This hope-filled, inspiring, and informative webinar is available for replay.
“Amazing” was the word that participants used to describe the webinar, “Preparing for the Feast of Creation,” offered on July 22 by the NCCUMC Creation Care Committee. Far from a ho-hum academic lecture on doctrinal technicalities and liturgical minutiae, the webinar featured very accessible theological instruction from Dr. Janet Soskice (Duke and Cambridge), as well as her engaging first-hand account of the extraordinary ecumenical gathering in Assisi in 2024 that set in motion the plans to add a feast day to the liturgical calendar in 2026. Following on Dr. Soskice’s rich theological insights, the celebration is likely to be called the Feast of God the Creator in order to ground it properly in the first person of the Trinity as confessed in the Nicene Creed, and to distinguish it from simply a celebration of creatures and “green” theology.
Dr. Lisa Hancock (UMC Discipleship Ministries), as the UMC’s representative to the Consultation on Common Texts and a participant in the ongoing discussions coming out of the initial Assisi meeting, gave an equally-engaging inside look at some of the considerations around choosing the lectionary readings and developing liturgical resources that tell the story of God the Creator while also helping churches recover the Christology of the doctrine of creation. Dr. Hancock expressed the hope that these texts and liturgies will give people “heart language, and encounters in worship that are helping people recognize God at work in both the intimate and the cosmic, and empowering them to worship God the Creator in interactions with all Creation, forming them as disciples who go out to tend creation because it is right, yes, but because first it is worship.” The resources for the new feast day are expected to be available early in 2026 for use in September 2026.
Rev. Jenny Phillips (General Board of Global Ministries Director, Sustainability) shared some resources available now for those who wish to celebrate the Season of Creation in September 2025 or at some other time appropriate to the life of their local church.
- Season of Creation: Celebration guide and additional resources
- The Serviceberry: Resource written by United Methodist Creation Justice Movement authors based on the book of the same title by Robin Wall Kimmerer
- The Power of God – From Extractive Theology to Transformative Faith: Resource from Creation Justice Ministries, including worship material, sermon starters, stories, and action
Rev. Phillips also extended an invitation to participate in the 2025 Global Ministries EarthKeepers training cohort coming up in October. Learn more and register.
For more resources and to find upcoming events related to creation care ministry, visit nccumc.org/creation.