How a community grew in generosity and rescued St Helen’s Church
St Helen’s Church is a hidden jewel in the crown of Barnoldby-le-Beck village. But beneath its beauty lay a serious challenge. It was on the brink of financial collapse.
Read the storyA new feast day: Creation in Christ
The General Synod of the Church of England has formally established a new feast day – Creation in Christ – which will accompany the other important days that have been recognised and celebrated by Christians for generations. This special occasion comes at the start of the annual Season of Creation and will take place for the first time this year on Sunday 6 September 2026.
Giving thanks for creation
As a new addition to our lectionary cycle of readings and prayers, church communities are invited to give thanks for God’s gift of creation, to reflect on our part within in it, and our responsibility to care for and nurture it.
The theme’s centrality within Christian belief cannot be understated: The scriptures testify to creation’s existence as utterly dependant on God’s intention, realised through Jesus Christ and sustained through the Holy Spirit. We are invited to delight in God’s revelation through the beauty of the earth and join in creation’s song of praise.
“[The] Festival of Creation in Christ is above all an opportunity to give thanks for the wonder that we have been given in the world.” (Bishop Nicholas)
In response to announcement of the feast day, The Rt Revd Dr Nicholas Chamberlain, the Acting Bishop of Lincoln, has written an uplifting homily which can be read below:
Worship resources
To help parishes and worshipping communities mark the occasion, our diocese has prepared a suite of worship resources for both Holy Communication and a Service of the Word. These resources can be used throughout the Season of Creation. You’ll find:
- Eucharist for the Feast of Creation in Christ
- Service of the Word for the Feast of Creation in Christ
- Prayers and liturgical material for the Season of Creation
You can easily access these on learn, grow, share by using the button below:
A worldwide celebration
Churches, schools and chaplaincies across Greater Lincolnshire are invited to join with many ecumenical partners around the world in celebrating this new festival. As we begin the Season of Creation, we are encouraged to care for God’s creation and to recognise the beauty and sacredness of the world around us.
For more information about the season of creation go to: Season of Creation | The Diocese of Lincoln
For more information about the Creation in Christ feast day and other environmental milestones in the Church of England go to: Church of England publishes major teaching document on care for creation as Synod approves new annual festival | The Church of England
Collect for the Feast of Creation in Christ
Holy and eternal God,
you are the Maker of heaven and earth,
you are the Word through whom all things were made,
and you are the Spirit, the giver of life:
draw us into the mystery of your love,
that with all creation we may proclaim your praise,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen