Wonder, Journeys in Nature with God HC
With a Foreword by Rev Dr Michael Frost, Wonder: Journeys in Nature with God has contributions by 29 writers. The six sections of the book take the reader on a story journey to see God, nature and our place and role in it via the thoughtful reflections, brief prayers and accompanying photographs of nature: truly a journey of wonder!
Of the 44 reflections, 15 are the personal stories of as many contributors, ranging in age from 23 to 93, who share their unique experiences of God speaking and ministering to them through the natural world.
The combination of beautiful nature photographs with the story told through the reflections makes the book a rich feast for a broad readership and an excellent gift for those who love our wounded world and wish to be a positive presence in it.
About some of the Contributors
Professor John Attia. John is a clinical epidemiologist and medical specialist with a Diploma in Palliative Care. He has published over 750 scientific papers and is still active in clinical medicine in the area of palliative care. John enjoys spending time bushwalking and Bible teaching. He is currently studying part-time for his Graduate Diploma in Divinity at Ridley College.
Alaine Anderson. Alaine is a recently retired farmer and wildlife carer in northern New South Wales with nursing qualifications and experience in running a plant nursery. She is also a conservationist with a passion to see farming land restored and ecosystems thriving. Alaine and her husband desire to share their love for Jesus and God’s wonderful creation with their young grandchildren.
Prue Bell. Prue enjoys ‘deliberate wandering’, especially in and around nature and seeing where God’s Spirit leads her. She studied acting and the arts and now works as a proof-reader. She loves singing, hiking and dabbling in song writing and calligraphy. She is very passionate about cultivating healthy relationships with herself, God and others.
Pastor Sue Irwin. Sue is currently senior pastor of the Grainery Church, Newcastle, New South Wales. She was an English literature teacher and has been involved in Christian education with her husband, Graeme, for many years. Recently, Sue had her book, ‘The Gift of Prayer: Teaching Children to Pray’ published.
Reverend Dr Wei-Han Kuan. Wei-Han is an Anglican minister serving with the Church Missionary Society, Victoria. He previously worked in local church ministry and is a member of A Rocha Australia. He enjoys growing things and trail running in beautiful mountain places.
Julia Jardine. Julia lives in Melbourne and works for A Rocha Australia and Cassinia Environmental. She grew up in the United Kingdom, and after reading geography at university, she found that a career in town planning integrated her concern for people and the environment, as it shapes the places in which we live. Over recent years, she has had a growing appreciation of the ‘bigness’ of the gospel as being good news and providing hope for all God has made and has also gained an understanding of the place of caring for creation in our discipleship and mission.
Reverend Dr Phill Marshall. Phill is passionate about nurturing new generations in global leadership. He currently works in mentoring and professional supervision, particularly in the area of intercultural ministry, drawing on life lessons from living in South America, Africa and Asia, which enable him to relate to a wide range of cross-cultural challenges. He originally trained in medicine and then in theology and missions.
Aunty Donna Meehan. Aunty onna is a Gamilaroi woman, international author, radio broadcaster and chaplain. She holds an Associate Diploma in Social Welfare, an Advanced Diploma in Community Management, a Bachelor of Community Management and a Diploma in Chaplaincy. Her story was used by the Bible Society for their 200th Birthday in 2017, and she received The Prime Minister’s Community Award for her Contribution to Aboriginal Education and The Arts. Donna is the author of ‘It Is No Secret, The Story of a Stolen Child’, a powerful autobiography. All her paths lead to peace.
Dr Mick Pope. Mick heads up the Ethos Environment think tank. He completed his undergraduate theological studies and a doctorate in meteorology at Monash University. He is a Professor of Environmental Mission at Missional University and speaks regularly at churches and other groups on theology and its interaction with environmental ethics, science and mission. He has a number of published book chapters and journal articles in this area, including ‘A Climate of Hope: Church and Mission in a Warming World’, with Claire Dawson (2014) and ‘Climate of Justice’ (2017).
Margaret and David Ritchie. Margaret and David moved from Sydney to Warabrook in Newcastle, New South Wales, at the height of the COVID pandemic. Margaret is a retired occupational therapist and David is a retired church minister and a semi-retired builder. Both are keen gardeners. They have lived and served in Bangladesh and Kenya.
Abbey Sim. Abbey lives on the lands of the Toongagal Clan of the Darug Nation, where she studies and writes about God, love and the creative beauty of humans and animals. She currently works in administration and communications for Leichhardt Uniting Church and Common Grace.
Naomi Stackhouse. Naomi graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation major) in July 2023. She works full-time as an ecologist at Anderson Environment and Planning in Newcastle, New South Wales and has a growing passion for science communication in Christian spaces.