Time to celebrate Creation!
Parishes in Ireland are encouraged to join with faith communities throughout the world in celebrating Creation Time from 1 September to 4 October 2014.
Creation Time, which is endorsed by the World Council of Churches and actively promoted by Eco–Congregation Ireland (ECI), is an opportunity to reflect on the wonder and mystery of God’s Creation and to choose better ways to relate to the living earth, ways that reflect God’s ways of justice and peace.
This year’s theme is “God, Whose Farm is All Creation”, which ties in with the fact that 2014 has been designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF).
The goal of IYFF is to reposition family farming (which is the predominant form of agriculture in the food production sector world–wide) at the centre of agricultural, environmental and social policies in the national agendas by identifying opportunities leading to a shift towards more equal and balanced development.
Resources on the theme, including sermon starters, liturgy, prayers and background information, are available on the Eco–Congregation Scotland website.
Recommending these “excellent resources”, ECI chairman Ven Andrew Orr says: “Family farms are the backbone of rural life throughout Ireland and even those who live in urban areas often have a family farming connection just a generation or two ago. With their generations of experience, small local farmers often understand the importance of caring for their environment; but across the globe family farming is under threat from a combination of multinational corporations, government policies and climate change. These resources help us to cherish and give thanks to God for our farming communities and those who supply our food, and encourage us to take action to protect God’s creation.”
Aims
ECI encourages parishes and individuals to consider ways in which they can be more sustainable by taking an eco–friendly approach to worship, lifestyle, property and finance management, children’s and youth work, community outreach and contact with the developing world.
A good starting point is to work through the ECI church check–list, which can be found in the first section of Resources on the ECI website. This need not take more than an hour and you might be pleasantly surprised to see what steps you are already taking as well as picking up ideas for new initiatives!
Funding
ECI, an ecumenical project of the Irish Inter–Church Meeting, receives a small sub each year from the five denominations involved – Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland, Methodist and Presbyterian and the Religious Society of Friends. In order to continue its work, ECI is also reliant on donations and grants. We would be grateful if parishes would consider holding a retiring collection for the work of ECI after their Creation Time or Harvest Thanksgiving service.