September not only marks the return to our regular schedule of events but also heralds the arrival of cooler temperatures. In addition, we enter the Season of Creation on September 1st.
The Season of Creation is a liturgical season where the children of God unite in spirit for a worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home and its inhabitants. We celebrate the
creative acts of God while acknowledging that Creation is dependent not only on divine acts but also on our response to God, which enables us to collaborate with God and one another in loving and caring for all that is created. The well-being of every creature is interwoven, and our future is dependent on their future.
This year, the theme for the season is “Peace with Creation”. The theme for Season of Creation 2025 is taken from Isaiah 32:14-18
“For the palace will be forsaken, the populous city deserted; the hill and the watchtower will become dens forever, the joy of wild asses, a pasture for flocks. Until a spirit from on high is poured out on us, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is deemed a forest. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness, and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” Isaiah 32:14-18 (NRVUE).
The Season of Creation Ecumenical Steering Committee Members examine the meaning of the scripture and theme in the following paragraphs: “The prophet Isaiah portrays a desolate Creation, devoid of peace due to injustice and the broken relationship between God and humankind. Devastated cities and wastelands reflect the destructive impact that human activities can have on Earth. Notably, animals readily move in and claim parts of what was once an exclusively human habitat, as if human settlement had deprived them of sufficient space. While the joy of a pasture for animals [Isaiah 32:14] is undoubtedly a good thing in itself, it comes at the cost of human displacement due to conflict.
Though God’s plan for Creation is rooted in justice and peace, human sin disrupts this, leaving Creation in ruin—from wealthy palaces to poor farmlands, forests, and oceans. Isaiah vividly
describes the results of human estrangement from Creation. Moreover, the abandoned and ruined watchtower and palace suggest that warfare is ultimately frustrated by God.”
September 1st is World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 2025. I hope you will take a moment during the day to pray the Season of Creation Prayer for 2025.
Creator of all, we praise you for the gift of life and for the faith that unites us in care for our common home. We confess how estranged we have become – from one another, from your Creation, and from our truest selves. We acknowledge that our greed and destructive impulses have fractured our relationships with you, with others, and with the Earth. Fertile fields have become barren, forests lie desolate,
oceans and rivers are polluted. Thriving communities have become places of suffering, and the earth cries out.
Beloved Christ, who spoke “Shalom” to frightened hearts, stir us to compassionate action. Inspire us to work for the end of conflict, and for the full restoration of broken relationships – with you, with the ecumenical community, with the human family, and with all Creation.
Prince of Peace, through your wounds, teach us to stand in solidarity
with the woundedness of others, of creation, and of the world.
Through your resurrection, make us people of hope – with a vision of swords turned into ploughshares and tears transformed into joy. May we come together as one family, to labor for your peace – a shalom where all your people may dwell in safety, and rest in quiet places.
Amen.
Blessings, Rev. Gloria