Cathedral of the Trees in Algonquin

Jocelyn Mundy-Bourden

Last Summer I participated in the Algonquin Park summer ministry and it might have been a "last hurrah" as the United Church reorganized its structure. There were fewer Sundays and weeks covered last year, small congregations at the Park theatre, and no clear path forward. Happily, five of the participating clergy Providentially sought each other out and we have been working through the Winter and Spring to secure funding. organize the schedule (now full for July and August), purchase a new trailer as Summer home base, and create a presence in the Park, including signage.



Algonquin Park Pines

Most importantly, we have developed a theological and experiential framework for the services of the Summer, choosing to have a consistent theme of Cathedral of the Trees.

We are building on the ministry of the same name created by a clergy couple whose congregations are adjacent to Algonquin. In the website description of this ministry they offer:

 

In the Cathedral of the Trees, we attune ourselves to the Sacred    

through the earth and her creatures.
The more than human world is part of the gathered congregation.

Join us to listen deeply, explore creatively, and live gratefully.

Come and be transformed by intentional connection with the ancient
and sacred rhythms of the creation of which we are a part. 
Together we will read and study the book of Nature. 

                      The ancients say that to know nature is to know something of God.

https://riseabove470.wordpress.com/cathedral-of-the-trees/

 The United Church tends to be a herd of cats but we have agreed to focus on trees in scripture and to invite participants into awareness of their arboreal surroundings -- to experience "holy wonder in Creation."

Needless to say, we hope that you'll join us if you happen to be in Algonquin during July and August. Are you intrigued?

 

 

Algonquin Park Tom Thomson