The Diocese of Mpumalanga held is annual youth conference from the 6th -9th of July 2017 in Schoemansdal Mpumalanga. Made of three archdeaconaries the diocesan youth has quite a diverse youth, from different languages, cultures to style of worship spread across the province. Green Anglicans was part of the conference to add another wing of diversity in their spiritual development. To our surprise the majority of the conference was under the age of 20, which immediately indicated finding fun and active ways to teach.
The Green Anglicans team was made of representatives from the diocese of Johannesburg, Pretoria and the Provincial office. Talking to about 150 eager young faces, it was easy to share information especially when they are based at a location with more than 6 coal power stations, the prime contributor to climate change in South Africa. It hit home when we told them about all the health and environmental effects of coal, more over, how they get the least service, while they are hosting the largest energy coal power plants. We were fortunate to have the Bishop Kgomosotho of Mpumalanga to be part of the session and experience first hand the frustrations which are straining lives of many in his diocese.
Ending the session with a plan of action, the young people were divided into their archdeaconaries, were asked to discuss themes which included, water, food, energy and waste. Very insightful reports, from what they are planning to do in their homes, parishes to influencing their small communities.
Chang your lifestyle to protect God’s earth is one of the things young people should priorities, to that, it also influences spiritual growth to your neighbour .