Since 1989, the ‘Season of Creation’, ‘Creation Time’ or ‘Creationtide’ has grown to be a lively global and ecumenical movement in Christian churches, dedicating the Sundays of September and the first in October (closest to St Francis’ Day, 4th October) to worship, prayer, reflection and action on the commission of the risen Christ, to bring good news to all creation (Mark 16:15).
It’s a chance to celebrate what it means to be Church against the urgent and increasing threat of climate and other environmental crises. And to rediscover the meaning of a distinctive human calling of justice, care, guidance and partnership with – as well as dependence on – fellow creatures with whom we share so much.
Over the Bank Holiday weekend, I was at the Greenbelt Festival (www.greenbelt.org.uk). This festival of art, music, activism and belief, was celebrating its 50th anniversary. I was volunteering on the Green Christian stand (www.greenchristian.org.uk) – signing up people to join this peaceful movement of over 1,000 people across the UK, campaigning and praying about the care of creation.
Bishop Robert, Bishop of Exeter, who is retiring this month, said: “The care of creation is integral to our evangelism and mission.” He wrote this in March 2020. My question for us is: how do we ensure it is integral to everything we do here in the Axe Valley Mission Community?
During this special season let’s all recommit to do all we can to play our part to care for this beautiful world that God made for us and let’s do it with hearts full of hope. The hope is that as we pray and act for change we will grow, not only in praise of our Creator, but in self-understanding of our stewardship – that as we delight in God and delight in God’s creation it brings us fully alive as God’s people.
Rev Nicky