Magnolia Presbyterian and Magnolia UCC are hosting quarterly Wild Church services in Discovery Park starting in December, aligning with the seasonal equinoxes. The first occurs with the Winter Solstice on Sunday, December 20th at 5:00 pm down by the Pond.
A Wild Church service takes spiritual practice completely outdoors. Instead of gathering inside a building, the natural world itself becomes the cathedral, the altar, and the teacher. In Wild Church, the wilderness is the Sanctuary and Nature is the sacred space. The liturgy changes with the season, welcoming whatever weather the day brings. Wild Church invites those who come to view elements of nature-trees, animals, soil and weather-as neighbors, teachers and fellow worshipers. The gatherings are highly inclusive, eco-centric and deeply respectful of the land’s history and original indigenous stewards. The service is about an hour and involves a time of Gathering and Grounding, a time of invitation to spend time wandering, reflecting and listening solo among the landscape and then a gathering and sharing.
The Wolf Tree Nature Trail has a spur trail to three reflecting ponds. The last pond or the lowest pond is largest pond where we will gather. Park at the North Parking Lot and hike in via the Wolf Tree Nature Trail or if the gate to Daybreak Star is open, drive along Bernie Whitebear Way and park alongside the road or at Daybreak Star and walk back to the pond.