On Sunday 1 October, Ushaw hosted an ecumenical service to mark the Season of Creation. The event was held in St. Cuthbert’s Chapel, which was decorated for the occasion with greenery and a water fountain to reflect the theme for 2023: “Let Justice and Peace flow like a mighty river”, a quotation from the prophet Amos. Canon Bob Spence, Ushaw’s Chaplain, welcomed Ushaw staff, volunteers and visitors to the service, and Fr Chris Hughes, Chair of the Diocesan Environmental Group, led the prayers and also preached.
Christians of different denominations come together each year for the Season of Creation, sharing our concern for our common home. The service at Ushaw was very much an ecumenical event, with invitations sent to local Churches Together groups, as well as to Catholic parishes. Reflections, scripture readings and intercessions on the day were read by Catholic and Anglican participants.
This was the second Season of Creation event at Ushaw this year, following a Day of Reflection on 13 September, at which attendees were able to view a screening of the film “The Letter”, and to hear about local initiatives inspired by Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’, and about Ushaw’s plans to incorporate environmental sustainability into the long term plans for the management of the Ushaw estate.
