From the Temple flow streams of living water
Under the theme of “Living Water” the Season of Creation was launched in Cape Town with an Ecumenical Service with Archbishop Sipuka , Catholic Archbishop of Cape Town and chairperson of the South African Council of Churches.
The service was held at the Groote Kerk, at the oldest Dutch Reformed Church in the country with a past history of providing theological support for apartheid. As the Archbishop climbed the many steps to the pulpit towering above us I reflected on how in the past streams of poisonous theology had flowed from that very pulpit -causing suffering to generations.
In past decades the church has sharply pivoted away from that past and is a now a site of reconciliation, hope and interfaith dialogue. How wonderful then to see the Archbishop use that very same pulpit to launch the ecumenical Season of Creation – instead of pain flowing from the temple, now streams of living water would flow. The Season of Creation is a season of unity, as we hear the cry of the poor and the cry of the Earth.
In his powerful message the Archbishop reflected on Living water -reminding us that water can also become destructive due to our failure to care for Creation – he spoke of the pain of the people of Nepal and Tibet who have lost their lives as the melting glacier fell into the river creating devastating floods. He also talked of the fear of too little water here in Cape Town as we face the potential of drought ahead as El Nino draws closer. He challenged us to take seriously the call to care for Creation and and to open our concept of Ubuntu beyond humanity to all of creation.
Because of Water – we are .
Local ministers from the city centre churches led the service – Rev Riaan de Villiers – Groote Kerk, Dean Robert – St Mary’s Cathedral; Rev Sikawu – Central Methodists, Rev Annie Kirke -St George’s Cathedral, Rev Sybil – Lutheran Church, JP Roberts representing the “Together for Creation” ecumenical youth and Rev Rachel Mash -from the SACC Climate Commission who introduced the history of the Season of Creation and the Feast of Creation/World Day of Prayer for Creation
