Celebrating the Season of Creation at The Tribe Church
Story shared by Anna Baird, The Tribe Church, Masterton.
The Tribe Church in Masterton embraced this year's Season of Creation as an opportunity to reflect on what God and his people are doing in creation, and to celebrate the ways their church community is already involved in caring for the environment.
The season began with church members joining their neighbours for the annual community planting day at Awatōtara Stream, which runs alongside the church.
At a Sunday service, Anna Baird explored Ezekiel's vision of Living Water and the invitation for the church community to bring life to the people and whenua around them, empowered by God's Spirit.
In preparing for the Season of Creation, the church also discovered that several members of its congregation were actively involved in restoration groups across Masterton, alongside the stream restoration project the church already supports. Two of these members were interviewed during a service, sharing how caring for creation in their neighbourhoods is part of living out their faith.
Throughout the season, the church also ran a nature photography competition, with the congregation voting for their favourites on the final Sunday. Inspired by an idea from another Eco Church, this fun, intergenerational activity encouraged people of all ages to slow down, notice and appreciate the beauty of God's creation.
Together, these activities offered different ways for the church community to connect faith with creation care – through worship, local action and simply paying attention to the natural world around them.
