Creationtide - the Season of Creation

This is the period in the annual church calendar, from 1st September to 4th October, dedicated to God as Creator and Sustainer of all life.

Many churches choose to use this time of year to hold special services and events to give thanks for God’s gift of creation, and to renew their commitment to caring for our one planet home.

 

The theme for the Season of Creation 2025 is 'Peace with Creation'

Our Biblical text for this year is Isaiah 32:14-18. The prophet Isaiah pictured the desolated Creation without peace because of the lack of justice and the broken relationship between God and humankind. This description of devastated cities and wastelands eloquently stresses the fact that 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 in a biblical context does not mean to stand still and quiet, but to act, pray, change, and reconcile with Creation and the Creator in unity, metanoia (repentance), and solidarity.

Read more here.

The firstfruits of hope

In the letter of Paul the apostle to the Romans, the biblical image pictures the Earth as a Mother, groaning as in childbirth (Rom 8:22). We are not caring for the Earth as a gift from our Creator, but rather using it as a resource to be exploited.

And yet, there is hope and the expectation for a better future. To hope in a biblical context does not mean to stand still and quiet, but rather groaning, crying, and actively striving for new life amidst the struggles. Just as in childbirth, we go through a period of intense pain, but new life springs forth.

Read more here.

Creationtide Resources

Resource book of Prayers by Rob Kelsey
« Praying for the Earth (Remembering the Environment in our Prayers of Intercession »
 
This book of collects and prayers written by Rob Kelsey, is overflowing with resources specifically composed for Creationtide. It is a rich resource that could provide supplementary material for intercessions etc. and in addition, could easily be used to supplement and focus an individual’s daily prayer.
It’s available in various formats, including from Amazon France in Kindle form for 4,99€, and Paperback,  14,53€.

Read more here from Sacristy Press.

Study Courses

Sarum College Salisbury is offering a short course this autumn.
« The Sea, Theology and Spirituality – The Sea in the Bible »

The course will run over ZOOM from October 21st and there will be 3 sessions over 3 months, (1 session per month in Oct, Nov, Dec) so not too onerous a commitment. The cost £20 per session or £50 for all 3.

CRES (Christian Rural and Environmental Studies)
For anyone looking more in depth environmental studies with a faith perspective, CRES offers 2 courses – The CRES Certificate and the CRES Diploma.
Both are 2 year courses, usually the certificate course precedes the diploma.
Both course are distance learning courses, and tutorials by ZOOM can be arranged.

All details regarding registration and fees are easy to find on the website:

CRES website

Creationtide in the Diocese in Europe

Many chaplaincies in the Diocese in Europe are championing climate change by taking steps that we can all adopt, like participating in clean-ups, planting trees, and opting for locally sourced flowers. Watch this video for their suggestions for simple swaps we can all take.

 

Read more here.

For more information

Please contact the Mission and Outreach team for more information: aquitaineprayer@gmail.com