In her sermon on August 23, Nancy Menning introduced us to the Season of Creation, which runs from September 1 to October 4 each year. This Season is a time for Christians to come together in prayer and action for Creation. The global, multidenominational committee that chooses a scripture passage and a theme for each year selected Ezekiel 47:9, 12 and “Living Water” for 2026.
Nancy encouraged each of us to go repeatedly to our local waters over these five weeks, offering prayers of thanksgiving and well-being.
“McKenzie River, thank you. Be well.”
“Willamette River, thank you. Be well.”
It is always better to go to the waters than to read about them online, but — when you are online — you’ll find abundant resources related to the Season of Creation at https://seasonofcreation.org/.
Each year from September 1 to October 4, the Christian family unites for this worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. It is a special season where we celebrate God as Creator, and acknowledge Creation as the divine continuing act that summons us as collaborators to love and care for the gift of all that is created. As followers of Christ from around the globe, we share a common call to care for Creation. We are co-creatures and part of all that God has made. Our well-being is interwoven with the well-being of the Earth.
“Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. […] Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” (Ezek 47:9,12)
This year’s theme, “Living Water”, explores Ezekiel 47:9 and 12 as a powerful biblical vision of hope and ecological healing. Set amid exile and loss, the image of living water flowing from God’s sanctuary reveals divine healing that renews land, water, biodiversity, and human responsibility towards the whole creation.
