The Uniting Church of Australia
Season of Creation

Website: www.seasonofcreation.com

How did it start? 

In 2000, St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Adelaide, South Australia celebrated the first Season of Creation in Australia. For four weeks, adults and children relived the great creation stories in the Bible. The members confessed what humanity has done to creation and how God is working to renew creation. From 2001 to 2003, Norman Habel worked with the Uniting Church Commission for Mission in Melbourne, Victoria. After a series of workshops, their leaders agreed to explore the idea of a specific Season of Creation. In 2003 and 2004, the Uniting Church in Melbourne provided the funds to develop the resources needed to celebrate the Season of Creation. In 2005, after being tested in about fifty congregations in Melbourne and Adelaide, the Season of Creation was announced as an optional season for congregations across Australia.


Why a Season of Creation?
"By concentrating our worship on God's creation and our relationship with creation, we can seek ways to heal rather than exploit creation. The Season of Creation helps us care for our planet home rather than destroy it." 

When is it celebrated? 
For four Sundays in September, prior to St. Francis of Assisi Day. Congregations are also invited to celebrate Creation Day, September 1st. 


What resources are available? 
The Season of Creation website (www.seasonofcreation.com) provides a wealth of great resources for worship, study, and ministry. All materials are based on a three-year cycle corresponding broadly to the years of Matthew, Mark, and Luke in the Revised Common Lectionary. 

Resources include:

·         Readings

·         Liturgies

·         Bible Studies

·         Sermon Themes

·         Ideas for Spiritual Reflection

·         Earth Ministry Ideas

·         Children Addresses

·         Theology articles

·         Planning Worship Guidelines

·         Visuals

·         Creation Songs