From the website seasonofcreation.org, “we join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home.” I value the fact that the Season of Creation is an ecumenical event, that asks us to both act and pray, but my reflections have led me to believe that one large part of creation is often forgotten during this season, the human creation.

Over the last few weeks, I have been called upon to take the next step in the role of carer in my family. In doing this I have spent many moments sitting in silence with my Aunty Mary, as she fell asleep, many moments preparing breakfast and cups of tea for my elderly and increasingly frail mother-in-law, many moments sitting with my teenage children as they talk about trying to find their way in the world. In my moments of contemplation, I have thought of all those people in our community who have no one to care for them, no one to be with them in an increasingly busy and complex world. As I walk, very slowly, with my elderly aunt to the dining room in her aged care home I note the people who do not leave their rooms, do not smile, do not have visitors. I wonder about how we, as a community, are really caring for the whole human creation, how we can possibly care for all the lonely, sick, hungry and homeless. As I ponder this I also stop and introduce myself and my aunt to the other residents in the care home, “I’m Mary and this is my Aunty Mary”, my aunt pipes up with, “Yes, two Marys!” Some introduce themselves to us, others turn away. Is it the attempt at conversation that scares them? Is it my aunt’s Down Syndrome that makes them uncomfortable? Is it confusion, related to dementia or another medical condition? Regardless, I will say hello the next time I encounter them in the dining room or hallways, I will smile at them, I will keep attempting to connect with them. Why? Because just as we care for the cuddly Koalas, just as we care for the majestic trees, so we should care for people, and see them as the intricate creation of God, created in God’s own image, just as we are created in God’s image.

The comments from the staff in her home that Mary is so lucky to have a family that cares for her, visits her regularly, makes sure she is eating, entertained and not lonely makes me both proud and so very sad. Sad that other people do not get such love. Sad that many older people in our community are missing out on daily family or social interactions. How can I, as one person, effect change? I can pray, I can continue to make my visits to Aunty Mary a chance for her and I to connect with others. I can give thanks for the many staff who work in aged care who really see the people they work with, who really care for the whole person. I can write this column and encourage others to reach out, to volunteer, to make connections, to care for creation. It takes courage, it takes self-confidence or self-belief, a belief that we are the people of God and by reaching out we can show the face of God in the world to others. Start with a smile, with eye contact.

I must admit to being physically and emotionally tired as I have stepped into this new phase of my life. A few nights ago, as I fell into bed with aching legs and a head throbbing and full of scrambled thoughts one phrase kept pushing through the noise - Be Not Afraid. I stopped and tried to remember the words to this hymn.

Be not afraid
I go before you always
Come follow me
And I will give you rest (Be Not Afraid - Songwriter: Robert J Dufford)

Be Not Afraid. I went looking for the phrase in the Bible, hundreds of variations of it appear throughout the Old & New Testaments. One of the iterations of the phrase that truly spoke to my heart and soul at this time is in John’s first letter. It simply says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” 1 John 4-18. In this Season of Creation 2024 let us feel no fear and let us sow love amongst all we encounter.

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