Network of Earthkeeping Christian Communities in South Africa

NECCSA Update: August 2002

 

1. NECCSA website established

The Network of Earthkeeping Christian Communities in South Africa now has its own website. As an information network, this website will be crucial to share resources, stories about earthkeeping practices in local Christian communities, details about publications, information about environmental issues and important events.

The website, which is currently under construction, will also contain general information about the vision and aims of NECCSA, application forms, the constitution and minutes of the meetings of the Governing Board.

Here is the website address: www.neccsa.org.za

 

2. First NECCSA Newsletter published

A newsletter on the activities of NECCSA will be published on a bi-annual basis. The first newsletter was published a week ago, ready for distribution at the World Summit on Sustainable Development. It features stories about the EcoVillage in East London ("The rich can live sustainable too") and an CPSA eco-cathedral built in Kokstad. Read more about these innovative examples of Christian earthkeeping in the NECCSA website.

The newsletter is edited by Leanne Seeliger, one of the regional representatives for the Western Cape Province. Hard copies of the newsletter have been mailed to all members.

 

3. Alexander Bay's DRC becomes the first NECCSA group member

Alexander Bay's Dutch Reformed Church is the very first congregation in the country to become a (group) member of NECCSA. Here is their story of a modest but significant attempt to involve the whole congregation in earthkeeping:

By 2 geleenthede het ons 'n boomplantdag gereel waartydens bome gratis beskikbaar gestel is aan alle inwoners van ons dorp wat daarin belang gestel het.  Ons het ’n redelike probleem met rommelstrooi in ons dorp. Ons het maandeliks ’n wyksbiduur, en een van die bidure is gewy aan die ekologie, met die uitdaging dat die wykslede aan die einde van die biduur prakties moes gaan en rommel in hulle wyk en omgewing optel. Enkele wyke het hierdie uitdaging aanvaar, waarvoor ons dankbaar is. ’n Jaar of wat gelede het ons Dienssentrum vir Bejaardes een van ons byeenkomste daaraan afgestaan om rommel in hulle woongebied op te ruim. Sulke aksies het natuurlik beperkte en tydelike waarde, maar ’n mens hoop maar iewers sien iemand dit en besef: ek het ook ’n verantwoordelikheid.

This is hopefully the first of hundreds of congregations countrywide to take a conscious decision to become an earthkeeping community.

 

4. World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)

Several NECCSA representatives, including Bishop Geoff Davies, Rev Sipho Mtetwa and Rev Andrew Warmback are currently attending the WSSD. More than 2000 copies of the document The land is crying for justice (see the NECCSA website for the text of this document) are being distributed at the summit to help shape a vision for the planet's future. NECCSA's newsletter and information brochures are also distributed there.

 

5. Bulletin for Contextual Theology in Africa

 

The theme for the latest issue of this bulletin, which is produced by the School of Theology at the University of Natal, is Church, Environment and the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). It can be ordered from Naresh Bagwandin on (033)260-5861 or at the School of Theology, P Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209 at R30 per copy

 

6. Courses offered at the Ecovillage Trust

 

The Ecovillage Trust is offering three courses in the near future. These are:

 

Introduction to permaculture design

Friday 6pm on August 20 to Sunday August 22.

Introduction to Ecovillages

October 11-13.

Holistic Management Workshop

Two modules both starting at 6 pm on Friday

October 18-20

November 8-10.

 

For details contact Roger Hudson on 043-748-6347.

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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

Distributed by EM Conradie 29/8/2002.