Creation Time
Charles Rue
Lutheran scripture scholar and pastor from Adelaide, Rev Norman Habel, introduced the ‘Season of Creation' to ninety participants at a workshop in Newcastle last Saturday 8 March. Creating such a season has been one follow through from the Adelaide based Earth Bible Project, an ecumenical venture.
Dr. Habel explained that the new liturgical season spans the Sundays in September, culminating with the Feast of St Francis. He said, ‘In the Season of Creation we can celebrate the work of God the Creator with creation'.
Dr Habel has made the Season of Creation materials, including hymns, available free on the website www.seasonofcreation.com
Four Christian groups together sponsored the gathering held at Jesmond Park Uniting Church - Justice Committee of the Uniting Church Hunter Presbytery, Environment Commission Anglican Diocese of Newcastle, Ecumenical Commission Catholic Diocese of Maitland/Newcastle, and the Wellspring Community.
Mr Maurice Sullivan, Director of Religious Education Services for the Maitland-Newcastle diocese and Josephite Sisters Bridgette and Ellen were participants. Miriam Pepper, the newly appointed Inter-faith Liaison for the Climate Institute in Sydney spoke on her role in helping church communities implement energy saving measures. She praised the initiative of Jesuit Church Resources in coordinating the supply of eco-friendly products.
A three year lectionary forms the scriptural backbone of the new season. These scripture readings aid reflection on major aspects of Earth over three years. It is suggested that the five Sundays each year have a particular natural focus, such as soil or forest or sea, and finish each year with a celebration of the whole cosmos.
At a theological level, the season combines prayers celebrating the ongoing creativity of God with the mystery of the life, death and resurrection of the Cosmic Jesus. This theology is expressed in a list of suggested prayers, hymns and affirmations of belief.
Internationally, some environmental church networks in the NZ, UK, USA www.webofcreation.org and Europe www.ecen.org have recommended the Season of Creation to their member communities. The Catholic bishops of the Philippines are considering doing the same.
