Earthkeepers: A Circlewood Podcast on Creation Care and Spirituality

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In this episode, Forrest is joined by his occasional cohost, Christine Sine. They talk to Jo Swinney, Director of Communications for A Rocha International, a global family of conservation organizations working together to care for creation, ​and equip others to do likewise. Specifically, they talk about a new book that Jo co-authored with her mother, Miranda Harris. The book is called A Place at the Table: Faith, Hope, and Hospitality. In that book Jo draws from lessons learned from being part of a family that has always practiced hospitality that also creates community among conservation-minded people from all over the world. In this episode, she shares her practical wisdom from experience regarding what it takes to show true hospitality—including the courage to practice vulnerability with those we invite into our spaces.

Guest: Jo Swinney 

• Director of Communications, A Rocha International 
• Co-author, A Place at the Table: Faith, Hope and Hospitality 
• LinkedIn 

Mentions: 

• The Algarve, Portugal 
• Galiano Island, British Columbia 
• Adam and Eve sew fig leaves for clothes—Genesis 3:7-10 
• Hand pollination in Ghana 
• From everyone who has been given much—Luke 12:48 
• A feast of rich food—Isaiah 25:6-8 
• A new heaven and new earth—Revelation 21 

Keywords: hospitality, conservation, environment, church, Jesus, community, creation, salvation, redemption, family, nature, children, entertainment, cooking, vulnerability, God, justice, hunger, food, feast, new heaven, new earth 

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In this episode Forrest talks with John Wayne Seitzler and Nick Rubesh, leaders of the Wilderness Ministry at Bethany Community Church in Seattle. The Wilderness Ministry fosters experiences in nature that transform hearts and minds--and that help people to grow in their understanding of God and of the whole community of creation. Recently, in partnership with Circlewood, they’ve embarked on a new adventure: The ecological restoration of church property—and the establishment of a wild space in the heart of an urban community.

Guests: John Wayne Seitzler and Nick Rubesh 

• Wilderness Ministry, Bethany Community Church 

Mentions: 

• Ancient Paths program of the Wilderness Ministry 
• Beyond Malibu Young Life 
• Walking in the ancient paths—Jeremiah 6:16 
• Earthkeepers Episode 76—Healing Our Hearts, Learning the Land: Practicing Pilgrimage with David Pott and Daniel Rutledge 
• God calls man to care for creation—Genesis 2:15 
• “Shalom” meaning 
• Hamlin Park 
• Nurse logs—Washington Native Plant Society 
• Earthkeepers Episode 73—Life, Death, and Compost Theology: Learning from the Farminary with Wesley Willison 
• Rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem—Nehemiah 3 
• For the Beauty of the Earth: A Christian Vision for Creation Care by Steven Bouma-Prediger 
• The day of the Lord—2 Peter 3:1-13 
• Earthkeepers Episode 72—Tree by Tree: Planting for the Whole Community of Creation with Scott Sabin of Plant with Purpose 
• Day unto day utters speech—Psalm 19:1-2 

Keywords: wilderness, ancient, paths, creation, Scripture, spirit, soul, body, meditation, fasting, awareness, trek, trip, Jesus, Christ, pilgrimage, Pacific Northwest, travel, camping, native, land, sacred, stewardship, liberty, conservation, shalom, relationship, name, indigenous, urban, parks, ministry, retreat, experience, environment, nurse log, farm, compost, climate, wild church, climate dread, hope, embodiment, outdoors, discipleship, revelation, restoration, rewilding 

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In this episode Forrest talks with Jerry Cappel and Collin Cornell from the Center for Deep Green Faith. Their work is grounded in the belief that the global problems of environmental degradation, climate change, violence, and injustice, are rooted in a crisis of spirit and of faith. The Center for Deep Green Faith then aims to help individuals and communities to  cultivate a more environmentally aware, ecologically grounded spirituality and faith praxis. 

Guest: Jerry Cappel and Collin Cornell 

• Center for Deep Green Faith
• Jerry Cappel: LinkedIn, St. James Episcopal Church in Shelbyville, KY 
• Collin Cornell: LinkedIn, Candler School of Theology, Emory University 

Mentions: 

• Earthkeepers Ep. 73—Life, Death, and Compost Theology: Learning from the Farminary with Wesley Willison 
• Jesus in the wilderness—Mark 1:12-13 
• The Lord’s Prayer—Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4 
• Contemplation & Care for Creation Certificate Program from Deep Green Faith 
• Man in the Garden of Eden—Genesis 2:15 
• Karl Barth—Biography and Theology (Center for Barth Studies, Princeton Theological Summary), The Gospel Coalition, essay on Barth’s adultery 
• Creation groaning—Romans 8:18-25 

Keywords: faith, environment, creation, climate change, land, Christianity, church, Scripture, theological education, transformation, technology, spirit, ecological discipleship, ecological justice, burnout, God, teaching, formation, consulting, courses, community, students, certificate, ecotheology, ecospirituality, nature, words, prayer, worship, activism, contemplation, millennials, despair, Hebrew Scripture, death, hope, Jesus Christ, Karl Barth, race, racial reconciliation, conversion 

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In this episode Forrest talks with David Pott and Daniel Rutland, two friends from Durham in the UK. Both share wisdom  from experiences of pilgrimage—which we define as the practice of purposeful walking guided by a particular goal or sacred destination. They explain how pilgrimage can help us to more deeply understand and love the earth— to open ourselves to a sense of God’s presence in and through creation—and ultimately to become better earthkeepers.

Guests:

• David Pott, contributions to Godspace: Introducing the Lindisfarne Gospels Pilgrimage, An Update on the Lindisfarne Gospels Pilgrimage, others 
• Young Christan Climate Network: Relay to COP26 
• Author, The Two Saints Way 
• Daniel Rutland, contributions to Godspace: On The Third Day, A Poem 

Mentions: 

• Walking routes: Cotswold Way, Pennine Way 
• Pilgrimage in Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Islam, Judaism 
• The Way of Life route 
• The Two Saints Way route 
• The Northern Saints Trails 
• British Pilgrimage Trust: Sanctuary Network 
• Lindisfarne Gospels Pilgrimage 
• World Pilgrimage Guide 
• The British Pilgrimage Trust 
• The Way Under Our Feet: A Spirituality of Walking by Graham Usher 
• The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker’s Guide to Making Travel Sacred by Phil Cousineau 

Keywords: pilgrimage, reconciliation, walking, healing, Durham, saint, carbon footprint, sanctuary, spirituality, worship, prayer,  ekklesia, gathering, climate change, sacred, indigenous, scripture, destination, realism

 

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In keeping with a focus on the environmental, political, and economic struggles of the Haitian people, Forrest talks with Ryan Robinson and David Sanon of Konbit Haiti. Konbit Haiti was founded jointly by a group of Americans and Haitians; they continue to work together to support family health, local business development, and environmentally sustainable practices to meet needs such as clean water, sanitation, and productive farming.

Guests: David Sanon and Ryan Robinson 

• Konbit Haiti 
• David Sanon: Environmental Branch Director 
• Ryan Robinson: Executive Director 

Mentions: 

• Cholera outbreak in Haiti 
• Konbit Haiti’s W.A.S.H. program 
• Gleaning in the Old Testament 
• Waste problem in Cité Soleil, Haiti 
• Deforestation in Haiti: United Nations article, effects on mass extinction, rates and statistics 
• American rice and Haiti: BBC article, Cornell paper, USDA report 
• Trees and heat reduction: EPA article 
• Climate compensation: COP27 agreement, PBS article 
• Haiti and American peanuts: NPR article 
• UN resolution on Haitian violence: PBS article 
• Give to Konbit Haiti 
• Circlewood Course: How Creation Works: Science for Everyday Earthkeepers

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At the time of recording, the country of Haiti is in the midst of a socioeconomic and political crisis.  In this episode, Forrest talks with Ron and Carla Bluntschli, Americans who have lived and served in Haiti for nearly four decades. They share their views on the roots of the unfolding humanitarian crisis, and also offer insights about environmental issues that are only becoming worse in the midst of increasing conflict and growing poverty. Importantly, their foundation—called N a sonje—works with internationals to promote awareness and understanding of Haitian history and culture. At the same time, they work with Haitians to promote restorative ecological practices.

Guest: Ron and Carla Bluntschli 

• Co-founders, N a Sonje Foundation 
• N a Sonje Vèt (“We Will Remember Green”) 

Mentions: 

• 1991 Haitian coup d’état: Wikipedia, Caribbean National Weekly article 
• Agroforestry 
• Soil in Haiti 
• Haitian Creole: language, history 
• How Creation Works: Science for Everyday Earthkeepers course 
• Deforestation in Haiti: United Nations article, effects on mass extinction, rates and statistics 
• USAID reforestation (January 2020) 
• Plastic pollution in Haiti: UN News article 
• Breadfruit 
• American rice and Haiti: BBC article, Cornell paper 

Keywords: Haiti, gangs, refugees, government, immigration, poverty, rural, cities, agriculture, farming, church, agroforestry, soil, Haitian Creole, ecology, deforestation, trees, climate, plastic, pollution, education, slavery, deportation, United States of America, reparations

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In this episode, Forrest talks with Wesley Willison about his experiences at the Farminary—which, according to Princeton Seminary, is “a place where theological education is integrated with small-scale regenerative agriculture to train faith leaders”—leaders who care about ecology, sustainability, and food justice. Wesley is that kind of leader, and we’ll be discussing how his Farminary education has impacted every part of his life, his faith, and his leadership.

Guest: Wesley Willison 

• The Farminary (Princeton Theological Seminary) 
• Cultivate podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts 
• How to Get Home podcast: Spotify, website 

Mentions: 

• Strange Glory: A Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Charles Marsh 
• Theological Education at Finkenwalde: 1935-1937 by Dietrich Bonhoeffer 
• Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 
• Earthkeepers Ep. 40: Creation Care & Community: Erika Alvarez and Johann Ruiz of Casa Adobe 
• Earthkeepers Ep. 66: Earthy Spirituality: Learning from Farmers (and Children and Dogs) with Norman Wirzba 
• Agrarian Spirit: Cultivating Faith, Community, and the Land by Norman Wirzba 
• Earthkeepers Ep. 70: A New Day: James and Forrest Mark the Start of Season Four 
• Kenda Creasy Dean 
• Lilly Endowment Inc. 
• Princeton Seminary receives recent grant from Lilly: article 
• Jeff Chu 

Keywords: compost, agriculture, agrarian, farming, earth, environment, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, ecology, place, sensory, sustainability, food justice, food, theology, faith, Sabbath, death, soil, ministry, failure, Jesus, God, young adults, Bible, purpose, cultivate, hospitality, communion, seminary 

Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
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In this episode, Forrest talks with Scott Sabin, Executive Director of the organization Plant with Purpose — an international faith-based organization that empowers the poor in rural areas around the world where poverty is connected to deforestation. Importantly, their approach to community development includes not just the planting of food-producing trees on farms, but also the work of the reforestation and species diversification of publicly shared land. Among other things, Scott explains that the tens of millions of trees the organization has helped to plant over the years can seem insignificant when one looks at the enormity of the deforestation problem across the globe. However the crucial practice for staying the course is to focus on the part each of us can play, and trust God to multiply our efforts.

Guest: Scott Sabin
Personal website 
Executive Director, Plant With Purpose
Author, Tending to Eden: Environmental Stewardship for God’s People 

Mentions: 
Partner organizations: 

• One Tree Planted
• World Resources Institute 

Article: Haitian farmers and climate change
Village Savings and Loan Associations
Farmer field schools
Agroforestry
Integrated pest management
Article: COP27 climate conference and compensation
Article: increase in climate- and weather-related disasters
Article: World Vision’s Tony Rinaudo and Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration
Donate to Plant With Purpose 

Earthkeepers Ep. 7: Reconciling with the Land: Christi Renaud and Plant With Purpose
Earthkeepers Ep. 27: Earthcare is Peoplecare: Milmer Martinez Vergara of Plant With Purpose 

 Keywords: poverty, deforestation, leadership, farming, injustice, community development, climate change, trees, Haiti, Dominican Republic, creation, education, economic empowerment, environmental restoration, spiritual renewal, village savings and loan associations, farmer field schools, agroforestry, agriculture, church, reconciliation, watershed, margin, integrated pest management, compensation, reforestation, biodiversity, relief, story 

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In this episode Forrest talks with Dr. Edward Olara, a farmer and educator in Uganda. Edward was once Forrest’s student in the community development program at Northwest University. As friends, they’ve worked together in Uganda to encourage and empower development professionals. Among other things, Edward spends his days teaching about sustainable agriculture, community development, and leadership—and modeling earthkeeping practices on his farm in northern Uganda. He is currently working on a book called The Elephant and the Farmers.

 Guest: Dr. Edward Olara 

 Mentions:
Northwest University International Community Development Program
Kampala and Lira, Uganda
Uganda as a regional food basket
East African Federation coming out of the East African Community
United States of Africa article in History Today
More information on industrial farming
More information on climate change in Uganda
COP27 Climate Change Conference
Ubuntu and sankofa

Keywords: Uganda, farm, community development, sustainable agriculture, garden, climate change, food basket, exports, East African Federation, crops, trade, United States of Africa, raw materials, food production, industrial farming, organic, colonialism, drought, reparations, copower, copowerment, ubuntu, sankofa 

Find us on our website: Earthkeepers
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In this episode, we launch season four of the Earthkeepers podcast. The last three years have been an amazing time of growth for us, both in terms of expansion of the Earthkeepers community around the world, and also in terms of establishing the ethos and vision of the podcast as a whole. Forrest and James  share a bit about lessons learned in season three, and we look ahead to new challenges in season four!

Reach out to Forrest with podcast ideas at [email protected] 

 Mentions: 

• Circlewood Village in development 
• Earthkeepers Ep. 52 – Mobilizing Money for Greater Good: Trevor Thomas of Ethinvest 
• Earthkeepers Ep. 59 – Green Money: Fighting Climate Change Through Smart Investing, with Zach Stein 
• Earthkeepers Ep. 63 – What Your Food Ate, with Authors David Montgomery and Anne Biklé 
• Mycorrhizal fungal networks 
• Earthkeepers Ep. 56 – Uprooted: Ukrainian Identity and the Loss of Land, with Tanya Machabeli  
• Earthkeepers Ep. 58 – On Wild Children, Hunting, and the Poetry of Place, with Joel Pontius 
• Earthkeepers Ep. 60 – Courage to Face the Future: Timothy Beal on His New Book, When Time Is Short 
• Earthkeepers Ep. 50 – Farming Heals Us: Yeawa Asabi and Ray Williams of Black Farmers Collective and Yes Farm 
• Earthkeepers Ep. 49 – Speaking for Climate Justice: Malawian Environmental Journalist Mathews Malata, Jr. 
• Earthkeepers Ep. 69 – Unity in Diversity: “Indigenous Theology and the Western Worldview” by Randy Woodley 
• Earthkeepers Ep. 54 – Stronger Together: Mobilizing Communities of Resistance, with Dominic Frongillo 

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