Our Biblical text for this year is drawn from Ezekiel 47: 1- 12, which portrays God’s life-giving water flowing from the temple of God. The river grows deeper and deeper restoring barren land, reviving waters, and sustaining flourishing ecosystems. The vision invites human responsibility: recognizing ecological damage, embracing interconnectedness, we are called to immerse ourselves in the water, and actively safeguarding and working for the renewal of creation so that environmental healing and human well-being may flourish together.
The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During the Season of Creation, we join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home.
Here at St. John’s, the Season of Creation will begin on September 27th and run through October 25th.This year’s theme is “Living Water”.
“In the Season of Creation, we turn again to Christ, through whom all things were made and in whom all things hold together. In Christ’s incarnation, death, and resurrection, God’s love is revealed not only for humanity but for the whole created order. To care for creation is therefore an essential expression of Christian discipleship and an integral mark of the Church’s mission: to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and to sustain and renew the life of the earth. As we follow Christ, we are called to share in his reconciling work, seeking justice, healing, and hope for the earth and for all who dwell within it.”
The Most Reverend and Right Honorable Dame Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury
Confession of Sin against God’s Creation
Celebrant: Our confession today begins with a lament that we have mistreated and neglected creatures who share the earth with us.
We practice forestry, agricultural and mining practices that destroy homelands of indigenous peoples and animal habitat. We have placed countless species in danger of extinction and have disrupted migration patterns, the stability of polar regions, and damaged food supplies of vulnerable species.
All:We, who share responsibility, regret our neglect and abuse of earth’screatures.
Merciful and sustaining God, we have sinned against you. We confess our lack of gratitude for the beauty and bounty of your creation: teach us to see that your earth sustains us and all that lives.
We confess that we have misused your earth: grant us amendment of life.
We confess that we have been intemperate in our appetites: strengthen us in self-control.
We confess that we have taken the abundance of your world for granted: make us urgent now for its protection.
Forgive us and renew us not through our Savior Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, with whom you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Celebrant: God’s mercy flows like living water. The love of God, incarnate in Jesus who spoke to troubled waters, forgives us and calms our hearts so that justice may flow to all the dry places in our lives. In the name of Christ, may this grace free us to follow and proclaim the good news of the healing of all creation. Amen.
