Plastic-Free Picnic to Celebrate the Season of Creation at Christs Church Cathedral

Early in September, on a beautiful Sunday morning, my family and I had the pleasure of attending a plastic-free picnic in downtown Montreal hosted by Christ Church Cathedral's Environmental Social Justice Action Group (ESJAG). The picnic took place on Sunday, September 9th to celebrate the Season of Creation.

Prior to the picnic my wife and I participated in the Sunday service at the Cathedral while the kids went to Sunday school. At the beginning of the service the Very Rev’d Bertrand Olivier explained that the liturgy reminds us that this is the Season of Creation.

"Once every year, from September 1 to October 4, " the Cathedral program states, "members of the Christian family set aside time to deepen our relationship with the Creator, each other, and all of creation."

Part of the 2018 Season of Creation Liturgy from the Revised Common Lectionary, was prepared by the Very Rev. Ken Gray. Just before the Penitential Rite, Rev’d Bertrand said, "The plants and trees show God's presence." and congregants responded by saying "Let us join with creation in praising God."

The plastic free picnic took place behind the Cathedral in Wallenberg Square, between the 10:00 am and 12:45 pm services. In line with this year's ESJAG theme of ecological justice, and to help counter plastic pollution, everyone was asked to bring food or drink in plastic - free reusable containers. Local and/or organic contributions were encouraged. Non-plastic cups, plates and cutlery were provided.

At the picnic, I introduced myself to two members of the Social Justice Action Group, Edward Yankee and Lisa Middlemiss, who were busy ensuring that all those in attendance were well taken care of.  The potluck picnic included fair trade beverages, and the conspicuous absence of plastic cutlery and straws.

I also had an opportunity to chat with the youth leader and Sunday school teacher Rev. Jean-Daniel. I asked him about the receptivity of children to ecologically themed messages. He responded by saying that in his experience children are naturally curious and comfortable asking questions.

It was a pleasure to meet with new friends and hopefully forge new beginnings.  Consistent with the 2018 Creation Time theme of working together, the SEC hopes to work with ESJAG so that we may amplify our efforts and welcome Anglicans  and others into a growing ecological movement that is so vital to all of creation.

Richard Matthews
Chair of the Stewardship of the Environment Committee (SEC)

Click here to see the SEC's short film The Seed.

Related
Introducing the SEC's Eightfold Path of Environmental Action
Right Understanding: Knowing the facts about climate change
Right Thought: How we think about the natural world
Right Speech: Effective environmental communications
Right Action: Making smaller footprints
Right Works: Efforts that benefit the planet
Right Effort: Choosing a cause
Right Concentration: Staying focused on creation
Right Mindfulness: Managing ecological stress