The more we learn about the natural world, the more we realize how deeply connected it is. In the 70’s, meteorologist and mathematician Edward Norton Lorenz realized that that tiny changes in the initial conditions of his computer weather models could lead to dramatically different outcomes – a discovery he characterized with this question: “Does the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil set off a tornado in Texas?” Over the following decades we have continued to make similar discoveries across a variety of fields–in the studies of psychology and relationships, in the explosion of global economics, and in the world of quantum physics. Our world is not deterministic, but rather incredibly interdependent. The more we learn about this connectedness that runs throughout all of the universe, the more we realize that leaning into it benefits us far more than attempting to isolate ourselves (as if it were even possible).
In Earth Camp 2025, we will do just this. We will lean into the ways we are connected with the world around us. We will explore the necessity of biodiversity and symbiotic relationships. And, we will examine our role–past, present, and future–as human beings within the ecological system. As we do so, we will find that living in harmony with the natural world is deeply tied to spiritual concepts we are familiar with such as kindness, humility, stewardship, and even resurrection.
DAILY THEMES:
Monday: One Body
The apostle Paul writes that the church is “one body, made up of many parts.” So too is the natural world. As we examine the intricacies of its systems we realize that it is not just that we are connected, but that we are all essential. We rely on the unique characteristics and capabilities of other species to maintain our environment–we can’t do it alone. When one part goes missing, all the others suffer for it. This day is a great day for us to explore our interconnectedness, the necessity of our differences, and all the mysterious ways we are connected to each other and everything around us.
Tuesday: A Balancing Act
The universe is a balancing act. This is demonstrated repeatedly by the elite mathematicians of our world who flesh out the language of the universe with their numbers–always held together by an equals sign. The grandness of nature literally hangs in this balance, even when it is tough for our eyes to see. Becoming aware of the delicate balance of the universe opens our eyes to wonder. We must learn to see the balance in the universe, on earth, and within ourselves if we hope to live within it. This is a great day to explore the tensions that hold nature together and examine our sense of agency within them.
Wednesday: Hand-in-hand
In an interconnected world, the most valuable medium is relationships. The more we learn, the more we see how many relationships we have with the world around us, many of which we take for granted. Sometimes these relationships benefit us at the expense of something else–and sometimes everyone involved reaps the benefits. Trying to isolate ourselves isn’t just irresponsible–it is impossible. This is a great day to explore our emotional/spiritual relationship with the Earth and how building strong relationships can benefit the whole earth community.
Thursday: The Circle of Life
If the Lion King taught us anything, it’s that we all exist within the cycles of the natural world. Death is a necessary part of life, and in recognizing this we realize the miracle of the natural world–that nothing goes to waste. Death is not ultimate, but instead the building blocks for new life or growth. This is a principle that also sits at the heart of Christianity. Jesus demonstrated it when He healed the Centurion’s daughter, when He raised his friend Lazarus from the grave, and when He Himself was resurrected. The maker of the universe has woven this truth into the fabric of the world around us, and in discovering it we can be filled with hope for the future. Death, in all its forms, can make us sad. That is natural. And yet, this is a great day to explore the necessity of death and the space it makes for new life, new evolutions, and hope.
Friday: Stewards of Creation
According to the 7-Day Creation story in Genesis 1, when God created human beings, they were made within the divine image and given a special place of authority on the earth. Since then, our relationship with the natural world has changed dramatically. As our species has grown in both population and technology, we have become arrogant, lost our sense of balance, destroyed natural relationships, and even tried to master the cycles of life and death. Instead, the responsibility of bearing the divine image demands that we reform our interactions with creation for the benefit of everyone and everything. This is a great day to review the concepts of the week and apply them to new thoughts, both practical and spiritual, that we can carry with us beyond the camp week.