Blessings of September
Preparations for ICCT 2025 Convention ~ Season of Creation 2025 ~ Christian Nationalism Documentary ~ Triangle Sun Day ~ Make Billionaires Pay ~ Voter ID ~ Contemplative Prayer ~ Creation Care Book Group
Sister Mariella Erdmann, Catholic Order of St. Francis, says her painting “incorporates ideas from St. Francis in his Canticle of the Creatures … Francis was a man who lived close to the earth, and in the natural world he found the glory of God revealed. He saw all creation radiating from God. It was because of this that he could call all creatures good…”
She continues, “I have portrayed the four elements: fire, water, air and earth… a part of Francis’ vision of God, Creation, and the human soul. In Francis’ own words he gives the basis for his hymn — ‘I wish to compose a new hymn about the Lord’s creatures, of which we make daily use, without which we cannot live, and with which the human race greatly offends its Creator.’ Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Brother Water, Sister Air, Brother Fire and Sister Earth all become his companions in praising God.
“In today’s world, our relationship to the elements of nature is often dimmed and not a part of our awareness. What a pity to lose sight of this sensual reality that Francis was able to turn into mystical experience.”
Note from the editor: It’s truly a blessing that the work we’re all engaged in – caring for Creation – allows us to help bring the human relationship with nature to the forefront.
You have an open invitation to submit Creation care-centered quotes, reflection guides and resources for worship, holidays and holy days in your faith tradition. You are also invited to submit information about Creation care activities at your faith community here.
Dear readers, we’re sending you warm wishes for many blessings in the busy month of September! Our blessings include celebrating the Season of Creation and Sun Day at the ICCT Convention and elsewhere in the Triangle throughout the month.
Christians celebrate the Season of Creation that starts September 1st and ends October 4 with the Feast of St. Francis, patron saint of ecology, beloved by many Christian denominations. Featuring Sister Mariella’s painting is a fitting way to open the Season of Creation. See article no. 2 in this issue for more on this season.
People of all faiths are invited to the Season of Creation prayer service at Hayes Barton UMC (see article no. 7 republished in this issue). And we can celebrate Sun Day with 350 Triangle (article no.4).
Table of Contents
- News about the ICCT Convention Grounded in Hope
Registration is WAY UP and there’s still space for more! Today we’re announcing who’s tabling at the convention – another opportunity to confer with experts on September 20, 12 noon to 4:30, in Chapel Hill. - New! Peace With Creation – Season of Creation 2025
Explore the symbol and Biblical references for this year’s Christian Season of Creation and access wonderful resources. - New! Another chance to see this important documentary
BAD FAITH: Christian Nationalism’s Unholy War on Democracy will be screened in Raleigh followed by live Q&A with author of Democracy in Chains, September 14, 3 PM - New! Triangle Sun Day & Make Billionaires Pay!
A solidarity action with national and international events — Make Billionaires Pay, Draw the Line, and Sun Day in Raleigh, September 21, 2:00 – 4:30. - New! Urgent Action Needed: Preserve our National Forests
The so-called One Big Beautiful Bill contains a public lands logging mandate described by opponents as likely to result in a clearcut expansion of exponential proportions. The POPULAR Act may actually save our forests. Demand that it’s included in the FY 2026 Appropriations Bill! - Reminder: helping people get an ID for voting
Join Faiths United to Save Democracy (FUSD) September 10, 4-5 PM for an online orientation for potential volunteers to help individuals obtain an ID they can use to vote. - Reminder: Contemplative Prayer Service on Peace With Creation
People of all faiths are invited to this short Christian service celebrating the 2025 Season of Creation at the Chapel of Hayes Barton United Methodist Church in Raleigh on Thursday, September 18,12:00-12:30. - Reminder: Creation care book discussion group
Join Rev. Tracy Clayton on September 22 at 10:30 AM for a discussion of From Wasteland to Wonder: Easy Ways We Can Help Heal Earth in the Sub/urban Landscape by Basil Camu, a local author and owner of an eco-friendly tree service.
Coker Arboretum, the setting for a meditative walk during the ICCT Convention
Over 100 have already registered for the ICCT Convention! It’s not too late to learn more and sign up here. Registration with catered lunch closes September 16th ($16.81 for attendees & free for clergy). Registration to bring your own lunch is free and open until September 18th.
See who’s tabling at the Convention.
Another opportunity to talk with experts is to drop by the perimeter tables to chat with them about your questions and interests. Even though you may not be at their lunch table discussions, you can check in with them at their perimeter tables.
1) At the Book Swap Table, Monica Kleimeyer will receive the book(s) you brought and help you take the book(s) you want.
2) At the Book Sales Table, Gary Simpson will help you purchase a book you want.
3) ICCT’s Pat and Paul Kelly will share what’s involved and the benefits for your congregation to…
a) take the ICCT survey of Earth Friendly Friendly practices,
b) name a person as your congregation’s Liaison to ICCT, and
c) encourage members of your Creation care and justice teams to receive ICCT’s newsletters.
4) Leaf & Limb’s Matt Farley will share the importance of native plants (especially trees) to protect ecosystems.
5) Ashley Hilliard from Moms Clean Air Force will share ways to advocate for the health of our children and grandchildren given the dangers of so-called advanced/chemical recycling and methane gas plants near elementary schools and the benefits of electric school buses.
6) Reclaim Our Vote’s Helen Wolfson and ICCT’s Susan Brooks invite you to write a Get Out the Vote postcard at their table. It’s for the Virginia election on November 4, 2025 for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Virginia House of Delegates, and Local Offices. Why is this important to us North Carolinians? Because those elected decide big issues that affect the whole country, issues like state and local environmental protections, mid-decade redistricting, and more.
7) Recollective Community Compost will be there to share their services for homes and congregations.
8) Sophia Trentacosta from Partners for Environmental Justice will share PEJ’s work in transforming communities through environmental justice and restoring wetlands.
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The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with the Creator and all Creation through celebration and commitment together. The season started September 1stand ends October 4th with the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology beloved by many Christian denominations.
The symbol for 2025 is characterized by a dove carrying an olive branch bringing life to the Garden of Peace. The Biblical story of the flood begins when “the earth is filled with violence” (Genesis 6:13). When the dove sent out by Noah returns to the ark with a fresh olive branch in its beak, it signals that the flood is receding and it’s seen as a sign of new peace.
The Biblical text is Isaiah 32:14-18. The prophet Isaiah pictured the desolated Creation without peace because of the lack of justice and the broken relationship between God and humankind. This description of devastated cities and wastelands stresses the fact that human destructive behaviors have a negative impact on the Earth.
Our hope is that Creation will find peace when justice is restored. To hope in a biblical context does not mean to stand still and quiet, but to act, pray, change, and reconcile with Creation and the Creator in unity, repentance, and solidarity.
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(3) Another chance to see this important documentary
Sunday, September 14, 3 p.m.
Fairmont United Methodist Church, 2501 Clark Ave, Raleigh
Join the Fairmont Mission and Justice team and the NC Conference chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action for a screening of BAD FAITH, a documentary exploring the rise of Christian Nationalism and its influence on politics and religion. Following the film will be a discussion and Q&A with Duke University professor Nancy MacLean, author of Democracy in Chains. The event is free and open to all.
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(4) Triangle Sun Day & Make Billionaires Pay!
September 21, 2-4:30 PM
3313 Wade Ave., Raleigh
Join us for a solidarity action with national and international events — Make Billionaires Pay, Draw the Line, and Sun Day. We’re making the connections! We will have speakers talking about climate justice, solar energy, immigration, Rights of Nature, and more. There will be breakout groups and actions to take. We will end with people bringing their signs and forming a line along the sidewalk on Wade Avenue. Register for more information and join us here!
Submitted by Karen Bearden, 350 Triangle
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(5)Urgent Action Needed: Preserve our National Forests
The One Big Bill requires the US Forestry Service to increase annual timber harvests by 250 million board feet of lumber every year over what was harvested the year before through 2034. That means in 2034, they must harvest 2.25 billion board feet more than the 2025 harvest!
What is the POPULAR Act that may actually save our forests? The act, “Protecting Our Public Use, Lands, Access, and Recreation,” would repeal the logging mandates among many other important provisions. Learn about its provisions and how it was drafted by the Pattiz brothers of More Than Just Parks. You can read the entire bill here.
The US House and Senate must pass a fiscal budget before October 1st. Our legislators must ensure the POPULAR Act is included as an amendment to the FY 2026 Budget bill to stop this harvesting. It is urgent that we contact senators and representatives to make them aware of this issue and encourage them to demand it in negotiations in September.
It’s up to the American public to put the pressure on them. Many legislators aren’t aware of the POPULAR Act. We need to tell them how much we care about the preservation of our National Forests.
It is time to take action! Act Now!!! This link from the National Parks Experience contains info about the POPULAR Act, how to contact senators and representatives, a call script, and an email script. Thank you for putting your faith into action.
Submitted by Gail Powell, ICCT Advocacy Team
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(6) Reminder: online briefing on helping people get an ID they can use to vote
ICCT has been working with Faiths United to Save Democracy (FUSD) for over a year. It’s a nonpartisan, multi-racial, multi-faith, and multi-generation voter protection campaign focused in North Carolina and 9 other key states. It is rooted in the belief that everyone is made in the image of God and deserves the freedom to vote.
The FUSD campaign exists to overcome the recent assault on democracy, making it more difficult for voters who are low-income, black and brown, elderly, students, and disabled to exercise their sacred right to vote. Elections are a test of our democracy and our faith. Early planning and even more robust strategic engagement by the faith community is critical.
For more information on ICCT’s experience with FUSD last year, contact Lynn at ICCTriangle@gmail.com.
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(7) Reminder: Contemplative Prayer Service celebrating the Season of Creation
Please join us at Hayes Barton UMC in the Chapel, 2209 Fairview Road, in Raleigh on Thursday, September 18th at noon for a short, contemplative prayer service to celebrate the 2025 Season of Creation. This year’s theme is Peace with Creation and is based on Isaiah 32:14-18. Creation is God’s sacred gift, entrusted to our care.
Christians are called to protect and nurture Creation in peace, working in partnership with others and passing this responsibility on to future generations. Its deep interconnectedness makes peace both essential and fragile.
Only through reconciliation with and genuine justice for all living beings will Creation find peace, fulfilling Isaiah’s vision.
You are also invited to bring a bag lunch and join us afterward for lunchtime conversations.
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(8) Reminder: Creation care book discussion group
All are welcome to join the online discussion led by Rev. Tracy Clayton on September 22 at 10:30 AM for a discussion of From Wasteland to Wonder: Easy Ways We Can Help Heal Earth in the Sub/urban Landscape by Basil Camu (a local author and owner of an eco-friendly tree service, Leaf & Limb).
