Creationtide, or the Season of Creation, takes place in the church calendar from 1 September to 4 October, and is dedicated to God as Creator and Sustainer of all life.
It's a month of unity, when Christians around the world celebrate the beauty and wonder of creation and commit to caring for our common home.
This year, we are called to be peacemakers with creation, all people and God, based on Isaiah 32:14-18.
The prophet Isaiah pictured the desolated Creation without peace because of the lack of justice and the broken relationship between people and God. This description of devastated cities and wastelands reveals how human destructive behaviours have a negative impact on the Earth.
Our hope: Creation will find peace when justice is restored. There is still hope and the expectation for a peaceful Earth. To hope does not mean to stand still and quiet, but to act, pray, change, and reconcile with Creation and the Creator in unity, repentance and solidarity.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
Caring for God’s creation is part of our everyday faith as Christians. We honour God when we care for his creation. We show love to our neighbours, near and far, when we care about the environments in which they live. And we work for justice when we seek to tackle climate change and halt the loss of nature.
During Creationtide, that call feels all the more significant and is a great time to start, or expand upon our eco-conscious endeavours.
You could become an Eco Peacemaker by supporting and championing your church’s Eco Church journey and your local community.
The A Rocha Eco Church scheme is a great way to get all parts of your church life working to care for creation. It helps you to engage practically and spiritually, with people in your church and the community beyond.
This Season, why not fill in the Eco Church survey and see how close you are to winning an award.
Anne Scott, Deputy Diocesan Environment Officer, says: “Creationtide is a gift for the church which gives us a specific time to thank God for the beautiful world we experience around us, especially as it links so closely to our harvest celebrations.
“It also gives us a chance to remember and walk into the blessing we were given, to care for Creation in relationship with God so that it fully reveals the glory of God.
“Within that, we can grieve and repent of the times where we have not lived up to that calling, and we can recommit to partner with God to care for all creation as God does.”
What will your worshipping community be getting up to this Creationtide?
Many churches choose to use this time of year to hold themed services and events, including their Harvest celebrations, giving thanks for God's gift of creation, and renewing their commitment to caring for our one planet home.
EVENTS DURING CREATIONTIDE
- Eco Church Conversations
Saturday 6 September, 9.30am-12.30pm – All Saints with Holy Trinity Church, Loughborough
A time to consider the Eco Church Award and next steps for your own church communities. We would love you to participate with prayer and action this Creationtide.
- On Sunday 14 September, Dr Ruth Valerio will be speaking at the morning (10.30am) and evening (6.30pm) services at HTL Church, Leicester, as part of their Creationtide celebrations.
An international speaker, author, and global advocate, Dr Ruth was previously the Churches and Theology Director for A Rocha UK, and is now the Global Advocacy and Influencing Director for Tearfund
She will be talking on the theme of, “What’s next in our call to creation mission?” All are welcome to join the worship and hear all that Dr Ruth has to bring to us.
- OWL Conference - Pray and Play in Creation
Saturday 27 September, 9.30am-3.30pm – Launde Abbey
For anyone interested in exploring outside worship, this is a day to pray, play and worship our Creator God within creation, set in the beautiful grounds of Launde Abbey.
Tickets £12, including lunch. Young leaders £8, under 12’s free. See full details and book here.
For more details, please contact AnneScott@htl.church
HANDY RESOURCES
Read more about our Eco Communities diocesan priority