Forest Church

I've recently stumbled across this concept, which at first sight seems to fit quite nicely with my own recent exploration of connections between spirituality and awareness of/respect for nature. More research needed at this stage!
Does anyone have any direct experience or helpful insights?

Comments

  • It's outside my experience, but I wonder whether the German fondness for the Waldkapelle, chapel in the woods, might give you somewhere to start looking?
  • BroJamesBroJames Purgatory Host
    Outside my experience too, but I’m aware of an organisation/ group that might be relevant: http://www.mountainpilgrims.org.uk/
  • There is a new Grove booklet ‘How to Worship Outdoors’ and lots of wild church facebook groups - happy exploring!
  • KendelKendel Shipmate
    Kierkegaard's little book "The Lily of the Field and the Bird of the Air: Three Godly Discourses" may provide some insights. There is a strong emphasis in these on being in nature and learning from nature how to commune with God and find joy.
  • There is a forest tradition in Buddhism, lately transplanted to E. Sussex. Monks and nuns still go out in the morning, begging for alms. I've heard that practices in Thailand, where forest traditions flourished, were fierce. But how can you get to the bottom of suffering without going through it?
  • I can't find it offhand, but a recent Parish Profile (aka job advert!) for a C of E parish somewhere in England mentioned a monthly Sunday afternoon *Forest Church* service as part of the church's regular pattern of worship.

    As @Raptor Eye says, there is a Grove booklet (a highly appropriate name!), so maybe this is an area of growth (see what I did there?).
    🌲🌳
  • GallovidianGallovidian Shipmate
    edited January 2024
    I've made contact with a couple of 'Forest Church' communities in SW Scotland (one just getting started, one about 2 years in), and hope to visit them in person at some point. One developed out of a creative worship project in a large Episcopal parish, the other is far more ecclectic and 'non-aligned'.
  • The Anglican Diocese of New Westminster (Canada) has the following that you might find interesting: https://www.salalandcedar.com/

  • I didn't understand, @quetzalcoatl , what was meant by fierce, and the reference to suffering?
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    edited January 2024
    Looking for something else, I came across this:

    http://www.wyedoreparishes.org.uk/PewSheet.pdf

    (see the first item - *Hedgerow Communion*)

    These churches are in rural Herefordshire.
  • I've come across the concept in connection with some editing work but have had no direct experience of it or contact with anyone involved.

    I'm generally pretty dubious of experimental or Fresh Expressions type forms of worship as I fear they could become faddish.

    But I'm resolved to become more tolerant. If this stuff helps people to connect with nature and with God then who am I to cavil?

    Sounds like you are answering your own question @Gallovidian by connecting groups in South West Scotland who do this sort of thing.
  • Merry Vole wrote: »
    I didn't understand, @quetzalcoatl , what was meant by fierce, and the reference to suffering?

    Sorry for delay. Fierce means very tough, e.g., 16 hour days meditating. One of the ideas about suffering is that meditation hurts, and gives the opportunity to get to the root of suffering, directly.
  • . But how can you get to the bottom of suffering without going through it?
    I think this was part of the thinking behind the asceticism of the Celtic monks and culdees.

  • Most religions have a tough avenue, for those inclined. I sometimes wonder if it's masochistic, but with meditation, you might find that out.
  • Most religions have a tough avenue, for those inclined. I sometimes wonder if it's masochistic, but with meditation, you might find that out.

    :lol:

    Some of these outdoor acts of worship do indeed require a certain amount of physical effort ISTM, though they're surely none the worse for that. Advice to *dress for the weather* indicates that some hardihood (as well as a waterproof hood) might be needed!

    One significant downside could be that *Forest Church* might not be all that accessible to disabled people, but no doubt churches that go in for That Sort Of Thing have thought of this, and make whatever provisions are possible.

    There is a certain village church in Our Town's Deanery which is on the very edge of the built-up area, with woodland immediately adjacent. It also has a convenient car park at the end of the lane leading to the church, and has level access into the church building itself.

    IIRC, they have occasionally held outdoor services near the church (a previous Curate-in-charge and his wife had some radical ideas - they built up a small congregation until the church was packed for the main Sunday service, and their Christmas Crib Services had to be held in triplicate...), but, on checking their website, I don't think any outdoor services are currently planned. In summer, though, things may change!
  • . But how can you get to the bottom of suffering without going through it?
    I think this was part of the thinking behind the asceticism of the Celtic monks and culdees.

    Sure, and they got it from the Eastern Mediterranean of course.

    I think I may have started an asceticism thread in the past.

    The Orthodox don't tend to go in for hair-shirts and self-flagellation, but they do see their lengthy services and standing through them - if you are able - as a touch of asceticism.

    I'm not sure that contemporary 'Forest Church' proponents have asceticism in mind. I get the impression it's more to do with connecting with the natural world etc.
  • From what I can gather, the Forest Church concept is a very broad one, which can embrace anything from neo-pagan elements through to quite mainstream anglican/catholic traditions with all manner of permutations in between. Activities also can vary immensely too, from quite formal liturgical services in an outdoor setting through to much more spontaneous, in-the-moment interaction with nature, with an artistic/creative focus. Definitely something to delve into further.
  • And then there is a more literal interpretation of forest church - Whipsnade Tree Cathedral. The youth group in my former church used to hold a Dawn Service there on the morning of Palm Sunday (followed by bacon butties in the Church Hall).
  • Merry Vole wrote: »
    I didn't understand, @quetzalcoatl , what was meant by fierce, and the reference to suffering?

    Sorry for delay. Fierce means very tough, e.g., 16 hour days meditating. One of the ideas about suffering is that meditation hurts, and gives the opportunity to get to the root of suffering, directly.

    Maybe you or someone who knows more about Buddhism could help me understand this, but I thought that in his semi-legendary biography, the historical Buddha, prior to his enlightenment, became an ascetic during his quest to understand suffering and how to end it and nearly starved himself to death before accepting food from the farmer’s wife Sujata. He would later teach that Buddhism, particularly for monastics, should be a middle path between asceticism and sensual indulgence. Traditional Buddhist monks, as far as I understand, must beg for food (which the Buddhist laity are eager to give) and can eat only until midday then fast the rest of the day, but they do not believe that wasting away or even death from starvation (as some Jains believe) is spiritually beneficial.

    I know that all religions have tremendous diversity within them and often have practices that appear to differ greatly from the teachings of their founders. Tantric Buddhism in particular, which I do not associate with the Thai Forest, Theravada Tradition, at times seeks an awareness of non-duality through the (often distasteful) opposite of whatever spiritual goal a practitioner might have. I am also aware that rigor in meditative practice is promoted by many strands of Buddhism. But rigor, even extreme rigor that may be very uncomfortable, is different than deliberately inflicting bodily harm or starvation on oneself for spiritual gain as ascetics in some other religions do.
  • Stonespring, I don't think being uncomfortable is all that important in meditation, but people find it uncomfortable anyway. So, sitting in a chair in a sunny room could be quite pleasant, but if you did it for a month, your mind and body would probably rebel. However, persisting can be beneficial, and might even lead to the nondual thing you mention. But it's very hard on your own, hence meditation retreats.
  • Forest Church?

    I've heard of Forest Gump.

    I'll get me coat ...
  • Church of the Wild by Victoria Loorz is pretty good. May even find it as an audiobook on Hoopla Digital for free if you have that where you are. It’s pretty common across USA through the public library system.

    Some indigenous Christians like Richard Twiss mentions this concept. Bear Heart wrote about it quite a bit, syncretism and even Omnism, with a focus on nature .

    Stewardship Theology will often touch up on it.
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