Season of Creation

The Earth is the Lord’s and the Fulness Thereof

Verse 1 from Psalm 24 is an appropriate connecting theme for our 2014 celebration of Season of Creation. On the four Sundays in September we will be reflecting on the implications this text has for our public conversation about the environment, global warming and care for the earth. The four topics will be Forest, Land, Wilderness and River and our liturgies, hymns, poetry and theological reflection will comment on some of the current justice issues concerning Australia’s environmental policies and practices. In our prayers of thanksgiving and intercession we will be remembering the many agencies and programs where ordinary Australians work together to care for the earth.  

The verse from Psalm 24, located at the entrance to the temple, is a declaration, a word of intent and the responsive second half repeats the theme, the world and those who dwell therein. As a statement of faith our response becomes evident in the way we use and care for the earth.

 The photograph of the southern wall of Adelaide’s former East End Market on Grenfell Street reminds us that our South Australian forebears, farmers and producers were aware of the call to be faithful stewards of the land, conscious of the environmental factors that create and build a caring and sustainable society.                             

Rev Dr Dean Eland, Interim Minister

Social Justice Sunday 

The last Sunday in September each year is observed as Social Justice Sunday in Anglican, Catholic, Uniting and some other Churches in Australia. A common theme, usually related to a concern in Australian society or an international justice issue, is agreed upon and resources for worship and education are prepared and circulated by the National Council of Churches in Australia.

This year the theme, Gambling and its Impact in Australia: Is Nothing Sacred? has been selected to voice “the strong concerns held by the Churches about the encroachment of gambling and its destruction into the daily lives of many Australians” (www.ncca.org.au). More resources on this year’s theme can be found at the National Council of Churches Website at www.ncca.org.au. 

The Scots Church Adelaide community has a long history of supporting social justice causes beyond Social Justice Sunday, and throughout the entire year. Scots is currently involved with a number of events including Suicide: It’s No Secret, Communities for Peace, anda Blackwood Circle of Friends campaign . We also provide workshop and rehearsal spaces for Oaktree and Rhythms of Resistance (a politically inspired samba-band and collective that plays for social and environmental justice.)