Chaplaincy Creationtide Study

Connecting with our Creator

Reflections on the 4 Elements of Creation … Wind, Water, Fire, Earth

From 7th September – 5th October 2024

Saturday mornings at 9:30am

Saturday 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th September, and 5th October, 9:30am

Led by Rev’d Paul Willis

Throughout the Season of Creation you are invited to join a series of 5 online sessions on Saturday mornings. The sessions will start at 09h30, and last for no more than 45 minutes.

In the first 4 sessions we will be reflecting on the 4 Elements, coined by St Francis of Assisi as Brother Wind, Sister Water, Brother Fire and Sister Earth, with the 5th and final session Celebrating the Life of St Francis who continues to inspire us today.

Please contact the Chaplaincy Administrator for the zoom link: chapaq.office@gmail.com

Each of the first 4 sessions will take the following form:

Reading God’s word
Reflecting on God’s word
Responding to God’s word
Resting with God’s word.

 

 

Christian tradition tells us that we have received two books of divine revelation: 
the book of Scripture and the book of Nature. 
When we meet, our reference point and inspiration will be the book of Nature, supported by verses of scripture, and words from modern and ancient saints and mystics.

I will be your guide through the sessions, and look forward to meeting you whenever you’re able to come. If you do feel prompted to come, don’t worry if you’re unable to make every session, come as you are able.

Before the first session, give some thought to the place of Wind in life and nature, and when we zoom together, bring a candle, with means of lighting it to hand.

Blessings and peace,

Rev’d Paul Willis

 

Some verses from St Francis' Canticle of Creation:

All praise be yours, my God,
through Brother Wind and Air,
and fair and stormy,
all the weather’s moods by which you cherish
all that you have made.
All praise be yours, my God,
through Sister Water.
She is so useful, lowly, precious and pure.
All praise be yours, my God,
through Brother Fire,
through whom you brighten up the night.
How beautiful he is, how joyful.
Full of power and strength.
All praise be yours, my God,
through Sister Earth our Mother,
who feeds us in her sovereignty
and produces various fruits,
colored flowers and herbs.

Creationtide Resources

Creationtide discussion materials

The Church of England website features various resources which can be used in small groups during the season of Creation.

Click here to read more.

 

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

For more information

Please contact Rev’d Paul Willis for more information about the Creationtide study: pwguillone@gmail.com