We’re in the 16th Sunday after Trinity, in the 3rd week of the season of Creationtide, a season in the annual church calendar, from 1st September to 4th October, dedicated to God as creator and sustainer of all life.
The timing of the Season of Creation means it is an excellent way linking wider issues with traditional Harvest Thanksgiving services.
This year, the theme for the Season of Creation 2026 is living water, based on Ezekiel 47:1-12. God’s life-giving water flows from the temple of God, growing deeper, restoring barren land, reviving waters, and sustaining flourishing ecosystems.
The vision invites human responsibility: recognising ecological damage, embracing interconnectedness, we are called to immerse ourselves in the water, and actively safeguarding and working for the renewal of creation so that environmental healing and human well-being may flourish together.
The symbol for the Season of Creation 2026 is a church surrounded by water.
The call is for transformation – that Christians would be immersed in the living water flowing from the throne of God – stepping in deeper and deeper, inspired by the Spirit of God, working together for the renewal of creation.
This week we’re “Stepping into the Water”; stepping into the living water of Christ. And there is a great link here as part of our Sunday Worship at St Mary’s we baptise (Christen) baby Harry.
We’ll be baptising Harry and welcoming his parents, along with his Godparents, family and friends. We will welcome Harry into the fellowship of faith, as children of the same heavenly Father.
Those of us who were baptised (Christened) as babies will not remember our baptism. Like Harry, we relied on our parents and Godparents to make the promises in the baptism service on our behalf. And, until we took on our faith for ourselves, possibly being confirmed, our parents, Godparents and others accompanied us and guided in our spiritual journey.
As Harry’s brothers and sisters in Christ, we too make a commitment to support Harry, and his parents, as he begins his journey of faith.
This Sunday, we are celebrating two sacraments at St Mary’s; the Sacrament of Baptism and the Sacrament of the Eucharist (Holy Communion).
It feels timely that we refresh ourselves concerning what a sacrament is. Three things are necessary to constitute a sacrament; it has to be instituted by Christ, it is an outward sign (perceived by the senses of sight and hearing) and are an outward sign of God’s grace.
And regarding grace; “Grace is the empowering presence of God that enables you to be the person God created you to be and to do the things that God called you to do.” [Philip Yancey: “What’s so Amazing about Grace?”]
And so, brothers and sisters in Christ, as we meet together in worship this Sunday [wherever you are] let us seek to meet God and each other in our time together.
With Blessings,
Revd Dave
[Some of the text concerning the Season of Creation taken from the Church of England website]