From The Desk of Deacon Judy

Celebrating God’s Creation

September begins the Season of Creation where Episcopalians join other Christians around the world as an intentional time of repairing and restoring our relationship with God, with each other, and with all of creation. The Episcopal Church has a number of resources – liturgies for worship, resources for advocacy, and daily devotions for the Season of Creation. Here’s the link:

https://www.episcopalchurch.org/season-of-creation-and-st-francis-day-resources/

For me, September has always represented a season of new beginnings. I always loved the start of a new school season, new adventures, new learnings, and new friends. I smile when I think of my secular girls’ high school where we processed into assembly each morning singing “The Spacious Firmament on High” which celebrates God’s creation (p. 409, 1982 Hymnal). (I am convinced that the school leaders Miss Pratt and Miss Miller were New England Episcopalians).

Even now, as September begins, the slow changing of the weather - slightly cooler, less humid - energizes me to enjoy God’s creation more fully with longer walks in the woods and pondering planting plans for a more vibrant spring flower garden.

September signals back to church as well. We resume our “regular” rhythm of 8am and 10am services. So many of our liturgies, psalms, and hymns offer praise for this beautiful earth, our island home.

I find it interesting that Rosh Hashanah is in September this year. This Jewish holiday celebrates the beginning of a New Year, a time of introspection and renewal, a celebration of God’s care for the Jewish people, and a celebration of the beginning of the universe, God’s creation of the earth, the heavens, and humanity.

As we begin our autumn journey, may we honor God’s creation and take special care for the earth and all that is in it.

I offer this prayer For Taking Pleasure in God’s Creation from Prayers for Pilgrimage:

O Lord, you who are the Creator of heaven and earth, may we take pleasure in your creation this day as you take pleasure in it, we pray, and may we live this day as a people who have been crowned with glory, so that all anticipation of day when the whole world shall be made fully and forever alive. We pray this in the name of the One who makes heaven and earth for love’s sake. Amen.

God’s peace,

Judy Q+