September 1 – October 4 marks the Season of Creation, a time when Christians around the world come together to renew their relationship with the Creator and all creation. It’s a season of celebration, conversion, and commitment, as people of faith pray and act for the healing of our common home.
At Iowa Faith & Climate Network, we honor this sacred time alongside our ecumenical and interfaith siblings, knowing that caring for creation is a core expression of faith. This year’s theme, “To Hope and Act with Creation,” calls us into deeper solidarity with the Earth and each other, especially in a time when climate crisis threatens the most vulnerable among us.
A Growing, Global Movement of Faith
The Season of Creation has deep roots in the Christian tradition:
- In 1989, Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I proclaimed September 1 as a day of prayer for creation in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
- The World Council of Churches expanded the celebration into a full season ending on October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology.
- Pope Francis added the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation to the Catholic calendar in 2015, and the full Season of Creation began to be widely observed in 2019.
Now, in a historic step, Pope Leo XIV has announced the introduction of a new Mass of Creation to be added to the Roman Missal. In his message for the 10th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, the pope writes:
“Environmental justice – implicitly proclaimed by the prophets – can no longer be regarded as an abstract concept or a distant goal. It is an urgent need that involves much more than simply protecting the environment. For it is a matter of justice – social, economic and human. For believers it is also a duty born of faith, since the universe reflects the face of Jesus Christ, in whom all things were created and redeemed. In a world where the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters are the first to suffer the devastating effects of climate change, deforestation and pollution, care for creation becomes an expression of our faith and humanity.”
This liturgical addition signals a call for all people of faith to confront the climate crisis with deep spiritual courage and collective action.
How You Can Participate
Whether you’re part of a congregation, small group, or faith organization, there are many ways to observe the Season of Creation:
- Worship: Organize a creation-centered service or prayer gathering.
- Learn: Use a study guide or devotional focused on climate justice.
- Act: Host an event, plant a native garden, or advocate for clean energy. (Email us at info@iowafaithandclimate.org so we can add it to our event calendar and promote on social media!)
- Connect: Add your project to our EcoProject Map to inspire others across Iowa.
Faith-Specific Resources
Here are links to resources across denominations:
- Episcopal Church: Season of Creation & St. Francis Day Resources
- United Methodist Creation Justice Movement: The Serviceberry Project
- Creation Justice Ministries (ecumenical): Season of Creation Toolkit
- Catholic Climate Covenant: Season of Creation 2025 Resources
- Lutheran World Federation: Season of Creation 2025 Celebration Guide
- One Home One Future (ecumenical): Season of Creation Materials & Resources
For more global ecumenical materials, visit seasonofcreation.org.
Let This Be a Season of Hope and Courage
At Iowa Faith & Climate Network, we are committed to supporting diverse faith and spirituality in the sacred work of climate action. If you’re planning an event, need help connecting with others, or have questions about how your community can participate, please reach out to us at info@iowafaithandclimate.org.
Let’s make this Season of Creation a time of transformation — for ourselves, our congregations, and our planet.