Introduction, by Kathy Galloway

16 Living Faithfully in the Time of Creation

Introduction

‘This is the season for letting our prayer be inspired anew by closeness to nature … to reflect on our lifestyles … for undertaking prophetic actions … directing the planet towards life, not death.’ (Pope Francis)

The following reflections are offered as commentary on the Lectionary texts given in the Revised Common Lectionary, Year B, for the last twelve Sundays of the Season after Pentecost. They commence on the 15th Sunday after Pentecost and continue through until the Last Sunday after Pentecost (Reign of Christ), which is also the last Sunday of the Christian Year, and of Year B. They have a particular focus on creation.

In 2021, these Sundays cover the widely observed Creation Time period (15th–19th Sundays after Pentecost), and the period leading up to, and immediately following, the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which is due to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from 1st–12th November 2021. This meeting brings governments from around the world together to discuss action on climate change, at a crucial time for planetary health and human well-being.

As a Christian community with its origins and mainland base in Glasgow, and a commitment to environmental justice as part of our membership Rule of Life, the Iona Community decided to publish a worship book particularly focusing on the climate emergency, which could serve churches, faith groups and individuals. Though not specifically about COP26, we hope that this book will act as a resource for people far beyond Scotland, as our membership now is. The whole world will be affected by the outcomes of COP26.

The book has been prepared and edited by members and friends of the Iona Community’s Common Concern Network on the Environment. We hope it will be of use for worship leaders and preachers, as well as for individual reflection and prayer. All those who have written reflections are experienced preachers, from different Christian denominations and in different parts of the world. They have either chosen to reflect on a particular selection from the texts, or from the texts as a whole. The Bible version used is the New Revised Standard Version; the Revised Common Lectionary shares much of its content with other commonly used lectionaries, and the reflections will be equally valid in the future.