Wild Church, Fresno

We have fully entered the fall season, a time when darkness grows and light fades. To western cultural and Christian church traditions, darkness has often represented evil, death and chaos. Yet what if we need the dark as much as the light? How can we face the gathering darkness, let our senses adjust to the unknown, and even welcome the night as a space of Divine presence and creativity? Dia de los Muertos offers us a way to welcome the dark, to both remember loved ones and ...mourn the death around us in this time of pandemic and political unknowns. Angela Conde will guide us in the practice of building an altar with photos and memories of loved ones who have passed to the other side. If it would feel meaningful to you, please bring a photo to share of someone who’s died to remember in our community, or a representation of some other loss in your life. Our gathering will also include contemplative time outdoors as night nears. We will meet just before sunset in Angela’s spacious front yard in rural east Fresno. Please DM Wild Church for the address if you plan to come! We’ll observe 6 ft. physical distancing and ask that everyone wears a mask. Children are welcome. https://fb.me/e/3p8ZRzJzN

Be gentle with yourself and others, folks!

In California, we usually talk about the impact of the fires and climate change on human lives and homes but don't always think about the animals whose lives and homes are impacted. Let's hold these precious creatures in prayer as well.

Note on the poor air quality: We won't be canceling Wild Church unless it's above 200 on the AQI in the Very Unhealthy/ Purple zone (http://valleyair.org/aqinfo/forecast.htm). However, please look out for your health, especially if you're in a sensitive group. We trust you will know how to best take care of yourselves. We'll also bring some KN95 masks to share!

Check out our October newsletter here! https://mailchi.mp/9c5877782240/wild-church-oct2020

TODAY I Do not Want to step so quickly... Over a beautiful line on God's palm As I move through the earth's Marketplace Today. I do not want to touch any object in this world Without my eyes testifying to the truth That everything is My Beloved. Something has happened To my understanding of existence That now makes my heart always full of wonder And kindness. I do not Want to step so quickly Over this sacred place on God's body That is right beneath your Own foot As I Dance with Precious life Today. ~ Hafiz ~ (The Gift - versions of Haifiz by Daniel Ladinsky)

Some of you may be interested in this timely conversation with climate scientist and woman of faith and valor, Dr. Katharine Hayhoe!

Pope Francis offered a profound message on Jubilee for the world day of prayer for the Care of Creation: "A Jubilee is a time to turn back in repentance. We have broken the bonds of our relationship with the Creator, with our fellow human beings, and with the rest of creation. We need to heal the damaged relationships that are essential to supporting us and the entire fabric of life. "A Jubilee is a time to return to God our loving Creator. We cannot live in harmony with crea...tion if we are not at peace with the Creator who is the source and origin of all things. As Pope Benedict observed, the brutal consumption of creation begins where God is missing, where matter has become simply material for us, where we ourselves are the ultimate measure, where everything is simply our property (Meeting with Priests, Deacons, and Seminarians of the Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone, 6 August 2008)." See more

UPDATE: because of the unhealthy air forecast tomorrow (over 150 PM), Wild Church will be meeting by Zoom from 9-10:15 a.m. instead of at the River. A Zoom link will be sent to everyone who RSVPd as coming or interested. We'll share a meditation and prayers for the fires and all impacted, and have a time for catching up with each other at the end. Wishing we could be together in person, but wanting us to be safe! <3

Ominous skies over the Bay Area yesterday... grieving with all our brothers and sisters, human and non-human. "I cannot help but take this phenomenon as a warning that we must alter how we live and begin to de-grow our human enterprise across the planet. We seem to have completely lost touch with the natural world and forgotten that we are an integral part of it." - Jim Musselman, First Mennonite Church of San Francisco

Donations for first responders and evacuees from the fires are currently being accepted at Clovis Hills Community Church. We're holding the refugees from the fire, as well as our precious natural world, in our hearts and prayers!