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.

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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.

Takeaways

• Grieving 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 energy

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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 & Soul
Iona
Findhorn Ecovillage
Victoria Loorz
Celtic Spirituality
Thomas Berry
Nan Shepherd
Edwin Muir

Takeaways

• Reimagining 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 Shepherd

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James and Forrest have 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. Because the conversation was so full of emerging truths and insights, the conversation is presented in two parts. Here then is part one of a conversation with John Philip Newell.

Mentions

John Philip Newell’s website Earth & Soul
Iona
Findhorn Ecovillage
Victoria Loorz
Celtic Spirituality
Thomas Berry
Nan Shepherd
Edwin Muir

Takeaways

• The urgency of accessing ancient ways of seeing in relation to Earth.
• Many people are experiencing a moment of religious exile.
• The book addresses nine great yearnings of the human soul.
• We need to nurture our yearnings to allow for new beginnings.
• The prophetic voice must be based on love, not just criticism.
• We need to see the sacredness of Earth and every human being.
• The center of the divine is everywhere, not just in religious institutions.
• We can find sacredness in urban environments and everyday life.
• Pilgrimage can happen in many forms, not just in nature.
• The essence of every person is light, even those who seem lost.

Keywords: John Philip Newell, The Great Search, Earth consciousness, spirituality, exile, sacredness, human-earth relations, prophetic voice, transformation, eco-spirituality, Nan Shepherd, Edwin Muir, Thomas Berry, Celtic spirituality, edge walker, Iona, Findhorn, Wild Church

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Host Forrest Inslee discusses the profound impact of displacement on individuals and communities, particularly in the context of refugees. He speaks with Hale Gencel, a Turkish mental health professional and artist, who utilizes art as a therapeutic tool to help displaced individuals process trauma and build resilience. The conversation explores the importance of place and identity, the role of community in healing, and the creative approaches that can foster emotional literacy and hope among those affected by displacement. Hale shares her experiences working with refugees and the development of a curriculum aimed at training community healers to support their peers. The episode emphasizes the power of art and community in navigating the challenges of displacement and the significance of rootedness in one's identity.

Keywords: Türkiye, environmental care, displacement, trauma, refugees, art therapy, community healing, identity, emotional literacy, hope, earthquake, psychology, psychiatry, social work, community mental health, refugee transition country, garden, street kids

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In this archive episode Forrest and James talk to Norman Wirzba, professor and author of a book called Agrarian Spirit: Cultivating Faith, Community, and the Land. In this book, Dr. Wirzba makes the case for a kind of spirituality that is grounded in deep awareness of creation. Among other things, this sort of humble, earthy spirituality that he encourages us to practice stands against the illusion of certainty and control that has made much of the church seem increasingly irrelevant these days—especially to younger generations.

You can also watch the video of this conversation by going to YouTube.com/@circlewood. Or navigate first to the general YouTube site and search for us using our handle: @Circlewood

Guest: Dr. Norman Wirzba – Duke Divinity School
o Author of Agrarian Spirit: Cultivating Faith, Community, and the Land
o Editor of The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays of Wendell Berry

Mentions:
Circlewood Village in development
The term “agrarian”
The interconnectedness of life on Earth
Earthkeepers’ interview – WhatYour Food Ate, with authors Montgomery and Biklé
Humans as soil, animated by the breath of God in Genesis 2:7
Earthkeepers’ interview – Farming Heals Us: Yeawa Asabi and Ray Williams of Black
Farmers Collective and Yes Farm
Injustice for migrant farmworkers
“Dark night of the soul”
God inviting mankind to work in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 2:4-17
God delighting in creation in Genesis 1:31 – 2:3
The fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:19-26

Keywords: agrarian, interconnection, microbiome, soil, body, political, economic, social, food, agriculture, coercive labor, environmental justice, social justice, spirituality, descent, humility, prayer, generosity, embodiment, mystery, hope

Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
Support the Earthkeepers podcast
Check out the Ecological Disciple