Did you know that at the Episcopal Church’s General Convention in 2015, we adopted the proposed language for an additional baptismal covenant centered on care of creation?

Question: Will you cherish the wondrous works of God, and protect the beauty and integrity of all creation?

Answer: I will, with God’s help.

Last year at our Diocesan Convention, we voted to adopt a Season of Creation, setting aside five weeks to focus on living into this promise, and calling given to us by God. So, starting on September 3 and continuing through our celebration of St. Francis on the first Sunday in October, our sermons and prayers will reflect a particular emphasis on God’s work through creation, and our calling to care for this planet. If you have any creative ideas for how to help this come alive in our parish, come talk to me!

Our diocese is providing a wealth of ways to join with others to explore and take action. Here are some of the ways you can get involved:

• Holy Hikes @ Rainbow Falls, Chehalis | Saturday, 9/9 @ 10:00 am Join us as we gather on trails up and down the I-5 corridor to hike and share readings from scripture, prayers, silence, conversation, and (when there’s a priest on hand) the bread and wine of the Eucharist.
• Climate Conversations: Being a Voice for Conservation and Creation Care | Thursday, 9/14 @ 6:30-7:30 pm Hosted by Saint Mark’s Creation Care Ministry every 2nd Thursday. Register here.
• Diocesan Roundtable @ Convene | Saturday, September 30 Join us at Convene for an in-person meet up to connect and network around Creation Care and Climate Justice.
• Creation Care Compline | Monday, 9/18 @ 6:00 pm The Episcopal church-wide Task Force on Care of Creation and Environmental Racism invites you to a monthly compline on creation care, environmental justice, and eco-spirituality. All are welcome. Register here.

During the Season of Creation you may experience prayers and readings you haven’t heard before. We will be drawing on resources created to supplement the Book of Common Prayer. Don’t worry, these have been fully approved by bishops in The Episcopal Church for use in Sunday worship.

During the church year we observe seasons like Lent, Advent, and Easter when the readings and liturgies work together to help highlight certain aspects of a life of faith. We are currently in the season of Ordinary Time and the aspect of faith that we have been focusing on is what it means to function as the Church in the world. We kick off this fall with a Season of Creation, where we look more specifically at how the Church is called to be in relationship with our planet.

We will seek to pray, learn, act, advocate, and bless.