Tuesday nights at 7pm on Zoom

12th - 26th September, and 10th October

We are holding these sessions online and in person. If you'd like to come in person, arrive at the front gate before 7pm to be let in, or ring the buzzer if no one is present. If there's no answer message 07506 617628.

Zoom link

Creation Season connects us to the urgency of the existential crisis facing humanity as a result of climate chaos.

In Union Chapel we will focus on the essential for all life – water.  We are inspired by the Creation Season theme and Amos’ great words:

‘let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an everlasting stream.’

Water is an underlying theme of scripture from its very first paragraph to its closing chapter. It symbolizes life, cleansing, spiritual thirst, renewal, and God’s activity on behalf of the oppressed.

Each of our four sessions will explore water as a core biblical theme and connect the ancient text with contemporary challenges.

Tuesday 12th September

The four rivers of Paradise and the river of life

The garden of Eden is watered by four rivers, which come from a common source.  New Jerusalem of Revelation has a river running through its streets.

These are images of creation and restored creation.  They place water at the centre of God’s gift of life.  Cleansing and renewing water from pollutants, overfishing and rising sea levels are also part of the way creation can be restored in our own time.

Genesis 2 10-14 & Revelation 22.1-5

Tuesday 19th September

The Waters of Meribah and the Rivers of Babylon

Water features in biblical stories of both escape and captivity.  The exodus from Egypt and exile into Babylon were tumultuous events which find the parallels in our own time.

In our contemporary world, water is the source of many conflicts forcing people to become refugees.  The Hebrews had a safe passage through the Red Sea, and their thirst was quenched from a rock in Meribah.  Could there be a metaphorical parting of the Mediterranean or the English Channel. People die of thirst in the Arizona desert.  How can their thirst for water, safety and security be met. Many too pine for a return to their homeland as the Babylonian exiles wept by the riverside.

Numbers 20. 1-13   Psalm 137

Tuesday 26th September

Waters of baptism and renewal

Immersion in water is an important theme in the Hebrew Bible. We can note the flood and the crossing of the Red Sea. It is also seen as a promise of renewal.

In the Apostolic Witness, baptism takes on a central role of initiation and renewal.

In these apocalyptic events of our climate crisis, we might ask what the entry points into the struggle for climate justice are and how we can be ready and willing to accept the changes needed for salvation from these dangerous events.

Ezekiel 36.22-32, Matthew 3.13-17, Romans 6.3-4, Galatians 3.26-27, Colossians 2:11-12, 1 Corinthians 12:13

Tuesday 10th October

Living Water

The Bible talks of living water which is vibrant image of God’s life-giving power and Christ’s abundant life.  Jesus calls the Holy Spirit living water.

The climate crisis is framed as an environmental and political problem. It is undoubtedly a human rights issue and a humanitarian concern. At its root, it is possibly the deepest ethical, justice issue humanity has ever faced.

We will ask if climate chaos requires both a political and a spiritual response.  If so, is it just an intellectual endeavour or is there more?

Jeremiah 2:13, Jeremiah 17:13, John 4:10-14, John 7:37-39, Revelation 7:17