Monday, November 02, 2026
creation care and the blossoming of Monty’s Surprise
In September, the local church of which I’m interim Moderator planted an apple tree. A Monty’s Surprise apple, it was a gift from the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. It’s been quite a source of conversation amongst the congregation. People have commented to me how they have been watching to see if it would leaf and flower, which it did a few days ago.
After I introduced Monty to the congregation in September, I prayed a creation care prayer:
Creator God, thanks for Jesus Christ, through whom creation is made
who brings life out of chaos, order out of uncertainty
Creator God, thanks for Jesus Christ, who connects creation,
who gives creation purpose, to multiply and bear fruit
who gives creation abundance, to share in goodness and joy
Creator God, thanks for Jesus Christ, who reconciles creation,
makes peace and justice possible, fits all things in vibrant harmonies
Creator God thanks for people who help us see Christ in creation
Thanks for scientists and ecologist, Thanks for gardeners and orchards, Thanks for florists and children who pick daises and people who notice apple trees and remind us we are surrounded by the gifts of creation.
Creator God, thanks for the Presbyterian Church and their gifts of Monty Surprise apples and their desire for us to be good neighbours.
God we pause and reflect on our week,
The times when we have not cared for creation
The times when we have not been open to surprise and wonder
The times when we have not been good neighbours.
And we hear your words of assurance and forgiveness – you are beloved, you are made for vibrant harmonies, so Spirit of God, help us sing joyfully with you and all creation.
The prayer draws on a range of Christian Scriptures, including Genesis 1 and Colossians 1:15-20.
We also watched a video, of the finding of Monty’s Surprise.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiLWjJk9Xk8&t=240s
There is plenty of creation care theology in the video. Here are 3 themes. Do feel free to suggest others in the comments.
- The redeeming of trees with fruit – While in Genesis 3, the tree with fruit is a source of temptation, in the cross of Christ, what is broken is redeemed. God’s vision for creation is beautifully portrayed in Revelation 21-22, where water flows to irrigate trees that fruit all year
- The Risen Jesus mistaken for a gardener – In John 20, Mary initially describes Jesus as the gardener. Again we find echoes of redemption. God who walked in the garden of Genesis 3 now walks in the garden of Resurrection. All those who garden, grafting apple trees, weeding, harvesting, are sharing in a holy vocation.
- The holistic salvation found in Christ – as the hymn says the Lord, the King of Creation is our “health and salvation.” The wellness offered by Monty’s Surprise is a reminder of the creation that God called good in Genesis 1 and in Christ has redeemed.
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