Launch of the Communion Forest in El Salvador

On World Environment Day, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will bless the launch of the Communion Forest in El Salvador. Watch out for a story and photos on the Communion Forest website and Facebook page. 

Writing about the launch, Paulo Ueti, the Anglican Alliance Theological Advisor & Latin American Regional Director, said, “Pray for the success of the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Ms Caroline Welby and Lambeth Palace team, also Bishop Gutierrez from the Diocese Pennsylvania, who has a companion link with the Diocese of Guatemala . 

“This will be a huge event in El Salvador as the Diocese made its priority to foster the Communion Forest in the region. There will be a special blessing in an area dedicated to protecting nature, planting trees, space for workshops and training leadership for environmental justice actions and of course contributing to a better environment in the region. May this set an example for the rest of Central America.”

Launch of Season of Creation

Also on World Environment Day is a webinar to launch the official celebration guide to this year’s Season of Creation and its theme: to hope and act with creation. The webinar features Rachel Mash, who leads on the Communion Forest for the Anglican Communion Environmental Network, and Paulo Ueti. Watch the invitation from faith leaders to the launch below. To register please click here

The Communion Forest comes to the Abbey – 1: Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey in London, UK has been an active supporter of the Communion Forest. Over the summer, from July 22^nd to September 8^th they are holding an exhibition about the Communion Forest as part of their creation season. We are so excited and delighted about this exhibition, which will showcase tree growing initiatives and environmental conservation, protection and restoration activities across the Communion. If you happen to be in London, please visit. The details are here.

The Communion Forest comes to the Abbey – 2: Australia

The Abbey at Raymond Island has joined the Communion Forest creation care initiative to express its continuing commitment to caring for God’s creation. The Abbey at Raymond Island is a Christian centre for hospitality, spirituality, and the environment.  It is operated by the Anglican Diocese of Gippsland, Australia and welcomes all people to a place where they can reflect on their spiritual life while immersed in the beauty of God’s creation. Read more here.

Solomon Islands

The Communion Forest aims to connect, equip and inspire dioceses, parishes and individuals across the world-wide Anglican Communion to plant and grow trees and to conserve, protect and restore ecosystems. Many of the stories we share are about new activities. But what might these new trees and forests look like in ten years’ time?

The answer is, fabulous! Ten years from now, maturing native trees could well be providing a flourishing haven for biodiversity, as Elizabeth Perry, the Programmes Director of the Anglican Alliance, discovered on a recent trip to the Solomon Islands.

Read more here.

Eswatini (Swaziland) - UK

Revd Canon Nikki Arthy, City Canon at Gloucester Cathedral, and her husband recently returned to Eswatini in Southern Africa, where they lived and worked thirty years ago and where their commitment to the environment began. They were hosted by the Diocese of Eswatini and were taken to visit various diocesan projects including its Communion Forest project. While there, they planted four mango trees to add to the Communion Forest and have returned home determined to encourage others to get involved. Read more here.

Mozambique and South Africa

Two further stories from Africa illustrate the enthusiasm for tree growing by Anglicans across the continent, thanks to the inspiration and energy of the Green Anglicans movement. In Mozambique, young people have planted a garden in front of the office of the new Anglican Diocese of Inhambane and at St Michael’s School in Khayelitsha, South Africa, grade 6 pupils planted trees on Earth Day. 

Canada

In April, Janice Biehn (below, centre) from the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (the Anglican Church of Canada’s agency for sustainable development and relief) visited the Anglican Communion Office in London whilst on sabbatical in the UK. There she met with Elizabeth Perry (right) and Mandy Marshall, the Anglican Communion's Director for Gender Justice (left) and shared her, and PWRDF’s, enthusiasm for the Communion Forest. 

“PWRDF is excited to promote the Communion Forest across Canada through an education resource and by highlighting the many parishes and dioceses who are already engaged on the initiative" Janice says. "When I tell people about the campaign they are often surprised to hear that the church has an interest in the environment. This is such a meaningful way to connect our faith to creation care.”

Janice shared talked about some of the environmental projects PWRDF supports across the world, including these inspiring projects in Uganda and Colombia. Do take a look!