Anglican Communion Environmental Network (ACEN)
Who we are
The Anglican Communion Environmental Network (ACEN) is a global network within the Anglican Communion that encourages churches, dioceses, and provinces to respond faithfully to environmental challenges. Grounded in the Fifth Mark of Mission — ‘to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth’ — ACEN promotes the care of creation as an essential expression of Christian mission and discipleship. The network supports environmental education, advocacy, sustainable practices, and climate action, while facilitating the sharing of resources and experiences across the Anglican Communion.
The Chair of ACEN is the Most Revd Marinez Rosa dos Santos Bassotto, Primate of Brazil and Bishop of the Amazon.
How can you get involved?
The Season of Creation
The Season of Creation is an annual global celebration that unites Christians of all traditions in prayer, reflection, and action for the protection of God’s creation. It runs from 1 September (Feast of Creation/World Day of Prayer for Creation ) to 4 October (Feast of St Francis of Assisi). During this season, churches, communities, and individuals are invited to explore the wonder of God’s creation and respond to the ecological challenges facing the planet.
The theme for 2026 is ‘Living Water’ based on Ezekiel 47:9,12. Get the celebration guide and ecumenical prayer service, which is available in several languages.
Visit the Season of Creation website.
The Feast of Creation in Christ
The Feast of Creation in Christ is celebrated on the 1st of September or the first Sunday of September. It is an ecumenical celebration that gives thanks for God’s creation and proclaims Christ as the one through whom and for whom all things were made (Colossians 1:15–20). Its roots lie in the Orthodox Church’s observance of a Day of Prayer for Creation, established by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in 1989. The celebration was later embraced by many churches worldwide through ecumenical initiatives promoting creation care and ecological justice. The feast has now been included in the Revised Common Lectionary, enabling churches to celebrate God’s creation and Christ’s reconciling work within the whole created order.
Visit the Feast of Creation in Christ website.
The Communion Forest
The Communion Forest is an exciting initiative of the Anglican Communion to significantly increase the number of Anglican tree growing and ecosystem conservation, protection and restoration activities around the world. It also aims to deepen care for creation within the life of the Church and its members. It is a practical, spiritual and symbolic response to the environmental crisis, and an act of Christian hope for the well-being of humanity and all God’s creation.
Visit the Communion Forest website.
Lungs of the Earth Campaign
‘Lungs of the Earth’ is a call for environmental action and advocacy. It invites Anglicans to restore and protect God’s world with a particular focus on three vital ecosystems that act as the planet’s natural lungs: oceans, forests and ice caps. Due to environmental damage, these lungs of the earth are at risk, with huge implications for people and planet.
