1 September – 4 October 2026
Each year, Christians around the world are invited to celebrate the Season of Creation, a time to give thanks for the gift of creation, to pray for our common home, and to consider how our faith calls us to care for the earth and one another.
In 2026, the theme is “Living Water”, inspired by the vision of the river flowing from the temple in Ezekiel 47:1–12. Wherever the river flows, it brings life, healing and abundance.
This beautiful biblical image invites us to reflect on the vital importance of water and on God’s desire for creation to flourish.
Living water, living faith
Water is fundamental to life. Yet across our world, people and communities are experiencing the effects of drought, flooding, pollution and changing weather patterns. Those who have contributed least to environmental damage are often among those most affected.
The Season of Creation gives us an opportunity to hold these realities before God in prayer and to ask how we might respond as disciples of Christ.
For Methodists, care for creation is deeply connected with our calling to love God and love our neighbour.
John Wesley’s understanding of holiness was never simply about private spirituality. He called Christians to a faith that is lived out in practical love, a holiness expressed in the way we live, work and relate to others.
That includes the way we treat the world that God has entrusted to our care.
Faith that puts love into action
The Methodist tradition reminds us that prayer and action belong together. We pray because we trust God, and we act because we believe God’s love calls us to make a difference.
The Season of Creation provides an opportunity for churches and individuals to ask:
How can our faith help creation to flourish?
Perhaps it means looking at how we use energy and water in our churches and homes. Perhaps it means reducing waste, protecting local wildlife, planting and caring for green spaces, or supporting communities experiencing the effects of environmental injustice.
It might simply begin with taking time to notice and give thanks for the natural world around us.
Whatever form it takes, creation care can become part of our discipleship, an expression of love for God, neighbour and the whole created world.
A Methodist response
The Methodist Way of Life encourages us to worship, learn and care, challenge injustice, and evangelise. The care of creation brings these aspects of discipleship together.
We worship the God who creates and sustains all things.
We learn to see more clearly the connections between our choices, our communities and the wider world.
We care for creation and for our neighbours, particularly those who are most vulnerable.
We challenge injustice when environmental damage causes poverty, displacement and suffering.
And we share a message of hope — the hope that God’s creation can be renewed and that our actions, however small, can contribute to that work.
From prayer to action
The Season of Creation begins on 1 September, the World Day of Prayer for Creation, and concludes on 4 October, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi.
During these weeks, why not consider marking the season in your church or community?
You could:
- include prayers for creation in Sunday worship;
- organise a local litter-pick, tree planting or conservation project;
- explore the importance of water in Scripture;
- hold a creation-themed worship service or Bible study;
- look at ways your church building could become more environmentally sustainable;
- encourage members of the congregation to spend time outdoors in gratitude and prayer;
- support projects working for climate and environmental justice.
There is no single way to celebrate the Season of Creation. What matters is allowing the season to deepen our relationship with God and strengthen our commitment to care for God’s world.
“Wherever the river flows, every living creature that swarms will live.”
— Ezekiel 47:9
Find out more
The Season of Creation website offers resources for worship, prayer, study and practical action throughout the 2026 season.