They refer to the Diocese as the diocese with a difference and we indeed saw them striving for change. The Anglican Diocese of Mthatha held their first environmental conference on the 24th-25th of April 2015. On the first day the conference started with a clergy workshop focusing on the link between theology and the environment, Rev Andrew Warmback, Assistant Dean and Diocesan Environmental Coordinator for the Diocese of Natal fixed on issues the diocese may face environmentally because of their geographical orientation. With life threatening repercussions from climate change and other environmental issues the clergy agreed that care for creation and environmental ministry must be prioritised in churches.
Graced by mist the second day of the conference started with a service outside led from the Season of Creation Eucharistic book and it made history to be the first time the diocese had an environmental service outside. It was followed by full day workshop which had various programs for women, lay and clergy, as well as youth.
Fa
rming Gods Way a resourceful organisation which provides training on various ways of food presented a story of success through their way of farming and listened to challenges the diocese has with their food gardens. They offered practical solutions and even agreed to visit the diocese again for a special training on farming Gods way.
Bonginkosi White the Diocese Environmental Coordinator of Mthatha ended the conference with words of encouragement for the diocese to take up this as one of their aims and goals, thanked the presence of Thulethu Ngudle who will be assisting him towards the goal of being an Eco Diocese.
-Ncumisa Magadla
It was a very good workshop with Rev Andrew, it was very interesting so our churches will take of the enviroment. And we promised to continue with the services that promote our environment, because had given us the dominion over creation and to be weathy stuwards of his creation. That workshop had open our minds as priest to take care of his creation.
Pambili nge Eco Greening. Lets keep our world green and to protect the ozone layer so that climate changes will not affect the beautifully creation that our Creator had bestowed to us. Pambili and God bless u.
Rev Lungisani Mdunyelwa. St Matthews Parish. Mthatha Diocese.
Phambili! Rev Mdunyelwa thankyou for the encouragementand be blessed!
Congratulation guys for the good work you are doing of making a difference,that’s the spirit of acting locally to impact globally,we have also started in the Diocese of Zululand to make a difference please do share with us your programmes hence you have already done so much for the environment,wishing you all the best GOD bless you.
thanks Mbali! do you have any youth activities coming up in Zululand, perhaps Green Anglicans can have a slot and share some ideas!