themes
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 widened this proposal, urging churches to adopt a Time for Creation stretching from 1 September to the feast of St Francis on 4 October. 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 2009Resources for Creation Time 2009 are entitled 'Creation in Crisis - a time for prayer and action' and include material to help focus on the crucial issues that will be on the agenda of the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen in December 2009.
Although the resources have been tailored to Creation Time, they are very flexible and include suggestions on a variety of ways in which churches, groups and individuals could choose to focus on a creation theme at any time of the year.
Creation Time 2008
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland first compiled a programme of resources to encourage and assist churches to observe Creation Time in 2008, using the theme Hope for Creation - a time for worship and action.
Other Creation Time resources
A wealth of liturgical material is also available from the European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN) and on the Australian Season of Creation website.
Download our 2009 resources for worship services and study