In this era of climate change and global warming, reanimating our sacramental consciousness of the Earth – that “God is in the Earth,” as my 3-year-old said – is one of the primary spiritual tasks of our time. Much as I long for this sacramental awareness to grow in humanity, I also long for it to grow in myself. I need a deeper sense of communion with the Earth to carry me through my ministry as pastor, wife and parent. This communion will be deepened for me during this sabbatical time through:

1) Prayer: reanimating my prayer life by spending time outdoors gardening, hiking and writing poetry

2) Praxis: implementing earth-friendly practices within my own household such as catching and utilizing rainwater for irrigation and making use of household greywater

3) Study: reading and reflecting on the work of thinkers – especially those within my own Anabaptist tradition – who are reimagining Christianity so that it can help awaken sacramental sensitivities toward the natural world.