Earthkeepers: A Circlewood Podcast on Creation Care and Spirituality

In recent past episodes you might recall hearing the term “edgewalkers”—and by that term, we mean those of us who have moved away from the center of conventional church and faith praxis, and moved toward the creative edges of the institutional church where new imaginings and alternate expressions of faith life are being explored. That includes, of course, new ways of thinking about and experiencing God in and through creation. In our interview with John Phillip Newell earlier this season, he described that mode as dwelling in the space between temple and the wilderness. In this episode, Forrest talks with a good friend and fellow edgewalker Victoria Loorz—cofounder of the Wild Church movement, and current director of the Center for Wild Spirituality, or Seminary of the Wild, as it is also known. In this, part one of their conversation, they explore the idea of what it means to practice prophetic critique of the mainstream church while still loving the church and seeking to be part of its reformation and renewal.Guest: Victoria LoorzCenter for Wild SpiritualityWild Church NetworkTakeawaysVictoria shares her personal journey of caregiving and its impact on her work.The shift in worldview is essential for creating a new narrative in spirituality.Community is vital for those feeling disconnected from traditional church settings.Edgewalkers play a crucial role in exploring new spiritual paths.Restoring sacred relationships with nature is fundamental to wild spirituality.Fear and resistance often hinder creativity in faith practices.The concept of othering is prevalent in both culture and spirituality.The church has a significant role in addressing the climate crisis.Love is the foundation of stewardship and ecological care.Practicing wild spirituality involves intentionality and openness to new experiences.Keywords: wild spirituality, edgewalkers, sacred relationships, community, climate crisis, love, stewardship, othering, church, worldview shift, Newell, wild church, seminary of the wildFind us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Check out the Ecological Disciple

Toward the end of the year Earthkeepers podcast always releases a special holiday episode that breaks from the usual interview mode. In this episode, we’re gifting a passage from our friend Christine Sine’s book called Celtic Advent: Following an Unfamiliar Path Through Advent. Earthkeepers recommends this book because in it, Christine brings fresh, life-giving perspective on the conventional Western practices of advent. According to those Western practices, the advent season this year begins on Sunday, December 1—so why offer an advent reflection in November? In her book, Christine explains: “for Celtic and Orthodox Christians, advent begins the evening of November 15th – forty days before Christmas Day. Celtic Christians always prayed and fasted for 40 days in preparation for any major life event, whether it be the planting of a new monastic center, the beginning of a new adventure, as well as for preparation for Christmas and Easter.” Given the Celtic theme of the passage, it is read by Brother Seán Aherne, an Irish monk who is very familiar with the St. Kevin story that is featured in this episode.Christine’s website, GodspacelightBook: Celtic Advent: Following an Unfamiliar PathBrother Seán Aherne ( born 1946 ) is a Celtic Christian monk living in a small monastery on outskirts of Dublin. He is Director &  founding member of the John Moriarty institute for Ecology & Spirituality in Dingle, County Kerry. Together with Míchael W.Higgins he edited : Introducing John Moriarty In His Own Words. He is a passionate supporter of John Moriarty’s vision for a Christian Monastic Hedge School for Adults called Slí na Fírinne. Over the years he animated & directed many retreats on Celtic Spirituality & the Native Irish Wisdom Tradition.Keywords: Advent, Celtic Advent, creation care, Saint Kevin, spirituality, environmentalism, community, nature, God, reflection, Glendalough, John Scotus Eriugena, John Philip Newell, Christ of the Celts, Carmina Gadelica, Alexander CarmichaelTakeaways ·      Celtic Advent begins 40 days before Christmas for preparation.·      Creation is an expression of God, not a void of nothingness.·      Our view of creation reflects our attitude towards God.·      Saint Kevin exemplifies a deep connection with nature.·      The incarnation of Christ emphasizes God's care for creation.·      Recognizing God's concern for all creation is vital.·      Engaging with nature can enhance our spiritual lives.·      Reflection on creation can deepen our understanding of God.·      Welcoming creation into our lives can be an Advent practice. Find us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Check out the Ecological Disciple

What are the prospects for the planet now that Trump has been re-elected? What are the implications of the recent election in terms of how we advocate and care for the earth? In this urgent no-frills episode, James and Forrest offer thoughts on how we might care for ourselves AND how we can persist and persevere in our calling as earthkeepers. They reflect on the recent election's impact on future progress in climate action and the emotional responses it has elicited in many. They discuss the importance of grieving without falling into despair, finding community support, and taking actionable steps towards environmental care. The dialogue emphasizes the need for resilience, the power of letting our actions speak louder than words, and engaging with nature as a source of healing and comfort.TakeawaysGrieving is essential, but it should not lead to despair.Finding community is crucial during difficult times.Actions speak louder than words in climate advocacy.We must define our beliefs and live them out fiercely.Nature can provide solace and healing.It's important to reach out to others who share your concerns.Witnessing a better way can inspire change.Taking action, no matter how small, is vital.Look for the divine in everyone, even those with opposing views.Keywords: climate action, grief, community, environmentalism, hope, divine presence, healing, sustainability, post-election, earth care, Trump, Inflation Reduction Act, global leadership, global warming, renewable energyFind us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Check out the Ecological Disciple

In this episode James and Forrest continue with the second part of a conversation with John Philip Newell about his new book, The Great Search: Turning to Earth and Soul in the Search for Healing and Home. In this book, John Philip argues for a re-imagining of how we relate to creation, to each other, to God and even to ourselves. He advocates for engaging creation as the primary means of knowing God, of seeing the sacred in all life forms, and of loving all creation as we love ourselves. And because the conversation was so full of emerging truths and insights, we split the conversation into two parts. In this, the second half of the conversation, they pick up at a point in our conversation just after John Philip has explained how some religious teachings have made us forget how to fall in love with nature, and caused us to lose sight of the divine presence in everything, all around us. Here then is part two of the conversation with John Philip Newell.Mentions John Philip Newell’s website Earth & SoulIonaFindhorn EcovillageVictoria LoorzCeltic SpiritualityThomas BerryNan ShepherdEdwin Muir TakeawaysReimagining our relationship with creation is essential for healing.Pilgrimage can take many forms, even in urban settings.We must strive to see the divine in everyone, regardless of differences.Political discourse challenges our ability to see the light in others.Restoration of betweenness is crucial for understanding and compassion.Faith is more about experience than mere belief in doctrines.Childlike wonder can reconnect us to the sacred.Edgewalkers can help envision a reimagined spiritual community.The divine exists within each of us.New beginnings in spirituality require openness to transformation.Key words: nature, spirituality, healing, connection, divine, pilgrimage, political discourse, faith, edgewalkers, sacredness, Wild Church, Edwin Muir, Victoria Loorz, Thomas Berry, Nan ShepherdFind us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Check out the Ecological Disciple