Stitching creation together: Bunting project celebrates the Season of Creation sustainably

Story and photos from Fiona Strachan.

As part of its commitment to environmental stewardship and the Eco Church movement, Lower Hutt Anglicans have embraced a sustainable initiative to mark this year’s Season of Creation: a community-made bunting project that celebrates nature, creativity, and care for our common home.

Moving away from balloons and other single-use decorations, the church has taken a greener path by crafting bunting from repurposed fabric. Bright and full of meaning, each piece tells a unique story – of faith, nature, and the hands that made it.

Parishioners of all ages were invited to decorate a piece of fabric with images and themes inspired by the Eco Church vision – caring for creation, reducing waste, and celebrating biodiversity. A variety of creative techniques were used, from vibrant painting and thoughtful applique, to stitched messages and collaged textures. The results are striking, personal, and deeply reflective of the community's growing connection to the Earth and each other.

Children took part through the church’s seasonal programme, where they learned to identify native leaves and flowers. Their creativity came to life through the creation of sun prints – a process that uses sunlight to leave delicate imprints of natural objects on fabric, capturing both the form and the moment.

For many, the project became more than just decoration. One family spent a quiet afternoon painting their bunting together. “It was a chance to slow down, reflect, and do something meaningful as a family,” they shared. “We talked about why we were doing it and how we could be more eco-friendly in our everyday lives. It felt really rewarding.”

The completed bunting now hangs across the church space, a vivid tapestry of collective care and creativity. More than just decoration, it’s a symbol of the parish’s journey toward sustainability and a celebration of the divine in the natural world.

As the Season of Creation continues, the bunting reminds all who enter the church of the beauty of creation – and our shared responsibility to cherish and protect it.