September marks the Season of Creationtide in the Church calendar.
A time in the year to see, reflect and respond to God's call in our lives to care for his beautiful creation.
Speaking of the importance of creation care as part of the witness of all Christians, Bishop Jonathan Gibbs, the Bishop of Rochester and Bishop Simon Burton-Jones have said:
'This has always seemed an apt moment in the year to have a particular focus on God’s beautiful creation and our role in caring for it, being as it is a time when we move from the growth of spring and the warmth of summer towards the time of harvest.
'This year, however, following a summer of exceptional heat, drought, and wildfires, our minds may be more focused than ever on the very real and urgent impact of climate change, and the need for all of us to play our part in reducing carbon emissions...
'Handwringing is no longer enough.'
They therefore encourage people to explore the resources and opportunities available, nationally and within the Diocese, for people to consider their part in care for the environment.
Ways to mark the season
New Feast of Creation in Christ Sunday and liturgy
This new feast day has been approved by General Synod for marking on the first Sunday of September (6 September 2026). New feast days are not approved that often, so this is a significant moment, underlining the importance of creation care to our daily Christian witness.The liturgy and other accompanying worship materials can be used at any time you want to reflect on God’s Creation.
Find the liturgical resources
Hope for All Creation
This is a new theological response to the climate crisis approved by General Synod, and which sets out that creation care is not an optional concern but a core part of Christian discipleship and mission. Available for free on the Church of England website, weekly reflections are also available through the Church of England’s Everyday Faith app throughout Creationtide.
Find out more
Diocesan Net Zero team and new Diocesan Environment Officer:
The diocesan Net Zero Team is here to support parishes to plan and implement measures to reduce their carbon emissions. Cat Jamieson and Kayleigh Ward are available to offer advice, information, and signposting to resources on fundraising and grant opportunities for energy and carbon reduction. Find out more
They are also now joined by a new volunteer Environmental Officer, Richard Hopkinson. This is a voluntary role to help support and encourage churches with their creation care work and develop a network of creation care champions.
Read more about Richard and an opportunity to meet him in November.
Diocesan Eco Conference – Saturday 19 September
Taking place at Rochester Cathedral, tickets are still available for this joint conference organised by the Canterbury and Rochester Diocesan Net Zero Team. It will include a talk from Dr Ruth Valerio, alongside workshops on topics such as sustainable floristry, church hospitality, how to reduce energy use, and how to care for your outside spaces.
Click to book your place
Offer to help
Why not use Creationtide or the Feast of Christ in Creation to step forward to help those who lead your local church with their creation care plans.
Let’s them know you want to be involved.
'Let’s be the positive tipping point'
Bishop Jonathan and Bishop Simon encourage us to keep going with the steps we are taking individually and in our churches, no matter how small, to live more sustainably, as together, each action makes a difference:
'In a powerful film called the National Climate Emergency Briefing and hosted by Chris Packham, a series of experts outline the stark reality of the combined impact climate change will have, and is having, on our health, national security, food systems, and weather.
'While a sobering watch, the experts also say that the solutions are available, it just needs enough people to commit to often small actions or changes for there to be a positive tipping point towards creating real change.'
Dear God,
Help us to be part of that positive tipping point, and for the strength and courage to keep going – despite how worrying the situation seems - as what we do really does matter.
We give thanks too for all that is already taking place in churches and communities across this Diocese to steward God’s bounteous gift to us this Creationtide, and beyond.
Amen