Earthkeepers: A Circlewood Podcast on Creation Care and Spirituality

• 121. Urban Earthkeepers: Greening the Church and the Neighborhood

  Earthkeepers podcast is committed to helping communities think creatively and boldly about ways they might care for the places where they live. In this episode, Forrest chats with three people—Rachel, Logan, and Celize—about the ways in which Rainier Avenue Church, an urban faith community in Seattle, is trying to actively integrate earth care and faith practice. Among other things, these folks have been seeking to learn and grow in their understanding of earthkeeping through a multi-week group discussion. Notably, all of their themed sessions are oriented both around readings, but also on episodes of this podcast. We love that idea, of course, and appreciate the creative, community building experimentation that it represents. Here then are Rachel, Logan, and Celize discussing how they have been promoting creation care thinking and action in their urban Seattle neighborhood.Rainier Avenue ChurchRachel's Creation Care Discussion Group CurriculumTakeawaysCommunity living fosters deeper connections and support.Eco-theology bridges the gap between faith and environmental care.Oral storytelling enhances understanding of scripture.Sustainability is a journey that evolves over time.Gardening connects individuals to their heritage and community.Church communities can be catalysts for environmental awareness.Diverse experiences enrich discussions on earth care.Scripture reveals a strong connection to creation care.Healthy soil is fundamental to human health.Community engagement is essential for fostering relationships. The use of different lenses impacts our understanding of scripture.Creation care is often overlooked in church discussions.The gospel should encompass restoration of all creation, not just souls.Awareness of environmental degradation can lead to a sense of hopelessness.Churches need to take ownership of their impact on the environment.Social justice and environmental justice are interconnected.Community engagement is essential for meaningful impact.Love of place fosters deeper connections within communities.Younger generations seek tangible connections between faith and real-world issues.Hope exists in grassroots movements and indigenous teachings.Keywords:community, eco-theology, environmental justice, earth care, communal living, sustainability, social justice, gardening, faith, scripture, creation care, environmental justice, church responsibility, social justice, community engagement, faith praxis, ecological theology, hope, interconnection, love of placeFind us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Check out the Ecological Disciple

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• 120. Edgewalking: Finding New Vision in Wilderness (part 2) with Victoria Loorz

  At the end of last year, Forrest spoke with Victoria Loorz about the ways in which a more ecologically-conscious faith offers hope for “edgewalkers”— a term used to describe Christ followers who have moved away from the center of conventional church, and moved  toward the creative edges of the institution—those generative marginal spaces where new imaginings and alternative expressions of faith life are being explored. In this episode, the conversation continues with Victoria — cofounder of the Wild Church movement, and current director of the Center for Wild Spirituality. This episode focuses on a pragmatic question: What are some things we can actually do to practice a more ecologically informed faith life?  Here is part two of that conversation with Victoria Loorz. Guest: Victoria LoorzCenter for Wild SpiritualityWild Church NetworkTakeawaysWild spirituality encourages a connection with nature.Creation-centered practices can rejuvenate faith.Encountering the sacred requires courage and intentionality.Urban environments can also be spaces for spiritual practice.Reverence transforms our relationship with the natural world.Gardening fosters a long-term relationship with nature.Understanding life cycles deepens our spiritual awareness.Emotional expressions, like tears, are sacred experiences.Awareness of the divine presence is essential in daily life.Faith is meant to be constantly evolving and reborn.Keywords: wild spirituality, creation-centered practices, sacred encounters, urban spirituality, reverence, gardening, life cycles, emotional connection, awareness, evolving faithFind us on our website: Earthkeepers Support the Earthkeepers podcast Check out the Ecological Disciple

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• 119. Edgewalking: Finding New Vision in Wilderness (part I) with Victoria Loorz

  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

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• 118. Welcoming Creation: A Celtic Advent Reflection, with Christine Sine and Brother Seán Aherne

  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

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• 117. Surviving and Thriving: Earthkeeping after the Election

  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

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