Join Online Global Prayer Services for Season of Creation

In 2017, all churches are invited to celebrate the "Season of Creation," September 1st to October 4th, in their faith community. Possible parish activities include: prayer services (see below), intergenerational activities, conferences, activities for children and young people, fundraising, etc.

During the Season of Creation ACEN will be holding two online prayer services with our partner organization: Global Catholic Climate Movement, WCC and Christian Aid:

September 1, 9:00 am (MDT) / 16:00 (London time): With Yeb Sano (Philippines), Bishop Mark MacDonald, National Indigenous Anglican Bishop of Canada, a Brazilian Sister, the Rev. Sunil Raj Philips of the Church of South India and Ava Andrews. Click here to register

September 19, 9:00 am (MST) / 1600 London Time with the Archbishop of Canterbury Click here to register

The Green Churches Network has developed a resource to help Christians give thanks to God for the goodness of Creation and care for it. The “Season of Creation in a Box" contains nine downloadable documents, including a one-page calendar with daily ideas for taking action, a beautiful poster for church bulletin boards, three intergenerational activities (Seven Days of Creation, Ecological Footprint and Let's Pray Without a Car) and a Prayer Guide.   

Why September 1st to October 4th? In 1989, Demetrios I, Patriarch of Constantinople decided to dedicate the first day of the Orthodox liturgical year (September 1) to the protection of the environment. He then invited the whole Christian world to join in so that "every year on this day, we raise prayers of thanks for the great gift of the created world, prayers of supplication for its protection and salvation." In 2015, Pope Francis named September 1st the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.   October 4th is the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. He is the patron saint of ecology in the Catholic tradition since 1979. He is a model of integral ecology, demonstrating that the love for the poor, the sick and for all creatures comes from the same Source—Jesus himself.