CAMP THEME: HOME, SWEET HOME
“God blessed them: ‘Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.’” -Genesis 1:28 (MSG)
In his book “Say Yes,” artist Scott Erikson makes the assertion that “familiarity kills wonder.” To counter this reality, he says we must become like visitors in our own world. This year, at Earth Camp 2024, we will approach the love of creation the same way. Before we can see the wonder in the whole world, we must find it in our everyday life, the very state that surrounds us. We are blessed in Oregon to have a diverse abundance of wildlife, ecosystems, and biomes that we can explore throughout the week. To love the earth we have to start somewhere, and that is why we begin with Home, Sweet Home.
DAILY THEMES:
The Trees of Life
“He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:8
Oregon is absolutely covered in trees, from the evergreen forests that line the mountain ranges, to the fruit trees that follow the rivers, to the ancient temperate rainforest in the west. The trees that build our houses, soak up the rainwaters, and burn in the wildfires are all part of what makes Oregon special. In the Bible and in many ancient myths, the tree is also the symbol of life. What can we find in the trees that will teach us to see and care better for life in our midst?
The Highest Peaks
“Look! On the mountains the feet of one who brings good tidings, who proclaims peace!” -Nahum 1:15
Oregon is home to many mountain ranges, including: Cascade, Umpqua, Klamath, Siskiyou, and Blue Mountains. From nearly any point around Portland, we can turn around and see tall peaks in the distance. The snowfall from the mountains feed our powerful rivers, and give us water to drink. In ancient religions, mountaintops were the places you went to be close to the gods. Many people today still have spiritual experiences when they go up high in the mountains.
Maybe it’s because it makes us recognize how small we are. Or maybe it makes us wonder, what do we do when obstacles seem too big, too immovable for us to make a difference?
Like a River
“And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes.” -Ezekiel 47:9
Rivers are a dynamic ecological powerhouse–not only do they escort water, bringing plant and animal life everywhere they go, but they have literally carved the face of the earth as we know it, creating valleys, canyons and gorges. Under the water is a vibrant ecosystem of creatures–creatures who are all too often affected by our human attempts to harness the rivers’ power. In ancient myths, rivers are signs of abundance-they create fertile soil, water the crops, and their banks host trees with delicious fruit. How can we use our power to bring life along with us, too?
Dry, Dry Deserts
“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing.” Isaiah 35:1-10
When we think about deserts, we tend to think about sand, cactuses, and maybe camels, but that’s about it. Oregon is home to a desert too, but a different kind–practically the entire southeast quadrant of the state is a high desert ecosystem that reminds one of a classic western film. Sagebrush, cattle, herds of large game, all the classic signs. Within this corner of our state is the Oregon Outback Dark Sky Sanctuary, the largest such certified sanctuary in the entire world. The Bible often refers to the desert as the wilderness, and it remains true that these are rarely the populated areas of our world, but there continue to be spiritual experiences to be found in just getting away from it all. What lessons can we learn from the wilderness of the desert?
The Great Pacific
“There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small.” -PSalm 104:25
Oregon shares over 350 miles of coastline with the largest body of water in the world–The Great Pacific Ocean. The coast is a place of peace and play for many who live here, with beautiful sand beaches, staggering rock formations, the gentle sound of waves, and lovely tourist towns running the entire span. The waters nearby play host to seals and sea lions, whales, and all sorts of marine life and seabirds. But in that same ocean, albeit further out, lies a floating pile of trash twice the size of Texas. Is any of our garbage there, too? In ancient myths, the oceans were places of mystery, fear, and wonder due to their massive size and power. What can our influence of these saltwater giants tell us about our own responsibility and power?