Creationtide
In 1989 the Ecumenical Patriarch invited all Christians to observe 1 September as "a day of thanksgiving for the great gift of creation and an occasion for petitions for its preservation and healing".
Since 1998 the European Christian Environmental Network has consistently promoted this Creation Day, and suggests that churches celebrate "Creation-tide" from 1 September until the second Sunday in October.
Creation-tide includes St Francis' day (4 October) and Harvest Festival, providing opportunities within most traditions to devote special attention to the confession of "God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth". The six-week period also gives churches an opportunity for environmental action.
In marking the first article of the Creed, Creation-tide deepens our understanding of those festivals which follow it and which mark the second and third articles, Christmas, Easter and Pentecost. Through St Francis day, it links to the "cloud of witnesses" commemorated in the cycle of saints days. In these ways it relates ecological responsibility to incarnation, redemption, eucharist, discipleship - to the entirety of our faith.
Our liturgical year has a long history and reflects the ideas, priorities, and calendars of many different peoples. It is rooted in the great feasts of Israel, which were shaped around the seasons of nature, but came to mark the historical acts of God and later the life of Jesus Christ. It is continually developing as certain festivals move to the background while others are rediscovered.
In a world facing ecological crisis, the inclusion of a new season of Creation-tide is a timely and legitimate refocusing of our calendar.
European Christian Environmental Network
The European Christian Environmental Network embraces a wide variety of church traditions and a broad range of environmental work. Its website contains stories of what churches are doing all around Europe, theological exploration, resources for worship, and explorations in a Christian context of policy issues such as climate change, water, and transport.
Earth be Glad >> Creationtide