Creationtide or the Season of Creation
This is the period in the annual church calendar, from 1st September to 4th October, dedicated to God as Creator and Sustainer of all life.
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.
Creationtide, now more commonly known as the Season of Creation, was introduced in 1989 by the late Ecumenical Patriarch, Demetrios I, from the Eastern Orthodox church. It starts on September 1, the first day of the Orthodox church year and ends on October 4, St Francis day on October 4, showing that it is a shared idea between Western and Eastern Christianity. Churches and congregations are called to pay special attention to our shared responsibility for the Earth and everything that lives upon it.
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland adopted the season in 2008. In 2016, Pope Francis declared 1 September an annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. In 2026, the first Sunday of September was introduced into the Church calendar as a new Festival of Creation in Christ, to celebrate the work of Christ in creating all things as well as celebrating creation itself.
The timing of the Season of Creation means it is an excellent way linking wider issues with traditional harvest festivals. Each year, a new theme and resources are created by a group of churches from round the world.
Living Water
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.
How to get involved
Season of Creation
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.
Find out moreHope for All Creation
Our new publication, Hope for All Creation, describes the environmental crises of our time and our theological response to them.
During the Season of Creation 2026, we have a range of supporting resources to help you engage with the key themes through reflection, study, worship and conversation.
Find our resourcesChurch service resources
We've gathered together lots of material to help your church or Christian community mark the Season of Creation.
As well as several orders of service, you will also find prayers, vigils and reflections to create your own celebration or event.
Download resourcesYou can find out more about how to take action on environmental issues on our Environment Programme page. To keep in touch, sign up to the monthly newsletter.