God's Creation Waits

Discovering and enjoying God’s creation may be the best gift we can give the generations to come. Here you will find many ways to help children notice and continue to observe and care for God’s gift to us. Together, speak to the earth and watch for its teachings! Using this resource: • How to Use the Booklet: This can be used in both the classroom and home; designed for grades 2-5, it can be adapted for multi-age groups. • Participation: The booklet is for students, but adult participation will be beneficial for prayers and discussions. • Vocabulary: When a word needs to be defined, it will be in bold to indicate the definition can be found at the end of each section. • Quotes: Each section begins with a quote to help children become aware of all creation. When the time seems right, talk about what the quote means and who said it. • Setting the Creation Table: In the classroom or home, choose a space (a small table or corner) to place symbols and examples of God’s gift of creation. At prayer time, gather around this table; you may want to spread a cloth on this table in colors of the liturgical year. • Creation Celebration: Throughout these pages, there are short suggestions for recognizing and rejoicing in creation, to be done outside of the booklet. They require mostly an open heart and the use of the senses. • Resources: Included are suggestions of books, videos, and websites which expand the topics. SEASON OF CREATION This booklet can be used at any time of the year, but it will be especially significant during the Season of Creation. This ecumenical celebration raises appreciation and concerns for all creation. Beginning as a day of Prayer for Creation on September 1 in the Orthodox Church, the World Council of Churches extended it through the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4. Pope Francis made it official in the Catholic Church by putting it on the liturgical calendar in 2015. Now each year, the Season of Creation is observed from September 1-October 4 across the globe. This booklet offers many ways to observe and celebrate this season.