The Lutheran Church and the Anglican Church (Isheshe) have joined forces for a greener Swaziland. Inspired by the Green Anglicans, the Lutherans have joined in the green movement and a joint organisation LUSHE has been formed
The youth of both denominations met for an exciting workshop in Mbabane where they looked at the challenge of climate change and the theology of caring for creation.
inspiring presentations were made by the Swaziland Environmental Agency who expressed their excitement to be partnering with the Church. Although they signed an MOU several years ago with the Council of Churches , the Anglican Church was the first to really take up the challenge
Rev Dr Rachel Mash, Provincial Environmental Coordinator of the Anglican Church gave a presentation on the theology of the care for creation, and we were blessed to have a visit by our very own Eco-Bishop Ellinah Wamukoya.
Then it was action plans and these are very exciting!
Anglicans
The anglican Youth is committed to a Green Youth July. They will have outdoor green services and outings and use mainly hymns and choruses which talk about the environment. One a local level they plan for each church to do a community environmental outreach. On a national level there will be a tree planting campaign and national clean up, where they will also involve community and traditional leaders.
Lutherans
The Lutheran youth plan to have an enviro fun day on the 22nd of July , with a march , fun activities and a green talent show. They will have environmental debates in clusters. Each church will have a local tree planting and environmental education activity. They will celebrate world environment day with an outdoor service with the Bishop. They will use all methods to highlight the environmental challenges , from radio, writing to the newspaper and social media. Every first Sunday when the youth lead the service they will make it a green service
LUSHE (Anglicans and Lutherans together)
On the 3rd of June the two churches will come together to celebrate world environment day. And each church will have a WED service on the 9th of June. The youth will join together for a fundraising walk to raise money for water tanks for rural churches.
The conference ended with a wonderful service in the Lutheran Church , where Rev Rachel Mash challenged us with a sermon on the sacredness of water.