Green Anglicans Anglican Church of Southern Africa’s Environmental Network

AUTUMN NEWSLETTER MAY 2017

CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2016 Water is sacred – Archbishop Thabo speaks at the International Justice Conference

Archbishop Thabo Magkoba at St Georges Cathedral Cape Town Arch Thabo, St Cyprians eco club, chaplain, Bishop Margaret and Bishop Geoff I, like you believe in God. I believe in we are talking about. tion facilities (1 in 3 people).[1] Not the realities that God has put in front only is the access of water a health of us.. today I want to address some The book of the prophet Amos gives threat, it is also one of the biggest of these uncomfortable truths. We us a strong challenge business risks to our country and. live in a VUCA world. with climate change drought and “Let Justice flow down like rivers, and flooding become more common. Yes; VUCA: a world of Volatility, Un- righteousness like a never ending We have forgotten the sacredness of certainty, complexity and ambiguity. stream” Amos 5:24 water. Water does not come from a tap – it comes from a river and that and nothing is more VUCA that the is- Justice and water are closely linked. river comes from our Creator. Water sue of water justice. Millions can live In our city on one side are homes with is mentioned 722 times in the Bible. without love.. but no one can live more bathrooms that people, with Water literally frames the Biblical without water. Clean drinking wa- big swimming pools and vast lawns story. The first book, Genesis, starts ter is the most fundamental human for a couple of children to play on. On with a wonderful poetic image of right. It is central to the well being of the other side, a dozen families share water and Creation- CONTINUE READING all people on the planet and the lack one communal toilet and tap and on of access to clean , fresh water is one some days we are not sure the tap is of the most serious threats to human working or there is clean water com- health. Unsafe drinking water, to- ing from it.. gether with the lack of basic sanita- tion, causes 81 percent of all sickness Girls are afraid to use the facilities and diseases in the world. at night for fear of being raped and children play in the filthy water seep- In the end our harsh uncomfortable ing from the poorly services toilets. truth reality is, we don’t inherit the In South Africa it has recently been earth from our ancestors, we borrow estimated that sixteen million people it from our children.. it’s their water do not have access to basic sanita- Page 2 Green Anglicans

Green Anglucans Pretoria Lutherans and Anglicans join hands for visits local parishes a Green Swaziland

The Lutheran Church and the ing with the Church. Although have an enviro fun day on the Anglican Church (Isheshe) have they signed an MOU several 22nd of July , with a march , Our aim in the diocese is to visit parishes joined forces for a greener Swa- years ago with the Council of fun activities and a green talent from Mamelodi and advocate on living a ziland. Inspired by the Green Churches , the Anglican Church show. They will have environ- green lifestyle and to plant 60 trees around Anglicans, the Lutherans have was the first to really take up mental debates in clusters. Each the community joined in the green movement the challenge church will have a local tree and a joint organisation LUSHE planting and environmental The green Anglicans team went to Ma- has been formed Rev Dr Rachel Mash, Provin- education activity. They will cel- melodi to advocate to the parishes, we cial Environmental Coordina- ebrate world environment day started at St Agnes Mamelodi and head The youth of both denomina- tor of the Anglican Church with an outdoor service with on to All Saints Mamelodi with our main tions met for an exciting work- gave a presentation on the the Bishop. aim to push the gospel of going green and shop in Mbabane where they theology of the care for cre- experiencing the presents of God living a looked at the challenge of cli- ation, and we were blessed to ANGLICANS green lifestyle. mate change and the theology have a visit by our very own The anglican Youth is commit- We did our green presentation, gave tasks of caring for creation. Eco-Bishop Ellinah Wamu- ted to a Green Youth July. They or projects to the parishes and while driv- koya. Then it was action plans will have outdoor green servic- ing around the area we noted a few envi- inspiring presentations were and these are very exciting! es and outings and use mainly ronmental issues and asked the congrega- made by the Swaziland Environ- hymns and choruses which talk tion to take a stand in those issues (every mental Agency who expressed LUTHERANS about the environment. corner was full of rubbish which people their excitement to be partner- The Lutheran youth plan to -Rev Dr Rachel Mash intentional put there, the dams are full of dirt, bushes/unattended land is on fire due to people burning things and pets/ ani- mals are all over the streets. CARING FOR CREATION WITH A BRAND NEW BISHOP Challenges we noted was put forward to the congregation and noted. The main is- The in Northern Mozambique deacon Eugenio Rafael and Jaime Samuel, who sue was the rubbish at every corner and had a wonderful day of celebration as they wel- are part of the Green Anglican movement, invit- the task was that congregation to see to it comed their brand new Bishop, Dom Vicente ed Rev Dr Rachel Mash, Provincial Environmental that its removed and to sent us before and Msosa as the fourth bishop of the Diocese. Arch- Coordinator, to conduct a workshop on caring for after pictures. bishop Thabo Makgoba conducted the service creation while the clergy were gathered. Our aim was reached but trees were not and was joined by Bishop (Bish- planted due to the supplier not being able op Vicente’s “twin” consecrated on the same day) The day started with looking at the theology to deliver for the second time. Except the Bishop Steve Diseko, Dean of the Province and of creation, that the first commandment giv- tree problem our green day was a success. Bishop Carlos Matsinhe from ACSA. Bishop Rob en to humans was to be keepers of the earth. We are happy to report that people in the from the Diocese of London attended to repre- We then looked at the way in which humans Diocese are now taking environmental is- sent ALMA. Bishop Fanuel Magangani of North- have damaged the Earth we were called to sues serious. - Katlego Motswagae ern Malawi was accompanied by clergy from his look after and the impacts of climate change. Diocese, Upper Shire and Lake Malawi. CONTINUE READING

A day of great celebration and vibrant worship from the many choirs as parishes and organisa- tions brought gifts to welcome their new bishop. Travelling is difficult in Northern Mozambique, with some clergy taking as long as three days to make the journey on difficult roads and so Arch-

Green Anglicans [email protected] 021 763 1300 december 2016 Page 3

Anglicans say no to nukes

On the day of the State of the Nation address, Green Anglicans joined the “Occupy the Bridge” action to protest the R1 Trillion secret nuclear CHRIST CHURCH’S GREEN TEAM power deal. MOBILISES TO SAVE THE AQUIFER! Civil society voiced their News of the threats to the Philippi Horticultural Area calls on the President, as the and underlying Cape Flats Aquifer came to the atten- head of the South African tion of the Green Team of Christ Church, Constantia. government, to give power They approached the convenor, Nazeer Sonday, with back to the people, to be ac- the offer of hosting an information session so that con- countable and to uphold the cerned citizens, and particularly people of Faith, could constitution of the country. The R1 trillion deal was hatched in secret and hear the facts around the threats to the Philippi Horti- money spent on the nuclear deal will mean much less money for education, cultural Area. More than 130 people attended the infor- healthcare, social grants, transport, housing, sanitation, jobs etc. The deal mation meeting. will bankrupt us, the citizens, and keep us in debt for decades. It is esti- mated that we will have to pay R100-billion a year to cover the bank loans, The Cape Flats Aquifer is Cape Town’s hidden treas- which will mean increases in our already high cost of living. At a previous ure. A vast area of some 630 square kilometers of po- State of the Nation Address, the president promised that any decision to rous rock lies beneath the City – stretching from the procure nuclear would follow a fair and transparent process.In 2014, the Cape Flats to the West Coast – it holds vast stores of South African government signed an international agreement with Russia underground water. Studies by the United Nations En- to build nuclear power stations in South Africa. This nuclear deal and as- vironmental Programme reveal that the Aquifer has the sociated government decisions have taken place in secret, without consult- potential to supply more than two thirds of the Mother ing wit the public, and have already seen friends of President Jacob Zuma City’s basic water needs: benefit from tenders awarded. At its provincial Synod in 2016, The Anglican Church of Southern Africa passed a unanimous resolution stating the Angli- “The sustainable use of the Cape Flats aquifer… is can Church’s opposition to the government’s stated intention to expand its estimated at 18 billion litres per year (49,32 million nuclear energy programme in South Africa. Continue reading litres a day)” The water from the aquifer currently ir- rigates the farms of the Philippi Horticultural Area. These farmlands are thus, uniquely in South Af- Earth Day Youth Service rica – drought-proof and produce 200,000 tonnes of food and employ 6,000 workers every year. Up to Over the years Earth Day has become 80% of certain vegetable types comes from this area. a huge international movement. 192 Continue reading countries around the globe now celebrate Earth Day, the biggest civic and secular event in the world today. Today we need Clergy of Pretoria Dio- Earth day more than ever!

cese tackle Climate Change The Diocesan service was held at St Ste- phens, Pinelands and was put together by the youth Here are the opening words: We do not exist outside of nature or above nature or independent of nature –we are simply its most vulnerable part. (Joan Chittister)

O God, Holy Spirit, whose breath gives life to the world and whose voice is heard in the soft breeze we need your strength and wisdom. Come to us and among us; Come as the wind and cleanse us. We join with your creation and with each other. Under the leadership of Bishop Allen Kannemeyer, the clergy of the Diocese of Pretoria are taking up the environmental St Stephens Pinelands performed a beautiful dance to the words of Jabu- challenge to care for Creation lani “Jesus river of life in our dusty land” Readings were led by the youth of St Chads, Table View. Chris Smith preached a homily encouraged the Rev Rachel Mash , Provincial Environmental Coordinator was youth to care for creation .St faiths Epping performed a wonderful dance to invited to address the clergy on the theology of Caring for the song “footprints in the sand”. Ncumisa Magadla from Green anglicans Creation. Rev Reynard Shovel has been appointed as environ- shared the challenge of the 1 trillion secret nuclear deal mental Chaplain and canon.

The service ended with the beautiful words of Colours of the wind from CCONTINUE READING Pocahontas. - Rev Dr Rachel Mash

Green Anglicans [email protected] 021 763 1300 Page 4 Green Anglicans Bishop Margaret calls on Anglicans to take A PILGRIM BISHOP When you are a pilgrim, you walk on the Earth, the lead in water crisis you walk with other people in community, you together consistently meals let us learn to also walk with yourself, and you walk towards God and seriously to use give thanks to God for the Bishop , Bishop of Saldanha Bay has much less water and gift of water to cleanse spent the Lenten period on a pilgrimage through- to invent ways to save and revive us. Call togeth- out his Diocese. Being a pilgrim bishop has ena- water in the home. Our er all persons living in your bled him to develop an incarnational vision for use and conservation household, including Ten- the mission of the Church: of water not only dur- ants and ask them to Obey “The Diocese of Saldanha Bay is grounded in an ing crisis times, but al- and Respect the municipal incarnational earthy spirituality, expressed main- ways, forms part of our restrictions about the use ly in Afrikaans, Xhosa and English expressed also stewardship of Gods of water currently in place through body, song, dance and that deep stillness bountiful resources. and to go way beyond which frames all words and actions| Grounded in Let us a Anglicans take the call of duty. People of joy : Grounded in God’s Spirit that comforts and the lead in showing Chris- God let us live daily with consoles, that challenges coldness and complacen- “Let us as Anglicans take tian responsibility in the an acute sense that water, cy, like the earthly Jesus did. Grounded in one an- the lead in showing Chris- use of water. We are utterly fuel and food are essential other, the Diocese greets you and welcomes you” tian responsibility in the dependent on the forces commodities and gifts The pilgrim day starts with early morning medita- use of water” The Western within nature for water. we receive from Gods gra- tion and Eucharist, followed by a light breakfast. Cape of South Africa is We are dependent on God. cious hands. Let us devel- Then the bishop, accompanied by different groups facing an unprecedented May I prayerfully invite ev- op a culture of responsible of pilgrims visits communities and churches water crisis. We only have ery person tin the Diocese living and live simply so around the area. Saldanha is a hot , water scarce 100 days of water left in to: that others may simply live part of South Africa, and the pilgrims are often re- our dams, and yet we are Pray earnestly for summer lieved to return to the shade by 10 or 11 am. still using 26 million liters rain and that rain will fall The earth is the Lords and On one of the days, the Bishop was joined by the of water MORE than we plentifully in the coming everything that therein is Green Anglicans and a group from Lamberts Bay. should be. winter – give thanks to Go – the compass of the world Part of the day was a prayer for the Land. During The situation has reached for the precious gift of wa- and those who live therein this service the Bishop read an open statement to crisis level. Let us all work ter. When we say Grace at Psalm 24:1 - President Zuma: Mr President, your people are sad today. Mr Pres- ident, your people are angry today. Now that you Bishop Monument challenges the Diocese of have done the unthinkable, we declare the follow- ing: Zululand to care for the environment The Anglican Diocese of Saldanha Bay says an emphatic No! to your continuous dispruption to “When someone walks into our churches they must our social and economic stability. see a sacred place of God the Creator” Bishop Monu- We say No! to you Mr President , to your corrup- ment Challenges the to care for tion and the endless avarice amongst your friends. the environment The very first commandment that we We say No! to you Mr president and we say YES! were given as human beings was given to Adam and to the cry so passionately articulated by the late Eve in the Garden of Eden. “Work the land and look great son of the soil, Ahmed Kathrada when he after it” Gen 2:15 asked you to step aside and resign, to allow those who carry the hopes of our people to lead” Eat from the garden, drink the water and make your The group visited some of the different areas of shelter from the trees, but LOOK AFTER IT. Clanwilliam. The town is surrounded by majestic Over the recent years we have not looked after God’s earth – the top soil has mountains and beautiful landscape. But close the been washed away, the trees have been cut down, the rivers are polluted and homes are vast piles of rubbish and the water is the land is covered with plastic and rubbish. And we are burning coal and polluted. The group did a symbolic clean up of a petrol and polluting the air. The saddest thing of all is that as we burn them tiny portion of litter to symbolize our awareness we have made a blanket around the earth which is warming it. We are heat- of the sin of environmental degradation.. ing up this planet, a Garden of God and we are now seeing more drought “Almighty God, giver of all good things:we than- leading to suffering, rising of food prices and more hunger. kyou for the natural majesty and beauty of our One of the most loved verses is John 3: 16 “For God so loved the world that land They restore us, though we often destroy he gave his only begotten son so that whoever believes in him shall not per- them. Heal us” for Creation ish but have everlasting life”. It probably was the first verse we learned in Sunday school. We were all brought up with this verse and we should think of all the peoples of the whole world – Africa, china and India etc. not only us, our parishioners and our Churches, but the whole World. God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son to save humans, animals, rivers and mountains and to save the land. When Jesus died on the cross, he died for us humans, but his blood dripped on the land. Continue reading

Green Anglicans [email protected] 021 763 1300