Churches throughout Ireland are reflecting on environmental matters during A Time for Creation, which runs this year from September 1st to October 4th. This year’s theme is Creation in Crisis – A Time for Prayer and Action.
The Time for Creation initiative follows a resolution made at the Third European Ecumenical Assembly in 2007, attended by representatives of Europe’s Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant churches, that five weeks from 1st September to 4th October (St Francis’s Day) each year would “be dedicated to prayer for the protection of Creation and the promotion of sustainable lifestyles that reverse our contribution to climate change.”
A wide range of resources has been prepared by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland to assist clergy in preparing services, including sermon notes, liturgy and prayers. These are free to download at www.ctbi.org.uk/375. There are also Bible study notes, discussion group ideas for young people and action ideas for groups and individuals.
The resources were prepared by representatives of the four nations – Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales – with Ireland being represented by a member of the Eco Congregation Ireland committee. They are designed to enable faith groups and individuals to focus on issues relating to the decisions that will be taken by world leaders at the UN climate summit in December.
More than ever, Christians are called to demonstrate their commitment to care for the environment by living simply and sustainably themselves and by pressing politicians to take the measures necessary at national and international level. This is underpinned by the hope we share as Christians, based ultimately on God’s good plans for his creation, the cosmic scope of Christ’s saving work and the Spirit’s renewing power at work within and through human beings.