YOUNG GREEN ANGLICANS GATHER FROM SWAZILAND, LESOTHO, MOZAMBIQUE AND SOUTH AFRICA
Twelve young green Anglicans from Swaziland, Lesotho, Mozambique and South Africa had the opportunity to attend a week of varied and challenging teaching at Rocklands in Capetown. They had an experience of God through nature and a chance to build relationships and develop a strategy for growing the Green Anglican movement.
The first few days they joined young environmental leaders from other denominations and faiths for a workshop run by SAFCEI looking at issues such as climate change and energy. The second half of the week they met as Anglicans to look at strategies to roll out the Green Anglican movement throughout the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. We also looked at materials and creative ideas that could be incorporated in sessions to be run with youth groups on subjects such as waste, land management, consumerism etc.
We were blessed to have a visit from Peter and Miranda Harris who were the founders of Arocha International, a Christian environmental Organisation. Peter reminded us how important care for Creation is, that we are called to love God, our neighbour and our planet. “If you love the painter you don’t trash his paintings!”
We ended our time together with a Thanksgiving dinner, thanking God for new friendships and a renewal of our call to care for Gods earth.
“A very diverse group from Southern Africa shared their encounters in Environmental Ministry, which was very eye opening, at times we focus on what we do and how we do it and certainly we master it, however it is important for us to remember why we do it, and how swing everyone else to join in the livelihood of God’s creation.” Ncumisa Magadla
“The Rocklands retreat week offered a way to start and continue the conversation of creation care and “Earth Keeping” by young people in the multi faith platform. We engaged in activities ranging from “what would your environmentally friendly community look like” to discussions on how energy is used. We were able to speak about what projects and concerns are specific to our dioceses and countries and engage in planning on where we are going from here and how that would look.” Willie Lutes, Diocese of Lexington
“Being invited for the Green Anglicans meeting was a big blessing. I never thought that the Church has a big role in the protection of the environment. Now I committed myself to be part of this movement (Green Anglicans) and take action in my Diocese. With God’s help I will!” Carlos Respeito.Mozambique
“A week filled with enviro-intellect capacity building and advocacy exchange. I was at the right place of harnessing my eco-understanding. Being in groups with other young people who are having it thought in dealing with the issue of climate change but in a hard wayTruly a great week that felt like more than that due to friendships formed.” Jono Hobosch
“The SAFCEI youth workshop was a great experience. Getting to know young people from over southern Africa and the environmental problems that they are facing in their countries and what they are doing as a faith based organisation to work together to get people environmentally aware”. Nina Pretorius