Nature has often been described as ‘God’s other book’, able to reveal as much about the Creator as a Book of scripture - this has certainly been the experience of many who have searched for a deeper understanding of God. The true term for a seeker after the divine is ‘mystic’.
We plan to meet monthly to explore the natural world, learning how to read the landscape and appreciate the detail we observe there. While we will naturally relate what we learn from the ‘book of nature’ to our other book, the Bible, the group is open to everyone who shares a desire to explore the ‘mystery’ of the natural world, whatever their understanding of the divine.
Our first outing is to celebrate the dawn of Easter Day – but future meetings will be at more reasonable hours. A list of venues and times will be posted here in due course.
The ancient Wychwood Forest covered the area of West Oxfordshire where we expect to be active and is therefore a good name for something focussed on the natural world. Learn more about the area itself from the unrelated, but very worthwhile, Wychwood Project.
Typically a meeting will involve a circular walk from a meeting point with a number of stops marking transitions such as urban to rural, busy to quiet, woodland to open field or special view points. These transition points there will be opportunity for sharing thoughts and observations.
Along the way we will try to interact with the landscape itself, learning how to observe and listen to nature, how to see both the big picture and the tiny detail and pass through the landscape without disturbing other inhabitants.
Some walks will be organised to be along surfaced paths suitable for wheelchairs and buggies.
These gatherings are open to anyone. Although we are Christians with a common belief in Christ as the way to the Divine, this group is open to anyone searching for someone/something beyond ourselves, evident in the natural world, and with a desire to interact with and appreciate nature as part of that search.
We certainly don’t see ourselves as experts in the natural world and hope that there is plenty we can learn from other people with a different take on both nature and spirituality. We see this as an opportunity to learn together.
Contact – Jean Andrews, 01865 88016 or via .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Please bookmark this post at Facebook or Twitter:
Please send info of next meeting
#2. By Jen Newman-Fox on August 27, 2019
Encountering the Eternal One within the ancient boundaries of Sherwood Forest More ...
We seek to find the presence of God in the open air and in nature, and to connect with the Divine Being who is present in creation. We seek to foster a love of creation, a love which will lead us to care for it. We look for reconciliation between nature and human beings, and within human relationships. More ...
oxforddiocese:
Great to see how @RiponCuddesdon are engaging with @ARochaUK Eco Church scheme - love the Forest Church area made b… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
18 Aug 22
YBS_Church:
Our Forest Church takes place on Sunday, 28th August, at 4.30pm in the Gifford Community Woodland (Fawn Wood), for… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
19 Aug 22
rebeccaBug:
Tremeirchion have their first Forest Church service tomorrow so the boys thought they had better check out that the… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
20 Aug 22
Please send me details of when and where you will be meeting this Autumn.
Thanks Amanda
#1. By Amanda Frost on August 28, 2017