Creation Matters is the Redeemer’s eco-spirituality group. Meeting monthly, we centre ourselves in creation, learn about and reflect on the state of the world in which we live, and bring more awareness of creation into the life of the church. All are welcome!
Season of Creation 2021
Original art for the Season of Creation by Dawn Lee
In Earth’s Life We Live
Our worship space sits at one of the busiest intersections in Toronto. Surrounded by concrete and asphalt, tall buildings and never-ending traffic, it is difficult to see and feel our connection to Mother Earth.
Yet just a few steps away from Redeemer’s front door we are reminded of our connection with some of our most important non-human relations. South and west of the church, just a half block away, is the entrance to Philosopher’s Walk. There, along the bed of what was Taddle Creek, an ancient waterway used by the Indigenous caretakers of Turtle Island, we may enjoy the breezes of a summer day, the trees, grasses and other plants. This nearby area reminds us of the essential elements for sustaining all of life: water, earth and air.
This year, Season of Creation at The Redeemer will focus our worship and special events on our dependency on these elements for every aspect of our being. From our street corner we need not look far for evidence of our fragile dependency: an hour’s walk takes us to the shore of Lake Ontario, susceptible to habitat destruction, pollution, invasive species and a changing climate; an hour’s drive, north, east or west, reveals the ongoing destruction of the richest farmland in Canada and source of sustainable local food; a short subway ride takes us to any of several hospitals where medical staff continue to battle a pandemic spread by an airborne pathogen.
In Earth’s Life We Live will challenge us to grasp more deeply that all life is interconnected, that we live because everything else does. We seek to imagine ways our society and our own daily habits can be reconfigured to sustain the flourishing of all life and to find our collective voice as we work together to protect our common home.
Services & Events during the Season of Creation
Note: COVID-19 protocol require advanced registration for all services and events. Contact: email office@theredeemer.ca, or call 416-922-4948.
Sunday, September 26 at 7:00 PM
EarthSong service. Preacher: The Rev’d Laurel Dykstra, Salal + Cedar, Vancouver
Sunday, October 3 at 9:30 AM & 11:15 AM
Sister Water: Useful, Humble, Precious and Pure. Preacher: The Rev’d Susan Haig, Associate Priest
Sunday, October 3 at 7:00 PM
Rock Eucharist featuring the music of Buffy Sainte Marie
Tuesday, October 5 at 7:00 PM
WaterFirst: Strong Communities. Safe, Clean Water. A panel discussion with Sam Murray, Development Manager for WaterFirst, in conversation with Redeemer senior youth
Sunday, October 10 at 9:30 AM & 11:15 AM
Gratitude for the Gift of Soil: Nourishment that Sustains Us. Preacher: Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat, Farmer, Permaculture Practitioner & Biblical Scholar
Saturday, October 16 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Be a Farmer for a Day! at The Common Table Urban Farm, Don Mills
Sunday, October 17, 9:30 AM & 11:15 AM
The Air We Breathe – The Spirit that Moves Us. Preacher: Nate Wall, Scholar in Residence
Sunday, October 17 at 7:00 PM
Bach Vespers with Choir & Orchestra
A Repository of Links to Resources on Ecological Justice
Season of Creation – Globally & Close to Home
Season of Creation is an annual, global and ecumenical time of focus on our relationship with the Creator and with all of creation. Globally, it runs from September 1 to October 4. At Redeemer, we celebrate the Season of Creation after school and the fall activities have begun again in order to maximize awareness and participation.
The Church of England on Season of Creation
A Season of Creation like no other this year
Season of Creation 2020 @ The Redeemer
Redeemer’s 30-Day Challenge: An Invitation to Reflect and Act
Season of Creation 2019 @ The Redeemer
Communications from The Diocese of Toronto on Ecological Justice
Diocese of Toronto Policy Paper on Environmental Issues
For the Love of Creation Faith-in-Action Campaign
Pray
We pray for the life of the world
Learn/Read
A curated reading list on Creation Care
If you are interested in growing your awareness of creation, and how the church can navigate the environmental challenges our world is facing, please get in touch below.
