News from the MN Conference UCC's Outdoor Ministry

Where Faith, Nature, and Justice Meet

Beatrice the Bumblebee Wants to Remind You About the Outdoor Ministry Fall Events

Register for these amazing events before it's too late! All registrations are open. Scholarships are available upon request. The links will take you directly to the Outdoor Ministry page with more information and registration links.

Women’s Retreat

September 8 -

September 10

Cost: $200/person (shared room) | $250/person (private room) only available to the first 5 requests

For this weekend of rest and renewal on the banks of Lake Shakopee, Rev. Claire Klein shares music, dance, and storytelling, as we weave our stories with the women in Scripture. While Miriam led the people to dance in the wilderness and Tabitha created beautiful robes for the poor, the Spirit was weaving each of our stories together with love and compassion. Rev. Claire will guide us in activities that weave our stories together in new ways through song and movement.

Also joining us is Paula Benfer, artist and director of Art Bright, a program using art and storytelling for memory care patients in Sherburne County. “Weaving” our stories through art, Paula will help us to see textiles and everyday objects as part of the “picture” of who we are as persons of faith.

There will be plenty of time to rest, relax, and enjoy each other’s company, along with an opportunity to take a forest meditation walk at Kathio State Park.

Retreat begins Friday with a 5:00pm check-in. Dinner is served at 6:00pm. The event ends on Sunday at 11:00am. Packing and other information will be emailed to you a week before the event.

Rev. Claire M Klein, MDiv, MT-BC is a Hospice and Palliative Care Music Therapist at Grace Hospice in the Twin Cities. A graduate of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, she learned to weave her love of music and storytelling into intergenerational and inter-ability worship that has served her well with all ages. This will be her second time at the Women’s Retreat.

Paula Benfer is an artist and activist, who uses visual art to expand the narrative of any topic. A member of Union Congregational UCC in Elk River, she recently offered an anti-racism discussion offering the history behind art pieces as a way of understanding the depth of the pains caused by racism in United States. She has also shared her artistic abilities at the MN Conference Annual Meetings.

This event is underwritten by the Pilgrim Point Legacy Funds.

Women’s Wilderness Walk: From the Inside Out

September 22 -

September 24

Space: limited to 10 participants

Cost: $250/person; please select to sleep in the bus or tent when registering. The bus is open to the first 6 registrants.

September 15

This retreat held on the Root River Trail in Southeastern Minnesota will engage walking practices of pilgrimage, forest therapy, and the labyrinth.

Under the leadership of Andrew Boddicker and Ian Zahren of Walking Space and Martha Brunell of Oak Leaf Oasis, we will slow down, stretch out, and enter the spaciousness of deepened awareness of the world within us and the world around us. Such awareness opens up new conversation with self and with the earth. Such awareness is the bedrock of compassionate living. We invite you into the transformative possibilities of this walking time on the trail.

The trail we will use is a repurposed train track bed and usually used by bikers. It is entirely paved and mostly flat, making it accessible to most people of varying ability. The trail is nestled along the Root River and the ancient, picturesque bluffs that have stood for millennia.

More information

Bus & Tent Info

Each bunk area has a narrow twin spring mattress, outlet, light, and privacy curtain. Bedding, a pillow and a towel are provided or you are welcome to bring your own. A small locker or drawer is provided for each participant to use for their belongings. The bus has air conditioning and heat when needed. There is a small kitchenette and seating area for relaxing and congregating.

Andrew Boddicker and Ian Zahren staff Walking Space, which Andrew founded. Walking Space invites you to flow with your footsteps.

Martha Brunell’s spiritual programming is Oak Leaf Oasis. She is a spiritual director, a retreat and workshop leader, and a writer and writing group convener with additional training as a SoulCollage Facilitator, an Advanced Accredited Labyrinth Facilitator, a Forest Therapy Guide, and a Grief Educator.

This event is underwritten by the Pilgrim Point Legacy Funds.

The Walking Space: Queer Walk

September 29 - October 1

Space: limited to 10 participants

Cost: $250/person; please select to sleep in the bus or tent when registering. The bus is open to the first 6 registrants

The Walking Space Queer Walk is a safe, inclusive space designed to inspire and connect participants in a nature-drenched, adventure-driven weekend. Here, our shared queerness acts as a connecting point to deep relationships and transformative experiences.

Through our guides, Andrew and Ian, and Associate Conference Minister Rev. Kevin Brown, you will be given access and led through outdoor adventures, and activities built to give you agency in a space not always welcoming to queer folks. Physical and mental blocks will present themselves while you walk and participate in the weekend activities. These can be unpredictable but invaluable in what they reveal about yourself, during the walk, but also after your time with Walking Space.

The trail we use in Southeastern Minnesota is called the Root River Trail. It is a repurposed train track bed and usually used by bikers. It is entirely paved and mostly flat, making it accessible to most people of varying ability, as we plan to walk 4-7 miles each day. The trail is nestled along the Root River and the ancient, picturesque bluffs that have stood for millennia.

At each stopping location, participants are housed in either our one-of-a-kind hostel on wheels, the Bunk Bus, or private tent. The campground has bathrooms and showers for participants to use.

More Information

Bus & Tent Info

Each bunk area has a narrow twin spring mattress, outlet, light, and privacy curtain. Bedding, a pillow and a towel are provided – you are more than welcome to bring your own. A small locker or drawer is provided for each participant to use for their belongings. The bus has air conditioning and heat when needed. There is a small kitchenette and seating area for relaxing and congregating.

Andrew Boddicker and Ian Zahren staff Walking Space which Andrew founded. Walking Space invites you to flow with your footsteps.

This event is underwritten by the Pilgrim Point Legacy Funds.

Rev. Sheri Nelson

Director of Outdoor Ministry

[email protected]

122 W Franklin Ave

Minneapolis, MN 55404

(612) 871-0359

www.uccmn.org/ministries/outdoor