Ecumenicals observe 'Creation Day'

An ecumenical forum that unites Protestant and Orthodox churches in India is encouraging its members to pray for God's creation from September to October, a period which has significance in the Eastern and Western traditions of Christian faith.

The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) initiated a campaign 'Remember the Creator and Creation' last year on the global ecumenical movement's call to observe 'Creation Day' from September 1 to October 4.

"God of the Bible is being introduced as Creator. Christian faith starts with belief in creation by God. Therefore our faith journey is to be celebrated in honour of Creator and Creation," said Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, general secretary of NCCI.

"We as faith communities need to rejoice and celebrate our faith along with the other Ecclesial traditions which are called to observe the 'Time for Creation' as an ecumenical expression and solidarity," he reminded.

NCCI is asking churches and ecumenical organisations to observe Creation Day with prayers and eco-friendly activities in their premises and institutions.

September 1 is the first day of the Orthodox Church Traditions' calendar and October 4 is the feast of St Francis of Assisi, known to world as the author of the Canticle of the Creatures.

As 2011 is the International Year of Forests, NCCI is urging churches to organise prayers around this theme.

The Student Christian Movement of India earlier said it joined the ecumenical movement in observing the Creation Day and accompanying "God in sustaining and saving our creation from extinction and disaster."

"As student communities, the call for all of us is to set apart time for our creation, despite our materialistic and busy schedules, making an eco-audit of our lives, and our communities and thereby participate creatively in the struggles of the creation striving towards a new earth here in our midst," said Rev. Raj Bharath Patta, general secretary of SCMI.