“God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” (Gen 1.31 NRSV)

Earlier this summer Bishop Jelinek declared the period of October 1–November 5 to be a period of “The Celebration of Creation”:

In accordance with the resolution passed by the 148th Convention of the Diocese of Minnesota, I hereby declare the period from October 1 through November 5, 2006 to be a “Period of Celebration of Creation.”
I am convinced that creation care is one of the most critical issues facing humanity at this time. We must learn to honor and steward the natural world. Otherwise all will suffer, and the poor will suffer most.
I ask each worshipping community in the diocese to give special attention during that time to God’s gifts in creation and our responsibility of care for them. Please highlight creation care in liturgy, preaching and education.
It is our joy to celebrate the beauty and fecundity of nature, through which God sustains all life on the planet.

We at St. John’s will use this time in a variety of ways. Our 10.30am Sunday Worship will use liturgical materials from Enriching Our Worship and A New Zealand Prayer Book which focus on the Glory of God revealed in the created order. Our music will also reflect this rich theme.

In addition, we are offering a multitude of special events which encourage thoughtful reflection on our connectedness to and stewardship of God’s creation:

1 October, 230pm– Pet Blessing at Hubbard House Park (God’s creatures)
7 October, 10am–Apple Festival (Good harvest)
8 October, 4pm–The Hidden Messages of Water (Mystery of creation)
15 October, 3pm–Nature Meditation & Walk at Williams Nature Center (Being one with creation)
22 October, 1230pm–Pizza, Pumpkins & Things that go bump in the night! For youth (Having fun with creation)

Information about these events may be found elsewhere in this edition of The Chronicle.

As the marvels of our technological age increasingly keep us indoors much of the time, let us be more intentional about reconnecting with the natural wonders of God’s created universe. And let us make this month one of Celebrating God’s Creation.

Thanks be to God!