Our symbol for 2026 - Immersion in Living Water - is a symbol of renewal and birth: water flowing from the Temple as a sign of God’s caring and healing for us. We are called to step into the water, until we are so deep that we must depend on God’s grace to sustain us. Those who receive this water are invited to become sources of life for others, allowing God’s love to flow through them into the world. And thus the water of God will become in us “a spring of water welling up to eternal life” , as Jesus promised (John 4:14).
The Symbol invites Christians to a spiritual immersion - praying together while contemplating water from rivers, sources, fountains, baptismal fonts, lakes and sea, inspired by the Spirit of God, working together for the renewal of Creation.
This Symbol also urges us to dive into the “tears” of creation (Romans 8:22-23), by allowing our hearts to be touched by the suffering of our brothers and sisters. Indeed, the Season of Creation is also an appropriate time for fraternal closeness and solidarity with the vulnerable and the poor, chiefly those who suffer from environmental degradation. We can learn from their stories, from their resilience, from their commitment, and together keep hope alive.
Not long ago I wrote in anticipation of this day as the Feast of Creation in Christ, marking the beginning of the Season of Creation concluding on October 4th, the Feast of St. Francis. The United Church has announced that it will join with other denominations around the world with the goal of celebrating today so I'm baffled that no liturgical resources are provided on our website to do so.
The Anglicans in Canada have developed a really worthwhile Feast of the Creator resource, including scripture passages and eucharistic or communion prayers https://www.anglican.ca/resources/feast-of-the-creator/
One of those prayers was written in British Columbia with specific references to that setting, including Indigenous peoples. There is an invitation to adapt the prayer for different regions across the country and since I was in outport Newfoundland when I read through the document I've taken a stab at doing so, even though I'm venturing into Anglican territory!
May God be with you
And also with you
Lift up your hearts
We lift them up
Let us give thanks to God our Creator
It is right to give our thanks and praise
It is right at all times and in all places to thank and praise you Creator of all.
We praise you here in the land of the Beothuk of old, the land of the Micmac and Innu today,
where harvests from forest and sea are alongside towns and outports and industry.
We praise you at a time when the body of earth is broken again and again.
We give thanks for our place in the story of salvation. Our ancestors journeyed with you in creation and migration. They depended on the land, were displaced from the land and displaced others from their lands. They knew you in tents and cities, on mountains and by wells, in families and in dreams, and through wilderness prophets who spoke of cedars and listened to ravens.
Together with angels and ancestors, codfish and eagles, gannets and caribou, whales and resilient tuckamore, we join our voices with all creation in this ancient honour song:
Holy, holy, holy One, God of power and might
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
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