In this conversation, Forrest and James engage with Wes and Stephanie Vander Lugt, co-founders of Kinship Plot, an intentional community in Charlotte, North Carolina. They discuss the vision behind Kinship Plot, which focuses on cultivating resonant relationships with each other, the land, and with Spirit. The conversation explores the community's practices, challenges, and the importance of contemplative action and liberatory welcome. The founders share stories of community engagement, the joy of working together, and the deep longing for belonging and rootedness in a fast-paced world. They emphasize the need for personal reflection and the impact of community on individual healing and growth. Finally, Forrest poses questions meant to get us to think about our own needs for belonging, and how we might take action to cultivate or even initiate communities of purpose.

Read Wes and Stephanie's post on The Ecological Disciple here.

Kinship Plot

Takeaways

• Kinship Plot is a living laboratory for community engagement.
• The vision was born during COVID, focusing on relationships.
• Community gatherings often take place in their backyard and gardens.
• Names of plants and people are portals into deeper stories.
• Contemplative practices are essential for community life.
• Liberatory welcome means creating open and inclusive spaces.
• The journey of establishing Kinship Plot has been challenging yet rewarding.
• Rootedness in a place fosters a sense of belonging.
• Small actions can lead to significant community impact.
• The importance of intergenerational relationships in community building.

Keywords

Kinship Plot, Circlewood, intentional community, ecological learning, contemplative practices, liberatory welcome, belonging, community engagement, social concern, relationship with nature

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