Finding Resurrection Amid the Beauty of the Earth

A reflection by Rev. Roberto Ochoa, Conference Minister, Iowa Nebraska South Dakota Conferences of the United Church of Christ.

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad…and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. (Psalm 96:11-12)

Anyone who knows me, will know that one of my favorite hymns is For the Beauty of the Earth.  Every time I hear the music and lyrics, it uplifts me no matter what I am feeling at that moment with the refrain “Lord of all, to Thee we raise, This our hymn of grateful praise.”                          

For the wonder of each hour,

Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale, and tree and flow’r,

Sun and moon, and stars of light—

For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister, parent, child,

Friends on earth and friends above,

For all gentle thoughts and mild—

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,

This our hymn of grateful praise.[1]

A year after my spouse of 26 years died of lung cancer, I was blessed to have been able to take a much-needed sabbatical when I was still with the National Ministries of the United Church of Christ.  I had been reflecting on what it meant to do ministry while grieving.  I found a men’s camp and retreat center in upstate New York and with copies of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass and the Franciscan priest Richard Rohr’s The Divine Dance, as my literary guides, I was able to renew my body and soul with all the love, gratitude and joy of God’s creation has to offer in a beautiful setting of nature, the “sun, moon, and stars of light” that took my breath away during my four week experience. The awesome wonder of being at the camp, away from the noise of the world not only refreshed me, but I also felt a resurrection after a year of total grief. I felt the Divine presence of Christ and the Holy Spirit throughout my stay there. I also took advantage of volunteer opportunities while I was there so that I could give back the hospitality offered by this nonprofit organization who depended on donor gifts and contributions.  It provided me a clear blessing of giving back to the community.

The Iowa Nebraska South Dakota conferences are blessed to have affiliated UCC camps that offer the opportunities for all of us to seek refuge and renewal when we need it. Pilgrim Heights in Montour, IA; Kamp Kaleo on the River in Burwell, NE; and Placerville UCC Camp in Rapid City, SD offers our churches, members, and communities at large amazing holy spaces of hospitality to experience the beauty of God’s earth.

These year-round campsites offer a place where individuals, families, congregations and organizations can experience celebrations, retreats and getaways to calm and comfort us in a world often full of life’s uncertainties.

I have had the pleasure of meeting and experiencing the camps’ staff.  Pilgrim Heights Director Mr. Jacob Lamb and Office Manager, Ms. McKenzie Hinegardner; Kamp Kaleo on the River, Executive Director the Rev. Brad Hindsley, and Placerville UCC Camp Director Mr. Kerry Steever are each dedicated to welcoming our churches with an array of activities for all ages, especially for the late spring, summer, and fall.  I am inspired by what is offered in each of these camps, and I encourage all those in our churches to explore, experience, and support our camps in Iowa Nebraska South Dakota conferences. The links to the camps are listed below for more information on each camp’s calendar and activities. Our camps depend on the generosity of our churches and members’ financial and volunteer support and I am so grateful to the supporters committed to keeping these camps going.

In this season of Lent I remember how camp provided me a resurrection last summer in a way that lifts my voice in grateful praise of God every morning I wake up and when I lay my head to rest each night.  Perhaps you will experience it as well.

May God’s abundant blessings be upon you and yours in Jesus Christ.
Rev. Roberto

[1] Hymn text by Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1864.

For more information on Conference affiliated camps:

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