Songs for the Season of Creation

This past Tuesday, September 1st, kicked off something that we at Highland Hills have been celebrating for the last few years in our worship: the Season of Creation. Spanning the month of September, we reflect on God's gift of creation and how we are called to steward this good gift. We celebrate this month alongside Christians around the world. This month, like other holy moths, we step into something larger than our Highland Hills. We step into the global church. From Laudato Si', the official Vatican backed Catholic creation care organization, to the Greek Orthodox, Global Lutherans, Anglicans, and Methodists, we join in the stream of Christians focusing on this creation that God has given us.

Between walking the trail around our building, to officing in the beauty that is our 27 acres, I spend a lot of time thinking about the gift that is creation and how best to tend it. But I recognize that these thoughts are one of the perks and privileges of the pastoral role at Highland Hills. For those with whom this season resonates, I wanted to share some of the resources that I keep coming back to this year.

There have been two albums that I find myself going back to over and over this summer as we have prepared for this September. I love how good music has a way of settling into the nooks and crannies of our souls, far beyond the best of sermons or platitudes. These are some of the music that has been shaping my thoughts on creation care this year:

The Secret Symphony of Plants: Music that was created by measuring the bioelectrical signals of plants, moss, trees, and everything in between. It is fascinating! Read more about it here.

Climate Vigil Songs by Porter's Gate Worship Project: This worship album may not be everyone's cup of tea in our congregation, but I have had it on repeat. I love the worshipful return to caring for creation so that it is a gift that future generations can enjoy. It's convicting and it is powerful. These songs have really sunk into my soul the last few months. Read more about this project here.

Those are enough resources for this week. I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Labor Day weekend. Enjoy God's good creation and may we be good stewards of it.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Caitlin