A community prayer service with the worldwide Christian family opened the Season of Creation on Sunday, September 1, showing us that hope flourishes when we join together in action and prayer.
More than 7000 people participated from all over the world, from Canada to Chile and from Manila to Milan. Seeing thousands of people gathered in prayer with creation planted new seeds of hope in each of us.
In praying together, we found the unity that transcends borders, rejoicing in our faith and our commitment to action. Inspired by an incredible panel of Christian leaders from across the ecumenical family, we forged new connections to carry us through the Season of Creation.
As we celebrated the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation together, Suzana Moreira, co-chair of the Season of Creation Ecumenical Steering Committee, and of the Laudato Si’ Movement, led the prayer space together with ecumenical leaders from the various religious denominations that make up the Committee.
- From a green chapel in Scotland, Rev. David Coleman, Eco-Congregation’s environmental chaplain, began the prayer with a benediction excerpted from the Central Methodist Church and the World Council of Churches; then Rev. Pumla Nzimande, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, prayed Psalm 42.
- After the litany of repentance, the audience enjoyed a video: the All Creatures Lament. Next, Sister Alessandra Smerilli, Secretary of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, prayed the Thanksgiving for the Earth, followed by Reverend Rachel Mash, of the Green Anglicans, who introduced the Word of God.
- Each reading invited contemplation of God’s message in the gift of His fruits, flowers and animals, ith reflections led by Monsignor Gerardo Alminaza, of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines; the Most Reverend Marinez Bassotto, Archbishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Amazon and Primate Bishop of the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil; and His Eminence Metropolitan Anba Thomas, he Diocese of El-Qussia and Mair, of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt.
- The prayer service continued with an affirmation of faith; prayers of intercession, adding the intentions of the chat from all the people connected around the world. Lastly, the Lord’s Prayer was prayed, peace was shared and the service concluded with a blessing by Rev. Sally Azar, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.