| Finding Faith and Perspective In the Wilderness
Students Travel to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for Rockhurst's SuperNatural Christians Retreat
They're In The Loop
Taking part in the SuperNatural Christians Retreat means surrounding yourself with a network of individuals dedicated to service, social justice and protecting the environment. A few involved in this year's trip: |
| • Bethany Paul, who spent a year in Kansas City as a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and now studies public service in the nonprofit sector at Marquette University. |
| • Bill Kriege, who combines his role in Campus Ministry with his love for nature as the group's retreat leader. |
| • “Green Bay" Gord and Kim Kendall, who open their home to anxious Rockhurst campers each spring. |
| • Margaret Hansbrough, a Rockhurst junior who works on and off campus to advocate for social justice issues and likely can name every organic food store in Kansas City. |
• The men of the Jesuit novitiate house in St. Paul who dedicate their lives to serving others. |
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| The wilderness served as a perfect setting for prayer, reflection and discussion. |
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In Jesuit spirituality, we're taught to find God in all things. A group of Rockhurst students took this challenge to heart by seeking Him in the middle of nowhere – or as far as they could reach in a university van.
Just days after closing their books for the summer, these novice campers prepared for a backpacking adventure in the Sylvania Wilderness Tract in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
At a time when most college students had scattered throughout Kansas City and across the country for their summer plans and had long since traded their winter clothes for shorts and flip flops, these students stayed put and pulled their winter coats and stocking caps back out of the closet. They packed mosquito nets and rain gear, and studied how to treat hypothermia in case of emergency.
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| The SuperNatural Christians Retreat combines the physical and spiritual aspects of experiencing nature. |
A full day in the van brought the retreat leader and eight students to the edge of the Ottawa National Forest.
There, they entered the wilderness. Their mission: to explore their relationship with the earth in light of their Christian faith.
If they didn't know already, they soon found out this was no luxury vacation. They carried their own 64-pound canoes between lakes, filtered their own drinking water and cut their own firewood.
Of course, it wasn't all work either. The group canoed and kayaked through half a dozen lakes and explored miles of wilderness on foot. Sightings of bald eagles, loons and other wildlife were frequent. They knew it would be picturesque; nevertheless they were struck by the spectacular natural beauty of the place.
Between their work and play, there was time for group prayer, reflection and discussion of conservation and recycling.
They read how various religions view environmental issues. On the road, they toured a landfill and wind farm to fuel their focus on the environment. As they drove home, each camper announced his or her personal covenant to help protect the environment. Some promised to travel by bicycle instead of car more often. Others prepared to reduce the amount of disposable products they use or to get more serious about recycling. They made plans to collaborate on an environmental group project when they return to campus in the fall.
In the end, the strength of their renewed faith and commitment to the environment was equaled only by the smell of nine unshowered campers squeezed into a university van. See photos of the group's adventures and read one student's diary entries of her experience in the wilderness.
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| The students hold a sacred silence during this hike through the forest. |
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Center: The Sylvania Wilderness Tract is an 18,000-acre preserve carefully managed to protect its natural beauty.
Above: The men of the Jesuit Novitiate House in St. Paul invited the students to Mass and a tour of the twin cities. |
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