This Creationtide, take action to encourage biodiversity

From 1 September to 4 October, Christians around the world will be keeping a 'Season of Creation'. This year, under its full theme 'The Web of Life: Biodiversity as God’s blessing', we are being asked to do this with sustainability events that will include cleaning local waterways, planting trees and allowing churchyards and other spaces to grow wild in order to encourage biodiversity.

It is estimated that 6 out of 10 churches in this country have churchyards, roughly equalling the area of a small national park, and therefore our churchyards are important for their habitats and as refuges for wildlife and plant life.

Churches are also being encouraged to photograph and share images that celebrate the biodiversity around their church on social media using #SeasonofCreation.

Bishop Nicholas, who is the Church of England lead Bishop on the Environment, said:

"We love the beauty of the earth. The fires in the Amazon show how interconnected we are in this beautiful, wonderful, fragile planet. We know there are serious issues to address if we are going to care for God’s earth.

"Season of Creation is a chance once again to give thanks for the gifts of creation, to pray and act in ways that care for God’s creation and address the issues of climate change and the depletion of species. It is the joyful, hopeful responsibility of people throughout the world and particularly of the Church which is both local and global."

Meanwhile, daily reflections for the Season of Creationtide written by the Revd Richard Clarkson are available as a daily email.

To receive them and share in reflection and prayer through this season of care for the envirnoment and for Creation, sign up at ecochurchsouthwest.org.uk.

The Season of Creation is an Ecumenical initiative launched in 1989, and in 2016 Pope Francis declared 1 September an annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.

The theme encapsulates two theological principles, that all creation comes from God, and that humans play a part in it.

The Church of England has collated online resources to equip churches, communities and individuals to respond and pray during the Season of Creation 2019.

It also provides resources for prayer and worship throughout the year here, and practical advice on biodiversity.

For more information and resources, visit churchofengland.org/seasonofcreation.