The Feast of Creation in Christ
Keynote Speakers:
Canon Christopher Irvine, Liturgical Commission
Canon Michael Gisbourne, Precentor of Ripon Cathedral
The Church of England’s liturgical calendar celebrates and proclaims the Christian belief in God the Holy Trinity and tells the story of the saving work of Christ in such a way that Christian people today may be helped in their spiritual life and their discipleship. In July this year the General Synod of the Church of England gave final approval and warmly welcomed the new feast of Creation in Christ to be celebrated on the nearest Sunday to 1st September. This was described as quite a momentous occasion as it has been many decades since a new feast was added to the Church’s calendar.
There is a backstory to this feast and that is the story of the ecumenical conferences that took place in Assisi in March 2024 and May 2025 and gathered a wide array of theologians, environmentalists, liturgists and church leaders. So, this is truly an ecumenical feast. In this seminar we will explore the theological rationale for the feast and its title and then consider how our own Church of England resources, the prayers and the readings may best be used to celebrate the feast.
There will be opportunity to reflect on its use first time around and some ideas of how to make the most of it in the years to come.
Programme
9.30 – 9.35 Welcome
9.35 – 10.15 ‘Theology and Resources’- Christopher
10.15 – 10.30 Breakout Rooms
10.30 – 10.45 Plenary
10.45 – 11.00 Refreshment Break
11.00 – 11.30 ‘Using the Resources’ – Michael
11.30 – 11.45 Breakout Rooms
11.45 – 12.00 Plenary
12.00 – 12.25 ‘The Readings and Preaching the Feast’ – Christopher
12.25 – 12.30 Reminders of TW News, Membership, and Forthcoming events
Cost: £5.00 for TW members; £10.00 for non-members
Booking: Please contact Helen Bent at helenbent99@gmail.com to register your attendance and to receive payment details and the Zoom link.