The Season of Creation, or Creationtide, is an annual global celebration that unites Christians of all traditions in prayer, reflection, and action for the protection of God’s creation. It runs from 1 September (World Day of Prayer for Creation) to 4 October (Feast of St Francis of Assisi).
During this season, churches, communities, and individuals are invited to explore the wonder of God’s creation and respond to the ecological challenges facing the planet.
This year, the theme is Living Water, inspired by Ezekiel 47: 1-12, which portrays God’s life-giving water flowing from the temple of God. The river grows deeper and deeper restoring barren land, reviving waters, and sustaining flourishing ecosystems. The vision invites human responsibility: recognising ecological damage, embracing interconnectedness, we are called to immerse ourselves in the water, and actively safeguarding and working for the renewal of creation so that environmental healing and human well-being may flourish together.
As Anglicans, we are called to renew our commitment to God’s creation, recognising both the challenges and the hope we have to restore and protect it.
The Season of Creation reminds us that caring for the environment is not optional: it is a pressing Christian responsibility. Scripture calls us to be stewards of the Earth, reflecting God’s love for the whole of creation. Please join us in:
- Praying for the protection of creation and justice for those most affected by environmental degradation
- Learning about the interconnectedness of life and the impact of human activity on the planet
- Making real practical changes in our personal lives, church communities, and wider society.
More details here. More resources here. Events you can participate in here online or in Malaga:
- September 1, 3pm: Opening prayer service led by the Season of Creation Ecumenical Steering Committee, online
- September 12, 11.30am: Salinas Creationtide Service, led by Mother Doreen, Church of the Sagrado Corazón de Maria, Estacion de Salinas, Archidona
- September 18, 7.30pm: Ecumenical Service of Prayer for Creation: President: Bishop of Malaga, Preacher: Fr Louis, held outside St George’s Church
- October 3, 11am: St Francis Day Pet Blessing service, here at St George’s Church
- October 4, 3pm: Closing prayer service for the Feast of St. Francis led by the Ecumenical Youth Committee, online
This is the formative issue of our time, and one in which Christians have as a substantial stake. Ahead of the UN Climate Conference in Glasgow (COP26) in 2021, a joint statement on the protection of the environment was issued by Pope Francis, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Justin Welby, then Archbishop Canterbury. Read the full statement here.
Together they have said:
“Future generations will never forgive us if we miss the opportunity to protect our common home. We have inherited a garden; we must not leave a desert for our children.”
Click here to see Look at the World, a wonderful and uplifting Harvest Anthem by John Rutter, commissioned in 1996 by the Council for the Protection of Rural England.