The Trip & the Challenge

It is interesting that most of the significant spiritual events in the Bible occur out of doors… and more specifically in the wilderness. Christianity is an out of doors faith. From the birth in the grotto at Bethlehem to the crowning death of Jesus on Calvary outside the city wall, many of its most important events took place of doors.

And so it seems significant to us to revisit this notion by experiencing as church leaders a time in the wilderness.

WILDERNESS… from the Hebrew ‘midbar’, meaning a desolate, lonely place, disorderly, dangerous, home of wild beasts. Amazingly, it is a place where people get “BEWILDERED,” a place where they encountered God and were transformed. It is as if wilderness becomes not only a place, but a state of mind, a metaphor to describe a terrifying situation where wild beasts lurk. There are few clear paths… but, we dare not forget, so does the presence of God!

This trip will provide participants with a time to meet God in the midst of a primitive and remote place of unsurpassed beauty deep within the back country of Algonquin Park Canada. It will also be a means for us to explore our varied personalities and preferences as well as the invitations of our lives and the ‘wilderness’ that we spend so much of our lives in, even when we aren’t in the woods. This is an experience that is intended to be ’safe’ (i.e. free from danger) but safe is a relative term and the challenges for renewal, positive growth and inter/intrapersonal exploration may come in packages that are not totally expected or perhaps even appreciated. However, the short term intentional community we will form will serve us well as we grow and learn together and have more fun that anyone should be allowed to have.

NOTICE: It is imperative that you are in good physical condition/or this trip. You need to get in shape for the canoeing and hiking that is involved. If you have any pre-existing conditions that may affect your ability to hike and canoe, we are requiring that you receive your doctor’s approval to take this trip. Also at the “shakedown” in August we will be evaluating each person ’s physical condition, more than likely with a one mile timed run or a facsimile thereof.

REQUIREMENTS

(Physical, mental, and spiritual)

This trip is open to clergy, and others engaged in pastoral ministry.

New regulations require anyone going to Canada to have a current valid Passport.

While no previous wilderness or camping experience is required, you must be in good physical condition. (A list of training requirements will be sent to you upon receipt of your deposit.) The better prepared you are physically the better experience you will have spiritually.

You will be expected to have read and be willing to reflect on the essay:

“Self Love” by James Krisher

We will make copies available to you upon receipt of your deposit. The total cost of the trip includes the cost of this document. A journal will be kept during the trip by each participant for personal reflection and integration of the experience.

You will participate in assigned reflections and worship experiences on the trip.

You will need to pay a non-refundable $50.00 deposit by June 1, 2010 and the remaining $430 by August 31, 2010 (total cost is $480) make checks payable to: Harper Brady

Send it to:

Bob Langston
4797 Makyes Rd
Syracuse NY 13215

Registration is limited to 12 participants and will be on a first come, first served basis.

Click on registration form to open in new window then enlarge in window as needed.