environment
environment and
climate change
time for creation
In 1989 the Ecumenical Patriarch suggested that 1 September, the first day of the Orthodox Church's year, should be observed as a day "of protection of the natural environment". Ten years later the European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN) widened this proposal, urging churches to adopt a Time for Creation stretching from 1 September to the feast of St Francis on 4 October and this was endorsed by the 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly in Sibiu, Romania in 2007, which recommended that the period "be dedicated to prayer for the protection of Creation and the promotion of sustainable lifestyles that reverse our contribution to climate change".
Creation Time 2012
Since 2008 CTBI has compiled a programme of resources to encourage and assist churches to observe Creation Time and will do so again this year. These include suggestions on a variety of ways in which churches, groups and individuals could choose to focus on a creation theme at this particular time of the year.
The theme for 2012 will be Sustainable energy in creation - Time for prayer and action. Resources will be available on the CTBI website by the end of June.
Resources for previous years are all also available:
- 2008 Hope for Creation - a time for worship and action
- 2009 Creation in Crisis - a time for prayer and action
- 2010 Creation Flourishing - a time for celebration and prayer
- 2011 Our Daily Bread - Food in God's creation
- Creation Time Additional Resources
A substantial compilation of liturgical material, prayers and other items which can be used for a creation or environment focus at any time of the year. Originally compiled in 2008 and updated and refreshed with new items each year. - Climate Change Day of Prayer 2009
Compiled for a special day of prayer before the Copenhagen Climate Conference, this rich collection of prayers and reflections can be downloaded in either written or audio form.
More Creation Time resources are also available at:
Download our Creation Time 2011 resources for worship services and study, including sermon notes and outlines 