From Rev’d Caroline – 01285 712467 – carolinesymcox@googlemail.com
Readings for Sunday: Ezekiel 18.1-4, 25-end; Philippians 2.1-13; Matthew 21.23-32
The following is taken from the Parish Newsletter for Sunday 27th September 2026
What is Creationtide?
We are part of a single, wondrously complex web of life that is woven by God. Each year from September 1 to October 4, the worldwide Christian family celebrates the good gift of creation. This global celebration began in 1989 with the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s recognition of the day of prayer for creation and is now embraced by the wide ecumenical community. During the Season of Creation, we unite as one family in Christ, celebrating the bonds we share with each other and with “every living creature on Earth” (Genesis 9:10).
The Christian family celebrates the Season by spending time in prayer, considering ways to inhabit our common home more sustainably, and lifting our voices in the public sphere. This is a time we seek to mark at St Mary’s as well, in common worship and private prayer. Indeed, our All-Age Service this Sunday will be led by our Eco-Church Group, members of our community committed to helping us play our part in the safeguarding of Creation.
Sometimes I think we can be deterred from thinking about our role as stewards of Creation by the size of the challenges that lie ahead of us. Even just looking back at the summer that has just past can lead us to despairing thoughts. Is this just the beginning of unliveable heat and drought in this nation? Young people especially might feel this – the unfairness of inheriting a world broken by the choices of their ancestors in chasing short-term gain at the cost of long-term destruction. We might well echo the words of those despairing, exiled people of God in the book of Ezekiel – “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”. Why is it that we should suffer for the sins of others?
But as the Lord says through Ezekiel, and as Jesus shows in his parable to his hostile audience of priests and elders of the people, it does not do to look back. The important choices are the ones we make now – how we respond to the situation in which we find ourselves. For the exiled Jewish people, it is in their power to choose whether to return to God and find life once more. For the vineyard-owner’s sons in Jesus’ parable, it is in their power to choose to work now, or not, regardless of the words or mistakes that came first.
The worst thing we can do is succumb to the force of learned helplessness, where we don’t do anything because we’re afraid it won’t make a difference. Whatever came before, it is never too late. Never too late to turn to the Lord. Never too late to begin the work that you originally said you wouldn’t do. Never too late to make changes in the way we live and think to take better care of our world and each other.
We followers of Christ, members of his family, are not creatures of despair. We are people of hope – looking forward to his reign, living out his call. Whatever came before, now is the time to start again. Now is the time to choose to live, and walk the path of our Lord.
Rev’d Caroline
Updated 28th September 2026