TO HOPE AND ACT WITH CREATION
The theme for 2024 is “To hope and act with Creation” and the symbol is “The first fruits of hope”, inspired by Romans 8:19-25.
Creation is groaning in the pains of childbirth (Romans 8:22)
This biblical image pictures the Earth as a mother, groaning as in childbirth. Along with our Sister, Mother Earth, creatures of all kinds, including humans, cry out because of the consequences of our destructive actions causing climate crisis, loss of biodiversity, and human suffering as well as Creation’s suffering.
And yet, there is hope and the expectation for a better future. To hope in a biblical context does not mean to stand still and quiet, but rather groaning, crying, and actively striving for new life amidst the struggles. Just as in childbirth, we go through a period of intense pain, but new life is coming forth.
Creation is standing on tiptoe waiting for the children of God to be revealed (Romans 8:19)
Creation is standing on tiptoe waiting for us to act! Creation is not given to humanity to use and abuse, rather, humanity is created as part of Creation. More than a common home, Creation is also a cosmic family that calls us to act responsibly as part of the web of life.. This is how the children of God have an intrinsic vocation and an important role to play in the manifestation of the kingdom of justice (cf. Romans 8:19).
First fruits of hope (Romans 8:23-25)
We act for a better future because we are people of hope, we know Christ has overcome the death caused by our sins. We know that we have caused a lot of damage to Creation, and to the world we are living in because of our negligence, because of ignorance, but as well, in many cases, because of our unrelenting wish to satisfy unrealistic selfish dreams (cf. Romans 8:22).
Hope is not merely optimism. It is not a utopian illusion. It is not waiting for a magical miracle. Hope is trust that our action makes sense, even if the results of this action are not immediately seen (cf. Romans 8:24).
We know how much bold action to restrain the climate and ecological crises is urgent, and we also know that ecological conversion is a slow process as humans are stubborn to change their minds, their hearts, and their ways of living.
Together with Creation, let us hope and take action
www.seasonofcreation.org
Women Bishops
This year we have invited six women bishops to prepare the sermon notes during the Season of Creation. They come from Kenya, Brazil, Lesotho, Eswatini and the UK.
The role of women in environmental leadership is very important. Women are often more impacted by climate change than men. In many countries women are having to walk further and further distances to fetch water and firewood, reducing their opportunities for education and paid work. Women are more likely to be smallholder farmers who are dependant on rain fall rather than irrigation. And women are more likely to die in climate related disasters – carrying children and the elderly they are less able to flee.
And yet women are also earth keepers and protectors – biodiversity is a source of food and healing. They will also fight for the health of their children in the face of environmental degradation.
And so this year we honour the role of women environmental leaders with these voices of women bishops.
THE ICON
This year’s icon by Bob Mash represents the Anglican Communion Forest. This is a vision of local activities of forest protection, tree growing, and eco-system restoration undertaken by provinces, dioceses and individual churches across the Anglican Communion to safeguard creation. Together we are united as a global family in this vision. The branches reflect the diversity of nature and the golden tints reflect the sacredness of God’s creation.
To plant is to hope
To restore is to heal
To protect is to love
“The leaves of the trees are for the healing of the nations” Rev 22:2
https://www.greenanglicans.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Manual-2024-compressed.pdf