Network of Earthkeeping Christian Communities in South Africa
NECCSA Update: May 2005
A monthly newsletter on Church and Environment in South Africa
“People of faith ought to be at the forefront of the environmental movement, but for some reason they leave it up to others” Nobel Peace laureatte Prof Wangari Maathai told the more than 200 members of faith and environmental groups at the launch of the South African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) at the Delta Environment Centre in Johannesburg on 20 July this year.
“We seem to think our main concern is about ‘heaven’. But, as far as I know there is no planet yet discovered called heaven. If we read the book of Genesis reflectively we learn that God only created the human species on the sixth day. If He had created us first, where would we stand? Dry land only appeared on the second day.
“We could not have survived without the water, earth, plants and animals. And after each day we are told ‘and God said it was good’. But when forests are destroyed, I hear God saying ‘this is not good’. When toxic wastes are dumped or when water is contaminated God says, ‘this is not good’. The rest of creation would survive very well without us. But we cannot survive without creation. I applaud what you are doing here in South Africa as Faith Communities,” she said.
The South African Faith Communities' Environment Institute (SAFCEI), is the result of a national conference held at Hartbeespoort in March this year. Sponsored by the South African Council of Churches (SACC) and funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme, the conference hosted the major Christian churches and other religions of South Africa. After examining the environmental and socio-economic issues facing South Africa – and the world – the conference agreed on the necessity for faith communities to be involved in economic and ecological justice issues – Eco-Justice.
The conference agreed to set up a faith-based environment institute with the objectives of, among others, “raising environmental awareness”, “facilitating environmental responsibility and action” by faith communities and “confronting environmental and socio-economic injustices”. Geoff Davies, previously Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Umzimvubu in the Eastern Cape, was appointed coordinator. Individuals, as well as church groups and other faith groups are invited to join SAFCEI.
For further information on SAFCEI contact Bishop Geoff Davies, at geoffd@intermail.co.za. or on 021 788 6591.
2. NECCSA Constitutional changes
At its recent meeting on 23 August 2005 the NECCSA Governing Board accepted a number of changes to the NECCSA constitution:
· The changes reflect an emphasis on NECCSA as an information and communication network for local Christian congregations, communities, groups and organisations as well as interested individuals to engage with one another on environmental concerns. The main activities of the network will include the distribution of a monthly NECCSA Update, the maintenance of the NECCSA website and the production and distribution of an occasional printed NECCSA newsletter. It should be noted that NECCSA is a highly decentralised network which does not seek to become a strong organisation with its own programmes. It is indeed a network between existing organisations (and their programmes) and individuals (and their ministries).
· In the past membership of NECCSA was dependent on the payment of nominal membership fees and remained valid for a period of 2 years. Membership fees have now been scrapped and membership is regarded as a life-long commitment. Members are requested to contribute financially to the operational costs of the network (currently around R15000 per annum minimum) as far as they can. Please do!
· A system of volunteer “regional correspondents” has been introduced. As an information and communication network, NECCSA will rely on such regional correspondents to gather and distribute the information – almost like a monthly newspaper. The responsibilities of such regional correspondents will include the following:
o To promote the vision and aims of NECCSA in the relevant region;
o To invite Christian communities, families and individuals to become members of NECCSA;
o To help gather information which may be included in NECCSA’s monthly Updates, the website and newsletters (e.g. stories on Christian earthkeeping, news about environmental issues, details on meetings and conferences, publications and other Christian resources on earthkeeping);
o To assist in the development and maintenance of a database of the email addresses of persons who may wish to receive communication from NECCSA.
o To serve on the NECCSA Governing Board for a term of two years (with biannual meetings).
· The responsibility for the monthly NECCSA Update will now be delegated to a number of rotating editors.
The message is: Please use the network to distribute information on Christianity and earthkeeping, please volunteer to act as a regional correspondent and please contribute financially to the network as far as you can (see banking details below).
3. Hidden Dangers in Kids’ Meals: Genetically Engineered Foods
School districts, supermarkets and even whole countries have banned genetically engineered foods, fearing that they are not safe. Discover the evidence that confirms that these dangerous foods should never have been approved and find out how to protect yourself, your family and the next generation.
THREE VIDEOS ON ONE DVD. From the Best Selling Author of “Seeds Of Deception”, Jeffrey M Smith.
1) Hidden Dangers In Kid’s
Meals: Genetically Engineered Foods (28.5 minutes)
Shocking research results, inadequate regulations, and warnings from eminent
scientists, explain why genetically engineered foods are dangerous and should be
removed from “kids” meals. The dramatic story of how student behavior in a
Wisconsin (USA) school was transformed with a healthy diet, provides added
motivation to make a change.
2) Health Dangers Of Genetically
Engineered Foods and Their Cover-up
(60 minutes):
International bestseller author Jeffrey M. Smith describes how the biotech
companies rig research, cover up health dangers and pressured government
regulators to approve foods even FDA scientists said was unsafe. Taped lecture
before a live audience.
3) The Wisconsin (USA) School Phenomenon: Impact of Fresh, Healthy Foods on Learning and Behavior (15 minutes). Parents, teachers, students and school officials describe dramatic improvements in student behavior following a change in school meals.
R184-00 including postage in RSA. Order the DVD online at: www.safefoodnews.co.za/order.htm
For more information on the DVD and Genetic Engineering visit: www.safefoodnews.co.za
4. Publications
a) Christianity and the Environment: Care for what you have been given
Klaus Fiedler from Chancellor’s College in Zomba, Malawi requested that the following information on a publication on Christianity and the environment in the Kachere Series be distributed:
Fulata Moyo and Martin Ott (eds) 2002, Christianity and the Environment. Care for what you have been given. Blantyre: CLAIM-Kachere, 2002, 59 pp. Price: 15 Rd plus postage. The Nyanja / Chewa version is: Chikhristu ndi Chilengendwe (Buku la Mvunguti no. 10). Same price.
b) Habel hymns: Volume one. Songs to celebrate with creation
This Earth Bible resource is produced by Norman Havel, the editor in chief of the Earth Bible series. It contains 21 hymns to celebrate with creation. The production and distribution of this resource is administered by Willow Connections, PO Box 288, Brookvale NSW 2100, Australia, info@willowconnection.com.au
NECCSA’s website address is www.neccsa.org.za where membership details can also be found. You are invited to accept ownership of this website in order to use it to share information on Christianity and earthkeeping practices. Please send any information to the email address below. NECCSA’s banking details are: First National Bank, Musgrave Rd Branch, Branch code: 221126, Cheque account number: 62035719064.
You are welcome to distribute this NECCSA Update electronically to any other interested person. You are also welcome to send news to be included in the next NECCSA update to emcemp@iafrica.com by 15 September 2005. You may send such contributions in the language of your choice.
If you prefer not to receive the NECCSA Update in future, please send a message in this regard to the email address mentioned above.
Distributed by EM Conradie 27/08/2005