Hand in hand to heal the world
By Reverend Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain
Gossan Hill is a gift to the Radford College community. The nature reserve is heritage-listed for its unique geology and Indigenous cultural heritage. Gossan Hill is a place for Radford College staff and students to walk, play and learn as we interact with the environment, explore the area as part of scientific investigation and have the privilege of working with Tyronne Bell, a Ngunawal descendant, to hear about the Aboriginal significance of this special place. The Friends of Gossan Hill maintain the reserve and organise community wildflower and bird walks.
The Season of Creation is a month-long celebration in which Christians from across the world come together to give thanks for, and act on behalf of, our common home. Beginning on 1 September with the Day of Prayer for Creation, the Season of Creation ends on 4 October with the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology.
This year, I’m giving thanks for organisations near and far who care for creation. Radford College’s Sustainability Working Group puts a lot of effort towards ensuring the College is taking initiative and maintaining meaningful action to improve biodiversity and reduce waste.
Anglicans In Development works with partners overseas and in Australia to fulfil the Fifth Mark of Anglican Mission: protect, care for and renew life on our planet. For the people of the Solomon Islands, rising sea levels are causing a loss of homes and coastal erosion, ruining food gardens with saltwater and displacing people. Men and women in religious orders, such as Brother Worrick Marako from the Society of St Francis, have been travelling throughout the Solomon Islands warning of the harmful community impacts of industrial logging and mining.
Freda Fataka, Anglican Church of Melanesia’s Environmental Observatory Coordinator, has seen for herself the devastating impact of climate change. 'I have a passion for caring for nature,' says Freda.
'I know that God created us, so we too need to be good stewards of Creation.'
Freda coordinates a network of 16 environmental observatories around the Solomon Islands. Church volunteers collect valuable data on rainfall, temperature and shoreline changes, and learn about climate change and their role as advocates.
You can find out more and support this work of Anglicans working to heal the planet in the Solomon Islands, the Philippines, Kenya and other places through Anglicans in Development.
As we approach the school holidays, may there be times of rest, rejuvenation and connection with God, with each other and with the beauty of creation.
This prayer from the Anglican Board of Mission uses images from creation to describe the wonder, power and grace of God. I wonder if there is an image or phrase that resonates with you as you celebrate and reflect upon the Season of Creation?
Prayer
Lord of courage, Lord of awe,
shake the ground beneath our feet,
that we might understand your will and power.
The tumbling might of your grace
thunders like a waterfall.
Still us with your majesty
and draw us in to swim beneath the tumult,
drawn to your depths, rising to breathe glory.
Restore our strength as we work with you
to revive creation.
Through Jesus Christ, Lord of life,
prophet of renewal.
Amen