Season of Creation to begin on 1 September

Rev David Coleman, chaplain of Eco-Congregation Scotland, writes about why the Season of Creation, which runs from 1 September to the Feast of St Francis of Assisi on 4 October, matters and how you can take part.

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 on 4 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 real, 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.

Our original resources, gathered and curated in Scotland, and in fellowship with the global movement, respond with hope and openness to the God-given witness of trustworthy peer-reviewed science. Vital too are the experiences of our sisters and brothers in Christ around the world – including in Scotland – of changes more brutal and far-reaching than we imagined. There's never been a more compelling reason for prayer; for the Christian claim on hope beyond hope. And the joy and deepening of faith we've seen amongst the most committed congregations in the Eco-Congregation Scotland movement, sharing stories and encouraging each other, especially as we gather on Sunday, offering worship and receiving nourishment from our Creator.

Our resources fully support the continued use of the Revised Common Lectionary, with every passage covered, as well as ‘thematic' material which can be used at any time of year. For the Season is ‘training' in discerning and recycling the strong green threads re-woven every new day through the whole of our faith, as creatures of a loving and sustaining God.

A prayer from the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

Let justice flow freely,
not drip in desperate, sporadic splats;
through blocked-up, constricted channels
controlled by the status quo.

Let justice roll down like waters,
fast and flourishing,
bringing respite and reparation
to people and planet.

Climate chaos, driven by an addiction to
consumption,
has choked us all, God.

The elite rich suffocate
under stuff that cannot satisfy,
while so many more struggle to survive at all.

Wake us up to the world
- may we hear the song of sustainability
over the constant rumble
of ‘what we want.'

May peace fall like rain and justice
spread like morning sun.

AMEN

Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton (taken from Season of Creation Time material compiled by Eco-Congregation Scotland)

Get involved

Eco-Congregation Scotland have written worship material for use each Sunday throughout the Season of Creation.

You can also find additional material on Eco-Congregation Scotland's website including video reflections for each week, thematic resources, and videos of wildlife which can be used for a time of prayer or reflection.