Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
In 1989, the Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I proclaimed 1 September to be a day of prayer for Creation. In time, the period between 1 September and the feast day of St Francis on 4 October was deemed the ecumenical Season of Creation. This year, the LWF celebrated the Season of Creation along with the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Global Catholic Climate Movement, ACT Alliance, the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network and the Anglican Communion Environmental Network.
A liturgical season of communion: wide and online green time
Morning prayers based on the theme of caring for creation were offered at the Ecumenical Center chapel in Geneva. LWF staff members posted online reflections of biblical passages for each week of the season.
Archbishop Antje Jackelén of the Church of Sweden shared a video for the Season of Creation website alongside Patriarch Bartholomew, Pope Francis, and WCC General Secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit.
National Bishop Susan C. Johnson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada joined His Eminence Archbishop Job of Telmessos of the Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe, and Bishop Allwyn D’Silva of Bombay, India, in leading the Season of Creation network’s online prayer service that united a global, ecumenical community of solidarity to close the season on 4 October 2017.
Commitment to protect Creation
In May 2017, the LWF Twelfth Assembly included the sub-theme Creation—Not For Sale. The Assembly passed a “Resolution on Climate Change,” which affirmed our communion’s commitment to climate justice.
In addition to public worship, advocacy and training, the LWF Council decided in June 2015 that “it shall be the policy of the LWF not to invest in fossil fuels.” The LWF Council implemented principles of investment in climate value property funds and impact investments that promote education and results that benefit all of creation. Divestment is one of the many tangible signs of the LWF’s engagement in acts, advocacy and education on behalf of creation.
Our communion is creatively and faithfully answering the call to care for the whole inhabited earth during the Season of Creation, and every day of the year.
Rev. Dr Chad Rimmer is Study Secretary for Lutheran Theology and Practice in the Department for Theology and Studies.
