Creation Time 2011 David Shreeve blog No.1

David Shreeve  Creation Time 2011 Blog No 1

Just as I was about to begin to write this first blog in a weekly series for CTBI’s website during Creation Time I heard the news that scientists have added together all the species in the world and come up with a total of 8.7million. I was not sure whether my reaction was ‘Amazing’ or ‘That sounds about right’.

A couple of days ago I was filming trees on a brilliant summer’s day when a colleague pointed out some trees which were already showing signs of autumn.  I replied without much thought that it was all very natural and the leaves would be back again next year.  And hopefully I was right, but once again I had greatly simplified all that goes on in the environment and taken it all so easily for granted. 

Creation Time gives us a chance to ponder and make some space for the wonders of God’s creation.

It was in 1989 the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Orthodox Church suggested to all Churches to observe     1 September, the first day of the Orthodox Church’s ecclesiastical year, as a day ‘of the protection of the natural environment’ and to offer ‘prayers and supplications to the Maker of all, both in thanksgiving for the great gift of creation and in petition for its protection and salvation’.

The Patriarch’s suggestion was developed by the European Christian Environmental Network who created the idea of a Time for Creation running from the 1 September to the Feast of St Francis on 4 October. Since then it has been adopted by churches around the world.

Creation Time is great opportunity to stop and take in the amazing environment we share with all those 8.7 or so million species and what a very special planet this is.

In Britain and Ireland we may be noticing the leaves beginning to turn to autumn shades whilst on the other side of the world others are seeing the signs of spring.

In Australia this year the Anglican EcoCare Commission, together with Anglican Children and Youth Ministry and the Formation Program, are producing a collaborative set of Sustainable September resources exploring the theme of food involving bible studies, worship materials and children’s materials.

Meanwhile our Creation Time is often linked to Harvest Festivals providing a useful opportunity of remembering in these days of round the year strawberries the importance of managing crops, seasonal variations and an appreciation of ‘enoughness’.

So much of religious faith and worship is linked to food and how its sharing is fundamental and this year’s theme for Creation Time provides many opportunities which I hope I can report in this series of ‘blogs’.  Do let me know of any Creation Time events or initiatives that you would like included. For example, I am delighted that members of the CofE’s Bishops’ Environment Group will be sharing a special locally produced breakfast when they meet in Oxford during Creation Time.

Breaking bread may be a very simple thing to do but each time we do it during Creation Time it would be great to remember and celebrate the amazing things we have in the environment and how much of it is relying on our appreciation and care.