The observance of the ‘Time for Creation (TFC)’ during 1^st September to 4^th October has now become an annual feature in our SCMI Programmes, challenging our student friends to creatively participate in the mission towards ‘Eco-Justice’.  From the experiences of our observances in the last year, TFC has inspired, encouraged and provided an opportunity for student communities to contemplate deeply on the Creator and the creation and has made them to pledge in becoming responsible and sensitive towards creation.  The year 2012 has been declared as ‘The International Year of Sustainable Energy for All’ and we the SCMI join the host of witnesses in observing TFC 2012 on this concern.

Our theme this year ‘Life In All Its Fullness’ as pronounced by Jesus Christ is our faith response to the call for ‘Sustainable Energy For All’ which primarily speaks about the affirmation of the fullness of life to all creatures without any distinctions and discriminations and provide sustenance to life in the context of the growing energy poverty.  With the rise in the ecological imbalances caused by the greed and accumulation of human beings, there has been an over consumption of the energy resources by few rich and wealthy at the cost of several indigenous people. Sustainable energy for all is a challenge ahead of us, for we are called to advocate and create awareness about the sustainable energy in our local colleges and Churches.  Alternate renewable means of energy resources are to be explored like the solar and the wind energy and TFC is a time to call on the administrations to implore these energy resources which are to be equally shared. 

The student communities, churches and youth groups are therefore called to join us in observing this TFC and promote values of sustenance of life for all and thereby participate actively in striving towards a sustainable earth, which understand as a new earth.  This year’s TFC includes three specific Sundays namely the Sustainable Energy Sunday, the Solar Sunday and the Wind Sunday inviting each of us to reflect on these themes and thereby commit to be the channels in promoting sustainable life and sustainable energy for all. Besides these we also have Asia Communication Sunday to be observed on 2^nd September 2012 and the International Day of Peace on 21^st September, 2012 which falls during this period of TFC.  This booklet contains some liturgical resources with brief reflections to be used among our regions & units, churches and other youth groups.  You are encouraged to adapt or adopt these resources fitting to your local contexts and we will appreciate you if you can send us your testimonies, suggestions and feedback of your observances.

May this TFC 2012 be observed meaningfully and advocate for sustainable energy for all by promoting life in all its fullness to all the creatures of this creation.

Rev. Raj Bharath Patta

General Secretary, SCMI