HAPPY TENTH BIRTHDAY DIOCESE OF KHAHLAMBA – BE GREEN IN THE CORNER WHERE YOU ARE!
Ten years ago the Diocese of Khahlamba was launched and a wonderful weekend of Celebrations was held.
The day started with a fun walk and then people were invited to join a strenuous aerobics session – a good work out even as the day turned hot!
Canon Rachel Mash was invited to address the Diocese on the theme of caring for creation. She first introduced us to our “Mother” Earth and explained how we must care for our Mother, for Mother Earth cares for us. We are abusing our Mother in the way we throw rubbish, make rivers dirty and cut down trees. Gen 2:15 says “Work the earth and care for it” but we do not care for the Earth.
The Green Team of the Diocese was introduced and led us in singing of “Be green in the corner where you are” We also said that if we believe in the God the creator then we should act like it “ Umntu okholwayo simbona ngezenzo – a believer should be seen by their works”. Actions can be tree planting, clean ups, vegetable gardening, pulling out alien plants, saving water etc.
In the afternoon the activities continued with soccer and netball. An inter- archdeaconry competition of junior traditional dance, adults traditional dance and modern dance kept everybody entertained
Archbishop Thabo and Mama Lungi joined the wonderful event and the Anniversary cake was cut. The visiting Bishop of Grahamstown blessed 60 trees and the Archbishop handed them to the archdeacons for distribution to the parishes.
The celebrations continued with a beautiful Gala Dinner and a wonderful service on the Sunday with the Archbishop preaching to a completely packed Cathedral
The confession for the day was:
“Holy and merciful God, we confess that we have failed to honour you by rightly claiming our kinship with all your creatures. We have walked heavily on your earth, overused and wasted its resources, taken for granted its beauty and abundance, and treated its inhabitants unjustly, holding future generations hostage to our greed. Have mercy on us and forgive us our sin. Renew in us the resolve to keep and conserve your earth as you desire and intend, with grateful and compassionate hearts, through your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen”
Halala Diocese of Khahlamba – you are truly being Green in the Corner where you are – and leading the way for other Dioceses!!