By Molly Weyrens
What a beautiful summer and fall we have had! Gardens grown and harvested, time spent on lakes and the temperature allows for great fun – most days!
I was able to travel to Utah in September and witness the incredible beauty of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Everywhere we looked, there were unbelievable rock formations. They were all different and unique. And as we know from history, the indigenous people lived in these places and formed impressive cities and civilizations to support their people. They were masters at living in and with creation. My traveling companion said, “ Just think of how much fun God must have had to make all of this rich and diverse beauty!”
To honor that beauty, the Catholic Church as well as many other churches have been leading efforts to pay attention to our Mother Earth. Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical “Laudato Si’” has been the foundation for many efforts in our church to better sustain our land, water and air. In keeping with Pope Francis’ attention to the environment there is a special time set aside known as the Season of Creation. This is a time designated by an ecumenical group of churches worldwide to call to mind our role and responsibility as companions with the earth and all she holds.
The Season of Creation is Sept. 1-Oct. 4 ( The feast day of St. Francis of Assisi). The Orthodox Church year actually begins on Sept. 1 with a commemoration of how God created the world. Talk about integration! Many events are planned for this time period. Perhaps you and others in your church might pick one of the ones suggested? It doesn’t take an entire committee and it’s a great way to involve many generations! It’s a great way to put our faith into action by helping to protect the earth and help her flourish. Many hands and hearts are needed. Caring for Creation is not an “ add on “ for our faith. It’s integral to our faith. To find ideas you can visit www.seasonofcreation.org.
Pope Francis calls all of us to have an “ Ecological Conversion.” As outlined in Laudato Si, “It is a process of acknowledging our contribution to the social and ecological crisis and acting in ways that nurture communion: healing and renewing our common home.”
Wherever you find yourself this season, may you get outside and show your appreciation for the fun that God has created! As Russian author Dostoevsky once said, “The world will be saved by beauty.” What role will you play?