Events

Meeting at the Vielmetti-Peters Conservation Reserve, a 123-acre working forest just on the edge of the City of Marquette. A last stop between urban sprawl and our wild wilderness. Topic of reflection: Empire + Consumption. What does it mean to contemplate empire and it's relentless lust for consumption- consumption of what... what is the spiritual message or disconnection of this- are we a part of this "last stop" if so, why should we even care. How does this microcosm of protected space in Marquette, relate to the broader Christian message of our role as Stewards... We will meet at the parking area of the trail head. For more about the reserve click HERE. no pets. Directions: To get to the Vielmetti-Peters Reserve from Marquette, take US41 N towards Negaunee and take the first right out of the Brickyard Road roundabout, towards Meijer. Instead of heading straight into the Meijer parking lot, take an immediate left to continue on Brickyard Road and travel approximately 1/4 mile to the end of Brickyard Road. You’ll see a sign and a county plow turn-around there. Park on the pavement and continue on the two-track 1/2 mile across private property to access the Reserve.

Sit by the shores of Little Presque Isle with us. Our prayer focus will be the prophetic call to protect the systems of LIFE including water and our Great Lakes Watershed from shoreline industrialization. We will each be given a plastic candle, reflection will be read and silence to sit/meditate by the lake for the transformation of hearts. Make sure to wear long sleeve/pants in anticipation of the black flies. Little Presque Isle Recreation Area is the 2nd signage/turnoff from Hwy 550 (not Wetmore Landing signage).

We will guide our little ones (and ourselves) on a mini foraging adventure looking for 16 different plants that are native to our area and edible/medicinal. All will be given a little adventurer bingo card to identify plants and mark which ones we find. We will be guided by a mother of 3 who is excited to share with others her love of and wonder for the plants we often overlook in our own backyard. How is the mystery of God in the seeds that take no effort to cultivate by human hands? Which Saints also loved our little finds? Donations of $10 appreciated but not required. Meeting at Blueberry Ridge Parking Lot 2, Sands Township, Gwinn Hwy. M-553, a bit south of the Crossroads intersection of 553 & 480 on the left side of M-553.

This month, we will re-imagine and re-interpret the Beatitudes in and through nature. These familiar blessings turn the usual order of our lives upside down. We will share how we plan to take these blessings with us once we leave this natural place.

Our Nature Prayer Service is our time to gather outside in community. What to expect: Welcome to our Bioregion, Passing the Peace, Wilderness Reflection, Wander & Ponder, Sharing Circle, Shared Prayers & Incense, Closing Poem. Community time to mingle with tea & snacks. Introverts welcome. Meeting at Presque Isle BANDSHELL.

Tentative Summer/Fall Schedule *dates may change

May 21: Ladies Retreat Noon

May 27: Ascension in the Wild, Gwinn

May 29: Nature Prayer Service 4pm

June 11: Kid’s Hike & Thrift Store Tour

June 21: Wilderness Walk, South Beach Trail Marquette 6:00PM

June 26: Nature Prayer Service 4pm

July 6: Wilderness Walk Dead River Empire + Consumption 6PM

July 15: Prayer Sit-In, Shores of Lake Superior

July 17: Rapid River Nature Prayer Service 3pm

July 22-24: Volunteering on Green Team, Hiawatha Music Festival

July 23: Kid’s Foraging at Blueberry Ridge 10:30AM

July 31: Nature Prayer Service 4pm

August 11: Hazel’s Hike, Sugarloaf Mountain 6PM

August 20: Wilderness Walk, Wetmore Pond

August 27: Eastern U.P. Branch Nature Prayer Service (Cedarville) 2pm

August 28: Nature Prayer Service 4pm

Sat. September 3 & 10: Cedar Tree Planting in Big Bay

September TBA: Blessing of the Monarchs, Stonington Peninsula

September 17: Wilderness Walk, Jasper Knob Iron Range

September 25: Nature Prayer Service 4pm: How to Saunter, Meditative Walk in Nature "A meditative walk inspired by Jesus' words, "Take nothing but your walking stick..."

TBA: Religious Trauma Outdoor Healing Circles

Date TBD: MQT County Old Growth Protection Dedication, Blessing + Celebration

October 8: Wilderness Walk, Fall Colors in the Keweenaw Peninsula

October 30: Nature Prayer Service Hallow’s Eve 4pm