Physically Distanced but Spiritually Connected
Earth Church

This is a photo from Diana in the Monarch Waystation last week. A Red Admiral butterfly is perched on one of the coneflowers.

Dear Mayfield,
I have just finished rereading the grant proposal I assembled in October 2013 for the Earth Monastery Project of the Abbey of the Arts, remembering who we were then and rejoicing in who we are now.  That fall the Abbey of the Arts put out a call for proposals for their first Earth Monastery grant cycle. We were one of the two recipients in that first cycle. As I described what we imagined at that point, the Waystation with its host of native plants would be a prairie oasis for varied creatures —  two-legged, four-legged, and winged. I wrote then that “An oasis is a place where we shelter temporarily while journeying. There nourishment is provided, stories are shared, rest is sought, direction is clarified, and community is experienced.” We saw that the yet undeveloped Monarch Waystation would be a welcoming place not only for the congregation, but also for other neighbors too.  For some it might become a primary place where they experience sacred space.

In this season of ongoing Covid-19 precautions, the Waystation and activities it makes possible add to the substance of our life as church. I want to remind you of how you can currently interact with the Waystation and also tell you about some new layers of engagement we are adding.

  • There is a whole lot of blooming going on right now. A variety of butterflies and a few hummingbirds have been spotted in the Waystation in recent days.  Plan a visit soon. Keep your numbers small and maintain an appropriate physical distance from one another.  Whenever you come, there will be something new to enjoy.  As you turn into church, you will see the pots of flowers at the front door that Marlo has recently planted for the summer.
  • Diana sent out an email yesterday both celebrating the days from now into September as the flourishing time for the Waystation and mentioning those who have lent their physical help with various gardening tasks so far this season: Sue, Randy, Theresa, Jarik, Ryken, Billy, Peggy, Rob, Rob, Lars, and Cliffton. When there are opportunities to help with gardening work, she lets us know by email.  If you would like to be a part of this effort, watch for future emails from Diana later in the growing season.
  • Today, June 30, 2020, we will begin chalk talks at Mayfield. Our chalk talks will be an extension of the chalk talk referenced in Sunday’s reflection. Chalk talks can be seen all over the country now as people use sidewalk chalk messages of support, concern, or commitment.  By the front door of the church, there is a bin with individual pieces of chalk wrapped in baggies.  Take one. Leave a chalk message for those who will be passing by en route to the Waystation.  Use the portion of the driveway in front of the parsonage garage as your message board. The rain will wash away messages in these summer months.  So keep you chalk in your car. That way, whenever you are out for a Waystation visit, you can leave a fresh message or drawing for others who will be coming that way.
  • Once a month during July, August, and September Peggy will be offering a nature talk on Zoom for the Mayfield congregation and friends we would like to add to the participant list.  As soon as she has her topics and dates established, she will email that information to you.
  • In the fall, following the nature talks, there will be a book study on zoom. We will choose a book that brings together our spiritual lives with a deepening understanding of how we can attend to the wellbeing of earth and that highlights our opportunities to learn through the wisdom of earth. Again, an email will follow later in the summer with specific details.

I give thanks for the many labors undertaken since October 2013 to develop and sustain the piece of outdoors that we call the Mayfield Monarch Waystation. May it bless our lives in the days ahead.
Peace, Martha