December 9, 2023
Listen:
Read Along:
Bears and Community
by Kristen Bowdre
In April, I set out on the Appalachian Trail, a footpath that spans from Georgia to Maine. While I started the hike alone, I knew I would meet others along the way. On my third night, I was woken up by a black bear pawing at my tent! Despite my loud cries of “GO AWAY BEAR”, I could not scare it away. Other hikers camping nearby got out of their tents, made noise, and scared the bear away. After that night, I did not want to camp alone. I always made sure I knew there would be other people where I was camping.
I experienced rich community on the trail. Nobody can successfully hike the trail without help from others. While I was carrying everything I needed on my back, including supplies for emergencies, there were times when other people shared resources with me, or when I shared my resources with others. This really built a sense of community and safety on the trail. I experienced mutuality and reciprocity–everyone was there to hike, but also to take care of other hikers so that we could all be successful together. There was a culture of celebration of each other’s successes, even as people were having very different experiences. In this season of advent, I dream of experiencing this kind of community off trail–this community where we can experience the inbreaking of the kin-dom here and now, even as we await the coming of Christ.
“Desire only Love and walk your days with the Beloved: you will radiate with joy, blessing others with Love’s presence; you will know not loneliness with Love’s Companioning Presence. ”
“What to Do in the Darkness
Go slowly
Consent to it
But don’t wallow in it
Know it as a place of germination
And growth
Remember the light
Take an outstretched hand if you find one
Exercise unused senses
Find the path by walking it
Practice trust
Watch for dawn”
