Sister Ann Schoch, a climate advocate throughout the year, has been especially busy during this Season of Creation. This past Sunday, she gave a reflection at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Billings, Montana. In it, she spoke about Matthew’s Gospel about the two sons who are asked to work in their father’s vineyard. One refuses at first, but later has a change of heart, repents, and helps. Sister Ann tied the story to the theme for the 2026 Season of Creation, “Living Water”, in which Ezekiel’s river becomes the call for us to acknowledge what we as a human community have done and continue to do to creation, to have a change of heart, repent, and act for a healthier planet.
Sister Ann also celebrated Climate Week (September 13-17) in the city of Billings by participating in daily events to inform and educate the community about climate change and to inspire action toward a sustainable healthy environment for future generations. And, together with her community member Sister Mary Dostal, OSU, Sister Ann prayed daily the 2026 Season of Creation Prayer with its “Living Water” theme. “Doing so deepened our understanding of the sacredness of water, of our need to defend and protect water rights, and the need to not only acknowledge the ways we contaminate and waste this gift of life but also to repent and lament!” said Sister Ann.