September 7.  (From BECOMING ECO-FRIENDLY FAMILIES).   This interdenominational event is celebrated annually worldwide with Christians from many countries and many organisations including those linked to Laudato Si,  Pope Francis’ encyclical on “Caring for our Common Home.”  The theme chosen by the ecumenical steering committee for 2026  is LIVING WATER   Inspired by the vision of the prophet Ezekiel 47:9, 12. “Wherever the stream flows, there will be all kinds of animals and fish. The stream will make the water of the Dead Sea fresh, and wherever it flows it will bring life.

The SOUTH AFRICAN reality is that extreme natural phenomena are now affecting most coastal regions in our country. The widespread repeated extreme weather bringing heavy rain caused serious flooding, washing away and destruction of homes and many human lives, animals and livelihoods lost throughout Northern, Central and Southern regions of our country signifying an urgent call to wake up and respond rather aggressively to the Care of our Common Home.

A Call to Action.  The Biblical text for this year portrays God’s life-giving water flowing from the temple of God. The river grows deeper, restoring barren land, reviving waters, and sustaining flourishing ecosystems. Unfortunately, we are already experiencing the opposite due to the effect of indifference. This initiative calls for human accountability; recognizing ecological damage and embracing interconnectedness of all believers. We are called to immerse ourselves in the living water by actively safeguarding and working for the renewal of creation.

Pray and respond to the cries of communities losing land and livelihoods due to war, climate change, unsustainable practices and debt.   The Spirit guides us to understanding, ecological conversion and a transformative outcome, – not mere restoration of previous conditions.  

Proactive steps should respond to Jesus’ teaching of repentance and restorative justice. Hope fuels action. Through prayer, discernment and commitment we create a foundation for change.  Peace emerges from work as transformation takes patience, understanding and trust. Action includes advocacy on local issues, sustainability projects, cleaning campaigns. Education shows how care for Creation is central to faith.  Collaborate as interreligious communities for peace in diversity and unity, through reforestation, river cleaning, water and food security projects.  (TR)    Get full SOC guide at  https://seasonofcreation.org

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:  It happened that on a Sabbath, when Jesus entered the synagogue and taught, a man was there whose right hand was withered Jesus said, “I ask you is it lawful on the sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” Luke 6:6-11.  Pope Francis:   The majority of people living on our planet profess to be believers.  This should spur religions to dialogue among themselves for the sake of protecting nature, defending the poor and building networks of respect and fraternity.  LS 201.  Eco-tip and prayer:  As an ecumenical initiative check out how different believers practise listening to the voice of creation, to the “cry of the poor and the cry of the earth.” Hold a combined prayer service. 

DAILY FAMILY PRAYER from Season of Creation 2026.  May God our Father, who brought water from a rock, sustain us in the desert. May Christ our Lord, who is Living Water, refresh us for the work of restoration.  May the Holy Spirit carry us on currents of grace until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amen. St Francis guide and inspire us on our way.