The Season of Creation at SsAM
October 13 through November 24, 2019
The Season of Creation is a spiritual journey into all aspects of creation – humans, other living creatures, and the natural environment. It is celebrated at SsAM at the 10:30 a.m. worship service on the last seven Sundays of Pentecost. It features guest speakers, storytellers and artists, contemporary liturgy, readings, dance, music, and other art forms. Our purpose is to celebrate the wonders of God’s creation, and to commit ourselves to become peacemaking stewards in our own lives, in our local communities, and in the world.
SERMONS
Click the links below to listen to the sermons.
In the Beginning, October 13
Rabbi Douglas E. Krantz, Rabbi in Residence, Preacher with “The Creation” narrated by Wanda Smith and Jeanne Nutter. Let us not forget Jerusalem, the Sabbath, the exodus from slavery in Egypt, right from wrong, decency, informed decision making, respect for those with whom we disagree, affirmation that we are all God’s children, that we are stewards of creation, that the world is our garden, that we who are white are privileged and often blind, that automation will affect some races more than others, that we have work to do, that everyone should have equal opportunities, that we are lights in the darkness.
Our Living Planet, October 20
Brighton Kaoma, Co-Founder and Partner at Agents of Change Foundation Zambia, and former Washington Mandela Fellow 2017. We share one planet. Let us wash our faces in streams of life-giving water and turn our faces to the rising sun. Our planet is here to be loved and cared for. Here is a sense of communion, of caring for the earth and all that is in it, including our neighbors. All of us, each of us, can do something, not only individually but together. It is our responsibility to act, yes, but also a deep pleasure.
Our Common Humanity, October 27
Stations of the Cross: No Longer Strangers. Exploring Immigrant Issues led by Fr. David Andrews. There was no sermon. Instead, everyone participated in the “No Longer Strangers” liturgy.
The Saints Among Us, November 3
The Rev. Canon Lloyd S. Casson, Preacher. How did creation happen? Surely it is more than we can describe in equations or poetry. Yet, in joy, we praise God and God’s amazing creation, including humans, including our neighbors, including ourselves. We are manifest in God. We are star dust. We are co-creators with God. Love is at the center. Let there be reconciliation and peace. Let the lost sheep listen for the shepherd’s call.
Our World at Peace, November 10
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Carol Gallagher, Suffragen Bishop to the Central Regional Canon at the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. We should strive to respect everyone. Every person is God’s creation. Even when we are disrespected, mocked, or made fun of, our response should be worthy, respectful to God, the God who made you and who made the person disrespecting you. You are not small! Let your response be big hearted! Even if it is difficult to see grace and goodness in another person, search for it. Do not let the arrogance of others make you vengeful. If they puff themselves up, do not be eager to pop their bubbles, but be eager to understand, waiting for God to give you the grace to be respectful. God is with us!
Our Role as Stewards, November 17
The Rev. David T. Andrews, Preacher. Breathe. Remember times of tranquility. Look forward to reconciliation and redemption. Lay your false self aside. Let your soul rest on the eternal. Be encouraged even in the face of pain and conflict, in the face of arrest and persecution. Testify to God’s promise. Trust one another and let other’s trust you. As a church, let us look beyond buildings and budgets. May we live each day with more love, grateful for each moment.
The Cosmic Christ, November 24
Mary Foster Parmer preached on “The Cosmic Christ”. She said, “Each of us has the gift of creativity, essential to every ministry. Imagination is so important as we invite others to join us, as we practice hospitality, and as we connect to one another. Imagination is essential when circumstances challenge us to recreate our shattered lives. We seek and find the extraordinary in the ordinary. Fantasy is our friend. We dream. We have a dream. We are agents of imagination.” Mary is the creator and director of the ministry of Invite-Welcome-Connect at the Beecken Center of the School of Theology, University of the South, Sewanee, TN.
Again, click on any of the links above to hear the sermons given by each of these speakers.
About the Season of Creation
Since 1998, SsAM has participated in the development of the Season of Creation as the newest season in the liturgical calendar. We invite you to join us for our journey into the wonders of God’s Creation. Take the journey!!!
The Rev. Canon Lloyd Casson, our rector emeritus, wrote the following about the early days of the Season of Creation at SsAM.
“The primary aim of the events of the season has been to enable adults and youth to celebrate and experience the inextricable link which binds together the destinies of all of God’s creatures. The Season of Creation celebrates and embraces the Bible’s vision of the earth in which all of God’s creatures – human and other forms – live out our destinies in a peaceful and harmonious environment, sharing equitably the rich and sustaining resources of the planet. We also acknowledge the unfortunate reality – that in all aspects of creation, this vision is blurred or hidden by human division, arrogance, war, greed, and the abuse of our natural environment. It is further aggravated by the decisions and actions of the current administration in Washington.”
Let us join the people of the Episcopal Province of New England in a commitment:
- To act together to honor the goodness and sacredness of God’s creation;
- To acknowledge the urgency of the planetary crisis in which we now find ourselves;
- To pray and take action to restore a right relationship between humankind and creation;
- To lift up prayers in person and public worship for environmental justice, human rights, and sustainable development;
- To repent of greed and waste, and to seek simplicity of life;
- To commit ourselves to energy conservation and the use of clean, renewable sources of energy;
- To reduce, reuse, and recycle, and as far as possible to buy products from recycled materials;
- To realize that, through participation in community public policy, and business decision-making, we have corporate as well as individual opportunities to practice environmental stewardship and justice;
- To seek to understand and uproot the political, social and economic causes of environmental abuse.
(Thank you to the Episcopal Bishops of New England)
