Season of Creation

Season of Creation Background & Activities

The seed for the Season of Creation was planted in 1989 with the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church proclaiming September 1st as a Day of Prayer for Creation. In 2000, the first 4 week Season of Creation was introduced at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Australia. Between 2008 and 2015, the World Council of Churches and the Roman Catholic Church formally endorsed and expanded the annual observance.
Each year, the Season of Creation is observed across the globe from September 1st through October 4th, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The theme for this year is Immersion in Living Water and inspired by Ezekiel 47:9-12.
Throughout the Season, we will use Creation Care ecumenical liturgy.

Activities

There is a Giving Tree in the Narthex. We ask that you consider one meaningful way you can help protect, preserve, or enhance God’s creations.
  • Protect creation by reducing waste, conserving energy, or using fewer disposable items.
  • Preserve creation by caring for local green spaces, planting native species, or supporting clean-up efforts.
  • Enhance creation by sharing gratitude, encouraging others, or choosing a simple daily practice that honors the earth and its inhabitants
Write on a paper leaf (in the basket near the tree) what you will do and hang it on the tree. You may print your name on the back of the leaf, although this is optional.
Through simple, intentional actions, each of us can help protect, preserve, and enhance the natural world. Together, our individual commitments can make a meaningful difference while honoring and caring for all that God has created.
Living Waters- On September 13th, we invite you to bring water to the 9 am service. The water can come from your favorite body of water in Maine or from your tap! We will combine all the water in our baptismal font. Rev. Sue Murphy will bless the water and bless us with the water during a renewal of our baptismal vows. After the service, we will be invited to take some of the holy water home.
On September 27th at 1 pm, St. Ann’s member, Brian Butler, Environmental Scientist and Geologist will present an Introduction to PFAS- Understanding the “forever chemicals” in plain language. The presentation will be held at the church. Light refreshments provided. This event will be open to the public.
Share the Harvest will continue through October 4th. Thank you to those who have already donated. The produce is donated to the Windham Food Pantry.
MacConnell Memorial Gardens- Work will continue including expansion of the existing gardens.
Labyrinth- Building a labyrinth on our church property has long been discussed and will finally be coming to fruition next Spring. Prep work will begin during the Season of Creation with details to follow.
Books- Four Creation Care themed children’s books have been donated to the St. Ann’s library. They are on display in the Narthex. There is a sign out sheet on the table with the books. Stay tuned for a Creation Care themed book list for teens and adults.