Introduction:
The Season of Creation is celebrated throughout the Christian world from 1 September, the feast of Creation, to 4 October, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.
This year, the Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican Churches and the World Council of Churches have united in celebrating this special time.
Green Anglicans are also urging churches to join in with World Creation Day of Prayer on Sunday 1 September. The ‘Season of Creation’ is set to be celebrated by tens of thousands of Christians around the world. Volunteers organise a range of events and activities in their own communities from prayer services to litter clean ups or advocacy actions.
Canon Rachel Mash, Environmental Coordinator for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, said: ‘This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Creation as it falls on a Sunday this year. This year’s materials are following the readings for the lectionary and there are a whole range of resources available to download.’
This year’s theme is the ‘web of life’ and resources, available on the Anglican Communion website, are designed to help churches reflect on the destruction of the web of life and pray for those who suffer most because of that loss.
Writing in the Anglican resources, Rachel Mash said: ‘We were called to be stewards of creation, and we have failed. The younger generation are rising up now and calling for the earth to be healed. Let us join them and work together to protect the web of life which sustains us all.’
Along with a whole variety of events listed on the Season of Creation website, there will be global action during the month, which churches and individuals are invited to join in with.
On 16 September Manila in the Philippines will host a webinar with international contributors on biodiversity and Christian spirituality. This will be followed by a Global Climate Strike on 20 September, when young people from around the world will invite others to stand with them as they take part in a day of strikes from school to demand urgent action on the climate crisis. The climate strikes were galvanised by the Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg, with each strike sending more than a million people into the streets.
The next day, on 21 September, communities will come together for ‘International Coastal Clean-up Day’ to remove rubbish from coastlines and waterways including ponds, lakes, and rivers.
Other global events during the month will include the United Nations Climate Action Summit hosted by the UN Secretary General, who will be calling the world’s attention to the urgent need to implement the Paris Agreement, to keep global warming below 2 degrees celsius.
On the same day there will be an international conference on ecological theology and environmental ethics on the island of Crete in Greece.
The season comes to a close on Saint Francis Day, 4 October, when faith leaders from around the world will come together to reflect on how Saint Francis has informed their spiritual journey and to celebrate the month-long journey of the Season of Creation.
Resources for Sundays and for week-day services for 2 September to 4 October have been circulated by Bishop Kenneth Kearon, and are reproduced here.
In addition, from next Monday, the weekly resources posed on Mondays throughout this season will include an additional reflection on the Sunday Gospel reading with an emphasis on the Season of Creation.
Later in September, I hope to post an extra service suitable for marking the end of the season on Friday 4 October.
Resources for use on Sundays:
Bidding Prayers:
God, our Creator, through your love you have given us these gits to share. Accept our offerings as an expression of our deep thanks and our concern for those in need, including our fellow creatures on planet Earth.
O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we my sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts of those who live only for gain at the expense to the poor of the earth.
(Pause) Lord, hear us.
That immigrants and refugees may be welcomed by the people of Europe and the United States.
(Pause) Lord, hear us.
We pray for your creation, the whole cosmos including our common home, and the intricate balance in every part of the ecosystems that sustains life on Earth.
(Pause) Lord, hear us.
We pray that we all might be open to listen to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the Poor, especially those people of the South who are facing the harsh reality of climate change.
(Pause) Lord, hear us.
Let us praise God for all living creatures both great and small and we pray especially for those creatures which are facing extinction.
(Pause) Lord, hear us.
Let us pray that we might allow our voices to speak out when poor people are being unjustly treated and that we will also speak for the Earth when human activity is destroying our oceans and rivers.
(Pause) Lord, hear us.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light.
(Pause) Lord, hear us.
Let us pray. O Lord teach us to empathise with Earth. Make our spirits sensitive to the cries of creation and the cries for justice from the land, the sea and the skies. Make our faith sensitive to the groans of the Spirit in creation, groans of longing for a new creation. We ask you this through Christ, the Lord, Amen.
A suggested Post-Communion reflection:
A Post Communion-reflection by either the priest or a member of the congregation:
All-powerful God,
you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.
Optional Dismissal:
Go in Peace to care for our common home and preserve the integrity of God’s creation.
A Week-Day Prayer Service for 2 September to 4 October 2019:
This suggested prayer service is suitable for use on a weekday in parishes, communities, schools or in an ecumenical setting. You may wish to shorten it or even do your own with readings, hymns and prayers of your choice.
Welcome and Introduction
(A member of the congregation lights a candle on the altar).
A procession with Plants, Flowers and Fruits of the Harvest grown or produced in Ireland (or these may be placed at the altar in advance).
If not using a hymn, a short commentary could be spoken.
Hymn: ‘All Creatures of Our God and King’ (Hymn 24, Church Hymnal), or another hymn with a creation theme.
A member of the congregation lights a candle on the altar.
Let us pray:
O Creator God, open our hearts and our eyes to the wonders of your presence among us. May we see the signs of your beauty within and about us and ever be in awe of the simple gifts of life. Help us to reach beyond ourselves and to give thanks for all of your creation that shares this universe with us: peoples of every nation, animals of every species, all forms of vegetation, the planets, stars, and all the elements. We pray this in union with the incarnate Word of God in whose image all was created. Amen.
Litany of Repentance
O God, your fertile earth is slowly being stripped of its riches,
Lord have mercy.
O God, your living waters are slowly being choked with chemicals and plastic,
Christ have mercy.
O God, your clear air is slowly being filled with pollutants,
Lord have mercy.
O God, your creatures are slowly dying and your people are suffering,
Christ have mercy.
God our Maker, so move us by the wonder of creation, that we repent and care more deeply.
Lord have mercy.
So move us to grieve the damage to the climate and the loss of life,
That we learn to cherish and protect your world.
First Reading:
Wisdom 11: 24-26 to 12: 1.
or
Job 12: 7-10
Short pause
A Prayer for our earth:
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Reader 1:
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of the earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Reader 2:
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Reader 3:
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognise that we are profoundly united
with every creature,
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
For justice, love and peace.
Short silence as a member of the congregation lights a candle on the altar
Choose from prayers below to suit your local area
Prayers of Petition:
O Lord hear us we pray.
O Lord give us your love.
Reader 1:
We pray for all international, national and local leaders and for managers of companies that they may be guided to make wise decisions that promote the healing and protection of the earth and the good of all people, especially the poor, and other species.
O Lord hear us we pray.
O Lord give us your love.
Reader 2:
Creator God, the sun, the wind and the waves are your gifts for the flourishing of the whole community of life. Help us to use them creatively to produce sustainable energy for all.
O Lord hear us we pray.
O Lord give us your love.
Reader 3:
We pray for environmentalists, recyclers, farmers, gardeners and fishermen.
May they be supported in their sustainable efforts to preserve the earth for future generations.
O Lord hear us we pray.
O Lord give us your love.
Reader 4:
Our plundered earth with its rich variety of species is crying out for healing.
Help us to be instruments of that healing in our own local area here.
O Lord hear us we pray.
O Lord give us your love.
Reader 5:
We pray for visionaries, artists, architects and writers,
that through their work we may see creation afresh.
O Lord hear us we pray.
O Lord give us your love.
Reader 6:
Give eternal rest to people throughout the world who have been murdered for their efforts to protect God’s creation.
O Lord hear us we pray.
O Lord give us your love.
Leader:
Let us pray:
Most provident God, you graciously give us all good gifts:
Teach us to care for our earth: to till the soil responsibly, to keep our air pure, to free our waters from pollution, to harvest the warmth of the sun, to respect the rights of all species and to protect biodiversity.
May we willingly share the gifts of your goodness with all.
We ask this God of the universe. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Our Father …
A member of the congregation lights a candle on the altar
Ritual and/or Commitment:
Soft music can be played in background for either suggestion below
Leader:
We are now invited to make a personal silent commitment to care for ‘our common home.
’
Here are some ideas or choose your own
Plastic:
● Refuse single use plastics e.g. cling film, straws, plastic cutlery.
● Switch to a re-usable water bottle/travel cup.
● Avoid plastic wrapping when possible.
● Use cloth bags for shopping and bring/use your own containers when possible.
● Check for and then avoid micro beads in products.
● Reduce-Repair-Re-use-Recycle-Upcycle.
● Check the new recycling list. www.recyclinglistireland.ie
● Organise a recycling workshop in your parish/community (www.voiceireland.org)
● Show a film or documentary on the topic of plastic in your parish community.
● Participate in a beach, stream, river, park, street, area, road clean-up.
● Take the Laudato Si Pledge. www.catholicclimatemovement.globalpetition.
and/or
Distribute bulbs for planting at home and have a planting of some in/or at the Church during or after this service.
A member of the congregation lights a candle on the altar.
Final Blessing:
Bless us, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
as we go forth with joy and hope to care for God’s creation,
- walking gently on the earth,
- in right relationship,
- nurtured by your love,
- taking only what we need,
- giving back to the earth in gratitude,
- honouring all with reverence,
- reconciling and healing,
- mindful of those who will come after, and of the poor today
- recognising our proper place as part of, not apart from, your creation.
Ignite your spark within us,
that we may know ourselves as truly human and irrevocably part of the web of Life
Recessional Hymn:
Hymn 32: O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
(Russian Hymn based on Psalm 8, Romans 5 and I Thessalonians 4)
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