Creation Matters is the Redeemer’s ecospirituality group. Meeting monthly to centre ourselves in creation; to learn about and reflect on the state of the world in which we live; and to bring more awareness of creation into the life of the church.
We are committed to growing our reverence for creation: reverence for our current world, for the story of the universe, and for the ongoing creation of which we are part. Our work includes:
bringing more attention to creation into the liturgies of the church- sponsoring events to raise awareness of climate change and actions to counter it
- increasing the energy efficiency and reducing the emissions of our church building
- advocating for political action to care for the Earth
Season of Creation 2020
An important part of the rhythm of the year for us as a community is Season of Creation. Again this year, Creation Matters @ Redeemer will be hosting Season of Creation starting Sunday, September 27 through to Tuesday, October 27. The theme this year is All My Relations: Learning to Live in the Family of Earth.
More detailed information is available at each of the links provided below. The Creation Matters @ Redeemer group extends their thanks, on behalf of the community, to Dawn Lee for the stunning illustration that she has created for this year’s celebration of Season of Creation.
The Season Begins
Sunday, September 27 at 4 PM was the pre-recorded launch service for Season of Creation, a month-long journey of worship and special events. We were delighted to welcome Jennifer Henry, Executive Director of KAIROS: Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, who preached on the launch service’s theme, Earth Song.
Sundays During Season of Creation
Sunday, October 4: Dr Sylvia Keesmaat, guest preacher and sometime member and friend of the parish, will preach on the theme Learning from Creation: Feast of St. Francis. For the 9 AM Zoom service, all are encouraged to decorate their ‘Zoom box’ with creatures – either crafted ones using these templates or by having your pet cat, dog, or iguana join you for the service.
Sunday, October 11: The Rev’d Susan Haig reflects on the theme, Learning from Gratitude: Thanksgiving.
Sunday, October 18: Nate Wall, Scholar-in-Residence, explores the theme Learning from Our Place in the Universe: The Wisdom of Humility.
Sunday, October 25: The Rev’d Canon Steven Mackison will help us consider our next steps as he preaches on the theme, Learning to Live Differently: Harvesting the Teachings of our Season of Creation.
Service times and other details are available on the calendar listing for each of these services.
Workshops
In addition to the worship services being celebrated on Sundays, there are two scheduled workshops.
Saturday, October 3, 9 AM – Noon on Zoom
What’s in a Worldview: from Creation Stories to Trickster Tales
This workshop was presented by Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Chair on Truth and Reconciliation at Lakehead University, with Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat, Adjunct Professor, Institute of Christian Studies as responder.
Through reflection and storytelling, Cynthia related an indigenous understanding of the relationship of human beings with the rest of creation. Sylvia responded to the indigenous worldview Cynthia shares, by reflecting on the ways indigenous wisdom could inform the Western settler church’s historical understanding of the biblical worldview that places human beings “in charge“ of the rest of creation.
During the workshop, participants had opportunities to ask questions and reflected on their own awareness of their relationship to the family of earth. A desired outcome of this workshop was for the participants to leave informed and inspired, and with their imaginations and hearts open to the concept that we are all related in this family of earth, “We live because everything else does.”
YouTube Recording of the Workshop >>
Monday, October 26: 7–9 PM (repeated on Tuesday, October 27: 2–4 PM)
Worship with Your Wealth: Responsible Investing for Creation Care
Join Peter Bennett for this presentation on socially responsible investing. Responsible investment refers to the incorporation of environmental, social and governance factors into the selection and management of investments. After reviewing and considering this concept using both scripture and the history of the church’s role in responsible investing, guidelines on how to choose responsible investments will be presented.
There are many ways that we can learn to “live in the family of earth”. A desired outcome of this workshop is to inform and guide the participants to use their investments to achieve environmental and social goals.
There will be a maximum of 20 participants at each session.
Peter Bennett is a long-time member of the parish and holds the Responsible Investment Specialist designation from the Responsible Investment Association. The workshop is not designed to solicit or recommend products or services.
Zoom link details will be provided closer to the date for registrants.
Register for Oct 26 >> Register for Oct 27 >>
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.
