Inspired by our hiking small groups at PCTC, Pastor Julie Delezenne wrote a 12-month hiking devotional to be used by small groups or individuals embarking on hikes in Northern Michigan (or similar climates!). Begin your hike by reading the devotional and closing prayer together and continue with one or more of the listed “practices” during the hike. Suggested hikes listed connect with the theme of the month (but are only suggestions!). May God bless your journey in God’s wonder-full creation.

October

Fall Foliage

Suggested Hikes:

The High Rollaways portion of the North Country Trail

Brown Bridge Quiet Area

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers!” 

– L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Outside of our church, there are a couple of trees that begin to change in August!  This signal of the end of summer approaching catches me by surprise.  The real show however, happens in October: turning around a bend and seeing a wall of trees “on fire” with leaves turning brilliantly with oranges, reds, and yellows; standing in the forest with colors floating down around you; wondering in awe, like Anne of Green Gables, how you could be so lucky to live in a world with Octobers.  

Science tells us that as nights lengthen in autumn, chlorophyll—the green pigment in the leaves—is produced more slowly and eventually breaks down. This reveals the colors of carotenoids (yellows, oranges, and browns) and anthocyanins (reds and purples), previously masked by green.     

Octobers are glorious and full of wonder and awe because of this breaking down of the green that helped to feed and nurture the tree during the summer and the unmasking of the leaf to what has been there all along.  As the leaves reveal the glory of their hidden colors, eventually the tree lets go, and they fall in a glorious shower to the forest floor, providing food for many soil organisms, creating a layer of humus, absorbing rainfall.  

Paul writes to the Corinthians: “And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.”  – 2 Corinthians 3:18

In the midst of the awe and wonder of fall, we often hold a touch of grief for the end of summer and the soon to be bare trees.  As we grow in faith and our masks fall away or are stripped away, we can both grieve what was and what we have had to let go of, AND be thankful and full of wonder at what God is now revealing in and through us.  A new kind of beauty for a new season.  

During the Hike:

• Bring (or do this with some leaves when you get home!) some paper and crayons and do some leaf rubbings.  You could even create a cool design.  Here’s a how to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1ROMAzX2O0
• Find a tree to stand under that you find particularly beautiful or brilliant in color.  Take some time to look up, be still, and give thanks.  
• Discuss with a hiking partner or ponder alone:  What are you feeling called to let go of in your life?  What is being revealed?    

Prayer: 

Creator God, as leaves shift from green to gold, red, and brown, teach us to let go with grace, to reveal what lies beneath, to be transformed through our seasons, and to honor the unfolding of others around us.

Bibliography:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/fall-colors/science-of-fall-colors