LONDON - 4 July 2008 - 457 words
Churches
launch hopeful green resources
Hope for Creation! That's what British and Irish Churches have
at a time when many scientists and campaigners are painting an
apocalyptic image of a future dominated by climate change, and
some find it difficult to have any hope at all.
The Churches are not burying their heads in the sand, and they
recognise the need to deal with and pray about the ecological
problems that face humankind. To help people to do this, Churches
Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) has put together a programme
of resources for use in what is being called 'Creation Time',
which runs from the beginning of September until the feast day
of St Francis on 4 October.
This is one of a number of initiatives that have their roots in
a recommendation from last year's Third European Ecumenical Assembly
in Romania. The assembly said, "We recommend that the period
from 1 September to 4 October be dedicated to prayer for the protection
of Creation and the promotion of sustainable lifestyles that reverse
our contribution to climate change."
The theme of CTBI's resources for Creation Time 2008 is: "Hope
for Creation - a time for worship and action". Central to
what is on offer are sermon materials prepared by the Revd Dave
Bookless, National Director of A Rocha UK, a Christian conservation
organisation that works to demonstrate and express God's love
for all creation through practical projects, education and consultancy.
The Hope for Creation resources come with a choice of two five-week
frameworks. One is based on the Lord's Prayer, and the other on
the Revised Common Lectionary. The materials are flexible, so
it is possible either to follow the whole five weeks or dip into
the material and use it as required.
Also available are additional resources for inclusion in worship
services and liturgies, together with group study ideas, children
and all-age resources, and action ideas. All these will help churches,
groups and individuals to focus on Creation Time, either for one
week or the whole month. The resources contain links to many Christian
organisations that have already developed useful study packs and
liturgical materials on environmental issues.
The Creation Time materials are available as free downloads from
www.ctbi.org.uk/creationtime
. A Welsh language version of the sermon resources will be available
by the end of July, and an Irish language version shortly afterwards.
The Revd Bob Fyffe, General Secretary of Churches Together in
Britain and Ireland, said: "We encourage churches to begin
planning now for Creation Time, and we hope that what we are offering
will help them to do so. There is here a rich resource to meet
the needs of clergy and congregations looking for ideas for harvest,
as well as more in-depth material for worship and study use throughout
Creation Time and beyond."
Source: CTBI
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