20 Apr 2011

Dear Eco-congregation members and friends,

Greetings to you all from my corner of God’s world.  Warmth is waning from the sun, and False Bay is basking in a late kiss of summer.  There is a wintery expectation in the air. 

Youth Ambassadors:
Some time ago I mentioned SAFCEI’s plans to implement a “Youth ambassadors” programme. This is about to become a reality. Please click here for background information about it and an application form. Please share this with your community and encourage young people who are interested to apply. 

Earth Day:
Friday 22nd April is not only Good Friday for Christians and the Muslim Sabbath, but it is also Earth Day.

Celebrated first as an environmental “teach in” in 1970, it marks the beginning of the modern environmental movement. I was in New York City as a young student on that day, forty-one years ago, and I remember being flabbergasted at the way the city came to a standstill. Cars were banned and streets were taken over by walkers, skaters, cyclists, artists, gardeners and musicians.

Over the years, celebrating the Earth on this day has grown as a grassroots movement, with communities taking actions which are shaped by their local issues and concerns. This captures the vision SAFCEI has for the Eco-congregation ‘movement’ – to grow a groundswell of congregations who get involved in local community and global actions for the sake of God’s people and the planet. 

Today I had a letter about Earth Day, from a priest, The Revd Colin Moodaley, who is the Environmental Coordinator of the Anglican Diocese of Saldanha Bay. I hope that whatever your faith, you will be inspired to mark this grassroots event in your community during your worship this Friday.  

With my good wishes, and we look forward to hearing from aspiring youth ambassadors soon! 

Kate Davies

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