Peace with Creation

Season of Creation 2025 begins this Sunday!

Beginning in the Orthodox Church in 1989, and gradually expanding to many Christian traditions throughout the world, the Season of Creation offers a sacred time to deepen our relationship with God’s creation through prayer, reflection, and action. This year, the Season of Creation begins on Sunday, August 31, incorporates the World Day of Prayer for Creation on September 1 and runs through October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

During this time, we will have special prayers focused on the care of creation, but the Season of Creation is more than a liturgical observance – it is a call to discipleship. To pray, act, and advocate for the health of God’s creation is an essential expression of our love for God and neighbor. Caring for creation is central to our baptismal covenant to “strive for justice and peace among all people” and to respect the dignity of every human being. Most importantly, we are called to open ourselves to the Spirit of God, who transforms deserts into fruitful fields and leads us toward peace with creation

The theme for this year is “Peace with Creation,” inspired by Isaiah 32:14–18. Isaiah opens this passage with images of abandonment and ruin – cities deserted, palaces empty, land left to wild animals. The prophet Isaiah is clear, when injustice prevails both humanity and the land suffer. Today, we see his words in the effects of climate change, deforestation, pollution, and displacement across our world.

Isaiah also offers hopeful vision of creation healed and restored by God, transforming desolation into abundance. God, however, is determined to act through humanity. Only when human relationships are marked by fairness, equity, and right stewardship will true shalom – peace – flourish. Without justice for the poor and vulnerable, without right relationship with the Earth, peace will remain out of reach.

The Season of Creation calls us to live into Isaiah’s vision by seeking both ecological healing and continuing to work for justice. The chosen symbol is the Garden of Peace, depicted as a dove carrying an olive branch – a sign of renewal and reconciliation, recalling Noah’s ark and God’s promise of new life after the flood.

During this season, at All Saints’ our Creation Care team will continue its education and physical work on our campus, making a tangible difference and inviting all of us to take steps. On Sundays, you’ll also notice some liturgical changes reflecting the Season of Creation during worship. Later in October, All Saints’ will again host the Energy Saving Tree Giveaway for the wider community. There are many resources available, you can find some here. (https://seasonofcreation.org/resources/)

Where is God calling you to act in caring for creation and promoting justice in this season?

Blessings,

Nancy+