Application to Lead Worship at The Cathedral of The Trees- Algonquin Park- Trailer

The Cathedral of the Trees: Algonquin Park Network:

Time at Algonquin Park to enjoy and be renewed by the wonders of this jewel of nature and to provide a ministry that helps others to do and express the same. Cathedral of the Trees Algonquin Park is a ‘new shoot’ of a longstanding ministry of the former Bay of Quinte Conference, which saw ministry personnel providing an outdoor worship service at Algonquin Park on Sundays in the months of July and August.

Following the church restructuring in 2019, some of the folks who had served this ministry formed a network to ensure that the chance to commune, celebrate, and give thanks for the Holy within Creation was not lost. Online meetings led to grant applications, which then enabled us to: book a campsite for the summer, commission eye-catching advertising, and purchase a “new to us, and really not very used at all” trailer. Following that first summer of reimagined ministry and a two-year pandemic hiatus, we were excited to return to a shorten season in 2022. This year marks the first year as an official combined network of the two Regional Councils- East Central Ontario and Eastern Ontario Outaouais.

We trust and pray that your time at the trailer, whether alone or with family and friends, will be a time in which the trees, birds, animals, sand and water minister to you in a way that you will find restorative and re-creational.

We are asking you to fill in an application this year (see the link below).

WORSHIP SERVICE

At present, Cathedral of the Trees: Algonquin Park focuses on leadership in the Sunday Morning worship service, with a view to extending opportunities for spiritual practice within the glory of Creation. Outdoor Theatre (amphitheater) located just south of Hwy #60 at KM 35. Sunday at 10:00 am.

THE TRAILER AT ALGONQUIN PARK

This 30 foot 2004, Terry Dakota trailer and the accompanying “Chow House” (eating tent) are owned, and were procured thanks to United Church of Canada Grants from Embracing the Spirit, and East Central Ontario Regional Council Mission Support Grants. We thank these bodies for their support. We also thank the Maynooth Madawaska Pastoral Charge who agreed to expand their ongoing Cathedral of the Trees Ministry to Algonquin Park in the summer months, and who have been our administrative center. Through July and August the trailer is parked at the Lake of Two Rivers Campground at about KM 32. (Hwy #60 runs through the Park, from west to east, and there are markers along the highway indicating the numbers of kilometers from the west gate.) .

OCCUPANCY AND ARRIVING IN THE PARK

• Occupancy of trailer runs Friday 12:00 pm to Friday 12:00 pm
• Go to the Campground Office for Lake of Two Rivers. Located at KM 32, on Hwy #60, close to the Outdoor Theatre, which is at KM 35.
• Campground Office closes at 9pm- if you can’t be there before 9pm, please arrive the next day instead.
• The trailer can sleep up to 8 persons. 1 queen bed, 2 single bunks, 2 double beds- (the couch and table convert). You may bring family and/or friends to join you for your week in the Park, and a camping tent for additional accommodation. Additional trailers are not permitted on the site.
• The trailer includes stove, fridge, cupboards, dishes, mattress protectors- you need to bring your own bedding and towels.
• The Trailer is NOT hooked up to water or drainage- so the shower and sink cannot be used. We also ask that you use the toilets in the campground — the toilet in the trailer is sealed and must not be used.
• There is a Smoke / Gas Detector in the trailer and a fire extinguisher. You should test the detector upon arrival to ensure proper functioning.

Cathedral of the Trees: Algonquin Park charges $100 per week of occupancy to help defray some of the costs associated with the ministry, including the campsite fees. Trailer Fees should be sent to Cathedral of the Trees: Algonquin Park c/o Maynooth Madawaska Pastoral Charge P.O. Box 185 Maynooth , Ontario K0L 2S0 (For cheques, please note Algonquin Park Ministry in the subject line).

The Cathedral of the Trees: Algonquin Park Network:

Please use this application form below (deadline April 13th) to indicate your interest in leading worship. Please pick your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice of weeks. You will then receive an email to confirm your week. Preference will be given to those in a call or an appointment- since a time of retreat and renewal for those in Ministry positions is part of the mandate of the network.