Photo Credit: Season of Creation 2025
Today, the Season of Creation 2025 kicked off with an online ecumenical prayer service. The Season of Creation runs between September 1 and October 4 each year. It is an ecumenical initiative that combines theological reflection with environmental action.
Supported by the World Council of Churches, the initiative encourages acknowledgement of the wonder of creation and inspires action to protect and restore the earth gifted to humanity. An ecumenical steering committee includes representation from the Anglican Communion as well as many other denominations and traditions.
The Season of Creation begins on September 1st and continues until Saint Francis Day on October 4th, and this year, the movement adopted the theme of ‘Peace with Creation’. It’s described as ‘a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion and commitment together.’ Christians are invited to join ‘sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home.’
Reflecting on the importance of peace and the protection of the natural world, the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Right Revd Anthony Poggo, commented, ‘We thank God for our part in Creation, for the call to treasure it, to be good stewards and to discern the signs of the times. May we act for justice together to safeguard people, animals and the natural world.’
Regarding the Season of Creation this year, Revd Dr Rachel Mash, Coordinator of the Anglican Communion Environmental Network, shared ‘As tensions rise around the world, God is calling the family of God to work for peace with justice, for peace with the whole of Creation - for our common home. This year, more than ever, let us commit to working with our ecumenical family…we invite you to join and work together for Peace with Creation.’
In today’s online prayer service, representatives from many Christian traditions from around the world participated - a symbol of the united call for Christians to come together for the benefit of their common home. The service was an opportunity to gather people of faith in gratitude and in acknowledgement of the responsibility to care for and restore the earth.
Part of the service included a time of repentance and of seeking forgiveness for how humans have treated the gift of the Earth, then a period of thanksgiving for the fertile, resource-rich and diverse lands we have charge of. The service also featured reflections on the mystery of creation, thought-provoking musical pieces and recitation of the Nicene Creed, reminding participants of what unites them in their faith.
Bible verses were also read and reflected upon, including verses from Isaiah 32:14-18 in which the prophet Isaiah pictured the desolate earth without peace because of the broken relationship between mankind and God. The challenge behind these verses is to advocate for justice for all people, as only through achieving reconciliation and justice for all living beings, will Creation find peace, fulfilling Isaiah’s vision.
The service concluded with an invitation to share the Lord's Prayer and a blessing was spoken, inviting participants to live in peace with both creation and one another.
Learn more about the Peace with Creation theme for 2025.
Learn more about the Season of Creation.
Watch the opening prayer service here.
Among those who contributed to the online prayer service were:
- Co hosts: John-Paul Roberts (Green Anglicans) and Shawna Nemesia Rebello (Don Bosco Green Alliance).
- Anglican representatives: The Right Revd Joseph Aba Nicanor (Anglican Diocese of Liwolo, South Sudan) and the Revd Dr Rachel Mash (Green Anglicans).
- Representatives from other Christian traditions: Archbishop Thomas Tharayil (the Syro-Malabar Archeparchy of Changanacherry), Isabella Reimann Gnas (Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession, Brazil), the Revd Atahualpa Hernandez Miranda (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Columbia), the Revd Dr Hyunju Bae (Presbyterian Church of Korea), Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar), Dr Sanna Urvas (Pentecostal Church of Finland) and His Beatitude Bechara Boutros Card Rai Maronite (Patriarch of Antioch and all the East).
- Representatives from ecumenical organisations: The Revd Daimon Nkandawire (Council for World Mission), Dr Ruth Padilla De Borst (A Rocha, Costa Rica) and Francis Namoumou (Pacific Conference of Churches).