Published on: 22/09/2026
Next Tuesday will mark the beginning of Creationtide, celebrated by Christians in the Church.
Then I [Wisdom] was constantly at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in the human race.
Proverbs 8.30-31
Perhaps, like me, you’re still savouring holiday images of memorable landscapes – sea shores, lakesides, woodland walks, mountain peaks and other eloquent reminders of the Creator’s work and presence. We sometimes need those experiences to remind us of the wonder of the natural world, from which we’ve become increasingly alienated through our economic and technological advancement.
Our faith in a Creator should mitigate that alienation but, perversely, it has infiltrated our faith and theology. Taking up the lines from Proverbs, we may rejoice in God’s presence and delight in humanity yet be muted in rejoicing in God’s whole world. We’ve tended to think, implicitly, ‘creation – hmmm, Genesis 1 and 2, yes, I’ve read that …’
Of course, we celebrate creation in our harvest festivals but they’re mainly about what (in God’s goodness) we have safely gathered in… for ourselves. Apart from harvest, how often do we hear or speak about creation more broadly in a Bible study or sermon?
In fact, the Bible goes on reminding us of creation, indeed right through to the New Testament’s eschatological insights. The climate and ecological emergencies are now further impressing on us the importance of the natural world.
The fifth of the Anglican Communion’s Five Marks of Mission is, importantly, to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth. Though we don’t always get that far, as the other four Marks still leave so much to be done. However, as the Diocese’s Climate Justice Policy reminds us, creation features in all five Marks. It’s integral to our understanding of God’s nature and of God’s purposes.
As we proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom (the First Mark), we declare that God made the world, and it tells us of God’s glory. God has a purpose for the world and delights in it. The pain of the natural world is not the last word. In the face of human abuse of the natural world, that has to be good news.
As we teach, baptise and nurture new believers (the Second Mark), we affirm that the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, that we are God’s creatures, that disconnection from God affects relationships with each other and with the natural world, that following Christ means becoming content with enough and entering into a new relationship with our environment, and that Christ’s death and resurrection are the beginning of a renewed creation. Remembering that we are part of creation inspires an appropriate humility.
As we respond to human need by loving service (the Third Mark), we contribute towards relief of suffering due to climate change and support our global neighbours adapting to the climate and ecological emergencies. Appeals following climate-related events are getting ever more frequent.
As we seek to transform unjust structures of society, challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation (the Fourth Mark), we join in challenging structures, systems and enterprises that perpetuate the injustices of climate change and resulting conflict between peoples. It’s an injustice that the impacts are greatest on those who are least responsible. We don’t transform anything by discounting one of the root causes of distress and conflict, as agencies such as Tearfund, Christian Aid and CAFOD keep reminding us.
Which brings us back to the Fifth Mark. As we strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth, we continue to delight in and wonder at the natural world and seek to live sustainably as fellow creatures within it. We are stewards and not lords. Caring like this, we will find common cause with others who share our passion. It also helps to validate what we share about God and God’s love.
We love the Creator. So we love the creation.
Creationtide runs from 1 September to 4 October. To find out more about the Diocese of Sheffield’s environmental work, see our Environment and Climate Change page. If you would like to explore more about the role Creation Care can play in discipleship and Rule of Life, don’t hesitate to contact Joe or Hannah at lightsforchrist@sheffield.anglican.org.
Today’s Barnabas Blog was written by Peter Rainford, Lights for Christ Champion and member of the Diocese’s Environmental Working Group.