A chaplain in Saskatoon, Shawn Sanford Beck, is encouraging people to view trees as relatives rather than just resources. Through his GreenSpirit Chaplaincy, Beck promotes eco-spirituality and helps people build a spiritual connection with nature, even if some may find the idea unusual.

The GreenSpirit chaplain at Grosvenor Park United Church in Saskatoon says more people are beginning to understand his message about spiritually connecting with trees. He often sees their eyes light up as they share stories about their own bonds with trees, animals, and special places in nature. GreenSpirit Chaplaincy is a newer ministry in the United Church of Canada that focuses on eco-spirituality, helping people deepen their relationship with Spirit, the Earth, and all living beings.

Beck says he feels a close kinship with trees, referring to them as humans’ cousins. He and other chaplains spend time connecting with trees and learning to sense when a tree wants to be left alone or is going into rest. With wildfires and the loss of forests across Canada, Beck believes it is more important than ever to see trees as relatives, not simply resources. Many people now feel grief over losing trees and natural spaces, and Beck helps them process those feelings while encouraging a shift toward caring for trees as family who, in turn, care for us.

Source: Janani Whitfield, CBC