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Viewpoint from Rev Helen Budd 21/09/2018
 Rev Helen Budd
Assistant Curate, Great Yarmouth Team Ministry
as published in the Yarmouth Mercury
This weekend is the time of the autumnal equinox, the point at which the days and nights are equal in length. At this time of year, it feels like we all give a collective sigh of relief to be settling back in the old routine after the holiday season. It’s also one of those times when you can almost see, hear, and smell the seasons changing. One of the blessings of living in our temperate climate is witnessing this rhythm of the year as we slip seamlessly from one season to the next
As the natural world turns, so too does the Church Year. Many of us will have given thanks for creation at harvest festivals over the last few weeks. For many of us, committed people of faith and spiritual seekers alike, encounters with the natural world are one of the key ways in which we encounter God. Whatever your views about the hows of creation, the hand of the Creator can clearly be seen. ‘God saw all that God had made, and it was very good’
 We can also see that it is very good. We see it in the crashing of the waves on the beach, and the glorious sunsets over the broads. We see it as the tiny flowers and leaves push up through the tiniest cracks in walls and concrete. The power and majesty of creation can be very humbling, yet we too often take it for granted. We rush about without really hearing or seeing the everyday miracles all around us. Closing our senses to the blessings that surround us, whether we live in a country village or in town
Opening ourselves to experience creation more fully can open us up to experience God’s love for it more fully. We are part of that creation after all! By becoming more fully aware of that fact we can see our duty to care for all of creation as part of our faith journey. The Church of England is committed to ‘strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth’. I would hope and pray that all Christians would share that commitment
The death and destruction that has been a very sad side effect of the industrial age is something that we need to take very seriously. As the leaves begin to fall from the trees, take time to think and pray about how you can help to keep this planet of ours green and healthy
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