Across the last four weeks, members of the Wesley community have been gathering to mark Season of Creation, exploring the Scriptures, personal stories, accounts of Australian flora and fauna, and creativity, in community. We have been guided by resources provided by Common Grace, a Christian social justice advocacy movement, and have enjoyed music which reflects our lament and praise of God as we marvel at the beauty of the world around us.

Each of our small actions of faith and love contribute to building the kingdom of God. In our everyday lives, we have the opportunity to care for God’s creation, even when it seems like the weight of environmental destruction is overwhelming. Throughout our group conversations, we have expressed our concerns and confusions about how to take action, but perhaps more significantly, our growing awareness of the goodness we can co-create with God, through our everyday choices of love and hope.

The author Shannan Martin wrote this week, “Justice is prayer with its boots on . . . There are no thoughts pious enough to eclipse the power of shalom. Prayer is not holier than justice.” She was reflecting upon the devastating state of the world and the desperate need for humanity to place down our weapons and instead pick up tools for gardening, seeking community rather than division and hatred. The contemplative tradition sees our prayers as not just words said with our eyes closed, but extending our hands to follow in Jesus’ work, with eyes open to the suffering in the world around us. We are not alone, God is with us, and in community, we taste glimpses of the Kingdom of God.

As Season of Creation comes to a close for 2025, we can have faith that God will redeem creation. This is the hope we cling to but it is also a reality we can contribute towards. The Scriptures attest to the reconciliation and renewal of all things, through Christ. God desires our flourishing, not just as individuals but as all creation – from all of humanity to the natural world around us. Even when our faith is no bigger than a mustard seed, we can cling to the hope that the love of God will have the last word.

Blessings — Pastor Abbey