"Faithfully exploring and living simply, in community with our nation's parks"
PROJECT DEFINED:
Bringing the Park Ethic home.
What is it like to be in a well-preserved place in Creation? How did it become that way, and how do you care for the earth while in a local, state or national park? How do you care for the earth elsewhere?
The Sacred Parks Project is quite simply an effort to bring the "park ethic" to our daily lives: bringing the extraordinary experience of being in parks down to earth, to our ordinary lives and the sacred space we inhabit regularly (whether inside parks, or outside of them) Sacred Parks was originally created as part of an environmental studies emphasis for Paul's Masters of Divinity degree. Since then, it has become a significant part of Paul's vocational calling, and perhaps more importantly, the project resonates with other people of faith who see their love of parks as playing a role in their daily lives and manner of being.
Sacred Parks was originally a one-year project to help bring together religious and spiritual people and organizations around God's Creation. More specifically, Sacred Parks has focused on connecting people with the parks around us - the municipal, state and (especially) national parks - which bring people of all backgrounds and nations together to walk, hike and camp amidst all God has made, and a mission which calls us to have faithful dominion of, but not domination over, all of God's Creation.
The Sacred Parks Project was/is a non-for-profit endeavor that aims to expand knowledge of parks and creation care in local areas, and to help people and their (faith) communities answer two questions: (1) What brings you to the parks, and (2) What do you take away from your experience there? The second question is initially the most important, because seeing parks as merely a place to drive in and out of, or check off one's travel "to-do" list, is to miss the opportunity to a) be in real relationship with some of our country's most sacred lands, islands and waterways, and b) to live in true stewardship with those who appreciate and inhabit all of God's creation.
Until now, the focus of the project translated into a more theoretical and general effort: Paul traveling to various parks throughout the country; learning about the ties between faith, nature and true stewardship; meeting people of all faiths and walks of life; and reading, researching and writing about these "sacred parks" and various connections made along the way. In the last ten months Paul traveled both near and far and has preached, led retreats, bible studies, devotions and adult forums, and hiked and camped with other people in the faith community. Paul will continue to do the above on a more local level, looking toward the future, and hopefully a more specialized and actualized "ministry', as Sacred Parks hopes to become more relationally and geographically focused, and join the efforts of environmentally-conscious non-profits all over, by concentrating on the following:
The Sacred Parks Project is currently writing a business plan and looking into new ways of growth and ministry. As always, we thank you for your support!
The Sacred Parks Project is quite simply an effort to bring the "park ethic" to our daily lives: bringing the extraordinary experience of being in parks down to earth, to our ordinary lives and the sacred space we inhabit regularly (whether inside parks, or outside of them) Sacred Parks was originally created as part of an environmental studies emphasis for Paul's Masters of Divinity degree. Since then, it has become a significant part of Paul's vocational calling, and perhaps more importantly, the project resonates with other people of faith who see their love of parks as playing a role in their daily lives and manner of being.
Sacred Parks was originally a one-year project to help bring together religious and spiritual people and organizations around God's Creation. More specifically, Sacred Parks has focused on connecting people with the parks around us - the municipal, state and (especially) national parks - which bring people of all backgrounds and nations together to walk, hike and camp amidst all God has made, and a mission which calls us to have faithful dominion of, but not domination over, all of God's Creation.
The Sacred Parks Project was/is a non-for-profit endeavor that aims to expand knowledge of parks and creation care in local areas, and to help people and their (faith) communities answer two questions: (1) What brings you to the parks, and (2) What do you take away from your experience there? The second question is initially the most important, because seeing parks as merely a place to drive in and out of, or check off one's travel "to-do" list, is to miss the opportunity to a) be in real relationship with some of our country's most sacred lands, islands and waterways, and b) to live in true stewardship with those who appreciate and inhabit all of God's creation.
Until now, the focus of the project translated into a more theoretical and general effort: Paul traveling to various parks throughout the country; learning about the ties between faith, nature and true stewardship; meeting people of all faiths and walks of life; and reading, researching and writing about these "sacred parks" and various connections made along the way. In the last ten months Paul traveled both near and far and has preached, led retreats, bible studies, devotions and adult forums, and hiked and camped with other people in the faith community. Paul will continue to do the above on a more local level, looking toward the future, and hopefully a more specialized and actualized "ministry', as Sacred Parks hopes to become more relationally and geographically focused, and join the efforts of environmentally-conscious non-profits all over, by concentrating on the following:
- Connecting more with faith communities in our city(-ies), state and its surrounding areas, through speaking engagements and other forms of spreading the message of environmental diligence.
- Working with organizations within communities (i.e. both faith-based and otherwise) to encourage and help facilitate better "green" practices and use of local/state/national parks as resources and places of relationship
- Leading interpretive hikes and possibly camping outings for youth groups, congregations, and other persons and groups of faith
- Encouraging spiritual formation for individuals and groups through SP activities and materials.
- Potentially grow in staff from Paul (and the three future board members) to another staff person and perhaps ancillary board members or partners (nicknamed "sacred partners")
The Sacred Parks Project is currently writing a business plan and looking into new ways of growth and ministry. As always, we thank you for your support!
