Dear Companions in Christ,

I suspect everyone has had the middle of the night meanderings that come into one's mind, in that state between REM sleep and wakefulness.  This was my experience last night, which I wish to share with you.

Some 40 years ago, I read an article in Sojourners magazine that profoundly affected me and my spiritual path.  It was written by a scholar of the ancient, metaphorical Hebrew language, where a word paints a picture, in which Genesis was written.  I paraphrase it here while also drawing from the writings of Franciscan Father Richard Rohr in his book, The Universal Christ:

In the beginning, after having created the Universe and populated it with the many features and inhabitants we oft refer to as Creation, the Great 'I Am' (God/Christ/Spirit) created humankind (Adamah), in God's image, and set it in companionship (Ezar) with each other and all of Creation.

Reading this for the first time left me startled that I had not heard this in my 30+ year lifetime of membership in the ALC/ELCA.  The phrase I was always given was "dominion over."  This new knowledge sent me on a deep and meaningful search within the historical belief systems of indigenous cultures which had retained this connection.  The search led me to undertake a number of vision quests (extended time in solo backpacking while searching/praying/fasting/listening within the mountains and forests).  With infinite grace, The Great 'I Am' led me to again know this sense of companionship with.

I believe that the root of humankind's destruction of Creation is found in having lost this sense of companionship, especially in our modern culture that emphasizes economic gain as the primary measure of a life well lived and especially for men in my generation.  Exploitation of Creation for economic gain/power has replaced a 'heart knowing' of compassionate companionship with one another and all of Creation.

It is my heart's belief that the primary vocational calling, of the NE MN Synod of the ELCA EcoFaith Community, is that of offering opportunities for our Companions in Christ to connect with each other and Creation on the level of the heart. This is the 'Why' of our calling. While speaking to such issues as Line 3, climate change and political budgets is part of our vocation, the core lies in offering/guiding persons and communities of faith to regain/strengthen their 'heart knowing' of the companionship within which the Great "I Am' means for us to live.

In this companionship,

Doug Jacobson

EcoFaith NE MN Synod Leadership Team