UP WILD CHURCH
UPCOMING EVENTS
TIMES ARE EASTERN TIME ZONE. All updates, weather cancellations will be on the facebook page.
WILDERNESS WALK
WED. JULY 6 / 6:00PM
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.
PRAYER SIT-IN
FRI. JULY 15 / 7:00PM
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).
RAPID RIVER GATHERING
SUN. JULY 17 / 3:00PM
Activating Our Hope for a Better World.
Directions: 9450 25.75 Lane in Rapid River.
UP Wild Delta County will host a Nature Prayer Gathering. Motivated by an urgent concern for the Earth and its ecosystems, the gathering will focus on recognizing the impact humanity has had on our environment, acknowledging the pain we feel as a result, and activating our hope for a better world. For more info contact bobbiryan19@yahoo.com
FORAGING ADVENTURE
SAT. JULY 23 / 10:30AM
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.
NATURE PRAYER SERVICE
SUNDAY, JULY 31 / 4PM / PRESQUE ISLE BANDSHELL
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.
FAMILY HIKE
THRS, AUGUST 11 / 6PM / HAZEL'S HIKE @ SUGARLOAF
Dedicated and chosen by one of our youngest members, Hazel- we will do the popular hike to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain in Marquette. Meeting at new parking lot (first lot). Prayers will be read at the top! Contact us for questions. Family friendly.
WILDERNESS WALK
SAT, AUGUST 20 / 3:30PM / WETMORE POND
Wilderness Walk on the Old Growth Trail at Wetmore Pond- intermediate hike. The beauty of this place inspires artists today yet the original carver made it over 10,000 years ago. Just past sugarloaf, turn off on left side of road- look for UP WILD sign. Meeting in parking lot. Friendly group of fellow travelers.
EASTERN U.P. SERVICE
SAT. AUGUST 27 / 2PM / CEDARVILLE
Our first gathering in the Eastern end of the U.P. Please share and invite others as we begin to plant the seed for UP WILD in this location. We will experience our Nature Prayer Service together focused on Discovering God in the Wild. Location will be posted soon.
NATURE PRAYER SERVICE
SUN. AUGUST 28 / 4PM / PRESQUE ISLE BANDSHELL
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
NATURE PRAYER SERVICES
A TIME TO BE...
TOGETHER IN COMMUNITY
EVERY LAST SUNDAY PER MONTH
A GLIMPSE AT OUR PAST EVENTS
Every month we hope to offer multiple events based on interest and co-creators:
Wilderness Walks at a revolving location within Marquette County (& beyond)
Nature Prayer Service @ Presque Isle Park
Family-friendly and kid inclusive offerings
Story sharing circles (open to topic ideas)
Virtual Wilderness Walks for those outside of the U.P.
Field Trips to learn sustainability, food resislience, native species, ect
Prayer Sit-ins at locations in need of healing or under threat by industrialization