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ECEN would like to initiate with and among churches in Europe an exchange on this proposal. We give below a few examples of action taken by certain churches. We would be grateful to hear from you further information.

Ecumenical Patriarchate
The Patriarchate has formulated a special liturgy for September 1st, parts of which have occasionally also been used in ecumenical services. The Patriarchate issues every year an encyclical letter reminding the churches of their ecological responsibility.
Contact address: Centre orthodoxe due Patriarcat oemuménique, 37 chemin de Chambésy, 1292 Chambesy, Switzerland, tel. +41 22 758 1768, fax +44 22 758 9860

Switzerland
In 1986 the Ecumenical Association Church and Environment was founded in Switzerland. It is an association of parishes and persons, and works in close contact with all churches in Switzerland - Protestant, Catholic, Old Catholic, Free churches. Since 1993 the Association has promoted consistently the idea of a Creation Time from September 1st to October 4th. Every year material on certain ecological themes is sent to the congregations - energy, animal rights, future generations, genetic engineering, bio-diversity, motorised mobility. In this year, attention will concentrate on the sun and solar energy.
Contact address: tel. +41 31 398 2345, fax +41 31 398 2317, e-mail: oeku@kirchen.ch

Austria, Arbeitsgemeinschaft Schöpfungsverantwortung
The Association was founded in 1989 and has its office in Vienna. The work is supported by a panel of theologians and scientists. In 1996 the Association received a mandate from the Austrian Bishops' Conference. Activities are carried out in close collaboration with other churches, environmental NGOs, politicians and representatives of economy. The Association offers information, counsel and other services. In the course of the years it has touched on a wide range of themes. The Association places strong emphasis on both Creation Day and Creation Time. For September 1st, 2000 a rich programme has been prepared - including a worship service in the Cathedral. Further activities will take place in the following weeks.
Contact address: Isolde Schönstein, ARGE Schöpfungsverantwortung, Spiegelgasse 3/2, 1010 Wien,
tel/fax +43 1 515523663, e-mail: arge.schöpfung@blackbox.at

Italy, Federazione delle chiese evangeliche in Italia
The Federation is the common platform of the Protestant churches in Italy - Waldensian, Methodist, Baptist, etc. It decided in 1999 to suggest to its member churches to observe a Creation Time from September 1st to October 4th. Liturgical material as well as general information on ecological issues was made available.
Contact address: Luca M. Negro, Via Firenze 38, I-00184 Roma, tel. +39 064825120 - 06483718, fax +39 064828728

Germany, Church of Württemberg
In November 1999 the Synod decided to introduce a Day of Creation, preferably in the period between Trinitatis and the summer vacations or also connected with the harvest festival. Material will be made available to pastors and congregations.
Contact address: Dr Hans-Herman Böhm, Gymnasiumstrasse 36, D-70174 Stuttgart, tel. +49 711 2068, fax =49 711 2149 9800, e-mail: dr.böhm@elk-wue.de

To the City - without my Car

Under this title, a campaign has been launched by Climate Alliance, an international NGO. It is officially supported by the Life Programme of the European Commission in Bruxelles. The proposal is to celebrate Friday September 22nd in as many cities as possible as a car free day. A first attempt was made last year in France, Italy and Switzerland. The response was so encouraging - 66 communes in France and 92 in Italy - that the European Commission now supports the scheme. In almost all cases the city governments decided to offer free public transport.

Since September 22nd falls in the period of Creation Time we take the liberty to draw your attention to the proposal. Perhaps you have the opportunity to encourage your city government to join the campaign.

Web-site: http://www.22september.org
Contact addresses: Agence francais de l'Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l'Energie, 27 Louis Vicat, F-75737 Paris cedex 15, e-mail: christophe.frering@ademe.fr
European Commission - General direction XI (environment), 200 rue de la Loi, B-1049 Bruxelles, e-mail: pierre.henry@cec.eu.int

A Prayer from the Orthodox Liturgy for Creation Day

Almighty God,
who created all things with wisdom
and who watches over and guides them by your powerful hand,
grant well-being that all creation may prosper
and remain unharmed by hostile elements;
for you, Master, commanded
that the works of your hands should remain unshaken until the end of the age;
for you spoke and they came into being
and they receive from you mercy for the turning away of all harm,
and for the salvation of the human race
which glorifies your name which is praised above all.
For you are a merciful God who loves humanity and all creation,
and unto you we give glory,
to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Resolution to the Churches : A Time for Creation in the Church Calendar