On Saturday members of Ascension, and a group from UAB, teamed up with Black Warrior Riverkeeper (1) to protect the watershed from which our drinking water flows. 

The team collected over 367 POUNDS of trash from the Pinson area! By picking up trash before it can make its way into our river systems, we helped keep our water supply safer for people and wildlife in the greater Birmingham area. 

The Anglican Communion is a partner in the worldwide ecumenical movement which "encourages the faithful to take time to care for creation during the month-long celebration" (2) known as Season of Creation. This year's theme, "Living Water," (3) comes from chapter 47, verses 9 and 12 from the book of Prophet Ezekiel, "Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live.  Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”(4)

As first stated in the book of Genesis within the great origin stories of our creation, we are created in God's image and called to be stewards of God's creation. Our call from God “for stewardship of creation,” is beautifully and faithfully written by anonymous author as a collect, commonly prayed, “O merciful Creator, your hand is open wide to satisfy the needs your loving providence ; and grant that we, remembering the account hat we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (5)

For reflection:

• God’s call to us to be stewards of creation is present throughout the Old and New Testaments. Can you think of ways in both in which creation is used to teach us about our love for God and for neighbor?
• In Eucharistic Prayer B, we pray together, "We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation;.." (368 BCP). As you enjoy the cooler weather this week, take note of when and where you feel the presence of God around you.

References and for Further Learning:

1. “Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect and restore the Black Warrior River and its tributaries. We are a citizen-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting clean water for the sake of public health, recreation, and wildlife habitat throughout our patrol area, the Black Warrior River watershed. This vital river basin is entirely contained within Alabama, America’s leading state for freshwater biodiversity.” Black Warrior Riverkeeper Website
2. “The Anglican Communion Environmental Network (ACEN) is a global network within the Anglican Communion that encourages churches, dioceses and provinces to respond faithfully to environmental challenges. Grounded in the Fifth Mark of Mission — ‘to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth’ — ACEN promotes care for creation as an essential expression of Christian mission and discipleship.” Anglican Communion Environmental Network
3. “The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During the Season of Creation, we join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home.” Season of Creation Website 
4. Chapter 47 of Ezekiel, Bible Gateway
5. Collect for Stewardship of Creation, 259 BCP
6. Learn more about the Episcopal Church’s Creation Care Ministries here