Morning light recently streamed through the large picture window behind the chancel of Hyde Chapel at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado, casting a golden glow on the exposed wooden beams. The light illuminated the peaks of the Rocky Mountains beyond and silhouetted a herd of elk grazing on the lawn as ethereal praise songs filled the space, led by jazz bassist and composer Ike Sturm and a team of musicians who had never played together before.
The improvisational harmonies, layered with piano, harmonium and voice, created a contemplative atmosphere that invited worshipers into a deeper spiritual space at the 1001 New Worshiping Communities national gathering — setting the stage for a morning ritual that was both elemental and innovative.
“There were so many little nuggets of wisdom in those lyrics and the poetry,” said the Rev. Michael Gehrling, the 1001 New Worshiping Communities associate for recruitment and assessment. Gehrling transitioned the service from the gathering music into the time of reflection, introducing the morning’s worship leader, the Rev. Erin Angeli.
Angeli, co-pastor of the Commonwealth of Oakland near Pittsburgh, introduced an alternative form of worship known as forest church. Drawing from ancient Celtic practices and the book “Forest Church: A Field Guide to a Spiritual Connection with Nature” by Bruce Stanley, Angeli described how her community practices this form of worship as a trauma-informed, inclusive way to encounter God through Creation — what Stanley calls “God’s first Scripture.”
“God is dwelling out there all over the place,” Angeli said. “Taking the time to read what God has written into the land brings a connection to the Spirit that I have found hard to create in a classic worship environment.”
Participants were invited to venture outside and engage with nature through three pathways: awe, study and meaning-making. Some wandered in solitude, while others gathered in small groups to reflect together.
A group of African pastors, many of whom had immigrated from Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, gathered around an unlit fire pit and chose to share stories communally. “We are Africans. We’re communal,” said the Rev. Princeton Abaraoha of the United African Presbyterian Church in Dallas. “In a journey, you don’t travel by yourself.”
Their reflections revealed how deeply nature informs spiritual wisdom in the lives of Africans. Pastor Edrine Ddungu of Sacramento Uganda Community Fellowship in California described taking young adult congregants to Uganda on “respite trips” to learn from its culture and nature.
The Rev. Dr. Fred Mangeni, pastor of Jubilee International Fellowship in Wake Forest, North Carolina, shared how, during his time with the Maasai people in Kenya, he learned that it wasn’t necessary to build a church but rather to “create a space where they are,” for nature is their constant sanctuary as they migrate with the animals.
“You encounter the divine in your journey,” agreed Abaraoha, recalling how a Maasai leader once advised him to stay with the group because lions only attack those who stray from the line. The guide had urged, “Follow me. I am your way,” echoing the words of Jesus in John 14:6.
“That’s Maasai Scripture,” added Mangeni. “He didn’t have to read you the Gospel of John.”
“There is power in community,” Abaraoha continued. “You achieve more when you travel in community than when you travel by yourself.”
After 30 minutes, the musicians set up on the grass outside the chapel to call the worshipers back indoors to share their discoveries. Angeli invited those gathered to speak about what moved them.
One worshiper described feeling awe at a tree with both living and dead branches, still connected — a metaphor for resilience and spiritual sustenance. “Even when you feel like the life is sucked out, you’re still connected,” they said.
As the group reconvened in Hyde Chapel, Angeli closed the service with a prayer that captured the spirit of the morning: “Gracious God, hold up that sunlight for us just a little while. We thank you for these bright spots, for these times where you turn the kaleidoscope of life, and we can see, feel, smell and touch you in the world.”
Beth Waltemath, Communications Strategist, Presbyterian Life & Witness (Click here to read original PNS Story)
Let us join in prayer for:
Denise Govindarajan, Associate Director, Digital Strategy & Information Systems, Administrative Services Group
Joanna Graf, Administrator, Finance, IT, Strategic Initiatives, The Board of Pensions
Let us pray:
Loving God, thank you for courage, creativity and perseverance. Give us health and strength in difficult circumstances. Shine your face upon all of us so your love will light our path. Amen.
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