The first week of September brings a familiar, frantic energy. Backpacks are zipped, supply lists are checked off, and schedules are pinned to kitchen fridges. As parents, teachers, and ministry leaders, the main focus right now is to organize, prep, and get the kids settled into their fall routines.

In the middle of all this hustle, it is easy to miss the quiet invitation that arrives on the exact same week: the Season of Creation, celebrated by the global church from September 1 to October 4.

Usually, when we think of "back-to-school essentials," we think of pencils, lunchboxes, and fresh lesson plans. But what if we added a different kind of essential to our fall routine this year? What if we taught our kids to look at the world around them not just as a backdrop for their daily busyness, but as God's sacred, interconnected creation that we have been called to care for?

Water as Our First Justice Lesson

Take something as ordinary as the school water fountain or the kitchen sink. Kids turn a handle, and clean, cold water flows instantly. It is so routine that it becomes invisible.

When we stop and pause, we see that water is where some of our lessons in biblical justice begin. The Bible speaks of water as a life-giving force of righteousness—as Ezekiel 47:9 reminds us, "Where the water flows everything will live." When we zoom out, we notice that clean water is about equity, and hydration. Around the globe, access to safe, pure water is uneven. Pollution, climate disruptions, and environmental degradation almost always impact the most vulnerable communities first.

In Genesis 2:15, God calls humans to shamar—to guard, protect, and keep the earth with deep reverence. Teaching children to notice, respect, and care for water is a foundational lesson in loving our neighbours.

Discipleship in the Small Moments

To help families, classrooms, and Sunday schools make this connection this fall, a newly released, free 5-week Season of Creation Curriculum created by retired Alberta educators Barbara Barthel and Joanne Vandergrift through the Climate Witness Project. It offers a simple roadmap to engaging children in this global month of prayer and care.

Moving from the wonder of how water sustains plants and animals to the hope of being 'living water' in our communities, the 5-week unit uses storybooks, scripture, and hands-on activities to help kids ages 4–10 become active caretakers.

"The Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it" (Psalm 24:1). As we establish our routines this September, let’s give children more than just a packed schedule. Let's give them a vision for how their small, daily habits can bring life, hope, and healing to God's world.

Explore the Resource:

The complete, free 5-week Season of Creation unit is available online through the Climate Witness Project. Consider sharing it with your local school teachers, children’s ministry leaders, or fellow parents as a meaningful addition to this fall's routine.