Our next Wild Church services will be at 4:00 at Bartram's Garden. Join us on: Starting at 4:00 August 23, September 20, October 11, Starting at 3pm on: November 15 and December 13. Bring a chair or blanket and dress for the weather. We will gather near the picnic tables near the parking lot.
What is wild church?
A wild church is a gathering of people who gather outside, to build relationship with the natural world and to connect to our Creator through creation.
In this time when our world is unraveling, the earth and her creatures, the Holy Wild, the Holy Spirit, God, …may have wisdom to share with us if we can be open and listen. Wild Church offers a place to do just this.
Although a wild church happens outside, is not regular church happening outside. The wild church movement is about rewilding our spirituality. It is a way of connecting to God through creation, seeing humans as part of creation, having a conversation and relationship with other than human beings, and valuing those relationships. It involves a lot of listening- listening to trees, flowers, water, rocks, birds for what they may want to communicate with us.
Wild church is non-hierarchical in that it values all voices even the small and quiet voices around us. It is reciprocal, recognizing that the earth cares for us and we care for the earth.
The wild church movement recognizes that all flourishing is mutual.
What to expect from a wild church service:
Wild churches generally meet once a month or a little more or less for an hour or so. Wild
churches meet in different locations around the world and each one looks different because of
the unique the eco system, climate, and group that is gathered.
Each wild church service includes a “wild wander” which is a walk in the natural surroundings
while we listen with curiosity and openness to what the Spirit may want to communicate with
us through the natural world.
Wild Churches meet in all kinds of weather so dress accordingly. Even the uncomfortable parts
of being outside are important aspects of aliveness that we can experience in this place and at
this moment in time.
For more information: Wild Church Network, Center for Wild Spirituality
General outline of a service:
A reflective opening and centering.
A land acknowledgement reminding us of others who loved and cared for this land before us.
Guidance for the “wander and wonder “part of the service.
Time for the wild wander, which takes up most of the time of the service.
Regathering with opportunity to briefly share any reflections with the other wanderers. Sharing
is optional.
A closing reflective reading/prayer.
Children are curious and wander naturally and are very welcome to participate. Guardians just
need to keep an eye on them.
You can bring a journal, a sketch book, a chair, or you can just bring yourself.
The service will last about 1 hour.
If you want to be kept aware of when this wild church is happening, check back here, send an
email to westphillywildchurch@gmail.com and you will get email telling you when the next one is scheduled, or check Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westphillywildchurch