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Moses was told to remove his sandals, for he was standing on holy ground in God’s presence. May this symbol move us to remove the “sandals” of our unsustainable lifestyles that disconnect us from creation and our Creator, contemplate our connection to the holy ground where we live, and listen for the voice of creation.

Season of Creation is a time of grace that the Church, in ecumenical dialogue, offers to humanity to renew its relationship with the Creator and with creation, through celebration, conversion and commitment together.

During these five weeks, we have the opportunity to:

• Reaffirm our vocation as stewards of creation.
• Thank God for the wonderful handiwork of Creation.
• Implore God’s help and ask for pardon.

We are ready to live the Season of Creation, the ecumenical season that each year unites Christians to pray and take action for our common home. For this year, the theme for the Season of Creation is: “Listen to the voice of creation” with the symbol of the burning bush.

Today the prevalence of unnatural fires are a sign of the devastating effects that climate change has on the most vulnerable of our planet. Creation cries out as forests crackle, animals flee, and people are forced to migrate due to the fires of injustice that we have caused. The fire that called to Moses did not consume or destroy the bush. This flame of the Spirit revealed God’s presence, and affirmed that God hears the cry of all who suffer, and remains always with us to deliver us from injustice.

During the Season of Creation, this symbol calls us to listen to the voice of creation, and faithfully respond through worship, repentance and action.

Join us in Prayer, Study, Community, Service

Thursday, September 1 — Sisters open Season of Creation at Evening Prayer

Saturday, September 10 • 9 am – 2 pm ET — Mayors Grand River Cleanup Celebration | Gillette Bridge, Downtown Grand Rapids. | Volunteer with Sisters, Associates, and former Sunday Assembly.
RSVP to mbclingman@grdominicans.org or (616) 514.3111

Sunday, September 18 • 6 pm ET | Season of Creation Prayer Service (watch for Zoom link)

Wednesday, September 21 • 2 – 3 pm ET | Pilgrimage of Trees at Marywood Campus | Meet in parking area of Aquinata Hall. This is an outside event. Golf carts available.

Saturday, October 1 • 10 – 11 am ET | Associate-hosted Canticle Prayer & Reflection | St. Francis Sculpture Garden. Bring a chair. (Rain Date Oct. 8)

Saturday, October 1 • 11 am ET | Blessing of Animals at St. Francis Sculpture Garden | Sponsored by Saint Francis Sculpture Garden

Tuesday, October 4 • 6 pm | Prayer Service: Global Celebration Closing Season of Creation Webinar (watch for Zoom link)

Pray With Us

Creator of All,
From your communion of love your Word went forth to create a symphony of life that sings your praise.

By your Holy Wisdom you made the Earth to bring forth a diversity of creatures who praise you in their being. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.

You called human beings to till and keep your garden. You placed us into right relationships with each creature so that we could listen to their voices, and learn how to safeguard the conditions for life. But we turn in on ourselves and away from our co-creatures.

We close our ears to the counsel of our fellow creatures. We fail to listen to the cries of the poor and the needs of the most vulnerable. We silence the voices of those who hold the traditions that teach us to care for the Earth. We close our ears to your creative, reconciling and sustaining Word that calls to us through the Scriptures.

We lament the loss of our fellow species and their habitats that will never speak again. We grieve the loss of human cultures, along with the lives and livelihoods that have been displaced or perished. Creation cries out as forests crackle, and animals alike flee the fires of injustice that we have lit by our unwillingness to listen.

In this Season of Creation, we pray that you would call to us, as from the burning bush, with the sustaining fire of your Spirit. Breathe upon us. Open our ears and move our hearts. Turn us from our inward gaze. Teach us to contemplate your creation, and listen for the voice of each creature declaring your glory. For “faith comes from hearing.”

Give us hearts to listen for the good news of your promise to renew the face of the Earth. Enlighten us with the grace to follow the Way of Christ as we learn to walk lightly upon this holy ground. Fill us with the hope to quench the fires of injustice with the light of your healing love that sustains our common home.

In the name of the One who came to proclaim good news to all creation, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

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