Rev.Roy Henderson welcomes the congregation to the Service for Creation

(I bow my knees before the Lord, our God. Each family comes from God)

Glasgow Churches Together celebrated the Season of Creation (1 September – 4 October) with a Creation Sunday service on 15 September at Pollokshaws Parish Church.  The service was well attended by parishioners from local churches, and the music of the service was supported by the St Mungo Singers, organist Jacqueline Barrett, violinist Mil Zomack and harpist Dr Noel Donnelly. The musicians played quietly as the congregation gathered, then the service began with a hymn whose tune would be familiar – All creatures of our God and King – but whose powerful words by Paul Zach, Kate Bluett & Isaac Wardell stopped us in our tracks, demanding that we lament what we have done and are doing to our world, singing “Lord, have mercy” rather than “Alleluia”. Rev. Roy Henderson then welcomed the congregation to his parish, saying that while we and creation groan, we are not without hope.  He and Pastor Favour Asante of the neighbouring Greater Glory Church led everyone in the opening prayer written by Rt Rev Dr Shaw Paterson, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the refrain of which reminded us that “we are part of Your Creation”. After the scripture readings, Charlie Meiklejohn of Christian Aid spoke movingly and passionately about the work of Christian Aid and the people which it helps.  So much of Christian Aid’s work and actions now are about climate change – not just about its impacts on  agriculture, but impacts on health projects, access to education classes and so much more. Reflecting on the angry Jesus of the Gospel reading (of the cleansing of the Temple), she said that fear and loss is leading to anger for people affected.  We need hope but need also to recognise the severity and urgency of the climate crisis.

The musicians: Jacqueline, Mil and Noel

She illustrated the issues with the story of Blessings, a woman farmer in Zimbabwe where climate change had meant her farm was not producing enough to feed her family, and her husband had to leave home to find work.  However working with a partner agency of Christian Aid, she and her village had found a way of gaining an income, harvesting and preparing herbs and plants. One outcome of this new development was that Blessings’ husband was able to return to his family and work on the project.  Loss does not have to be the end of the story – it can lead us into hope. The prayers of intercession for ourselves and all creation were read by Captain Les Heal of the Salvation Army and Fr Andriy Chornenko of the Ukrainian Parish in Glasgow .  These were followed by the communal singing of The Lord’s Prayer, and a collection was taken up for the work of Christian Aid. The service ended with a short sung responsory written by Mgr Gerry Fitpatrick in anticipation of the celebration in 2025 of the 17th centenary of the Council of Nicaea – In the Name of the Father, a joint blessing by the clergy present and the singing of a lovely hymn by Kathy and Ian Galloway, whose opening words seemed very appropriate for a Season of Creation service – Oh the life of the world is a joy and a treasure. The parish community of Pollokshaws Parish Church then brought the event to a lovely close with a beautiful buffet laid on in their church hall.  Appreciative thanks are due to them for making us all feel so welcome.