Fall 2011 Newsletter

Below are the bulk of the articles and archives of the Fall 2011 snail mail newsletter sent in November.  If you would like to receive a hard copy please send an email to danbaker@wtrail.com.  Enjoy!

"Walk Worthily of the Gospel"

Paul could detect the Gospel when he saw it alive and well.  In his journeys he traveled on boat and on foot and received the hospitality of many a new Christian.  These communities, in turn, received Paul’s letters – personal notes of “thanks” and “great news!” from Paul’s detection of Christ’s presence in the community (or lack thereof).  His writings are observant testaments to stories he encountered of God’s purposes alive in a folk.  So Paul translated good news headlines from these faith communities as he described God’s movement and mission in his present day – likewise and all the while authoring Holy Scripture. In Corinth it was a variety of gifts but the same Spirit, a variety of activities but the same God activating them, many members but one body, and Paul wrote “now you are the body of Christ and each of you a member of it” (1 Cor 12).  In Galatia it was fruit of the Spirit-filled life and Paul wrote “bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6).  In Philippi it was joyfully pressing on towards the goal and Paul wrote “live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil 1:27) … “Walk Worthily of the Gospel.”  Detecting the presence of Christ in our communities, how would Paul’s letter read to Wilderness Trail in 2011? Consider the 25 years of walking, living tablets of good news stories that have returned home after a wilderness week spent in a small group focused on being the body of Christ for one another. Consider the foot-washings, the campfires, the burden-bearing and meal-sharing, the outdoor chapel communions, and the mountain trails traversed.  Paul beckons attention to “how” to go about the journey.  For Wilderness Trail, it is not just the facts of body-building, program, route, or pace.  It is not the results or destination but rather trusting the process of the image of God growing into the likeness of Christ through the power and mystery of the Holy Spirit leading us onward.  It is walking worthily of the Gospel. As followers of Christ our walk is towards a promised land, therefore each step is with a purpose.  God makes time and place sacred, therefore we place our worth with care and take time with God so that those steps are worthy.  Alive in Christ, our journeys and stories become telling of the Good News.  Walk worthily of the Gospel. As Wilderness Trail leafs the calendar towards 2012 – our 25thAnniversary Year – we remember Paul’s writings to various bodily gatherings of Christ.  In all seasons, times, and places we exercise our pilgrim faith in wilderness adventure as the body of Christ and endeavor to walk worthily of the Gospel.

From the Program Director's Desk

Groaning was the predominantly noticed sound of Fall 2011 with Wilderness Trail.  We heard the average grunt of placing packs on backs, the gut-felt groans of muscles straining against the summit, and satisfying  sighs of mountain top water and vistas.

Prompted by Romans 8:18-27 these groans were more than a subtle or irrelevant sound track- they were met with scriptural and spiritual curiosity.

Little foxes at campfire gatherings confirmed the communal groans and lifted them to God with prayers for the new creation to emerge in their tracks.  Holy Ground story-telling shared the joyous sounds of the new creation’s promises fulfilled in the day’s encounters. 

Nestled between the flesh, sin, death, and sufferings of verses 1-17 and the mighty promises of verses 28-39 we walked this autumn in awareness of creation’s groaning, our own groaning, and the mystery of God’s own Spirit interceding with groans deeper than words.

As autumn leaves travel from tree to turf and surrender to winter’s mulching we anticipate turning the leaf into the new year.  We anticipate a new calendar and even the new creation.

In 2012, Wilderness Trail celebrates twenty-five years of faithfulness in ministry.  I hope you will add your voice to the chorus of celebration by visiting our Property, joining us for a wilderness event, and praying for the new creation throughout Wilderness Trail’s ministry. 

Living into Romans 8 our groans confirm not only the mountains climbed in our past, but also the mighty promises of the future.

Thank you kindly for the opportunity to serve.

Shalom,

Dan

From the Executive Director's Desk

This summer’s theme was “The Light of The World”- and while I don’t lead as many hikes these days-  I still love to meditate on the theme whether from the office, the road or during retreat  visits.  As I reflect on how we have seen God’s light among, within and through our ministry in 2011 one word comes to mind: transformation.

The year was filled with transformational worship, group building, meals, campfires and mountain-top moments. Our hikers grew not only in number (971 total) but in commitment to their faith journey . One hiker said after our last fall hike, “I will never forget my trips with Wilderness Trail and my bracelets will never be removed".

I have seen God’s light work within our staff as they asked hard questions about faith and servant leadership and faithfully lead their groups through the woods. I have seen God’s light transform hikers during their week (or weekend), through renewed and strengthened faith.  The sights of new construction and a new landscape of hospitality for all who visit the Property  brought about  great rejoicing  through God’s transformational work.

Finally, I have seen God’s light work among us. Hikers and board members, staff and former staff, churches and supporters have all played a special part in making this a year of transformation. How inspiring  to see the resulting beauty when we place our lamp on a stand and let it shine before others!

Looking toward the upcoming year I am filled with great excitement and anticipation. I hope you will join me in prayer as we seek to be faithful partners in ministry to all of our current participants and all those whom we will welcome for the first time in 2012. 

God bless,

Alisa

The Wilderness Trail Property

"We'll leave the light on for you."

Perhaps Motel 6 took its cues from the Hebrew Seder dinner tradition of leaving the door ajar with a place-setting and seat open at the table for the prophet Elijah or neighbor or passerby.  Expected and unexpected guests gave purpose to God’s peoples’ property and place-settings for a ready welcome at the table.  Wilderness Trail’s retreat hospitality – from BBQ dinners and country breakfast to hot showers and hot cinnamon buns – resides somewhere between Motel 6 and Hebrew tradition.  This hospitality  sandwiches wilderness adventures with the comfort and welcome of home. The landscape of hospitality at the Wilderness Trail Property has changed greatly in 2011!

Four new buildings now grace the hillside below the Lodge.  Each of two new cabins offer ten bunk bed spots, a spare room, and a full bath.  Two bath houses provide a total of 12 showers, 10 toilets, and 10 sinks.  Alongside the heated Lodge with kitchen, dining, and worship spaces these four buildings accommodate our present program ministry needs and will be offered up for community usage through a rental plan starting in March 2012.  The rental policy and plan will become available in January 2012 and we do not with for these beautiful buildings and land to sit empty!  We’ll have the light on for you and yours.