A Season of… Creation?
This past week the Episcopal Church has announced the launch of the ‘Season of Creation’, running from September 1- October 4th, the feast of Saint Francis of Asissi (https://seasonofcreation.org/) in the Episcopal Church. Unlike other seasons in our church life, this is not a liturgical season (like advent or lent) but a thematic one, and one that is too be celebrated ecumenically with our siblings in Christ of various denominations.
Borrowing from Pope Francis, “In this Season of Creation, let us dwell on these heartbeats: our own, those of our mothers and grandmothers, the heartbeat of the created heart and that of God’s heart. Today they are not in harmony, they do not beat together in justice and peace. Many are prevented from drinking from this vigorous river. Let us listen then to the call to stand with the victims of environmental and climate injustice, and to put an end to this senseless war against creation.”
While this may feel like just liberal politics, we can see the impact of environmental degradation everywhere around us. Poorer air quality in urban neighborhoods leading to higher rates of asthma, higher rates of pollution in predominantly black neighborhoods in Baltimore, ‘heat islands’ where the temperature is 5, 10 or even 15 degrees higher in certain parts of the city than others.
This is a season both to mark and remember that ‘our island home’ is indeed fragile, and we need to care for it; and also to reflect on what actions we can take as a congregation to make an impact and change that current reality.
Over the next few weeks our prayers, homilies and music, as well as our outward work, In the reading from Exodus this week, we are reminded of Moses’ encounter with God in the burning bush and that where he is standing is indeed ‘holy ground.’ Keep in mind that Moses was not anywhere special. He was in the wilderness, not somewhere most people would consider Holy. And yet it was.
Our community is full of such sacred spaces. From the Sunflower Garden at Harlem Park to the St. James Square pocket parks, to Sumpter Park, and the Filbert Street Garden, we have lot and lots of Holy Ground right around the corner. Over the next few weeks I hope we are able to get to know those places and spaces better.
But first - we have some work to do on our own Holy Ground. If you haven’t noticed, the flower planters ,and tree pits, memorial garden are looking a bit overrun around the church. While some of our neighbors have taken on the work in the Rectory garden, there is still plenty of work to do outside.
So I want to invite you to labor with me this Labor Day weekend, weeding, straightening and planting to make our outdoor space reflective of the care and love we have for God’s creation.
I hope you can join us SUNDAY at 11:00 am (after Church) and MONDAY at 9:00 am, for about two hours each day. We should be able to make a sizable dent in making this space shine.