The thing we call wilderness now exists mainly in our imagination and memory. Our footprints and tire tracks are evident everywhere, including the moon.

Jim Kalnin, The Spirituality of Nature,
pp. 131-132 (Wood Lake Publishing)

This Sunday we focus our attention on the “wilderness” or “outback” which has been defined as wild spaces where humans release their illusion of control and acknowledge their dependence on creation. We reflect on what the wilderness/outback might have to say about suffering in the world where the Spirit intercedes on behalf of all creation “with sighs too deep for words.” What does wilderness have to say about the good things that God has in mind for all creation? What experiences of wilderness/outback have been important to you? In what ways might wilderness/outback be a geography of hope?

• The resource sheets engage each age level with the focus scripture: “Waiting” (Ages 6–8); “Digging Deeper in Romans 8” (Ages 9–11); “A Suffering Creation” (Multiage); “Reading of Romans 8:18-27” (Ages 12-14); “Who Was Paul and Who Were the Romans” (Ages 15-18) and “In Other Words” (Adult)

• “Introduction to Wilderness Outback” (Ages 12-14, Adult)
• “Lament, Imagination, and Hope” (Extra resources folder on Ages 15-18 disk; also on Ages 15-18 supplement disk)
• “Engaging Nature in Christian Education” (Ages 6-8 and 9-11)
• “Faith Outdoors” (in Extra Resources folder on Ages 15-18 disk; also on Ages 15-18 supplement disk).

• There are many options for responding such as sand trays, walking stick (Ages 3-5); environmental game, sunshine plates, rain stick (Ages 6-8); environmental advocacy, garland of hope, contemporary stories (Ages 9-11), game, contemporary stories, prayers of sadness (Multiage); listening to the voice of wilderness (Ages 12-14) drama, reflections, ecological projects (Ages 15-18) group sculpture, stories (Adults).
• Media presentation “Earth Day 2009” included on Ages 15-18 supplement disk (or Extra resources folder on Ages 15-18 disk) and resource sheet “Thinking about Wilderness/Outback” (Ages 15-18) may offer reflection tools for other age groups.
• Adults will engage the theme and focus passage through a progression of activities using paper plates, pipe cleaners, and strips of paper. This could be an intergenerational activity.

• individual sand trays based on a wilderness/outback poem (Ages 3-5)
• fingerpainting reaction to “A Suffering Creation” resource sheet (Multiage)
• using art supplies to create a symbol of hope (Ages 12-14)
• spend time with the posters Canyon Walls, Scale, and Mystic River and then create personal images of wilderness/outback (Ages 15-18)
• group sculpture, reflection and creative writing (Adult)
• the song, “In God We Live and Move” is given a chant-like tune that is singable for all ages. Teach the song by singing the first phrase and inviting the rest of the group to echo the phrase. Listen to, or use as offering music, “Cosmic Hymn of Praise” (p. 5 in Music Booklet, also #1 on Seasons Music CD) (All songs are available as a downloadable mp3 purchase from www.seasonsonline.ca)

The Season of Creation wraps up on September 25 with River Sunday (focus Revelation 22:1-5) followed on October 2 by a return to the readings in the Revised Common Lectionary with the focus on the Exodus passages. NOTE: for those who are not able to use the passages in Season of Creation, free alternative Lectionary-based material has been posted on the www.seasonsonline.ca website. The SeasonsFusion materials (which replace the former Congregational Life) also include materials for family faith formation. See the new SeasonsFusion blog.

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