of the 5 million species on this planet face extinction due to human activity; 5 Our economic system is making the rich richer and the poor poorer. In 2018, 26 people owned the same amount of wealth as the 3.8 billion people who make up the poorest half of humanity; 6. South Africa is the most unequal country in the world; 7 We cannot eradicate poverty unless we tackle climate change. Further noting: 1. Mozambique has suffered devastating environmental damage and loss of life from Cyclones Idai and Kenneth. “Beira will go down in history as the first city to be completely devastated by Climate Change” said Graca Machel; 2. Parts of KwaZulu-Natal also suffered devastating floods with loss of life; 3. Namibia is suffering from massive drought; 4. Water crises are being experienced in the Eastern, Northern and Western Cape. Acknowledging: 1. The Anglican Consultative Council (ACC 17) meeting this year, passed three significant resolutions, which pertain to ACSA, calling for Provincial Action on Climate Change, (A17:05), Climate Resilience (A17: 06) and the Sustainable Development Goals (A17:11) and encouraging Provinces to: 1.1 Declare a Climate Emergency; 1.2 Identify Environmental related threats; 1.3 Hold Strategic planning Conferences on the SDGs and Climate Change. Resolves to: 1. Appeal for ACSA to declare a Climate Emergency for our Province. 2. Respectfully requests the Metropolitan to cause a Provincial Consultation to be convened on Climate Change in collaboration and at the cost of the ACSA Environmental Network and Hope Africa and to encourage as much as is possible the participation of the Bishops of the Province, Diocesan Social Development Representatives, Environmental Representatives, and Gender Representatives. 3. Ensure the participation of young and women’s voices. 4. This consultation should strive to achieve the following objectives: a. Identify climate related threats; b. Develop an action plan for individuals at Parish, Diocesan and Provincial levels on the Environment and Social Development, to include the following inter alia: b.1 gender and other social considerations; b.2 policies and procedures to increase the use of renewable energies and incorporate creation care into all aspects of church life, including into liturgical practice; b.3 mainstreaming eco-theological reflection across all levels of theological education. c. Report on the implementation of this resolution at the next Provincial Standing Committee and Provincial Synod.

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF SOUTHERN AFRICA HAS “GREENED” THEIR CANONS At the Provincial Synod of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, the following measure was passed in order  to “green”  the Canons. Canon 1 OF THE PROVINCIAL SYNOD Printing Committee  [Communication should as far as possible be electronic.]’’ CANON 15 OF ARCHDEACONS Role of archdeacons [The Archdeacon shall ensure that the Parish put in place ways to reduce its electricity, water and paper usage] Building The Archdeacon [or some other person who shall have been appointed for such work] shall examine and report to the Bishop upon all plans for the building or restoration or alteration of churches and other buildings, the property of the Church. [bearing in mind the commitment to being environmentally friendly,] Canon 16 OF DECLARATIONS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS TO BE MADE BY BISHOPS AND CLERGY  [I commit myself to a lifestyle which safeguards the integrity of creation and sustains and renews the life of the earth]. Canon 20 OF LAY MINISTERS Duties of Lay ministers Include  ministry advancing the Anglican Communion marks of mission.] Canon 23 OF PASTORAL CHARGES Extra-parochial ministries Missions to railway workers, [seamen] [seafarers], or other special classes of people where the Bishop thinks fit to provide for them apart from the jurisdiction of the Incumbent licensed to the Pastoral Charge in which they are territorially situated or with which they are territorially coincident. Canon 24 OF INCUMBENTS AND OTHER CLERICS Add to duties of incumbent take responsibility to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth within the parish boundaries] CANON 31: ALTERATIONS TO CHURCH BUILDINGS  [Alterations shall be made taking into account their environmental impact]. Canon 32: OF REGISTERS, RECORDS AND INVENTORIES [(g)] [ensure that electricity and water bills are audited, and necessary actions taken to reduce such bills]. Canon 33 OF THE SERVICES OF THE CHURCH 5. Special Services All Public Fasts and Thanksgivings [and Environmental days] enjoined by authority shall in this Province be religiously observed, and every Bishop shall give directions to the Clergy of [his] [the] Diocese as to the form of Prayer which they are to use on such occasions.” Canon 43 OF THE PROVINCIAL STANDING COMMITTEE Additional function: assist in the direction of and co-ordinate the work of publications, mission, religious education, justice and reconciliation, youth, spirituality, [the environment], communications and other matters in which this Church may be engaged, and to establish appropriate structures, where necessary, for these or other purposes;

CARING FOR CREATION – EQUIPPING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE An enthusiastic group of 36 Sunday School teachers and youth leaders gathered at St Paul’s, Rondebosch for training on how to incorporate Care for Creation into their programmes. The workshop, jointly hosted by the Diocesan Youth Council and Green Anglicans introduced the leaders to the new Youth Manual ‘Caring for Creation ‘ and the Sunday School book “Ryan the Rhino – the story of creation” Rev Rachel started the day with an overview of the impact of Climate Change and Environmental Degradation on Southern Africa. Participants said they felt sad, scared and guilty about what we are doing to this earth. We then were introduced to some of the fun activities geared at Sunday School or Holiday Clubs. JP Roberts led the group through the interactive session using the new manual.  Participants shared some of the enormous challenges in their communities, from violence, crime and environmental neglect. Children walk through rubbish on a daily basis and there are no safe places to play. The workshop ended with a picnic under the trees – we are very appreciative of the hospitality of St Paul’s Church!

Today I am proud to stand in solidarity with you.. As a member of the older generation I confess our failure to you. Since 1970, when I was 10 years old, humanity has wiped out 60% of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles , the web of life is  unravelling The first commandment that God gave to us as the human race in Genesis 2:15 was to “work the earth and look after it” God entrusted this beautiful planet, teeming with life, into our hands. And we have failed. We are warming the planet – threatening those most vulnerable with floods, drought and sea level rise. I visited Mozambique a few weeks ago and saw for myself the tears of families who had lost their homes and livelihoods through massive flooding. The city of Beira will go down in history as the first major city to be completely devastated by Climate Change. The warming seas supercharged the Cyclone and dumped enormous quantities of rain in a few short days, creating an inland sea. People sat on their roofs for days waiting to be rescued. Our hearts have broken at the xenophobic attacks in Johannesburg and we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters across Africa – we are one Africa. Climate Change is pushing people off the land as the rains fail and into big cities, increasing tensions and violence. When I look at Jesus I see that he always stood on the side of the marginalised, the poor and  the hungry and so we as people of faith must stand  on the side of those impacted by climate change. Scientists tell us that we  have only 11 years left to make a rapid shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy in order to limit disastrous climate change.We have all the knowledge we need to solve this issue, what is lacking is political will.  Climate Change is not an environmental problem –  it is a human rights issue. It is the human rights issue of our time. As a parent I am afraid for the future of my children. We are stealing their future from them and leaving them a bleak and barren world. But today you give me hope – the oceans are rising, but so are the young people. Just as on June 16th as the young people of Soweto we said enough is enough and took to the streets, once again our young people are at the forefront of the movement to fight Climate Change. Phambili young people Phambili. Forward young People, forward

On Sunday the 8 of September 2019 the Parish of St. Andrew , commemorated the exaltation of the Holy Cross at the Holy Cross Chapelry. In this occasion led by Rev Mathula the congregation planted 200 trees

 14 eager hikers joined the  hike to the top of Table Mountain to celebrate the Season of Creation, spending the night on the top of the mountain in the People’s Trail hut. Members represented three Dioceses of Cape Town, Saldanha Bay and False Bay The hike was led by Sanparks tour guide Johan who has a passion for the mountain. He educated us about the various plants that grow there  and even showed us from what vegetation the khoi people used to create their bows and arrows. The knowledge shared was for many an eye opener, as he spoke about which ones are poisonous, which ones were used for ointments and medicinal purposes and even those that that grow to protect other flowers. Saturday the 7th saw temperatures reaching a high of 35C which made the climb all the more strenuous on the climbers, this made water a vital necessity for the climb up. We started early Saturday morning gathering at Constantia Nek, and then distributed the food amongst the members to carry up, fortunately we were saved by the rangers from that burden as they transported the groceries up to the cabin for us. This took a lot of weight off our shoulders, which came to the relief of everyone. The beauty of nature was amazing, however the focus on the nature changed quickly to focusing on making it to the accommodation on top. Though some struggled it was evident that we had a group of individuals that had a no die attitude, which was very enlightening to some as we reflected on the hike the evening during evening prayer which was led by Bino Makhalayane. Before we had evening prayer a small group took a walk to the famous Kasteelspoort ledge to take photos and then went to watch the sun set. This was a very magical experience as we were in awe of God’s hand upon creation. After evening prayer we had supper which was prepared by the tour guides which was amazing and for which we were most grateful. After supper Rev Rachel then led us in a game of 30 seconds which brought about a lot of enjoyment and laughter. As it got later everyone made their ways to the rooms and we called it a night. The next day everyone was up early to refresh themselves as we also prepared a fire for breakfast. During this time on Sunday morning Rev Rachel led us in the Sunday Eucharist where we shared in communion on top of Table Mountain, which was something really special. We would just like to say a special thank you to Table Mountain National Parks for their assistance and to the tour guide and his helpers. Looking forward to doing again in the future.  Many thanks to @CTEET john- Paul Roberts Kagisho Petlho reflected on the overnight hike “the weekend on the hike has shown me that as the future generation of tomorrow we have all that might take to start what we call the better change and brighter tomorrow. It all start with me to make the difference within my surrounding and I am the influence to the people surrounding me, I had learned that it might not be easy but if I stay constantly changing my behavior towards the creation and influencing others will be way simple as it will be a good lifestyle on cutting down on use of plastic and planting more fruit trees and verges as will not be only thinking about today and tomorrow but the future generation to benefit… being on the heart of Table Mountain nature reserve and seen it fresh and clean without a single plastic was a breath taking and seen on how the we as humans need to think positive towards mother earth and be the mustard seeds… I am the salt of the earth #Iamagreenanglican.”