Continuing our series promoting the Michigan Conference’s Earth Day of Action, Gordon Grigg reflects on the sacred green spaces of the Upper Peninsula, his home, and how we are called to preserve them as people of faith.
GORDON GRIGG
Camp Operations Director, Camp Michigamme
“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say: ‘His steadfast love endures forever’” (Psalm 118:1-2, NRSVUE).
Growing up, I considered myself lucky to live in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. If you want to explore nature or get away from “the city,” all you need to do is drive five minutes out of town. You’ll find yourself surrounded by towering trees, the sweet fragrance of wildflowers, the humming of bumblebees, and the trail snacks of wild blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. I grew up with a small, wooded area just a block away from my house, where my friends and I would spend our summer days biking on dirt paths and making forts out of sticks and fallen trees.
As a family, we would visit different state parks throughout the summer. One of my favorite parks we visited almost every year was Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, fondly known as “the Porkies,” in Ontonagon, Michigan. This state park has 60,000 acres of old-growth forest, roaring waterfalls, Lake Superior shoreline, rivers, trails, and ridges. It is Michigan’s largest state park. Every time I go there, I feel connected to God and disconnected from the world. Not just because I can’t get any cell service but because of the stillness and seeing God’s handiwork. No matter how many times I have climbed the old fire tower at Summit Peak, standing 2,000 feet above sea level and being able to see the Apostle Islands, Copper Peak, and Isle Royale, I am always in awe and amazement, as I work to catch my breath.
Whether I’m walking through Porcupine Mountains’ old-growth forests, standing in the waters of the Presque Isle River Falls, looking over the Lake of the Clouds, or jumping in the cool water of Lake Superior, I see and feel a glimpse of God’s majesty. The towering hemlocks, the gentle rustle of the yellow birch trees, and the breathtaking views testify to the Creator’s enduring love. These green spaces are not just scenic; they are sanctuaries. They offer us stillness and renewal, where we can draw near to God.
As United Methodists, we hold fast to the belief that caring for creation is an expression of our faith. When we consider sacred places like the Porkies, Camp Michigamme, or other Bible camps across our state, we are reminded of the gift of green spaces and our call to preserve them.
As Camp Michigamme’s camp operations director, I am reminded of our United Methodist Social Principles and their call to care for creation. Click to learn more. With these in mind, I have been working with our campers to care for the green spaces around us, preserving what has been graciously given to us. One of my favorite crafts we have recently introduced is the creation of seed bombs. Working with a company that works to bring back native plants, our campers take old bits of construction paper and newspaper that would have been thrown away. With the paper, we make a pulp and mix in native Michigan wildflower seeds, squishing them into balls, so when a camper goes back to their community, they can plant them and help creation regrow what once used to be there.
Psalm 118 calls us to give thanks for God’s goodness and to enter the “gates of righteousness” (vv. 19-20). In a spiritual sense, the trails, the waters, and the forests of the Porcupine Mountains and the sacred grounds of Camp Michigamme and other Bible camps can be such gates. When we care for and protect these spaces, we are walking in righteousness — honoring the earth as God’s handiwork.
But preserving creation also requires action. The psalmist declares, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone” (v. 22). Too often, nature is treated as the rejected stone — cleared for development or neglected. Yet God calls us to make it a cornerstone of our care, recognizing its value and fighting for its preservation. Whether hiking the trails of the Porkies or leading campers through activities at Camp Michigamme, you can feel and see God’s presence in the natural beauty. At Michigamme, we have beautiful outdoor chapels. The Lakeside Chapel overlooks Brown Bay of Lake Michigamme, and the Hill Top Chapel overlooks the forest and waters of Lake Michigamme. God is not just in our churches and sanctuaries. God is all around us, and we can hear God in the rustling of the trees or the songs of the birds, and we can see God in the stillness of the waters.
To live out our calling to care for creation and preserve our green spaces, we need to get involved. You can do this by volunteering time for conservation projects or helping maintain trails at parks and green spaces near you, clearing invasive species, and supporting eco-friendly initiatives. We need to make sure we are advocating for green spaces. This means staying current on environmental policies, and contacting our lawmakers locally in Michigan and at the national level in Washington, D.C., to advocate for funding and protection of green spaces. Also, make sure you are living as green a life as possible. Practice small, sustainable habits, reduce waste, recycle, and be mindful of your environmental footprint.
Creator God, we thank you for the beauty of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Camp Michigamme, and the other camps around our conference. These green spaces are places of rest, renewal, and connection with you. Open our eyes to see them as sacred gifts. Inspire us to be faithful stewards, preserving their beauty and protecting them for future generations. May our care for creation be a reflection of your enduring love. Amen.
Editor’s note: Join United Methodists all over Michigan on Saturday, April 26, for the Earth Day of Action. Worship together online and then plan to do one act of service to care for God’s good creation. Read this article to learn more and to register.
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Last Updated on April 15, 2025