A Home for All

FOREWORD ‘OIKOS’- A HOME FOR ALL The theme for this year’s international Season of Creation is “Oikos- a home for all”. Oikos is a Greek word meaning ‘house’ or ‘home’. COVID-19 has taught us that we are all interconnected, we share one common home. And our common home is under threat. The web of life is unravelling. In one generation, the population size of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles has dropped by two thirds. By 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish. Climate Change is pushing millions into poverty. There is no Planet B. Scientists tell us that this decade is of vital importance for the Planet – we have a very short window of opportunity to keep the rise in temperature to below 1.5 degrees. Otherwise, increasingly severe heatwaves, fires, floods and droughts are coming our way with dire impacts for many countries – we face a climate change catastrophe. Our home is under threat. This year 2021 is an important year for our common home. Six years ago, 2015 in Paris, 196 nations came together and for the very first time recognised not only that our Common home is at risk from Climate change, but that we must all contribute to protecting it. Each country agreed to make a pledge to cut their carbon emissions. These pledges were a very positive start but were not enough. Even if all nations fulfil their commitments, we will not keep temperature rise below 1.5 degrees C. This year, in Glasgow, the nations will meet at again at COP26 and they must deepen those commitments significantly. What happens in Glasgow may determine what kind of world our children will grow up in… Please explore the global Ecumenical Season of Creation resource on www.seasonofcreation.org for resources and many ideas of how to get involved! This Season of Creation we will explore the meaning of the word ‘oikos’ - our home. It is a word with great significance because oikos is the root word for three important terms: Economy, Ecology and Ecumenical. This points us to the interconnections between God’s creation, economic justice and the role of the Church community. During the five weeks of this Season of Creation we will consider five themes: Economy - God’s rules for our Common Home Ecology - Protecting our Common Home Ecumenism - The family of God in our Common Home Pray and Act for our Common Home St Francis - Hope for our Common Home The following five movements form the order of the liturgy: God gathers us, Service of the Word, Responding to the Word, Service of the Table and Commissioning. • The Gathering: The congregation is welcomed, and the theme of the service is introduced. The penitence can be positioned here, or it may follow the sermon. • The Proclamation of God’s word: Here the word of God is read and preached. • The affirmation of our Faith can be an important part of the Proclamation • Responding to God’s word: Prayers of the People are included here. Creative responses such as drama, liturgical dance or short video clips can be used. The penitence may follow the word. • The peace may be shared according to custom • Celebrating at the Table: Natural elements can be used, either a whole loaf or small rolls. This could be baked by a family. Local wine can be used. • Sending out: Post Communion prayers, prayers of commitment on the theme of the day and a blessing. This Season of Creation we are using the readings from the Revised Common Lectionary rather than themes. Each section contains sermon notes and liturgical resources.