The 2026 Season of Creation begins tomorrow, September 1, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology beloved by many Christian denominations.

Throughout the month-long celebration, the world’s 2.2 billion Christians come together to care for our common home. Activities and resources to celebrate the Season of Creation are supported by an ecumenical steering committee and a coalition of partners from around the world. For more on how the season is created and shared, visit seasonofcreation.org/about.

This email offers seasonal worship celebrations and activities that St.Christopher's has planned. Be sure to mark your calendars for all of the special offerings this season!

World Day of Prayer for Creation

Tuesday, September 1

8:00 am - 9:00 am

Visit this link to join the Prayer Service for the Opening of Season of Creation, offered by the Season of Creation organization.

(If you are unable to join live, the full service can be found on the Season of Creation YouTube page after completion.)

Liturgy for the Feast of Creation

All services throughout September will feature special sections in our services, including creation centered Prayers of the People, the use of Eucharistic Prayer C, and other special inclusions. Join us on Saturdays at 5:30 pm in the Chapel, and at 8:00 am and 10:30 am in the Church.

Pictured: The Earth Icon by Edith Adams Allison

A small table will be set up in front of the altar for all of September. You are invited to bring something meaningful that is nature or water-themed to place on the table, such as a plant, stone, shell, feather, driftwood, photo, or a small art piece—anything that is special to you. You can add your item at any time between services throughout the month. We will will announce a pick up date if you wish to take your items back home.

Bulletin Cover Collage

This year, worship bulletins on Saturday, September 26 & Sunday, September 27 will feature a collage of pictures, nature or water-themed, submitted by YOU on the cover!

The collage will offer no indication of who was associated with each photo. But they are not random. They testify to loving relationships with sacred places on 'God's good Earth' and, in turn, with one another.

Email your images to Jessica Boyd communications@scpen.org by Wednesday, September 16 at 8:00 am. (Due to printing deadlines, this date is firm and unfortunately no late submissions will be used.)

Project inspired by a passage in the book "Climate Church, Climate World" by The Rev. Jim Antal

2025 St. Christopher's Bulletin Cover below

Altar Flowers

Sunday, September 27

The altar flowers on Sunday, September 27 will be given in honor of God’s good creation. They will come from Blossom Lane Farm, a local business in Baker. Unlike flowers from traditional florists, which are often flown in from other countries and grown with heavy chemical fertilizers and pesticides that can harm the soil, environment, and workers, Blossom Lane grows their flowers seasonally and uses organic methods.

The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

and Pet Blessing

Sunday, October 4

During our weekend worship services, we will offer St. Francis themed liturgy and finish the day with our annual Pet Blessing. The Pet Blessing will be held at 4:00 pm on the Parish Hall lawn. All animals are welcome! (Please be sure to have your pets on a leash or in carriers.)

Donations will be accepted for Jo-Jo's Paws, located at Escambia County Animal Shelter. This organization is a food pantry style group that provides for those who need help with their pets. The most needed items are cat and dog food, treats, and 1-gallon or larger resealable plastic storage bags. Jo Jo’s Paws will also accept: Pet beds, blankets, collars, leashes, and cat litter. If you cannot attend the pet blessing but wish to donate, please bring your donations on Sundays or to the church office.

Midweek Manna

Wednesdays during September

5:30 pm Meal

6:15 pm Programming

Several Midweek Manna evenings this month will be creation focused. Bring a potluck dish to share and enjoy presentations from clergy, members of St. Christopher's, and local friends in the environmental field.

September 2

Theology of Creation Care w/ Jen+ and “Because Love Creates Magic” presentation from Eleanor Reeves, Executive Director of Camp Beckwith

September 9

O.J. Semmes and Creation Care

A Garden of Children: Learning, Growing and Healing in Nature

Presented by parishioners Sonja Crawford and Kaye Westmark, with Emily Houghman of Florida Native Landscapes

Join us to learn about an exciting project at OJ Semmes where we are working to create extensive natural spaces where children and staff can be immersed in nature and habitat designed for local species.

September 16

A New Dimension for Creation Care at

St. Christopher's: The Gulf Coast Eco-Region

Facilitated by Dr. Frank Gilliam, parishioner and member of CIC

Vegetarian & Vegan Night!

Our Diocesan Commission on the Integrity of Creation (CIC) has been working in partnership with creation care commissions in the Dioceses of Louisiana and Mississippi to form the Watersheds of the Gulf Coast eco-region. The priorities of our new eco-region are wetland and biodiversity loss, industrial incursion, sea level rise, warming waters, and waterway pollution, using local and historic knowledge and practices and great spiritual resiliency.

Why are we having a vegetarian or vegan night? Meat production, especially from beef and other grazing animals, is a large contributor to climate change and environmental harm. It accounts for 14-18% of global greenhouse gas emissions, leads to pollution from manure and fertilizers, and is a leading cause of biodiversity loss because of land cleared for grazing and growing animal feed like soybeans. This is on top of concerns about animal suffering in industrial farming. By eating less meat, even just once or twice a week, we can make a positive difference and live out our vocation to help care for God's creation. Let's get creative and enjoy!

September 23

Audubon 101 (and 2!)

Presented by a member of FMWAS

Join us to learn more about the Francis M. Weston Audubon Society, our active local chapter. We will highlight the Motus Wildlife Tracking Station and Towers which provide cutting-edge scientific information and insights into bird migration.

Attendees will have the opportunity to donate specifically for FMWAS Motus Project, thus investing in the preservation, conservation, and restoration of bird and wildlife populations and their habitats in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. 

• Season of Creation website

• Commission on the Integrity of Creation resource site

• Celebration Guide for Episcopal Parishes

• Film Screenings: Caring for the Earth: Stories from Faith Communities (Zoom)