HOULTON, Maine — An ecumenical service celebrating the beginning of the “Season of Creation” was held at the United Methodist Church in Houlton — where Pastor Victor Han invited the faithful to take shelter from thunderstorms — on Friday, Aug. 29. Organized by the Church of the Good Shepherd, the service included people from local congregations reading scripture, joining in song and offering prayer to honor and pledge to care for creation.
The time from Sept. 1 until Oct. 4 is designated the “Season of Creation” in many denominations around the United States and the world. The theme of the season in 2025 is “Peace with Creation” and is seen as a time for renewing, repairing and restoring our relationship with God, one another and all of creation.
Rev. David Hutchinson, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church, shared his Maine Holey Walking Stick and offered an inspiring message about humanity’s place as part of creation. Lynette Dobbs, a member of the Heart of St. Francis Fraternity in Houlton, shared beautiful illustrations of the “Canticle of the Creatures”, a prayer written by St. Francis of Assisi 800 years ago. Words from the canticle were read by children of the churches, and Deacon Al Burleigh, also of the Franciscan fraternity, gave the benediction.
Many people stayed after the service for an informal time of fellowship, agreeing that it was good to be together.
