The Season of Creation

By Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain

Rev. Dr. Katherine Rainger

If you want to learn, then go and ask
the wild animals and the birds,
the flowers and the fish.
Any of them can tell you what the Lord has done.
 Every living creature is in the hands of God.
Job 12:7-10 (The Bible, CEV)

The Season of Creation is the annual Christian celebration to pray and respond together to our environment locally and globally. The Church around the world unites to listen and care for our common home. The season begins 1 September, with the Feast of Creation, and ends 4 October, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology beloved by many Christian denominations.

This video gives a good explanation of the Season of Creation and how churches around the world are responding.

Some ideas for our participation include:

Blessing poster

1. Attend the Blessing of the Pets service.

Sisters Amy and Sophie Purvis are organising a Blessing of the Pets service for this coming Sunday, 22 September at 4.00 pm in the Chapel Courtyard. Please only bring pets along that are comfortable around other pets.

2. Learn about people who care for animals and advocate on their behalf, including the following notable historical figures:

  • St Martin de Porres (1579-1639) who set up the first animal shelter as a result of seeing strays on the street and remembering what it was like for him when he lived on the street.
  • Renowned Church of England evangelist Rev. John Wesley (1703-1791) cared deeply for animals.
  • Rev. Arthur Broome (1779-1837) with help from others, including William Wilberforce, formed the RSPCA.
  • Anna Sewell (1820-1878) a Quaker, wrote Black Beauty to expose the cruel conditions of the working horses in London. The success of her book heralded more humane equipment for horses.

3. Go deeper into an issue you care about. This month I’ve been challenged by two uncomfortable and eye-opening articles in “The Monthly”: Down on the Farm by Katherine Wilson who reports on certain farming practices and those seeking to make the public aware and The tipping point by James Bradley, an investigation into landfill in Australia and our growing waste problem. A friend recently recommended How to Talk About Climate Change in a Way That Makes a Difference by Rebecca Huntley.

4. Members of the Radford College community can join Radford's Sustainability Nexus Page. This page is your go-to resource for learning about eco-friendly practices, participating in green initiatives, and staying updated on our Radford’s sustainability projects.

5. Take a walk in creation.
Gossan Hill Nature Reserve is a much-loved place for Junior School staff and students. Secondary students are participating in “chapel walks” on Gossan Hill this fortnight to explore the beauty and habitats on our doorstep. What natural environment is close to you that you can enjoy?

Year 11 students on a nature walk in Gossan Hill.

6. Design and enter the Sustainable Steps poster competition (Pre-K – Year 8)

Glance at the sun.
See the moon and the stars.
Gaze at the beauty of earth’s greenings.
Now, think.
What delight God gives to humankind with all these things.
All nature is at the disposal of humankind.
We are to work with it.
For without we cannot survive.
Saint Hildegard of Bingen (1098 – 1179)

May the Season of Creation be an intentional time of prayer, appreciation, connection and action.

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