Reenchanting the Land - an ambitious undertaking
Gentle readers. My proposal to develop a Reenchanting the Land curriculum for our church in support of the UU Green Sanctuary Program was accepted. It is based on the idea that in order to develop a spiritual attachment to Land, you first have to experience the Land. The focus is local with a number of different available experiences that have been traditional ways that humans have interacted spiritually with the Earth. The idea is to connect with healing, the cycles of nature, religious history including native Americans and the ever popular food and then to move from connection to giving back.
-Mushrooming. Late September and October are considered some of the best times for mushrooming. Lots of trampling through the woods looking closely at things. Other sorts of scavenging as possible. Small groups for 2 or more trips.
-Herbal medicine. I have someone in mind. She’s an author and teacher and is good at bridging gaps.
Sacred space in the worlds religions. I’m thinking of an interfaith panel discussion. Recently, some evangelical Christians have discovered environmentalism. Lots of opportunities here.
-Shamanism 101. We have at least two members of the congregation who are involved and we may be able to get an experiential intro course up and running. (connection to animals)
-Great Falls. Geology and hydrology and the long history of the land
-Talk to leaders of the Piscataway tribe and see if there is something we can respectfully do concerning native American use of the land. Alternatively connect with the Museum of the American Indian and see what can be done.
-Do an earth healing workshop as part of the comtemplative prayer group.
-Anadromous fish migration. There is a push to get herring and shad to start returning from the bay and ocean and spawn in the Anacostia watershed again. We may be able to either participate in a project or at least go out to some location where there are incoming herring in significant numbers.
-(early April) Earth Day clean up. Army of church members clear part of the park. Cleanup has become an annual event. Many tons of plastic are removed each year, but don’t worry, it is a target rich environment.
-Adopt a section of the park. Looking for this to become an individual or family type activity. Clear and keep clear on section of the park,
I can do some of this myself especially the mushrooming (I promised that no one would die). Ellen our MRE, who I respect and adore, knows someone who has led earth healing rituals and also has been to a fish run on Rock Creek offered up some ideas. This is actually in danger of working.
-Mushrooming. Late September and October are considered some of the best times for mushrooming. Lots of trampling through the woods looking closely at things. Other sorts of scavenging as possible. Small groups for 2 or more trips.
-Herbal medicine. I have someone in mind. She’s an author and teacher and is good at bridging gaps.
Sacred space in the worlds religions. I’m thinking of an interfaith panel discussion. Recently, some evangelical Christians have discovered environmentalism. Lots of opportunities here.
-Shamanism 101. We have at least two members of the congregation who are involved and we may be able to get an experiential intro course up and running. (connection to animals)
-Great Falls. Geology and hydrology and the long history of the land
-Talk to leaders of the Piscataway tribe and see if there is something we can respectfully do concerning native American use of the land. Alternatively connect with the Museum of the American Indian and see what can be done.
-Do an earth healing workshop as part of the comtemplative prayer group.
-Anadromous fish migration. There is a push to get herring and shad to start returning from the bay and ocean and spawn in the Anacostia watershed again. We may be able to either participate in a project or at least go out to some location where there are incoming herring in significant numbers.
-(early April) Earth Day clean up. Army of church members clear part of the park. Cleanup has become an annual event. Many tons of plastic are removed each year, but don’t worry, it is a target rich environment.
-Adopt a section of the park. Looking for this to become an individual or family type activity. Clear and keep clear on section of the park,
I can do some of this myself especially the mushrooming (I promised that no one would die). Ellen our MRE, who I respect and adore, knows someone who has led earth healing rituals and also has been to a fish run on Rock Creek offered up some ideas. This is actually in danger of working.