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Lilly Lewin joins Christine to kick off our series on Celtic Advent. As the season draws near, they discuss what they love about Advent - what they don't - and how Celtic Advent expands the season and slows it down.  They also explore what this year's loss of their husbands has meant to them and their experience of seasons and seasonal celebrations.

Takeaways

• Advent is a time to slow down and prepare for Christmas.
• Celtic Advent offers a unique perspective on the season.
• Creative practices can enhance the Advent experience.
• Grief reshapes how we celebrate Advent.
• Christmas traditions can be reimagined in meaningful ways.
• The invitation of Advent is to notice and reflect.
• Advent is about preparing room for Jesus in our hearts.

Lilly is worship curator of ThinplaceNASHVILLE and freerangeworship.com. She takes worship outside the box, beyond singing, through multi-sensory prayer, experiential worship, and art. Lilly leads workshops, & creates Sacred Space experiences in the US and abroad. Author of Sacred Space with Dan Kimball, and articles in Youthworker Journal, & Curating Worship by Jonny Baker.  You can connect to her through her website Freerange Worship or join her on Instagram or Facebook.

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In this re-podcast of an earlier conversation with Christine, David Cassian Cole shares his journey into Celtic spirituality, detailing his early experiences and the accidental yet transformative encounters that shaped his spiritual path. He discusses the founding of Waymark Ministries, which focuses on sharing insights from Celtic Christianity and mysticism. The conversation also delves into the significance of Celtic Advent, its unique structure which includes three sets of 40 days, and the reception of Cassian's book on the subject. Additionally, the role of women in Celtic leadership is highlighted, along with practical advice for celebrating Celtic Advent amidst the busyness of the season.

Takeaways

• David's journey into Celtic spirituality began with a mystical experience.
• Celtic Christianity emphasizes a unique rhythm of three sets of 40 days.
• Celtic Advent offers a sacred space before the commercial rush of Christmas.
• The book 'Celtic Advent' has been well received and is popular among readers.
• Celtic Christianity had a strong emphasis on women in leadership and connection with nature.
• Rather than being church-based, Celtic Christianity developed in the context of monastic life.
• Celtic Christians viewed the coming of Christ as a repetitive event in life.
• Intentionality is key in celebrating Advent amidst busyness.

​David Cassian Cole is the Founder and Executive Director of Waymark Ministries; he is an international Spiritual Teacher and Retreat Leader; he has lectured in Christian & Bible Colleges; has appeared in numerous television programs; is an award winning author of 8 books, including 'Celtic Advent', as well as being part of collaborative published writings; and was Deputy Guardian of The Community of Aidan & Hilda, a Celtic-inspired New Monastic Order that he was a member of for 20 years.

He has been a full time Church Minister and Teaching Pastor in different churches and is qualified in 'Spiritual Care' (holistic care and pastoral counselling); as well as being a certified Reiki practitioner; he holds a Masters' degree in 'Christian Spirituality', specializing in the Christian mystics, and writing his thesis on how historic Celtic Christianity can inform New Monastic ideas of Discipleship.

More about David Cassian's work can be found at Waymark Ministries

Purchase a copy of Christine Sines book Celtic Advent: Following An Unfamiliar Path

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This week we are repodcasting Christine's interview with Celtic-inspired artist Mary Fleeson.

Christine Sine interviewed Mary Fleeson, an artist inspired by Celtic spirituality and the natural beauty of Lindisfarne. Mary shared her artistic journey, the influence of ancient manuscripts, and how her faith shapes her work. The discussion also explored the meditative process of creating art, the evolution of materials used in her craft, and the inspiration she draws from music and nature. Mary highlighted her current projects and aspirations, emphasizing the importance of making art accessible and meaningful.

Takeaways

• Mary's artistic journey began with a fascination for Celtic knotwork.
• The beauty of Lindisfarne deeply influences Mary's artwork.
• Mary's art aims to draw viewers into prayer and meditation.
• The process of creating art is meditative and requires focus.
• Ancient manuscripts like the Book of Kells inspire Mary's style.
• Music and poetry significantly influence Mary's artwork.
• Mary's current projects include prayer spaces and new art pieces.
  
  Mary Fleeson has lived on Holy Island, just off the coast of Northumberland, UK since 1997. She studied textiles at college then gained an honours degree in Three-Dimensional Design in 1992. About her work Mary thinks that her style originates from doodling in lessons at school (!) combined with opportunities during her education to experiment with many different types of media and techniques.
  
  Together with her Christian faith, living on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and being surrounded by its natural beauty and visible history, is the greatest inspiration for Mary's work; a feeling of being part of a rich cycle of life which began in pre-history and encompasses extremes of peace and violence, poverty and prosperity. She also studies early manuscripts and ancient calligraphy from around the world to gain an insight into how calligraphy and illumination have enhanced works, both religious and secular, throughout the ages.
  
  Over the last 25 years Mary has created over 120 pieces of artwork that sell as prints and greeting cards and has written and designed over 75 books including devotional, prayer, poetry and colouring books. Alongside creating illuminated art and writing Mary creates meditational weaving made from found scraps and yarn and enjoys teaching people how to create celtic knots.

Mary Fleeson and her work can be found on the Lindisfarne Scriptorium facebook page and website.

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Jeff Johnson, a musician known for his Celtic-influenced music, shares his journey in music and how he was drawn to the Celtic Christian expression. He talks about his collaborations with other artists, including Phil Keaggy, and their album 'Spinning on a Cosmic Dime'. Jeff also reflects on the importance of wonder and the need to define oneself beyond creative achievements.

Jeff Johnson’s music spans forty years of over fifty solo and collaborative releases featuring Progressive/Rock, Jazz/New Age, Contemporary Celtic and Contemplative Worship stylizations. He has collaborated with such diverse artists as Irish flutist, Brian Dunning, Jazz bassist, David Friesen, Classical vocalist, Janet Marie Chvatal and guitar virtuoso, Phil Keaggy. Most of his recordings – all self-produced and recorded – have been released on his own Ark Records/ArkMusic label which he began in 1977. He regularly leads a contemplative worship service featuring readings from the Psalms, music and silent prayer called the Selah Service at churches and retreats. He lives on Camano Island in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, Susie.

Jeff's website is: https://www.arkmusic.com

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Christine Valters Paintner shares her journey through life, which she describes as reminiscent of the Celtic saints. She discusses her experiences living in different places, including Ireland, and the challenges and joys of following a pilgrimage-like path. Christine also talks about her love for Benedictine and Celtic spirituality, the importance of nature in her spiritual practice, and the significance of circles and circling prayers. She describes herself as a monk in the world and discusses the Abbey of the Arts, her online monastery. Christine also shares about her book, 'A Midwinter God,' which explores encountering the divine in seasons of darkness.

Christine Valters Paintner is a Benedictine oblate and the online Abbess at Abbey of the Arts, a virtual monastery integrating contemplative practice and creative expression. She is a poet and the author of more than 20 books on the spiritual life. Her newest book is A Midwinter God: Encountering the Divine in Seasons of Darkness. Christine lives on the wild edges of Ireland with her husband John and dog Sourney, where they lead online programs for a global community.

• Following a pilgrimage-like path can lead to a life reminiscent of the Celtic saints
• Nature is an important aspect of spiritual practice, and the Celtic tradition sees it as the original sacred text
• Circles and circling prayers are powerful symbols of wholeness and can be used in prayer and meditation
• Living with chronic illness can be a teacher and lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and the divine
• The Abbey of the Arts offers resources and community for those seeking a contemplative and creative path

You can find more about Christine Valters Paintner and her work at AbbeyoftheArts.com Transformative Living through Contemplative and Expressive Arts

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This is the second episode in our Celtic Spirituality series which we are repodcasting for the next few weeks. 

John Philip Newell discusses his interest in Celtic spirituality and the sacredness of Earth. He shares his background growing up in a conservative evangelical tradition and how his experiences in nature led him to explore Celtic wisdom. Newell talks about the significance of the island of Iona in the Celtic tradition and its role as a thin place where heaven and earth meet. He also emphasizes the importance of recognizing the sacredness of all things and the divine essence within every human being. Newell discusses the power of poetry and prayers in Celtic spirituality and the need to embrace wisdom from various religious traditions.

Takeaways

• Celtic spirituality emphasizes the sacredness of Earth and the divine essence within all beings.
• The island of Iona is a thin place where heaven and earth meet, and it has been a sacred site in the Celtic tradition for centuries.
• Celtic prayers and poetry express a deep connection to nature and the cycles of life.
• Recognizing the sacredness of all things challenges how we relate to Earth and every human being.
• Embracing religious diversity allows us to access wisdom from different traditions and deepen our spiritual understanding.

John Philip Newell is a Celtic teacher and author of spirituality who calls the modern world to reawaken to the sacredness of Earth and every human being.

Canadian by birth, and a citizen also of Scotland, he resides with his family in Edinburgh and works on both sides of the Atlantic. In 2016 he began the Earth & Soul initiative and teaches regularly in the United States and Canada as well as leading international pilgrimage weeks on Iona in the Western Isles of Scotland.

His PhD is from the University of Edinburgh and he has authored over fifteen books, including his award-winning publication, Sacred Earth Sacred Soul. His new book, also with HarperOne, is The Great Search (August 2024), in which he looks at the great spiritual yearnings of humanity today in the context of the decline of religion as we have known it. 

Newell speaks of himself as ‘a wandering teacher’ following the ancient path of many lone teachers before him in the Celtic tradition, seeking the wellbeing of the world. He has been described as having ‘the heart of a Celtic bard and the mind of a Celtic scholar’, combining in his teachings the poetic and the intellectual, the head as well as the heart, and spiritual awareness as well as political and ecological concern.

More about John Philip Newell can be found on his website https://www.earthandsoul.org

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In this time of rest and reflection we are repodcasting Christine and Tom Sine's discussion of Celtic Spirituality from August 2024.

In this conversation, Christine and Tom Sine discuss their passion for Celtic spirituality and its impact on their lives. They share their personal experiences with the Celtic tradition, including visits to Holy Island and Iona, and their love for the presence of God in all aspects of life. They highlight the importance of hospitality, community, and living lightly on the earth, as well as the challenges they faced in building a Celtic-style retreat site. They emphasize the need for a more radical and whole-life faith that transcends cultural boundaries and engages with the protection and celebration of the natural world.

Takeaways

• Celtic spirituality is characterized by an intense sense of the presence of God in all aspects of life.
• Hospitality is a central aspect of Celtic spirituality, seen as opening a door to the kingdom and welcoming Jesus into their midst.
• The Celtic tradition emphasizes community living and a new way of relating to one another, rooted in a commitment to Jesus Christ.
• Living lightly on the earth and caring for the natural world is an important aspect of Celtic spirituality.
• A more radical and whole-life faith is needed, one that transcends cultural boundaries and engages with the protection and celebration of the natural world.

Circlewood can be found here. 

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This is part II of our re-podcast of Earthkeepers podcasts's interview with well-known author, journalist and environmentalist, Bill McKibben. This episode, cocreated by Circlewood and their partner organization A Rocha USA, is cohosted by James Amadon, executive director of Circlewood, and by Deb Rienstra, a writer, speaker, and professor who serves on A Rocha USA’s advisory board. McKibben's writing has appeared in countless publications like The New Yorker and Rolling Stone, and he has written many books over the last few decades. In this engaging interview, Bill shares insights on climate change, renewable energy, and the role of faith communities in fostering cultural and technological change. This conversation covers practical solutions, spiritual perspectives, and inspiring stories that motivate collective action for a sustainable future. 

Key  Topics

• The economic shift towards renewable energy
• The spiritual and cultural role in environmental change
• Practical steps for individuals and communities 

Links

• Earthkeepers Podcast
• Bill McKibben’s website
• Here Comes the Sun by Bill McKibben
• A Rocha USA
• Deb Rienstra’s website
• Earthkeepers Episode 85: Becoming Hope: Debra Rienstra on Her Book Refugia Faith
• The Vatican’s solar project
• Third Act: Harnessing generational power to safeguard our climate and democracy.
• 350.org: Fighting climate change for people and planet
• A Rocha USA: Ways to get involved
• TEND: Cultivating faith-based, creation-focused community
• Advocating for plug-in solar

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We are re-podcasting an interview with well-known author, journalist and environmentalist, Bill McKibben from the podcast, Earthkeepers. This episode, cocreated by Circlewood and their partner organization A Rocha USA, is cohosted by James Amadon, executive director of Circlewood, and by Deb Rienstra, a writer, speaker, and professor who serves on A Rocha USA’s advisory board. Liturgical Rebels' re-podcast will be in two parts. McKibben's writing has appeared in countless publications like The New Yorker and Rolling Stone, and he has written many books over the last few decades. In this engaging interview, Bill shares insights on climate change, renewable energy, and the role of faith communities in fostering cultural and technological change. This conversation covers practical solutions, spiritual perspectives, and inspiring stories that motivate collective action for a sustainable future. 

Key  Topics

• The economic shift towards renewable energy
• The spiritual and cultural role in environmental change
• Practical steps for individuals and communities 

Links

• Earthkeepers Podcast
• Bill McKibben’s website
• Here Comes the Sun by Bill McKibben
• A Rocha USA
• Deb Rienstra’s website
• Earthkeepers Episode 85: Becoming Hope: Debra Rienstra on Her Book Refugia Faith
• The Vatican’s solar project
• Third Act: Harnessing generational power to safeguard our climate and democracy.
• 350.org: Fighting climate change for people and planet
• A Rocha USA: Ways to get involved
• TEND: Cultivating faith-based, creation-focused community
• Advocating for plug-in solar

Find out more about Christine Sine on
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In this conversation, Christine Sine interviews Danae Ashley whose book 'My Sap is Rising: A Pilgrimage of Holistic Mental Health Healing with Hildegard of Bingen and Alfred Adler' aims to bridge the teachings of Hildegard and Adler in the context of health. They also discuss the concept of being a liturgical rebel. Danae shares her experiences with mysticism, the importance of personal rituals, and her passion for storytelling. The discussion also delves into the life of Hildegard von Bingen, exploring her contributions as a mystic, healer, and visionary, and how her legacy continues to inspire today. Christine and Danae discuss how chronic illness may be connected to deeper spiritual insights and the importance of understanding mental health holistically. The conversation emphasizes the value of community in mental health and the potential of spiritual experiences. They discuss the influence of Adlerian psychology and the significance of spiritual foundations in the healing process. 

Takeaways

• Liturgical rebels seek connection to God outside of church.
• A mystical experience is any intense experience of connection to God.
• Hildegard von Bingen's work bridges spirituality and mental health.
• Holistic healing rests on spiritual foundations.
• Both Hildegard's healing and Adler's psychology treat and focus on the individual as an indivisible whole.
• Spiritual practices can include creative approaches to faith.
• Exploring nature spirituality is essential for holistic healing.
• Community engagement is vital in spiritual practices.

The Rev. Danae Ashley is an Episcopal priest, Adlerian psychotherapist, international speaker, and voiceover actress in the Pacific Northwest. Danae uses art, music, drama, poetry, and movement in counseling, spiritual direction, and creation of ritual. She has written for various online publications, as well as being a contributor to podcasts, books, and producing a play about fertility struggle. Danae's book, My Sap is Rising: A Pilgrimage of Holistic Mental Health Healing with Hildegard of Bingen and Alfred Adler debuted in March 2026. When not reading, writing, or speaking about Hildegard, you may find her traveling with her husband, making sure their rescue dog is living his best life, dancing with wild abandon to Celtic music, and serious karaoke. Learn more about her work at www.danaeashley.com.

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