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 Loorz
Center for Wild Spirituality
Wild Church Network

Takeaways

• Wild 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 faith

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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 Loorz
Center for Wild Spirituality
Wild Church Network

Takeaways

• Victoria 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 wild

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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, Godspacelight
Book: Celtic Advent: Following an Unfamiliar Path

Brother 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 Carmichael

Takeaways

· 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