I recently watched the PBS series by Ken Burns on the National Parks.  It was gorgeous to watch.  Like his other series on the Civil War, Baseball, Jazz, etc, there several hours in which a combination of old photos, period writing, historical facts, and commentary told the stories of our National Park system.  I learned that the conflict between those who wanted to preserve the land for future generations and those who wished to benefit in the present was at the heart of the park movement from its inception (and continues to this day).  Burns also lifted the fact that a national park system was a uniquely American idea.  The idea is summed up in The Roosevelt Arch which serves as the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park in Gardiner, Montana. The arch's cornerstone was laid down by President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt in 1903. The top of the arch is inscribed with a quote from the Organic Act of 1872, the legislation which created Yellowstone, which reads "For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People."  Instead of the most scenic land belonging to the rich; as traditional in Europe and Asia the most awe inspiring natural phenomena were to be preserved for “the people”.  
    

The documentary lifted up several people for whom the land, which became park land, served as a source of inspiration and healing of the soul.  John Muir was one of the earliest advocates of the national park idea, and its most eloquent spokesman.  Muir felt a spiritual connection to nature; he believed that mankind is just one part of an interconnected natural world, not its master, and that God is revealed through nature.  Muir's three-night camping trip with President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 (when Muir was 65) could be considered the most significant camping trip in conservation history.  He was able to persuade Roosevelt to return Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove to federal protection as part of Yosemite National Park. The trip would have a lasting impact on the president, but you’ll need to watch the video or read a little history to understand why.
    The idea of God being revealed in nature is nothing new.  For those of us of the Christian tradition the idea is particularly found in the book of Genesis and the Psalms:
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? (Psalm 8:3-4)

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. (Psalm 23:1-3)

But, it is also lifted up by Jesus:
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (Matthew 26:6)

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. (Matthew 26:8)

And early in the morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there. (Mark 1:35)

And immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the multitude away. And after bidding them farewell, he departed to the mountain to pray.
(Mark 6:45-46)

But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. ( Luke 5:16)

I remember going to Yellowstone National Park with my Boy Scout troop when I was in ninth grade.  In fact I don’t think I will ever forget that trip which allowed me to see awesome sights: Mount Rushmore, The Badlands, Old Faithful, Morning Glory Pool, Sulfur Pits, crossing mountain passes, close encounters with bears, a heard of elk, experiencing the Upper and Lower Falls.  Throughout my life quiet time among the trees, near lakes, running water, or in the mountains has fed my spirit.  The divine may be experienced anywhere and everywhere; yet many faith traditions recognize the importance of sacred places in nature. I encourage everyone to go to a National or State Park this summer if you get the chance.  Create space and time to be filled with awe, for spiritual lessons to be revealed within nature, to allow profound questions regarding your life to be asked, for a new perspective to be offered, a deeper connection forged between yourself and nature / God, and to have your spirit refreshed and your soul restored.

The Upper New York Area Older Adult Ministries Team of the United Methodist Church is sponsoring a Conference on November 6, 2010 at the New Hartford United Methodist Church, 105 Genesee St., New Hartford, NY 13413.  The Conference “Celebrating Our Wisdom and Still Learning” aims to help the local church develop a program of ministry by, with and for ALL older adults.

The Conference is open to anyone who hopes to make their church ministry to older adults more effective.  

The keynote speaker is Barbara Bruce, the Northeastern Representative to the United Methodist Committee on Older Adult Ministries.  She is an expert on brain fitness and a nationally known speaker on this subject.  She will also lead a workshop on understanding the implications of the aging in our society and how the church can respond to the needs of the elderly.

Nine workshops are offered from “Aging, Dementia and Alzheimer’s” to “Making Your Church Older Adult Ministry Intentional.”  A book sale will take place and there will be a variety of materials available to help you in your church ministry.

The registration fee is $15.00.  It covers lunch and those churches that send two or more representatives will receive a copy of “Aging and Ministry” by Dr. Richard Gentzler, Jr.  The registration deadline is October 27, 2010.  Register early as attendance is limited.

For registration information you may contact: Winona Stonebraker, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 716-694-4211. 

Click Here for the Brochure

UPSTATE NEW YORK SYNOD ASSEMBLY WORKSHOP
Monday, June 7th 4:15 – 5:25p.m in room Highland E
From Aging to Sage-ing: Choosing to Grow Wiser

This workshop is for people seeking to age consciously and with purpose.
Our working definition of SAGE-ING is:

1. The act of approaching aging as a journey of deepening wisdom, continued learning and expanding possibilities. 
2. A process of self development that enhances interpersonal relationships, hones communication skills, and cultivates a valuation of Elders as mentors and wise counsel in community.
3. The act of harvesting life's wisdom as a legacy for future generations.
4. An inherently spiritual practice based on principles that are not specific to any faith or denomination but serve to enhance spiritual maturity in consort with all faith practices.

Presenters:  Members of the Sage-ing Guild (http://www.sage-ingguild.org)

Rosalie Muschal-Reinhardt is a Certified Sage-ing Leader with the Sage-ing® Guild whose mission is to “change the paradigm from Aging to Sage-ing.  She has served on the Coordinating Circle and Chair of the Education Committee of the Guild.  Rosalie has been an educator for over fifty years—many of those years in Religious Education.  She has a Master of Divinity from Loyola University in Chicago (1977) and has been an advocate for Social Justice for many years.

Peg Morris brings you over thirty-years of Social Work experience in Gerontology to her Sage-ing work.  She has a B.S. in Social Work from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a M. S. in Gerontology from D'Youville College.  Peg is retired from Highland Hospital where she spent the last twenty years working in the Acute Care for Elders Unit.

Sponsored by The Northeast Forum on Spirituality and Aging