This was a beautiful reflection on Ordination and I appreciate it immensely. My own experience was not heady and glorious; in fact it was a weekend marked with trauma and devastation. However, the truth of transformation is that it sometimes is marked by intense pain. But nonetheless, we are changed.
I am sorry that your ordination was marked in such a hard way; thank you for the reminder that not only are our experiences so varied, but about truth of transformation. This is the kind of transformation that reminds us of the truth of the resurrection. Jesus was changed; we are changed. I am grateful to you and your ministry.
I’m curious, how would you define ‘wild’? One of the conversations I try to have when discussing ecotheology is about embracing a broader understanding of what ‘creation’ is. I often find, when we say ‘wild’ or ‘nature’ or ‘creation’, we’re talking about the mountains and fields *out there*, neglecting our backyards and homes.
Some of this is influenced by the essay The Trouble with Wilderness, by William Cronon. Some of it is me drawing on work by Tish Harrison Warren and Native American Theology (Kidwell, Noley, and Tinker), both of which emphasize the sacredness of the place where we are.
As for my own calling, I would answer with a resounding yes! I am not traditionally ordained and probably won’t be, but I am called to use my gifts of art and gardening and caring for people and places to further God’s work of restoring relationships in this world.
Oh, this is such a great question!! In ecotheologian Sallie McFague's book Super, Natural Christians: How We Should Love Nature (1997) she talks about the difference between "wilderness" and "wildness". She defines wildness this way:
"'Wildness' is a place to be visited on its own terms; it is not necessarily a vast track of land, but a place available for exploration. Wildness means accepting the place and those who live in it as other, as otehrs - it is not the size or remoteness of the area that matters, but the opportunity it present to meet earth others as subjects. Wildness can be found in a piece of near-by nature: a small city park, of course, but also what one naturalist calls 'hand-me-down habitats,' 'unofficial countryside,' 'shreds and scraps of the natural scene' - free places for pottering, netting, catching, and watching." (p.123-124).
Western conceptions of 'wilderness' often have a colonizing past (and present), and are increasingly out of the reach of anyone who doesn't have the financial means for the ability to get 'out into the wilderness' and the equipment to do so. So, there is also an aspect of environmental justice to the notion of 'wilderness'. And, finally, 'wilderness' can function as a way to keep humans from realizing how we are a part of the natural world, too. I cannot remember if Victoria Loorz defines 'wild' (and the book doesn't have a handy index!), but she is strongly influenced by Thomas Berry, and would certainly would be more in the camp of McFague and others.
You may enjoy the book I mentioned by McFague. I wrote my dissertation on her; when I was privileged to meet with her and talk about her work, she said that it was the least popular book of her work, but her personal favourite to write!
Jessica, I believe that a streak of religiosity has been a part of the environmental movement since John Muir. I believe that almost every page of his writing contains the word "glorious," and he didn't shy away from comparing forests and canyons to cathedrals. I don't find much of it now when I read about deforestation and global heating. Your post has me wondering if we couldn't use a little more of this sense of beauty, wonder, and awe.
I am SO glad to have discovered you and your Substack. I am an avid environmentalist and nature lover. I have also been fascinated by religion. Although my degree is in Environmental Sciences, I authored a book of interviews (self-published) with individuals concerning their religious beliefs. It was a VERY rewarding experience for me. I look forward to more "Following in the World."
Thanks for this post! Very thoughtful. I was thinking that in a way your ordination is a wild one by virtue of the fact that you are serving in a non-traditional way and leading us into broader and wilder places. As the traditional church declines and changes I suspect we will need to be aware of more and more wild ordinations and callings.
That’s a great way to put it, Kim. Thank you. It reminds me that what is wild can often feel scary (and isn’t that how it’s portrayed in culture?), but that the real wild can remind us that the wild is an invitation into transformation and healing. 🌍
This was a beautiful reflection on Ordination and I appreciate it immensely. My own experience was not heady and glorious; in fact it was a weekend marked with trauma and devastation. However, the truth of transformation is that it sometimes is marked by intense pain. But nonetheless, we are changed.
I am sorry that your ordination was marked in such a hard way; thank you for the reminder that not only are our experiences so varied, but about truth of transformation. This is the kind of transformation that reminds us of the truth of the resurrection. Jesus was changed; we are changed. I am grateful to you and your ministry.
I’m curious, how would you define ‘wild’? One of the conversations I try to have when discussing ecotheology is about embracing a broader understanding of what ‘creation’ is. I often find, when we say ‘wild’ or ‘nature’ or ‘creation’, we’re talking about the mountains and fields *out there*, neglecting our backyards and homes.
Some of this is influenced by the essay The Trouble with Wilderness, by William Cronon. Some of it is me drawing on work by Tish Harrison Warren and Native American Theology (Kidwell, Noley, and Tinker), both of which emphasize the sacredness of the place where we are.
As for my own calling, I would answer with a resounding yes! I am not traditionally ordained and probably won’t be, but I am called to use my gifts of art and gardening and caring for people and places to further God’s work of restoring relationships in this world.
Oh, this is such a great question!! In ecotheologian Sallie McFague's book Super, Natural Christians: How We Should Love Nature (1997) she talks about the difference between "wilderness" and "wildness". She defines wildness this way:
"'Wildness' is a place to be visited on its own terms; it is not necessarily a vast track of land, but a place available for exploration. Wildness means accepting the place and those who live in it as other, as otehrs - it is not the size or remoteness of the area that matters, but the opportunity it present to meet earth others as subjects. Wildness can be found in a piece of near-by nature: a small city park, of course, but also what one naturalist calls 'hand-me-down habitats,' 'unofficial countryside,' 'shreds and scraps of the natural scene' - free places for pottering, netting, catching, and watching." (p.123-124).
Western conceptions of 'wilderness' often have a colonizing past (and present), and are increasingly out of the reach of anyone who doesn't have the financial means for the ability to get 'out into the wilderness' and the equipment to do so. So, there is also an aspect of environmental justice to the notion of 'wilderness'. And, finally, 'wilderness' can function as a way to keep humans from realizing how we are a part of the natural world, too. I cannot remember if Victoria Loorz defines 'wild' (and the book doesn't have a handy index!), but she is strongly influenced by Thomas Berry, and would certainly would be more in the camp of McFague and others.
You may enjoy the book I mentioned by McFague. I wrote my dissertation on her; when I was privileged to meet with her and talk about her work, she said that it was the least popular book of her work, but her personal favourite to write!
And finally, blessings on your wild ordination!
That’s beautiful and thought provoking! Definitely will be adding that to my ‘to read’ list
Jessica, I believe that a streak of religiosity has been a part of the environmental movement since John Muir. I believe that almost every page of his writing contains the word "glorious," and he didn't shy away from comparing forests and canyons to cathedrals. I don't find much of it now when I read about deforestation and global heating. Your post has me wondering if we couldn't use a little more of this sense of beauty, wonder, and awe.
Absolutely! For it isn’t shock and horror that will lead to true lasting change; it is love, awe and wonder.
I am SO glad to have discovered you and your Substack. I am an avid environmentalist and nature lover. I have also been fascinated by religion. Although my degree is in Environmental Sciences, I authored a book of interviews (self-published) with individuals concerning their religious beliefs. It was a VERY rewarding experience for me. I look forward to more "Following in the World."
Thank you so much! I appreciate your words.
Thanks for this post! Very thoughtful. I was thinking that in a way your ordination is a wild one by virtue of the fact that you are serving in a non-traditional way and leading us into broader and wilder places. As the traditional church declines and changes I suspect we will need to be aware of more and more wild ordinations and callings.
That’s a great way to put it, Kim. Thank you. It reminds me that what is wild can often feel scary (and isn’t that how it’s portrayed in culture?), but that the real wild can remind us that the wild is an invitation into transformation and healing. 🌍