Thank you to many of you who have expressed an interest in Forest Church. It has been very encouraging to receive your support. A number of folk were not able to make it on the day for various reasons but we had a good turn-out for the first of many Forest Church events.
I introduced the session with a prayer and then an explanation of the theme which was journeys. There was an opportunity to explore the walk using some techniques which engaged the senses. For example looking for colours in nature to match a colour palette, making a journey-stick to attach particular things that were interesting from the walk, using Sensio Divina; a way of reading nature similar to Lectio Divina (which basically follows the pattern: Read, think, pray live).
We did a joint reading– probably a fancy name for it but it evades me – of Psalm 24 v1, 2. I read a line and everyone repeated it. I then encouraged the walkers including myself to walk in silence and drink in the world around them giving a chance to still themselves to be ready to listen to what God, nature or someone had to say. We were to take note of anything that piqued our interest and make a mental note of it to share later. One walker was amazed by the fact that even though it was winter he expected not to see much as nature sleeps but he saw life was still in evidence and was stirred to share this. Another used the colour palette which had about 15 different colours on, about three she couldn’t find!
I shared about how our journeys, physical or spiritual (both intertwine) can have features which cause us distress and bog us down. I then pointed out that we were going to go through what John Bunyan called in Pilgrim’s Progress – The slough of despond… and yes it really was a slough and most of us needed help around or across! Even though this place was tough and slowed us down there were treasures to be found. I highlighted one – a Birch Polypore – a kind of fungi the size of a small plate, very stately and living off dead wood. There’s a message in there somewhere!
Further along the route we had gone from an open place; a field; to a closed place, one where we were surrounded by dense Rhododendron. This reminded me when I was doing my planning of “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because you are with me.” (Ps 23), hopefully some of that sense came out for others too.
Another thing about walking and going on journeys is the fact that we often come to crossroads or junctions. It was OK for the group at this point as they had me to guide them but when we are on our own we have to make an informed decision about which way we need to go. Psalm 23 also states about the Lord being Our Shepherd, He is clearly involved in wanting to guide us. Sometimes we get bogged down by making the right decision on the way we are to go and we forget that God is with us in whatever decision we make – He is not just going to walk out on us even if we make a wrong one, (there are obviously consequences to our decisions) but He is still committed to us in covenant relationship by his chesed (pronounced keh-said) – loyal love.
Anyway back to the walk. There were more treasure to be found in the form of a geocache which the children and one grown-up found with delight! It was found by a fallen tree which appeared dead, yet was actually growing again upwards!
The route took on a more worn track which was due to the fact it was near a farm. Often we walk alone on our journeys but this was a sign that our journeys can converge with others too. I read out a couple of other verses from Psalms at this juncture and encouraged folk to ponder these as they walked and talked. (Earlier I had suggested people walk and share if they wanted about their own spiritual or physical journeys).
Along the way there were some sights, sounds and smells that we enjoyed like the smell of vanilla from the gorse, the intriguing looking Badger sheep and the feel of types of trees contrasting smooth and rough bark. An area of new coppice was also highlighted demonstrating that with careful informed management of the world around us positive differences can be made which are good both for people and wildlife.
I finished the walk with a request for some feedback followed by a traditional Celtic blessing as we parted our ways. Parting comments asked when the next Forest Church was – a good sign!
Footnote:
The next Forest Church event timings on the Emmanuel church notice sheet. @ Fox Corner Community Wildlife Area, Fox Corner. Entrance accessed from Heath Mill Lane off Worplesdon Road. Bullswater Common Fox Corner Stop served by Number 28 bus from Guildford. Parking is off Berry Lane, a 3 minute walk from the site.