By Rev. Dr. Lawrence Jay

 

For 75 years, Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center has been transforming lives by “connecting all people, God, and nature.” One of the Ridge’s greatest assets is the varied ecosystems on our 38-acre location on Lake Cochichewick in North Andover, Massachusetts, in the New England Conference. We plan to live more fully into that opportunity over the next 5 years through eco-spiritual programs and environmental education.  

For the past few years, Rev. Kent Harrop has led an annual “Pray and Paddle” event at Rolling Ridge.  These events introduced people to kayaking as a spiritual practice with contemplative reflections for spiritual renewal on Lake Cochichewick. In 2021 Kent retired from pastoral ministry and chose to offer his services as our new Pray and Paddle coordinator with the intent to expand our ministry reach. Through the UMCRM Impact Grant, Kent increased our Pray and Paddle events from one per year to six, developed a new website and social media presence, upgraded all our equipment, and through the craftsmanship of Greg Clarke, our facilities manager, built new storage areas for the equipment, and installed a new launch area onto the lake.

2022 was a banner year for the Ridge as we worked with the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook Abenaki People to create our Land Acknowledgement, and thanks to the United Methodist Camping and Retreat  Ministry (UMCRM) Impact Grant, we expanded our “Pray and Paddle” ministry and launched our new Conscious Composting ministry. Along with our monthly Worship in the Woods, our onsite Giving Garden, which grows food for local food pantries, and our network with local eco-partners, Rolling Ridge is creating more opportunities for spiritual, historical, and practical connections with the environment as we care and steward our land.

One testimony of transformation comes from Tracy, who lives locally, and heard about Pray and Paddle from a member of her church. Together, they attended the first contemplative kayaking event of the season. Tracy immediately fell in love with the Ridge and decided to see what else she could participate in.  

Even though our new Conscious Composting series had already begun, she signed up for the next class and the remainder of the series that not only taught the “how to’s” of composting but the spirituality that can be unearthed through the process. The UMCRM grant allowed us to purchase equipment and expand the composting area as compost from our kitchen food scraps fertilizes the Giving Garden farm, which provides organic produce for our kitchen, creating a full circle of food production at the Ridge.

For Tracy, the practical and spiritual aspects of composting were amazing as she points to her new practices—gardening and composting, contemplation and nature meditation—as habits that are helping her feel rooted. Gardening in particular has become a metaphor for her own spiritual growth. She says, “I can take care of my little plot of land. I can’t solve the world’s issues. But I can solve me.”  

The backstory is that with Tracy’s mobility issues, she needed a kayak that would allow easy accessibility. Because we had purchased new “sit on top” kayaks and installed a new stairway launch, she was able to participate in a Pray and Paddle event with no difficulty. If Rolling Ridge had not had the funds from the grant to purchase new equipment, Tracy would not have been able to attend a Pray and Paddle event and discover all the other nature-based opportunities we offer. The funds made the difference in allowing Rolling Ridge to offer eco-spiritual opportunities for all people.

As the Ridge looks forward to 2023, we plan to develop our environmental education curriculum by cataloging the flora and fauna of our wetlands, vernal pool, woods, and lake. Our intention is to use nature to open hearts to the Divine Love revealed in creation. We believe this connection comes from both education and hands-on experience. With Rolling Ridge just minutes from the city of Lawrence, literally on the “other side of the freeway,” where 34% of the population lives below the poverty line, we have the opportunity to give children and youth the ability to explore natural spaces outside of the urban jungle and to learn about their connection with the environment. Only by first loving Earth will the next generation want to care for the Earth.

At Rolling Ridge, we are stewards of a beautifully accessible land, which was the original home of the Pennacook People. We seek to continue our 75-year-old mission and create new connections to awaken hearts to the call of the Creator through creation. 

For more information on the ministry of Rolling Ridge, please visit their website at https://www.rollingridge.org/

Lawrence Jay, Executive Director of Rolling Ridge, is also a trained spiritual director. Eco-spirituality is his passion (and was his doctoral dissertation), encouraging everyone to live into the fullness of our connection with nature, God, and all people.