Join The Global Church As We Celebrate The Season Of Creation
This summer, I’ve bicycled in, walked, and picnicked in some of my favorite local parks and protected ecological areas. I continue to feel gratitude for God’s good creation around me. However, I’ve also been lamenting the destruction of God’s creation on a global scale.
As I write this article, our skies are hazy because of the active wildfires in the western United States. The consequences of a warming planet include an increasing quantity and severity of wildfires. Several weeks ago, an ice shelf the size of Manhattan has broken off in the Canadian Arctic, which will cause coastal sea level rise in communities (including much of Eastern Canada and the United States). Meanwhile, the World Meteorological Association reports that the pandemic-related lockdowns have only caused a negligible decrease in greenhouse gas pollution that is statistically not significant in the long run. In short, God’s good creation is groaning and awaiting redemption (Romans 8).
Our study of the Creation narrative brings us to Genesis 3, which narrates Adam and Eve’s disobedience to God and banishment from the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:17-19 shows us that Adam and Eve’s previously harmonious relationship with God’s creation in their stewardship role is now changed because of sin. This new relationship is marked by pain and hard labour. Adam and Eve’s actions result in their alienation from God, from each other, and from creation. This three-fold alienation continues to the present day as a result of Adam and Eve’s sin.
However, as we will learn in our Bible study together, creation along with humanity, is and will be redeemed in God’s sovereign plan. Meanwhile, as Christians, we are still called to be good stewards of God’s creation.
During the month of September, we may be transitioning back into a more active life than we led over the summer, whether it’s back to studies or a return to work after the holidays. What could it look like for us, as Christ followers, to have this season help reorient our relationship with God and God’s creation?
September 1st to October 4th marks the Season of Creation in the western and eastern traditions of Christianity. The World Council of Churches describes the Season of Creation as “a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through repenting, repairing, and rejoicing together.” The Covid-19 pandemic and the climate crisis have awakened us to our dependence on God, and our interdependency with God’s planet, and the urgent need for healing in our relationships with one another and with God’s creation.
The Christian church worldwide is responding to this call. Orthodox, Protestant, Catholic, and Anglican churches and organizations now working together to exhort the 2.2 billion Christians worldwide to pray and act for creation and climate justice. Thanks to technology, we can gather online to pray for creation and climate justice issues, and also engage in faith-based civic action to advocate for policies that support earth conservation, and policies that would protect the vulnerable, including migrants and refugees. While we act together globally, it’s also important to act locally.
The citizens’ climate group I serve in, Earthkeepers: Christians for Climate Justice, recently wrote to the Canadian government to call for a Just Renewal, with focused and transformative investments in renewable energy, energy-efficiency in buildings and public transportation, and investments in nature conservation. We join with other Canadian Christians to advocate for a transition to a more resilient economy that acknowledges the interdependencies between human society and creation, and one that will enable us to better mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Our love for God, creation, and our neighbors means that in this Season of Creation, there is no habit, action, or initiative too small for us to begin as we work with God for the healing of God’s good creation.
Go deeper:
Visit the World Council of Churches’ homepage for the Season of Creation, with online events and resources: https://seasonofcreation.org/?fbclid=IwAR2GPruAfP-KUR4MGHi5XtvcChcfLxLye-gCSYaWrLDm-fXBku6ZhOTwDzg#.X0WBm2D3crA.facebook
Take Action:
Join in intercessory prayer, through the Year of Prayer for Bold Climate Action: https://www.theearthkeepers.org/yearofprayer