We will gather with our brothers and sisters from other Christian denominations to pray together for God's creation.

This is our major ecumenical event for the Season of Creation, or Creationtide, an annual global celebration that unites Christians of all traditions in prayer, reflection, and action for the protection of God’s creation. It runs from 1 September (World Day of Prayer for Creation) to 4 October (Feast of St Francis of Assisi). During this season, churches, communities, and individuals are invited to explore the wonder of God’s creation and respond to the ecological challenges facing the planet.

The service, which will take place in the Cemetery grounds, outside St George’s, will be led by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Malaga, José Antonio Satué Huerto. The Preacher with be our Chaplain, Fr Louis.

Click the button below for more information about the Season of Creation, including other events.

The gospel readings at this time of year focus on Jesus' teaching, healing and miracles. We meet the Jesus of the every day, the Jesus of farmers and fisherman, who told stories of lost sheep, a man beat up by the roadside, a ponsy landowner, fishers of men, seed sown by the wayside, or, as in today's gospel where Jesus tells the story of a vineyard owner who hires some men for a few hours' work, some for a few hours more and some for the whole day, but pays them all a whole day's wage - an every day world that became a canvas for the Holy Spirit. Here was God, not in far off Jerusalem, but walking every day through the fields, and along the shores, of Galilee.

St George’s Church will be holding a Pet Blessing Service this year as part of our 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi on 3 October 1226.

This service, which will form part of our celebration of the Season of Creation, will include a personal blessing for each pet, as well as their owners, plus prayers and hymns that are appropriate for the season.

Any pet is welcome - including cats - as long as they are under control. And if your pet is unable to come, or deceased, do please come anyway and bring a photo, which we will aim to display.

Pet Blessing services help us to remember the emotional and spiritual bond between humans and their animal companions, and sanctify that relationship by invoking God's blessing. They also serve as a reminder of the responsibility we humans have as stewards of God's creation, fostering kindness and care for all creatures.

St Francis was born in 1181, and is famous as an Italian mystic and poet, as well as the founder of the Franciscan order. He has often been portrayed in religious art surrounded by animals, and as a result became the patron saint of animals and ecology. In more recent years it became customary for churches to hold ceremonies blessing animals on his feast day, which is also World Animal Day.

Photo above: participants in last year's Pet Blessing Service. More information on the attached flier.

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