Creationtide or the Season of Creation is the period in the annual church calendar, from 1st September to 4th October, dedicated to God as Creator and Sustainer of all life.
It is a time when churches and congregations are called to pay special attention to the responsibility of humanity for the Earth and for all that lives upon it. Its start and end dates reflect that it is a shared idea between Western and Eastern Christianity.
Many churches choose to use this time of year to hold special services and events to give thanks for God's gift of creation, and to renew their commitment to caring for our one planet home.
Environmental Open Synod
Join us on Saturday, 23 September, for an Environmental Open Synod in which members of the Nordkirche Group will share some of their impressive work on Climate Change, how it is part of their faith commitment, their motivation, their experience, and practical examples. There is much to learn and be enthused by! Geoffrey Hunter and members of our environment group will be present and there will be opportunity for conversation.
Date: Saturday 23 September
Time: 10.00am - 12.30pm
Venue: Over Conference and Community Centre, CB24 5NW
Book online: elydatabase.org/events/mission_ministry
Coffee available from 9.30am
Season of Creation
The symbol 
for the Season of Creation 2023 is a Mighty River. The prophet Amos cries out: “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” Amos 5:24
As the people of God, we must work together on behalf of all Creation, as part of that mighty river of peace and justice to speak out with and for communities most impacted by climate injustice and the loss of biodiversity.
Find out more and download service resources from Season of Creation.
Letters for Creation
Letters for Creation - A collection of resources from Christian Aid, to inspire and unlock the hidden potential in your church.The small group guide provides the understanding and foundation, the art facilitation guide provides a platform for creativity and the impact toolkit provides advice about taking your campaigning outside of your church to community leaders and politicians.
A Rocha Eco Church Award
Eco Church: A Rocha UK’s award scheme for churches in England and Wales who want to demonstrate that the gospel is good news for God’s earth.
Their free online survey and supporting resources are designed to equip your church to express your care for God’s world in your worship and teaching; in how you look after your buildings and land; in how you engage with your local community and in global campaigns, and in the personal lifestyles of your congregation.
The actions you take will count towards a prestigious Eco Church Award at Bronze, Silver or Gold level.
Churchyard Conservation Awards from Cambridgeshire and Norfolk Wildlife Trust
The Cambridgeshire Wildlife Trust offer a Churchyard Conservation Award Scheme, which is supported by the diocese. Once registered, your church works towards the Bronze, Silver or Gold Award and you will be offered at least one free advisory visit. The scoring guide for the Award is clear, which helps provide a focus for planning e.g. the production of a mowing plan of the churchyard, to include a spring wildflowers area, will score 2 points. Registration for an Award will also help churches which are working towards an Eco Church Award.
- More information about the Cambridgeshire Award scheme
- Scoring Guide for the Cambridgeshire Award scheme
- Application form for the Cambridgeshire Award
For those churches in Norfolk, the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, supported by the diocese, offer a similar Churchyard Conservation Scheme. They can provides free plant surveys and management advice to churches, plus an advice pack, information leaflets on specific topics, such as Birds and Hedgerows, and Churchyard wildlife ID card which can all can be downloaded from their website free of charge.
Net Zero Carbon Church
Explore the kinds of changes that can help your church cut its carbon footprint. Choosing the right actions for your church will help meet the prophetic call from General Synod for all parts of the Church to be ‘net zero carbon’ by 2030. The Diocese of Ely is committed to its own Synod debating and agreeing a Net Zero Carbon Action Plan before the end of 2023.
Read the Practical Path to Net Zero Carbon for Church Buildings, a short guidance note from the Church of England, which summarises all the key actions you can take.
Webinars, advice and support are available from the Church of England team, as well as support from our diocesan environmental task group, the Archdeacons and the DAC for faculty support throughout.