WildWood Gathering

06/05/2026

This past week my daughter and I signed up for the Summer Reading program at our library and when you sign up you get a free book. (!!!) She picked out a book by Mo Willems, a solid choice. I found a beautiful book by Oliver Jeffers, one of my favorite children's book authors. Except, that I don't think this is really a children's book. Or, I think adults might need to read this book far more than kids.

This Sunday, June 7, at 4 pm we'll gather at the church and read a story together.
I'm really excited to share this book with you.

05/30/2026

We’re not gathering this Sunday, May 31. I’m attending the 50th Anniversary of Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBTQ+ interests. (The open and affirming advocacy organization within my denomination.) But I shared a reflection in the weekly-ish email I’d love if you could spend a little time reflecting on community.

What does community mean to you?
Where have you felt community?
What is your nonnegotiable for any community?
What is your dream community?

Try not to over think it. We’re not seeking an Augustinian level answer. Just what is true for you today, in this moment. These question will lead into conversation about WildWood and what we need as a community. What is our dream, our cloud, that moves ahead of us?

05/21/2026

For our Gathering on Sunday, May 24, at 4 pm it will be helpful to know two words.
Ruach and pneuma.

They both mean sort of the same thing – bigger than a breath and more dynamic that the wind. Ruach (רוּחַ) is a Hebrew word, in Genesis it described the animating breath of God breathed into creation. From the New Testement, pneuma (πνεῦμα) is a Greek word for breath or spirit. I love the Stoic philosophy definition; a mixture of air and fire that binds the cosmos together.

It’s ruach and pneuma that are referenced in the Biblical Pentecost story in Acts 2. Though, it’s really a Shavout story. The major Jewish holiday celebrating the revelation at Sinai, the giving of the Torah and the formation of God’s covenant with the Israelites, it is the gift of the sacred text that is the Jewish foundation. My friend Rabbi Seth says that Shavout gets the short end of the Jewish holiday stick because while theologically it is a MAJOR holiday, in practice there aren’t any ritual tied to it and given it’s placement in the Gregorian calendar, it’s often overlooked.
Continue reading on the WW blog: https://www.wildwoodgathering.org/post/the-word-of-the-day

05/17/2026

This Sunday MORNING, May 17 at 11 am meet at Tolmie State Park for a beach walk and potluck brunch picnic. We'll explore tide pools and maybe go for a short walk. Bring your favorite brunch food to share, along with plate and silverware for yourself. I'll bring the coffee!

Let's meet in the lower parking lot, near the bathrooms.
More info about Tolmie State Park:
https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/tolmie-state-park
A Discover Pass is required, let me know if you need help getting one.

05/15/2026

I got in a little fender-bender this week. A sweet woman named Betty pulled into a parking lot driveway and right into my car. Everyone was fine, but the front corner of my car got crunched. So now I’m waiting to hear the verdict from the collision shop and insurance company. It was, thankfully, a very minor accident but, as a friend, still big enough to create a headache.

As the tow truck whisked the nearly 15-year-old car off to the shop, I got oddly sentimental about “her.” We have a silly tradition in my family of naming our cars after characters from the comic Peanuts. It started with my brother’s early ’90’s Chevy hatchback named Chuck.
Continue reading on the WildWood Blog.

I got in a little fender-bender this week. A sweet woman named Betty pulled into a parking lot driveway and right into my car. Everyone was fine, but the front corner of my car got crunched. So now I’m waiting to hear the verdict from the collision shop and insurance company. It was, thankfully, a...

05/14/2026

This Sunday MORNING, May 17 at 11 am
Meet at Tolmie State Park for a beach walk and potluck brunch picnic. We'll explore tide pools and maybe go for a short walk. Bring your favorite brunch food to share, along with plate and silverware for yourself. I'll bring the coffee!

More info about Tolmie State Park: https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/tolmie-state-park
A Discover Pass is required, let me know if you need help getting one.

05/08/2026

See you next Sunday, May 17 at 11 am at Tolmie State Park for a walk and picnic!

05/03/2026

Keeping it real simple today with check-ins, poetry, and prayer.
Sunday, May 3, at 4 pm
110 Eleventh Ave SE