As the Church of England begins the Season of Creation and prepares to mark the first Festival of Creation in Christ on Sunday 6 September, people from churches across the Birmingham region are reflecting on our response to the environmental crises through the everyday choices we make, the way we share with others and the way we pray.
The new festival follows the publication of Hope for All Creation: A Theological Response to the Environmental Crises, a landmark Church of England teaching document exploring how Christian faith shapes our response to climate change, biodiversity loss and the wider environmental crises.
Welcomed at General Synod in July, Hope for All Creation draws on Scripture and Christian tradition to encourage the Church to see the challenges facing creation, reflect on them through the hope found in Jesus Christ, and respond through faithful action.
Drawing particularly on the first Christian community described in Acts 2, the document encourages Christians and churches to live simply, share together and pray sincerely.
Stories of living simply, sharing together and praying sincerely
Across Church of England Birmingham, people are already exploring what those three responses can look like in practice.
People from churches across the diocese –whether in the heart of the city centre, suburban towns or the rural communities of North Warwickshire – share their reflections in a series of short videos launched this week.
For Maverney, from St John’s and St Peter’s Church, Ladywood in Birmingham city-centre, sharing together is already part of church life. The church shares surplus food with the local community each week, and hosts cooking lessons for young people.
Al, Vicar of Hodge Hill Church in east Birmingham, reflects on the environmental crisis from Hodge Hill Common, which has recently been affected by wildfires.
He shares about the importance of tending the shared land in his community, explaining that church members are using their voices to speak out against the wider economic systems that cause harm.
For Val, from Holy Cross Church, Billesley Common in south Birmingham, caring for creation begins with the everyday choices she makes, from shopping to doing the housework, supported by prayer throughout her day.
At St Michael’s Church, Boldmere in Sutton Coldfield, Tusheeta shares how the church community lives simply by reusing and repurposing what they already have. Through a church WhatsApp group, the community shares furniture and clothing with local families who need them.
Joanne, Rector of All Souls parish, in rural North Warwickshire, sees the effects of climate change through the experiences of farmers in her rural community.
She describes how floods, heatwaves and drought have impacted on this year’s harvest. For her, prayer helps Christians recognise the urgency of the situation and their part in responding.
For Matt, a curate from Gas Street Church, praying sincerely about creation care means approaching God with honesty and hope, while recognising that prayer can lead us towards action and faithful care for creation.
How will you respond?
As churches across Birmingham and the region prepare to celebrate the first Festival of Creation in Christ, Hope for All Creation invites us to consider our own response to the environmental crises and how caring for creation can become part of our Christian discipleship.
How might you, your household or your church community live simply, share together and pray sincerely?
Read Hope for All Creation
Read Hope for All Creation: A Theological Response to the Environmental Crises and explore how Christian faith can shape our response to the environmental challenges facing our world.
Watch the full series of reflections from churches across Church of England Birmingham on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.