General Synod members have approved a new annual Festival of Creation in Christ and considered a major new teaching document from the House of Bishops at the most recent session in York.
At the heart of the discussions was ‘Hope for All Creation: A Theological Response to the Environmental Crises’, a landmark teaching document authored by the Faith and Order Commission and adopted by the House of Bishops.
The document sets out a Christian understanding of the environmental crises facing the world, rooting care for creation in the biblical story of creation, redemption and renewal, structured around the themes See, Reflect, Respond.
The document argues that care for creation is not an optional concern but a core part of Christian discipleship and mission.
It presents environmental action as an expression of hope rooted in God’s purposes for creation, highlighting the Church’s role in responding to ecological crises alongside people of good will across society and around the world.
Alongside the publication of Hope for All Creation, Synod gave final approval to a new annual Festival of Creation in Christ, to be celebrated in Church of England churches on the first Sunday in September.
The new Festival is one of the fruits of a growing ecumenical movement across churches worldwide and offers an opportunity for Christians to give thanks for God’s creation and redemption of the world, reflect on humanity’s responsibility to care for the natural world and pray for its renewal.
The title ‘Creation in Christ’ emphasises that creation is understood through the person and work of Jesus Christ: created through Him, sustained in Him and destined for renewal in Him.
The new liturgical resources include prayers, readings and other material centred on creation, stewardship and hope, drawing Christians through worship and prayer toward playing their part in the Church’s mission to ‘safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.’
Introducing the motion to give final approval to the Festival of Creation in Christ, the Rt Revd Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield, said: “The Festival of Creation in Christ comes before Synod after extensive ecumenical conversations involving churches across the world, including the Anglican Communion, the World Council of Churches, the Roman Catholic Church and Orthodox partners.
“The new title recognises the placing of Christ’s role in creation at the very centre: creation made through Christ, held together in Christ and destined for renewal in Christ.
“This Festival is an opportunity to give thanks for God’s gift of creation and to recognise our responsibility to cherish it.
“Together with the teaching document Hope for All Creation, it reminds us that our response to climate and environmental crises must be drawn from the faith, life and worship of the Church.”