This is a new sidewalk astronomy ministry group called “Psalm 19 Astronomy” that was started in June 2016 in downtown Austin, Texas USA. This ministry is based on Psalm 19:1-2 written by King David about 3000 years ago:
“The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge”
– Psalm 19:1-2
This new ministry is a great way to share God’s word in a gentle manner while showing people God’s beautiful world through a telescope. The ministry mission is “Sharing the beauty and majesty of God’s universe through astronomy.” Members simply host sidewalk astronomy events a few times per year in a high pedestrian traffic area near where they live. I have been hosting mine on the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge near downtown Austin, TX since June 2016. About 1100 people have accepted our offer to look in our telescope at the Moon and planets between June and November of last year. See an attached image with photo of one event.
The real story of this ministry is about the people we meet and the lives we touch with this ministry. While most people only stop by for a few minutes, there are several each night who hang around for over an hour asking questions about the night sky and God. And several people are frequent visitors. You can read about some of these stories on our Psalm 19 Astronomy Facebook group page.
A key sharing part of the event is to pass out Psalm 19 Astronomy cards to passersby who look into the telescope. The cards have an image of the nine planets on the front along with the Psalm 19:1-2 verses (yes, I still count Pluto as a planet.) The backside has educational information about each of the planets. See the attachment with the image of the front and backsides of the card. I have the artwork ready to share for free for you to have printed at your own expense either locally or through online businesses.
God is already growing this ministry. There are three associate astronomers who have already joined Psalm 19 Astronomy:
- Brad who lives near Ft. Worth, TX and also summers in the Badlands National Park
- Terry who lives near Charlotte, NC
- Brandon who works at NASA in Clear Lake, TX
- Marvin who lives near Mesquite, TX
- Spring 2019: Matthew started a new San Antonio, TX group
I fully expect that God will continue to grow this ministry in 2017 to other cities across America – and maybe even across the world.
There is no cost to become a member of this ministry. If anyone is interested in being a part of this ministry then please reply to this post or go to the Facebook page Psalm 19 Astronomy (https://www.facebook.com/groups/psalm19astronomy/) and ask to join that group.
You can also email me at psalm19astronomy@gmail.com.
Psalm 19 Astronomy Society 