Earthkeepers: A Circlewood Podcast on Creation Care and Spirituality

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In this episode Forrest talks with Victoria Loorz, cofounder of the Wild Church Network, a broad association of religious communities that practice faith life in ways that foster connectedness to all of creation. Victoria also helped start the Seminary of the Wild, an experiential education and formation program for spiritual leaders seeking to pioneer new earth-centered faith practices. In this conversation we talk with her about her forthcoming book, Church of the Wild: How Nature Invites Us into the Sacred.

Book giveaway: Want to be in a drawing to receive a copy of Victoria Loorz’ book Church of the Wild?  Find the “We want to hear from you”  button on the podcast website and leave a voice message telling us why YOU listen to the Earthkeepers podcast. 

Guest: Victoria Loorz—co-founder of Wild Church Network and Seminary of the Wild
New Book : Church of the Wild: How Nature invites us into the Sacred 

Mentions:
Thomas Berry - cultural historian & religions scholar
Howard Thurman - theologian & mystic
Thurman quote
Ecological Disciple blog
Dr. Josh Packard - Nones & Dones - website: Dechurched
Forest Church - UK
Agrarian church - Episcopal
Holy hikes
Paschal mystery - definition
Robin Wall Kimmerer - author of Braiding Sweetgrass; quote:"even a wounded world heals us" 

Keywords: Forest Church, Nones and Dones, Nature as Revelation, ecotheology, seminary, unchurched, Seminary of the Wild, Wild Church, kindom, indigenous theology

Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
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In this special episode we get very practical, focusing on five easy lifestyle changes that can help us to live more sustainably. We are in conversation with Courtney Christenson, founder of Sparks & Matches—a nonprofit organization committed to inspiring people to be changemakers in the realms of social and environmental justice. We hope this episode will help our listeners see that all of us have countless opportunities in our everyday lives to make simple, doable changes that benefit the health of the planet. 

Book giveaway: Want to be in a drawing to receive a copy of Ray Simpson’s Brendan’s Return Voyage: A New American Dream?  Leave a voice message telling us why YOU listen to the Earthkeepers podcast. Find the “We want to hear from you” button on the podcast website.

Guest: Courtney Christenson - founder of Sparks and Matches 

Five Easy Switches:
Laundry detergent - eliminate shipping, plastic bottles
          Brands: Dropps ; Tru Earth
Toilet Paper - eliminate plastic wrap, switch to sustainable sources
          Brands: https://us.whogivesacrap.org/ or https://reelpaper.com
(un)Paper Towels
          Brand: Unpaper towels
           make your own from cotton flannel sheets. make a gift set. (find on Etsy)
Reusable bags for produce/groceries
          make your own from anything that doesn't add weight.
          a no-sew tutorial to make your own  (find on Etsy)
Shampoo/conditioner, body soap bars
          eliminate plastic bottles and shipping and switch to safer ingredients. 
          Brands: Motive (find on Etsy)
Resources for eco-friendly shopping:
          https://packagefreeshop.com/
          https://wildminimalist.com/
          https://zerowastestore.com/

• Apartment composting - countertop models, worm bin composting, yard waste bins may accept food waste as well, contribute to local community garden compost.  
• Dishes vs. paper plates: less shipping, dishwashers are highly water efficient. Idea: collect dishes at local thrift stores  
• Plastic waste associated with buying meat - ask if you can bring in a reusable glass counter to buy meat in from your store. If they say no, find another store or local butcher shop. 

 Keywords: Greener living, sustainability, environmental impact, eco-friendly, compostable, environmentally friendly, carbon footprint, paper alternatives, plastic alternatives, plastic-free packaging, sparksandmatches, Sparks and Matches

Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
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In this episode Forrest talks with Jeff Johnson, an acclaimed musician whose art spans a diversity of styles including Progressive Rock, Jazz, New Age, and Contemplative Worship. In the  40 years of his career thus far, Jeff has written music for a Martin Scorsese film, collaborated with great musicians like Phil Keaggy, and recorded original music for the Wyndham Hill label. In this conversation Jeff shares about some of the deep values behind his musical aesthetic—and in particular consider how themes of Celtic spirituality and communion with nature are reflected in his work. Of course, the best way to understand his art is to hear it—and in our conversation today Jeff includes a few of his compositions.

Book giveaway: Want to be in a drawing to receive a copy of Ray Simpson’s Brendan’s Return Voyage: A New American Dream? Leave a voice message telling us why YOU listen to the Earthkeepers podcast. Find the “We want to hear from you” button on the podcast website.

Guest: Jeff Johnson - musician
Jeff's music - ArkMusic.com
Songs played: Watching Swallows Pray; Shall I? ; Columba's prayer 

Mentions: 

• Tom & Christine Sine - founders of Mustard Seed Associates 
• Phil Keaggy - guitarist 
• Martin Scorsese's film - Gangs of New York 
• Janet Marie Chvatal - vocalist 
• Windham Hill label 
• Brian Dunning - Dublin-based flautist 
• Stephen Lawhead - author 
• Selah services 
• Taize 
• lorica - a type of Celtic prayer 
• David Friesen - jazz musician 
• Brendan - early Irish christian and saint of Ireland 
• The Voice - competitive singing show 
• Jozef Luptak -  cellist
• Lindisfarne - Holy Island 
• Iona - island off of England 
• David Adam - author 
• Messianic Judaism 
• Tanakh - Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament in Christian parlance) 
• Columba - ancient Christian monk and saint 

Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
Support the Earthkeepers podcast
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            In this episode Forrest talks to the authors of a book called 2020s Foresight: Three Vital Practices for Thriving in a Decade of Accelerating Change. One of the authors is Tom Sine—a man who has written many books and influenced many lives—and in fact this podcast has deep ties to his profound influence. (Earthkeepers podcast is an expression of an organization called Circlewood. Circlewood itself grew out of an organization called Mustard Seed Associates—and that organization was founded by Tom and his wife Christine). The other author of this book is Dwight Friesen, a professor at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. Both Dwight and Tom make the urgent case that people of faith need to become innovative problem solvers in the face of the desperate challenges we face in this present age.

Guest: Tom Sine - co-author of 2020's Foresight
Other books by Tom Sine
Mustard Seed Associates 

 Guest: Dwight J. Friesen - co-author of 2020's Foresight
Associate Professor at Seattle School of Theology and Psychology
Dwight's website 

 Mentions:
The First Earth Day - April 22, 1970
James Dator - Professor emeritus at University of Hawaii
Island of Iona
Poet John Donne
Dr. Christine Pohl - author of books on hospitality 

 Keywords: 

Futuring, climate denial, climate change, climate justice, Earth Day, Mustard Seed, Camano Island, Iona, Lindisfarne, Holy Island, Celtic church, Celtic theology, practical theology, Parish Collective

Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
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In this episode we talk with Rev. Ray Simpson about his latest book called Celtic Christianity and Climate Crisis: Twelve Keys for the Future of the Church. Ray is also a founder of a new monastic order called the Community of Aidan and Hilda. Though Ray helped to start this community in the United Kingdom, it now includes people from all over the world—people who believe that values and practices of the ancient Celtic Church have particular relevance for contemporary Christ followers. The community draws on these ancient ways to create an order of life, or Waymarks as they are called. Among other things, this Way of Life recommends learning how to truly listen.

Feedback to Earthkeepers: 

• [email protected]
• Voicemail ("We want to hear from you")

Guest:  Rev. Ray Simpson

• Daily Prayer Tweet: Twitter@praycelticdaily
• Resources, e-studies,weekly blog:  www.raysimpson.org
• Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/revd.ray.simpson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-simpson-5b311b2b/
• To receive daily Pilgrimage for Life: www.waymarksoflife.com

Ray’s books mentioned in podcast:

•  Celtic Christianity: Deep Roots for a Modern Faith
•  Brendan's Return Voyage: A New American Dream: Indigenous, Post-Colonial, and Celtic Theology
•  Celtic Christianity and Climate Crisis: Twelve Keys for the Future of the Church

Links to details from this episode:

• The international Community of Aidan and Hilda
• Anamchara (soul friend)
• St. Columbanus
• Hopi Tribe
• Desert Fathers and Mothers
• Randy Woodley’s book Shalom and the Community of Creation
• Ian Bradley
• Bible Society
• Holy Island of Lindisfarne

Key words: Celtic Church, Saint Patrick, Saint Brennan, indigenous, Native American, Maori, Hopi, New Monastic, New Monasticism, creation care, community garden, environmental justice, social justice, minimalism, Greta Thunberg, anamchara, Columbana, Desert Fathers and Mothers, Brendan, Randy Woodley

Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
Support the Earthkeepers podcast
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In this episode we talk with Alex Bailey, Senior Director of the Outdoor School in the Hill Country of Texas. The Outdoor School partners with hundreds of qualifying schools and nonprofit groups each year to provide transformative, educational experiences in nature, free of charge. The program especially targets youth in Texas who would not otherwise be able to afford this life-changing outdoor experience. Alex is also the founder of an organization called Black Outside, Inc.—whose purpose it is to reconnect black youth to the outdoors.

Feedback to Earthkeepers: 

• [email protected]
• Voicemail ("We want to hear from you")

Guest: Alex Bailey

Organizations: 

• The Outdoor School
• Black Outside, Inc.

Notes:

• Frio River
• Laity Lodge
• Title One Schools
• Camp Founder Girls on Instagram 
• Diversity in national parks
• San Antonio, TX and the city’s disparity problem
• REI - Recreational Equipment Incorporated
•  John 3:16

Keywords: Racial equity, urban landscape, African American camps, black education, inequity, safe spaces, outdoor education, social justice, environmental justice, black youth, urban parks, overpolicing

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

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            In this episode, we talk with Chris Barnard, Policy Director at the American Conservation Coalition. The mission of the American Conservation Coalition—or ACC—is to change the narrative on environmental discussions by promoting a mix of free-market, pro-business, and limited-government environmentalism. They focus their work of advocacy and issues awareness toward a college-age demographic and are also active in the political realm, working with leaders and lawmakers at all levels of government. In his work with the ACC, Chris speaks with particular passion and authenticity that encourages conservative-leaning folks to defy stereotypes, and to embrace earth care as a central component of their political values.

Feedback to Earthkeepers: 

• [email protected]
• Voicemail ("We want to hear from you")

Guest: Chris Barnard - Policy director for American Conservation Coalition 

• MarketAcademy.eco 
•  Chris' article on American conservatives losing sight of conservation heritage 

 Mentions: 

• Genesis - Adam & Eve tasked with caring for creation 
•  Conservative Climate Rally - Miami Florida 
•  Conservative Climate Summit - Utah 

Republican congresspeople who ran on environmental platforms: 

• Rep. Peter Meijer - Michigan
• Rep. Maria Salazar - Florida
•  Rep. Nancy Mace - S. Carolina; 
• Rep. Young Kim - California; 
• Scientist Richard A. Muller 
• BP investing in renewable energy sources 
• Bill Gates - investing in 2nd generation nuclear reactors 
• British Conservation Alliance 
• Founding of the National Parks 
•  President Theodore Roosevelt 
• A.O.C - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - Democratic Congresswoman 
•  Scientist Katharine Hayhoe   

Actions:

• ACC course on faith based approach to climate change 
•  Young Evangelicals for Climate Action
•  Evangelical Environmental Network 

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

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            In this episode, Circlewood Executive Director James Amadon joins Forrest for a look at important recent events in the realm of earth care. They offer commentary on interesting points of intersection between these happenings, and the challenging themes of recent Earthkeepers podcast episodes. 

Feedback to Earthkeepers: 

·       [email protected]

·       Voicemail ("We want to hear from you")

 Previous episodes mentioned:

Jay Matenga
Randy Woodley
Mary DeJong
Roger McLendon
Courtney Christenson
Milmer Martinez Vergara
Caroline Pomeroy
Ryan Metzger 

Mentions: 

Deb Haaland is first Native American to serve as Secretary of Interior Royal Shell ordered to cut emissions by  Dutch court
Chevron - shareholders voted to demand emissions reduction
Exxon Mobil - 2 new board members elected who promise more responsible climate activities
Tesla electric pickup & Ford electric pickup
Climate Stewards link to calculate your carbon footprint 

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

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In this episode we talk with Caroline Pomeroy, Director of a global environmental organization called Climate Stewards, based in the United Kingdom. Climate Stewards is committed to helping individuals and communities learn how to reduce their carbon footprint. At the same time, they offer the opportunity to balance our negative impacts on the environment with investment in positive impact projects all around the world—through a process called carbon offsetting. In explaining this opportunity to us, Caroline offers us one more powerful tool in our efforts to become better earthkeepers.

Calculate your carbon footprint

Feedback to Earthkeepers: 

• [email protected]
• Voicemail ("We want to hear from you")

Guest: Caroline Pomeroy, Director of Climate Stewards

Mentions: 

• Eco Church
• A Rocha
• Calculate your carbon footprint
• Greenwashing
• Paris Climate Accord/Paris Agreement
• A Complete Guide to Carbon Offsetting
• Biosand water filter—short explanatory film

Keywords: greenwashing, Paris Climate Accord, Eco Church, carbon offsetting, carbon credits, community development, biosand, tree planting, United Kingdom, A Rocha, sustainability, climate change, air travel, carbon footprint, carbon neutral

Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
Support the Earthkeepers podcast
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            In this episode we talk with Jay Matenga, Executive Director of the World Evangelical Alliance Mission Commission. Jay is known for bringing unconventional thinking to his work—perspectives that confront status quo assumptions, and call into question what he calls the “industrial ethics” that cause us to be separated from the earth--and from one another. From his grounding in indigenous Maori culture, he offers thought-provoking insights that “cut new grooves of understanding” about how we might live differently with our ecologies.

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Guest: Dr. Jay Matenga - director of Missions & Evangelism for World Evangelical Alliance Executive Director of WEA's Mission Commission
Jay's website & blog 
Dr. Matenga's Doctoral dissertation - The Mutuality of Belonging 

Mentions:
Colossians 1:15-17
UN sustainability goals
Whakapapa - Maori term for genealogy/ legacy /heritage
Dr. Matenga's article discussing Whakapapa
Charles Taylor - Canadian philosopher
Owen Barfield -English lawyer & an Inkling
the Inklings
panentheism - the idea that God is in everything
MacKinsey's 2021 Global Energy Perspective report
critical race theory
zero sum game
ecotone definition
decolonization of knowledge
New Zealand is an example of conversation around biculturalism (definition) and doing recompense (definition)
epistemological rupture
Dr. James Loder - book The Transforming Moment 
interpersonal neurobiology - inter-relational interactions is what shapes us as people 

Keywords: Maori, indigenous, New Zealand, industrial ethics, mauri-ora, whole life mission, animism, panentheism

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