A global success
Launched at the last Lambeth Conference, the Communion Forest movement celebrated its second birthday in August. Much has been achieved in a short time.
At the launch, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said, “The Communion Forest is a symbol and an act of hope, something we can do together as we journey on from the conference.”
And so it has proved. Communion Forest initiatives have sprung up in every corner of the Anglican Communion, in countries as diverse as Australia, Papua New Guinea, Zimbabwe, Canada, El Salvador, England, the USA, Brazil, Mozambique, Guatemala, Ireland, South Africa, the Philippines, Eswatini, Scotland and New Zealand.
Each one is helping towards the overall goal of the Communion Forest, which is to significantly increase Anglican tree growing and ecosystem conservation, protection and restoration across the world and deepen care for creation within the life of the Church. Please let us know of any initiatives you are involved in!
The Anglican Alliance has played a leading role in bringing the Communion Forest into being and has incubated it over the last two years, in partnership with the Anglican Communion Environmental Network.
A small team has reached out to provinces, shared stories and resources, held webinars and developed partnerships – all contributing to connecting, equipping and inspiring individuals, dioceses and provinces across the Anglican Communion to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth – the Anglican fifth Mark of Mission.
Nicholas Pande, who works on environmental advocacy with the Anglican Communion Office at the United Nations, describes The Communion Forest as “tangible evidence of the Anglican Communion’s commitment to the well-being of the earth, giving us more credibility in global negotiation spaces.”
Please pray for the Communion Forest, that it will continue to help deepen care for creation in the life of the Church, make a practical difference in reversing the environmental crisis and serve as an act of Christian hope for the well-being of humanity and all God’s creation.