Join in with the Season of Creation

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.

A conference I attended in March, in St Francis' town of Assisi, with Christians from six continents and at least five ‘world communions' (church families) made plain how, after 35 years, 'Season of Creation' or ‘Creation Time', has grown into a lively, authoritative, ecumenical movement, encouraging churches everywhere in dedicating Sundays of September and in October (closest to St Francis' Day on 4 October) to ‘Hope and act with Creation', this year's theme.

The Season comes as a gift to be received, rather than an obligation to fulfil. You use it as works best for you.

For the Church of Scotland, Creation Time/Season of Creation carries a historic endorsement of the General Assembly, and the regular Weekly Worship carries and links to original resources based on the lectionary readings that are part of churches' regular diet throughout the year.

In Eco-Congregation Scotland, the independent ecumenical movement of churches developing our relationship with Creation - of which many Church of Scotland congregations are members - we've found that acting on our love for the Earth and fellow creatures deepens faith and enriches community.

With the urgent threat of the crises of nature and climate, a green church is more church - and happier too. The Season schools us in spiritual resilience and hope, and helps us enjoy aspects of our faith neglected in an age of injustice and exploitation, both of people and planet.

Alongside text and lectionary-based notes and prayers, there are challenging video resources for each week, which some churches have used in their sermon-slot, or, with the questions supplied, to provoke discussion in study groups. There are poems, thematic prayers, and links to resources elsewhere in the church and the world. If there's anything missing, we'd like to know, and fill the gap next year.

Above all, it's a chance to celebrate, with Reformer Jean Calvin, that "the little birds that sing, sing of God; the beasts clamour for him; the elements dread him, the mountains echo him, the fountains and flowing waters cast their glances at him, and the grass and flowers laugh before him." Enjoy your church, and engage, as seems good to you, with the Season of Creation.

The full range of resources are available on the Eco-Congregation Scotland website.

Join the online launch of the Season of Creation on Tuesday 6 August at 7.30pm.