WALK LIGHTLY ON THE EARTH

Taken from:
https://christielivingnaturally.wordpress.com/2014/09/07/tread-lightly-on-the-earth/

Tread Lightly on the Earth! What does this mean?

A simple explanation of treading lightly on the earth is to have a light eco footprint or to reduce/lighten your eco footprint. And an ecological footprint is a method for calculating your impact on the natural environment by assessing how much land is required to produce the resources you use in your everyday life. It is about the demand humans make on Nature and Earth to supply the lifestyle they live.

Most ‘developed’ industrial countries are consuming more than the earth can provide. Many cities and towns are struggling to maintain a reliable water supply.

To tread lightly on the earth means to respect the earth, and respect our position as caretakers of this land for future generations, but so many of us think it is our right to pillage and plunder as our shortsighted greed dictates.

If we do this to a business how long do you think it will last? What if one or all members of a household do this, how long would it last? Doing this to our Earth home, how long do you think it will last?

Aboriginal people taught themselves thousands of years ago how to live sustainably in the earth’s fragile landscape. But this is something we’ve forgotten in hundreds of years of striving to achieve more, to produce more, to build bigger and better things.
We have forgotten to walk lightly, and instead mine the earth of its natural resources, clear cut forests, pollute water ways and oceans, alter the landscape to fit our needs, pollute the air, turn the rain acidic and the ozone holed, to name but a few.

Whatever befalls the earth befalls the inhabitants of earth as All things are connected.

Treading Lightly takes us on a unique journey back to living in balance and harmony with the Earth, and Life

Make a pledge to do something today!

Be an Example! Help, show, share, teach; talk to children, friends, neighbours, about treading lightly. Let them know why and what you do to create a smaller eco footprint, and share how you do it.

Recycle! Even young children can keep an eye out for items that can be recycled and they can help get those items into the recycling bins. Make it a family challenge to decrease the amount of trash your family sends to the dump. Rather than always using new materials, use recycled materials and items. Giving handmade gifts not only saves money and resources, it is special to those who receive it.   Click and go to the post on recycling. 

Get unplugged! Our world is one of electronic connectivity. Try connecting with your children, family and friends in ways that don’t involve plugging in (even wirelessly). Go for a walk, or try out a board game. You can even make getting unplugged a family challenge. Try spending a day or weekend without connecting electronically. Get resourceful and creative. It can be fun.

Buy locally! Not only will you be supporting your local economy and neighbors, you’ll use fewer resources to get your items home. In many cases, it takes more energy to transport, store and display food than the food provides. What do you think the actual cost on the environment is of a lettuce grown in a large crop of lettuce’ (mono cropping ) in soil that is heavily sprayed with herbicide and then pesticides, then when large enough harvested and transported to a shed for packing and selling, to then be transported up to thousands of kilometers in heavy vehicles to be stored and displayed in a large factory/supermarket/artificial environment to then be sold again. And then transported to its final resting place and the unused parts are then transported to a dumping ground/landfill area. Actually there are even more steps than that in the life of a commercially produced lettuce. Phew, was life really meant to be that complicated, environmentally costly and toxic?

Travel Lighter! Walk more. Start cycling. Carpool. Consolidate trips. Stay home more. Leave your car at home for shorter trips, and make the journey by foot or bike instead. There was a time when people kept fit in their daily life. Now we are lazy and wasteful in our daily life and then pay a gym to keep us fit.

Conserve water! Researchers note that as fast as the demand for clean water increases, so does water pollution. Keep water conservation in the forefront of your mind as you go about your day. Fix leaky taps and toilets, use your laundry rinsing water on the garden and keep your showers short. Only use what you need, not what you greed. When there is no more clean water left, the ability to pay for it will have little value.

Dispose of disposables! Use (multi-purpose) reusable items whenever you can. In our disposable throwaway society what we are throwing away is a Happy, Healthy future; or possibly any future at all.

Live a life of less quantity and more quality; become more sustainable and Tread Lighter on the Earth.

Live Lightly

ABOUT BRITS METHODIST

BRITS METHODIST CHURCH

Called to be a Healing    Community

Address:   65 Kerk Street, BRITS.

Minister:  Rev Simi Ngomane
                  082 390 5205

Sunday Worship:    10:00

Children's Church: 10:00


All are most welcome!!

2013

The lovely display for Christmas

Growing together through studying God's Word, prayer, worship and outreach.

This year we are continuing our challenge to read through the Bible in a year - either using the delightful Grace for the Moment Daily Bible or bookmarks listing each day's readings.

At our 2 Fellowship Groups we are learning so much by watching the DVD's by David Pawson - UNLOCKING THE BIBLE. He is a truly gifted teacher and we hang on each word.

We have a team who take sandwiches and make tea for patients waiting at the HIV/AIDS clinic in Brits. The Word of God is given to them as they truly need the Gospel.

The Alpha Course that is run a couple of times during the year in the Brits prison.

The Sunday school is growing each week as enthusiastic children come together to learn about Jesus.

2012 Vision

This year the challenge to the congregation is:

At least 20 minutes with God daily through Reading the Bible in a year.
Get involved in at least 1 church or outreach activity during the week
Bring 2 non-going church guests to church during the year
Give 2-12%  of income to God.

2012

We sell copies of the Grace for the moment Daily Bible with devotional writings by Max Lucado.(R70) (from Cum books)
Sermons and Bible studies are linked to the readings where possible.We also have made book marks which set out the daily readings if folk want to follow the readings in their own Bibles.

The last study of the year is The Three Colours of Ministry where we explore spiritual gifting

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Spring Celebration

After a cold winter, it was wonderful to enjoy the warmth and praise our Creator as we celebrated spring together as a congregation. After a special service with the church full of beautiful people, flowers and praise, ..a sermon on "A new creation", we gathered outside next to the church in the garden. The team of helpers made a huge effort to decorate the surroundings. There was delicious food and fun games for all with our minister having to go and find the last gift in pass the parcel!

Celebrating 75 years

On the 3rd June 2011, we held a fun evening. We were entertained by our musicians who played beautiful quartets on strings accompanied by the organ. Well done "Coots" and Frederick! Sarah Coutlakis danced for us and we sang fun, silly songs. Our small groups had us in stitches with "skits" and we saw our minister in a new light!
Delicious eats ended the evening off.
On Sunday the 5th June the church was packed as Bishop Gavin Taylor gave us a message on being living stones. Jannie and Angela sang that beautiful song "The Holy City" accompanied by Jandy and Wanita and Charmaine unveiled the new banner - a gift from Harties Methodist church for our birthday.
Beautiful flower arrangements made the church look so special and lovely bookmarks with beads on were handed out to the congregation.A superb lunch was served at noon under the marquee and "tin temple" outside on the nicest sunny day!

Brits Church turns 75 years

After checking the archives in Pretoria last year Jannie discovered that the first time services were held by Methodists in Brits was 75 years ago. Ministers came from Pretoria to preach and this congregation group grew over the years. They met in various places until eventually purchasing a house in Kerk St.
It was dedicated in 1983.
After lots of prayer and hard work, this was renovated in 2003 into the beautiful sanctuary of today.
Then in 2006 the first resident minister was appointed - the Rev Jannie Hofmeyr and his wife Angela. He had a mandate to build up this congregation in order to plant another congregation at Harties. The new congregation - an offshoot of the Brits congregation began in November 2007.
Praise to God for His faithfulness and well done to all the members for vision, prayers and hard work.

World Aids Day

Some of our members took part in the World Aids Day service held at the Brits Library on Tuesday 1st December. The library staff had put up a wonderful display and co- ordinated the service.
Hymns were sung and Mr Selwyn Kerr from Harties Methodist church gave a power point presentation on Aids and the work of "Helping Hands" that he heads up.
(This is an outreach programme of Harties and Brits Methodist church which runs at the Brits hospital.Patients are given refreshments and a devotional service. Bibles are handed out and they can receive prayer from the team.)

Rev Jannie Hofmeyr gave a sermon based on the Prodigal Son - and showed how the attitude of the Father was to the wayward son. This was compared to the older brother who rejected his brother - "your son..." In order to help in the fight against Aids we need to reach out in help. They are our brothers and sisters.

The AIDS candles were lit as the hymn "I need Thee every hour" was sung. How true for a country caught in the ravages of this disease.

Rev Jannie and is wife, Angela, led the singing of "Plea for Africa". As the lyrics say: "God bless Africa and her sons and daughters."

Valuable to Jesus

These little dolls are going to children who have been abused or are at risk of abuse (as a result of family / social situations) and are filled with meaning. They convey the messages:

You are lovingly handmade by the Almighty God of the Universe (the little dolls are handmade, with love)

There is no-one like you (each doll is unique; not one is the same as another)

You are extremely valuable – no money can pay for you (the dolls are not for sale)

God wants to keep you safe in the palm of His hand (the dolls fit in the palm of your hand)

Sonop Surprise

About 50 children from Sonop gathered excitedly to climb on board a bus to take them to a party organised just for them in Brits. Just look at their beautiful Jesus T-shirts and smiling faces.






They enjoyed food and treats, a jumping castle, stories with magnificent puppets and even horse riding.
They have a "Sunday school" on Friday afternoons in Sonop where they learn about our Saviour Jesus.

Holy Week

What a special and moving season in our church calendar as once again we journeyed together to Gethsemane, Calvary and the empty tomb.
Ladies from the group "Freedom of the heart" presented a powerful dance to the song "Thank You for the cross" by Graham Kendrick.

Other musical items were very deep songs of the death of our Lord Jesus. The Tennebrae service held at the Harties church included hand washing. Candles were extinguished as we heard readings of all the events of Jesus journey to the cross.





After the darkness and pain of Good Friday we waited with bated breath for the sun to rise over the dam to greet the best day of the year - Resurrection Sunday. We celebrated again in church later with powerful music and we filled the church with white and yellow flowers.

LENT

As we journey to Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday, we focus on what Jesus has done for us. We began with a pancake evening at the Hofmeyrs home and shared in an Ash ceremony. Some have given up favorite beverages or treats to be reminded of the sacrifice that our Lord made.
On Palm Sunday(5th April) each person will receive a palm cross to celebrate when Jesus came humbly into Jerusalem on a donkey, but as King of the Jews.
See our Holy Week programme below.

Easter Programme
Music and Mime – Wed 8th April
7.00 pm at Brits
Tenebrae Service – Thursday 9th April
7.00 pm at Harties
Good Friday – Fri 10th April
8 am Harties and 9.30 Brits
Easter Sunrise Service – 6.00 am
Caribbean Beach Club
Resurrection Sunday 12th April
8 am Harties 9.30 am Brits

Sermon Bible Study Series

For the next few weeks Rev Jannie will be leading us in a series based on the theme from the book: "The Jesus I never knew" by Philip Yancey. The sermons and two Fellowship/Bible Study groups will focus on this.

A perfect evening for Carols by candlelight at the waterfront

The glorious sunset itself made the evening perfect as folk had a picnic on the lush green lawns of the Caribbean Beach Club.
As the sun dipped down behind the mountains the violins and guitars tuned up and the special Scripture readings were shared and carols sung as candles flickered happily in the evening air.

Carol singing at Sonop Home

In previous years we have sung carols to those residents of the home able to join us in the hall. This year we decided to visit each ward and room. The corridors rang with carols and the faces lit up as we visited.
A huge box of presents was pushed on a trolley taking something for each person.
Tired feet, fingers and voices we may have had but we will never forget the joy on the faces of these precious people.
We say thanks to Elsje for organising it all.

Christmas party at Sonop Feeding Scheme

So many children and adults gathered in Sonop for a very special party.Colourful flags waved to the music as Anatasia taught the children about lifting up the name of Jesus and then Marianne told them a story. There were a couple of items sung to Meisie as she was thanked for starting the Feeding Scheme. The children lined up in age groups to receive their packet of goodies while guitars and a violin accompanied some Christmas carols.
Later on every enjoyed a boerewors roll.
The miracle of this feeding scheme is that it started as Meisie's dream nad starting with a large pot and her own food parcel it has grown into the feeding of 200 daily with donations coming from all over as hearts are touched.

Plans for Christmas 2008

Sat 6th Dec 11 am Christmas Party at the Sonop Feeding Scheme

Tuesday 9th Dec 10 am - Visiting the rooms at Sonop Old Age Home with gifts and singing carols

Wednesday 10th Dec 6pm Picnic and Carols by Candlelight at Caribbean Beach Club- bring your own picnic, chair/blanket and candle

Thursday 25th December CHRISTMAS DAY - Worship at the church at 9.30 am

Concert at Sonop Old Age Home

To our delight and the residents of Sonop Old Age Home, the children from the Sonop school danced and sang. The rain did not deter them and their young, fresh faces brought joy to us all. They received cake and juice and so did the residents. It was a lovely morning where the old could be blessed by the young.

Sonop Feeding Scheme

When some ladies in Sonop decided to try and feed the children and poor people from their meagre and small pensions, Elsje came to their rescue and with donations from our church and Rotary has helped to get this new feeding scheme on its feet.
There are now over 200 children and grown ups being fed daily just in the garden and car port of Meisie's home in Sonop.
Our church is supplying the bread for each day. All donations are welcome and a basket is in the church foyer for any contributions that people would like to make.
On the 6th December there will be a party for these folk and we will be going along to support them and to sing carols.
Watch this space.....

Baptism Font

Brits church has received a baptism font - from our own Rev Jannie's family. After the sad passing of Jannie's father, the furniture was shared between the 3 children. Jannie asked for the baptism font which his mother had bought from her church which had been replaced by a new one. As a keen flower arranger Jannie's mom had used the font for her beautiful arrangements at home.
This font was used at Brits church for the first time when baby Seth Griessel was baptised on the 9th of November.

Rev Jannie- a significant year

Our Rev Jannie studied under Professor Malan and got his honours degree. Jannie was ordained 20 years ago and has been in the ministry 25 years.

Father's day

Quotes for Fathers’ Day

Worship is the way we honour our heavenly Father and thank Him that we are one of His beloved children.
(Stormie Omartian.)

There are only two things we should give our children. One is roots; the other, wings.”
(Hodding Carter)

In bringing up children, spend on them half as much money and twice as much time.”
(unknown)

“Many of us have inherited great riches from our parents – the bank account of PERSONAL FAITH and Family PRAYERS. (Nels Ferre)

Each day we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. (Charles Swindoll)

“when you teach your son, you teach your son’s son.
(The Talmud)

A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child.
(Unknown)

Children seldom misquote you. In fact they repeat word for word what you shouldn’t have said. (unknown)

I love to play hide and seek with my child, but some days my goal is to find a hiding place where he can‘t find me until after high school.) (Unknown)

Baby Boom

Recently about 7 babies have been baptised in our little church. Some were happy to be held by Rev Jannie and others not so happy. We pray God's blessing on these little ones and as a church we commit ourselves to help bring them up to know and follow the Lord Jesus. One of the little one's English names was even "Bless"!!