The Episcopal Ecological Network (EpEN)

Creation Cycle of the Pentecost Season

Proposed Resolution for the 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, USA, July 2009

Resolution C034: Creation Cycle of the Pentecost Season

Resolved, the House of ___________ concurring, That the 76th General Convention establish a liturgical Creation Cycle of the Pentecost Season from St. Francis' Day to Advent, for the purpose of affirming the sacredness of God's creation, of spreading hope about God's reconciling work in creation and an understanding of environmental stewardship and ecological justice; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention direct the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to develop prayers and other liturgical materials celebrating a Pentecost Season Creation Cycle for inclusion in the next edition of the Book of Occasional Services and that it report its work to the 77th General Convention.

Proposer: Diocese of New Jersey

EXPLANATION:

God the Creator has made the universe with all its marvelous order, its atoms, planets, galaxies, and the Earth with its infinite complexity of living creatures.
Our Gracious God has filled all living creatures with plenteousness and generativity and has blessed human beings with the task of the stewardship of the creation upon Earth.

Traditional Anglicanism has observed the beauty of the Creation over the centuries by celebrating the octave of Rogation, and has commended this practice in its foundational documents and continuing liturgical traditions. Since 1991, many Episcopal Churches in the United States have celebrated a "Creation Cycle of the Pentecost Season" to honor God the Creator with worship, music and praise for these gifts of life. This practice has spread to churches and cathedrals in the Episcopal Church, and also to Australia where it has become a national religious observance.

In June of 2008, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, joined ecumenical leaders in England in calling for the celebrating of a liturgical period annually in all churches of the United Kingdom to "be dedicated to prayer for the protection of Creation and the promotion of sustainable lifestyles that reverse our contribution to climate change."

In affirming the Creation Cycle of the Pentecost Season, the Episcopal Church would be taking leadership in the Anglican Communion in the promotion of this important liturgical innovation.

Note: This resolution is identical with D001.

Talking Points for use at Committee Hearings.

The EpEN is a national network of active lay and clergy persons within the Episcopal Church, USA, who share a common concern for the environment and a common belief in the presence of God in all Creation and who work to make these concerns and beliefs known throughout all Provinces and Dioceses within the church.  Members come from around the Episcopal Church USA.  The activities of the EpEN are focused on the areas of Reflection, Education, and Action. 

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