This is a big deal! It’s been decades in the making, and the first new liturgical season in 500 years. This new period is the Season of Creation, beginning September first. And it’s the first time the Western Church (Catholics, Protestants, the World Council of Churches and others) have adopted a worship practice from the Eastern Church, which includes all the Orthodox Churches around the world.

This is the first truly ecumenical feast since the 4th century CE. It’s not just responding to recent awareness of human harm to our planet. Its purpose is to recognize and celebrate God’s work as Creator in Christ through the Holy Spirit (as we know God through the Trinity). The season extends all the way through September until Oct. 4th, St. Francis’ feast day.

This means that weekly worship services from September first on could be based on these related scriptures, chosen by global ecumenical representatives. The texts are:

• Genesis chapters 1 or 2, with their two creation accounts
• Psalm 148, which invites all parts of the universe to “Praise the LORD”
• John 1:1-18, about how all creatures came into being through the Word of God

We’re encouraged to focus on the fullness of our one God, whom we know as Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit, who works all around and through all of creation..

How might you and I celebrate God’s gift of creation through the days of this season? We could:

• Go for walks or hikes outdoors
• Learn something new about the creatures living around us
• Join a group that does volunteer removal of toxic materials for our neighborhood
• Support a group that helps revive one animal on the Endangered Animals List.

What might you choose to do to express your worship life?

Your partner in making a difference,

Betsy Schwarzentraub