Nature is God's Heartbeat
Water and Wilderness Church is for anyone anywhere who yearns for a wilder faith in a bigger God. It’s more than a church, it’s a watershed community of people near and far who seek authentic connection to God and one another through nature-based worship, book studies, and immersive nature retreats. We are expansively Christian, radically affirming, and unbounded by artificial borders and rigid doctrine. Bring your mess, your voice, and your whole self!
What We Do
We believe the earth is calling us home, so we worship in the wilderness and connect to God and one another in the wild places. We build community with God, nature, and one another by listening to the Spirit in the natural world, discussing environmental theology and wilderness spirituality, and hosting retreats to get your hands dirty, feet wet, and soul filled.
Our Mission
We exist for the spiritual nourishment and benefit of anyone, anywhere who is seeking to reconnect to God, nature, and one another through real, authentic encounters with God in the wild, natural world…
Our Values
WWC is an alternative way of being in the world, radiating Jesus’ radical love for the entire community of creation. We value sustainability, simplicity, eco-justice, and inclusion. We strive to live abundant lives centered on God, worshiping and serving the earth in community. We listen, seek, sing, pray, and work toward right-relationship with the earth and one another.
History
Our world is crying out for deep spiritual connection. So many people long for an authentic spiritual community rooted in the ancient rhythms of God, but don’t find that in traditional church…
About Us
Water and Wilderness Church began as a dream of bringing the church out of its doors and into the the world. We seek to recover the ancient mystical tradition of Christianity by drawing closer to the God of the wilderness that dwells within all of us. WWC is a community rooted in nature, love, harmony, and relationship. We translate the elements of our tradition into experience of worship, service, and community that are meaningful and relevant to the world today. Queasy about church? We get it. That’s why we focus our gaze on the beauty and wonder of God’s creation, and the divine spark within all living things. The natural world is part of our worship–you never know what the Spirit is going to do, and you never know what’s going to happen in the wilderness. Birds, fish, beavers, deer, trees, rain, snow, rivers; they are all part of our worship and our worshiping community. We believe that every living thing is connected through God, that we belong to a community of creation, and that the whole ecosystem is a living being. Can’t wait to meet you and welcome you into the watershed community!
Our Programs
Outdoor Worship Services
A relatable, interactive worship in the wild: walking, singing, and praying, with contemplative time and communion.
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Nature Based Retreats
Retreats gather people from across the country to experience God through hands-on worship and education.
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Book Studies
Zoom book studies build community with passionate people across the country, engaging eco-justice, sustainability, and building a better world together.
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News and Updates
WWC in Washington, DC
April 6, 2025 at 5pm
Lenten Series: Finding God in the Wilderness
March 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8 at 7pm EDT
Zoom (email Pete for link)
WWC in Wilmington, DE
April 13, 2025 at 5pm
Brandywine Park, Jasper Crane Rose Garden
Why Water and Wilderness Church?
Testimonial
—Kristen Thompson
“WWC is where I can feel the breath of God in the breeze and see it in the rippling of the grass and shimmer of the water, while I listen to the words of scripture. Immersed in my senses, the Word is alive.”
—Karen Kusterer
“We often bike, boat, or fish before or after church often with friends from the church or with other friends who met us there. Because of the less formal nature of the church we made friendly quickly and easily there.”
—Brent Harding
“Worshipping in the Wilderness that God has created, moving through that Wilderness with others, and sharing this Message outside the bounds of any building have had an amazing impact on my life.”
Get Involved
Join Our Program
Wherever you are, you can be a part of the WWC watershed community. Join us by praying for us, attending the book studies, retreats, and make a pilgrimage to worship with us. Or Invite Father Pete to present, preach, and teach at your church or organization.
-Feb 23: WWC in Wilmington, DE
-Lenten Series: Finding God in the Wilderness, Tuesdays in Lent, 7pm EDT on zoom, March 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8
Volunter
Serving the earth and the vulnerable among us is a part of our identity at WWC. Check back in for the latest volunteer opportunities.
-Feb 23: WWC in Wilmington, DE
-Lenten Series: Finding God in the Wilderness, Tuesdays in Lent, 7pm EDT on zoom, March 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8
Volunter
Serving the earth and the vulnerable among us is a part of our identity at WWC. Check back in for the latest volunteer opportunities.
-Feb 23: WWC in Wilmington, DE
-Lenten Series: Finding God in the Wilderness, Tuesdays in Lent, 7pm EDT on zoom, March 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8
Donate
Donate to help us grow the watershed. Your contribution helps us keep offering this ministry to the world.
-Feb 23: WWC in Wilmington, DE
-Lenten Series: Finding God in the Wilderness, Tuesdays in Lent, 7pm EDT on zoom, March 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8
Gallery
Get In Touch
Get in touch with us for support, questions, or prayer requests