Fodor, a few years ago, started a Christian service on Chautauqua Lake, utilizing boats, kayaks and canoes, entitled “Canucharist” (a play on words for the taking of the Lord’s supper – the Eucharist,” and he’s at it again.

By Fodor’s own admission, in an email, he said, “For the last six months, members of his church, and the wider community, have been gathering monthly for outdoor services that seek to reground our spiritual life in the natural world. The services are all about “re-wilding” our religious imaginations and creating connection with the more than human community. As such, they are part nature encounter, along with mindful contemplation, and completely about forging community with each other and Mother Earth,” he said.

In short, the intrepid, faith-based leader, has taken church back to a more simplistic time, devoid of on having to wear his or her “Sunday best,” preparing for an hour of singing, praying and listening to a sermon from a pew in a comfortable building – that may have beautiful stained glass windows or illuminating images projected onto a screen.

However, at Fodor’s Church of the Wild, one simply needs to lace up their hiking boots, bundle up against the cold, and bring trekking poles, an open ear, and a good spirit to attend.

Program participants take a break during a faith-based hike entitled Church of the Wild. Submitted photos

“It’s all about building community,” said Fodor. “Finding a place to connect to God, which is outside the “norm”, and a place for those who may have been hurt by the ‘darkened door of the church and feel more comfortable is a less organized setting.”

St. Luke’s Associate Reactor Jessica Frederick appears to be of the same mindset as Fodor when it comes to blending the Christian faith in a more natural setting.

“The services happen snow or shine and generally last one hour to 90 minutes. “One of the lovely things about the Church of the Wild is the spaciousness it creates in our timekeeping,” said Frederick. “We enter into deep time–where moments stretch and we move at the speed of relationship with each other and the natural environment.”

This newest incarnation of worship service is not unusual for Fodor and his support staff. St. Luke’s has a long and storied history, under Fodor’s leadership, of finding niche ways of reaching the masses.

In 2019, the movie, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, a biographical drama film about the life of TV presenter and child entertainer, Fred Rogers, inspired Fodor to dress up as “Mr. Rogers” prior to one of his church services. However, Fodor didn’t stop there. Fodor, conducted the entirety of his sermon, in the way Mr. Rogers would host his now nostalgic TV program entitled Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, which aired from 1968 – 2001.

In the show, Mr. Rogers would start each episode of his show by swapping his dress shoes into a pair of house tennis shoes, putting on a sweater, and by singing the song, It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. Fodor, mimicked the show’s opening sequence, and then delivered his entire sermon- in full Mr. Rogers doppelganger mode.

Additionally, while the Church of the Wild meets monthly, the faith-based organization tends to bounce around the county, finding new and creative places to hold services.

The church has visited Bentley Nature Preserve, Dobbins Woods, the Jamestown River Walk , Jamestown Community College’s Park/Hundred Acre Lot, Long Point State Park, Barcelona Beach, and the WestSide Overland Trail, explained Fodor.

While this somewhat unconventional way of conducting a church service may seem odd or out of place to some, Fodor explained that he had the backing of not only his church, but his parent denomination as well.

“All the feedback I’ve received has been positive so far,” he said. “This ecumenical service is not about dogma, there is no sermon (other than the one Mother Nature preaches) and it does include the practice of communion, which all are welcome to receive. All are invited to ‘re-wild’ their souls and to join in the hike and the contemplative service,” he said.

Fodor said the next Church of the Wild is set for Feb. 8, at the Audubon Community Nature Center, 1600 Riverside Road.

For more information contact (716) 483-6405 or visit stlukesjamestown.org.