Ever since God created the world, his invisible qualities, both his
eternal power and his divine nature, have been clearly seen...
in the things God has made. Romans 1:20 (Good News for Modern Man)
Why do we have such a wonderful idea of God? Because we live in
such a gorgeous world. If we had lived on the moon, for example,
our sense of the divine would reflect the lunar landscape. Imagination
is required for religious development. What would there be to imagine
if we lived on the moon? -- Thomas Berry (Befriending the Earth)
We live in a time when our children have less and less direct experience with the natural world (and perhaps more experience with a virtual, abstract world). For most of our evolution as a species, however, our children grew up with their hands in the clay earth, their ears filled with the sound of wind and storm and the gentle rustle of leaves on the trees; their eyes filled with the wonder of clouds crossing the sky, of ants at play. If our children grow up with no direct experience of nature, what will they know of God?
On Friday night of this retreat we will share with one another our childhood stories of encountering the natural world. What did we come to know of God in those places ? On Saturday after morning prayers and a brief introduction, we will enter the wildness of Rolling Ridge as children ourselves, to "explore the neighborhood" and search for our own special and sacred places. After lunch there will be time for returning to those special places and for wandering on the land. Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said in a commentary on the Lord's Prayer, "Only wanderers who love both the earth and God at the same time can believe in the Kingdom of God." Later in the afternoon we will share learnings and experiences at our special places (and elsewhere) and ponder how to facilitate such experiences for our children, especially in our faith communities We plan to continue the conversation at a follow-up retreat in the spring that will include both children and adults.
Readings for this retreat will include, Pocketfull of Stones: Memories of Childhood, collected by David Sobel; An Indian Father's Plea, by Medicine Grizzlybear Lake; and Loving Children: the Political Economy of Design, by David Orr. Here is an excerpt from David Sobel:
And so, when the barred owl whoo-whoos loudly from
the oak in the backyard shortly after midnight, I slip up
to my daughter's room. She's sitting up in bed, listening.
"What's that?" she whispers, a mixture of fear and wonder
in her voice. Cold wellies on bare feet, parkas over pajamas,
we creep out across the frosted grass, flashlight in hand,
hoping to catch a glimpse. The thick darkness is imposing,
but we are emboldened by our mission. Sadly, this bird
has flown. But perhaps she'll hold on to an image of the
warm alliance between us, the dark, and a mysterious presence.
Leaders for the retreat are Jim Hall, Cheryl Hellner, and Rolling Ridge staff community. Cheryl and Jim have led several retreats and classes on the scripture of earth and for the past five years have taught an earth Sunday School for children monthly at Dayspring Church.
Cost for each retreatant is $50 if lodging is in DeerSpring, $30 if tenting. You may stay overnight on Saturday and leave Sunday morning if you wish. Check the Rolling Ridge website (www.rollingridge.net) or contact Vivian for more details, telephone 304-725-4172 (email: vvatrr@juno.com). Register by mailing the form below with one-half the retreat fee to Vivian Headings, Ecological Integrity Retreat, RRSRC, Route 4, Box 314K, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425.