The Season of Creation is an annual celebration where Christians around the world join together to pray, reflect and take action to protect our common home. It begins on September 1 which is the World Day of Prayer for Creation, and goes until October 4, the Feast of St. Francis who is often called the patron saint of ecology. This season offers us a precious opportunity to pause in the midst of our day-to-day lives and contemplate the fabric of life into which we are woven.
The theme of this yearโs celebration is “walking together.” We know that we canโt face the environmental problems in our world alone; we need each other. We invite you to join us as we walk together towards greater stewardship of our place in creation.
Here are 5 ways you can join the celebration of the Season of Creation:
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Pray – September 1 is World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.ย
Since 1989 Christians around the world have been setting aside this day to pray for creation and for its care. Take a moment to pray on your own or with others. You may wish to do this outside, while walking, or around a meal.
Click here to download a season of creation prayer guide.
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Attend an event –ย Here are a few that you can attend in the Winnipeg area:
- Cafe A Rocha:ย On Sept 7th join us for food and conversation with Scott Gerbrandt around the theme of Season of Creationย
- Hike the Bois des Esprits:ย ON Sept 15 in honour of the theme of โwalking togetherโ we will be leading a 4 km guided hike through one of Winnipegโs fabulous urban forests.
- Silence in the Seasons:ย Sept 28-29 – Join a cohort of pilgrims to set aside time to pray and connect with God amidst the beauty of the boreal forest.
- Check out the A Rocha events page, or the Season of Creation website to find other events near you.ย
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Organize a prayer or worship service:ย
Prayer is at the centre of our lives as Christians and a prayer or worship service can be a simple and beautiful way to celebrate the Season of Creation. Click here for an example prayer service.ย
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Organize a community action for creation:
- Organize a community cleanup- This yearโs international coastal cleanup will be held on Sept 15, but you can hold an event on any date. Visit Ocean Conservancy to find out more.
- Download A Rocha Internationalโs Microplastics Toolkit to help you act against microplastics in your community.
- Plant a tree. Hereโs some info on choosing a tree.ย
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Participate in an advocacy campaign:ย
- Rise for Climate Action: This September, non-state leaders from around the world are coming together in San Francisco to show that they are serious about addressing the climate crisis. To encourage them and demand action, people around the world will march in their communities on 8 September. Visit this map to find a march near you.
- The Big Shift Global campaign demands that all people have access to sustainable and affordable renewable energy. It encourages the World Bank, a leader in global development, to take all funding out of fossil fuels and improve access to clean, renewable energy for all. Take action here.
- Pledge to live more sustainably: make a commitment to reducing your environmental footprint as an individual, family or community. Consider taking the Laudato Si Pledgeย or the Living the Change initiative.
