Drop in to the Parish Church of St John the Evangelist in Waterbeach for solace and stimulus as its congregation respond to the call to celebrate Creationtide. This initiative by churches across the UK extends the tradition of Harvest Festival to encompass current concern for Environment and Climate Change. Remembering that nearly 800 years ago, St Francis of Assisi urged respect for all forms of wildlife and weather, the Revd Jackie Metcalfe has set up a trail around the church which encourages visitors to see anew just how remarkable Creation can be, and then to encourage thought and prayer.
Renowned Milton photographer and photographic judge Gerry Metcalfe has generously loaned some of his most startling Nature Photography, depicting both the fragility and robustness of bird, animal and plant-life. Equally, his photos of arid landscapes are a prompt to Cambridgeshre concerns for Water Stewardship.
Less conventionally, parishioner Angela Brown provides two Textile hangings in a ‘Soil Lift’ series, inspired by the Science behind Soil: Bacteria and Fungi motifs hint at energy, mineral and gas conversions which enable Soil to play a role in mitigating Climate Change – and so much more.
'Soil is as alive and miraculous as anything which lives in it or on it!’
Angela comments, and hopes to develop the Soils Textiles project over months to come.
This Fen-Edge church has campaigned on Environmental Concerns for two decades and has achieved the Silver Eco Church Award from A Rocha UK. In recent months they have helped to convert parts of the churchyard into a managed Wild Meadow to encourage Biodiversity in the churchyard; for Creationtide they profile FairTrade products produced and imported in ways which avoid exploitation of workers and land. As the church works towards Net Carbon Zero, it now uses heat-pumps and solar panels to power the church room; and supports walking and cycling.
To support theological and spiritual reflection on all aspects of Creationtide, this Waterbeach Parish Church welcomes Dr Hilary Marlow, Vice-Mistress of Girton, for a lecture and discussion on ‘Making Sense of Environmental Theology’ this Sunday evening, at 7pm. All are welcome.
