Liturgical rebels

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In this episode, Tim Soerens and Christine Sine discuss the reimagining of church and neighborhood renewal, emphasizing the importance of community stories and needs. They explore innovative models like the Parish Collective and impact investing aimed at fostering local flourishing and spiritual renewal. Tim emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and support for marginalized groups, aiming to create multicultural communities where everyone can thrive. Christine also shares her background and recent works focused on creative spiritual practices and Celtic Christianity.

• Tim Sorens advocates for a radical rethinking of church roles where the church is fundamentally about transforming lives and neighborhoods.
• The Parish Collective grew from grassroots conversations.
• The concept of parish emphasizes community and shared life.
• Creative solutions are emerging to repair local economies.
• Attention to grassroots stories is crucial for community development.Access to capital is vital for community growth.
• Multicultural communities are essential for acceptance and flourishing.
• The Parish Collective focuses on neighborhood flourishing.
• Tim's book 'Everywhere You Look' explores church presence in daily life.
• Community transformation requires active engagement with the marginalized.
• Sharing stories strengthens community bonds.

Tim Soerens is the Co-Founding executive director of the Parish Collective, a network of churches around the United States focused on neighborhood flourishing. He recently wrote, “Everywhere You Look: Discovering the Church, Right Where You Are.”  His co-authored first book “The New Parish: How Neighborhood Churches Transform Mission, Discipleship, and Community" (Intervarsity Press, 2014) won multiple awards, including Christianity Today’s award of merit. He lives in Chicago with his family. 

He can be reached through the Parish Collective or Tim Soerens websites.

Find out more about Christine Sine on
Walking In Wonder on Substack
and on her website Godspacelight
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In this conversation, Christine Sine and Ragan discuss the profound impact of birding on personal growth, spirituality, and ecological awareness. Ragan shares his journey into birding, the tools available for bird identification, and the lessons learned from observing birds in their natural habitats. The discussion touches on the importance of understanding migration patterns and the conservation challenges birds face in urban environments. Ragan and Christine explore the profound connections between birding, spirituality, grief, and ecological awareness. They discuss how birding can enhance our listening skills, the importance of grieving what we love, and the need for participation in beauty rather than possession. Ragan discusses the possibility of finding life where many birds do and where Jesus called us, in marginalized spaces.

Takeaways
Birding can be a meaningful spiritual practice.
Faith and nature are intertwined.
Birding encourages attention, mindfulness and presence.
Birding offers a pathway to understanding our place in God's world.
Connecting with nature can lead to deep spiritual insights.
Modern technology, like birding apps, enhances the birdwatching experience.
Birds serve as a gateway to understanding larger ecological systems.
The seasonal patterns of birds help us connect with the rhythms of nature.
Beauty is best appreciated through participation, not possession.
Birds can teach us about life in marginal spaces.
Active listening can deepen our spiritual practices.

Ragan Sutterfield is a priest in the Episcopal Church and serves a parish in his native Arkansas. He is author of the book is "Watch and Wonder: Birding as a Spiritual Practice". His writing has appeared in a variety of places including The Christian Century, Sojourners, The Oxford American, Plough, and The Englewood Review of Books. Ragan's writing and interests are focused at the intersection of faith and ecology where he brings his background in birding, permaculture, and soil ecology into conversation with philosophy, theology, and the Christian spiritual tradition. He writes regularly about these topics at "The Way We Practice" on Substack. Ragan seeks to live the good life with his wife Emily and daughters Lillian and Lucia. 

Find out more about Christine Sine on
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In this conversation, Weldon Nisly shares his extensive journey in ministry and peacemaking, highlighting the importance of liturgy in shaping community identity. He discusses his recent experiences in Iraq and Kurdistan with Community Peacemaker Teams, emphasizing the need for non-violence training and the significance of personal connections in peacemaking efforts. In this conversation, Weldon Nisly shares his experiences and insights from working in conflict zones, particularly in Kurdish regions and Palestine. He discusses the ongoing quest for peace, the importance of community engagement, and the challenges faced by those living under oppression. The conversation also touches on the emotional toll of witnessing violence and the need for spiritual resilience. Additionally, the discussion highlights the complexities of immigration and the impact of war on displaced populations.

Takeaways

• Faith plays a crucial role in peacemaking.
• Community support is essential for nonviolent action.
• Spiritual practices sustain peace efforts.
• Community Peacemaker Teams provide the material governments rely on to understand their own countries.
• Nonviolent action can be effective in global conflict zones.
• Advocating for peace in violent regions is critical.
• Contemplative practices are essential in peace-building.

You can learn more about Weldon and the work of Community Peacemaker Teams at:

• Community Peacemaker Teams -- https://cpt.org
• Subscribe to CPT newsletter and Friday Bulletin -- https://cpt.org/subscribe
• Join a CPT delegation to any of the CPT teams -- https://cpt.org/delegations
• Weldon writes an occasional newsletter called Voices & Visions for Just Peace with CPT updates and other peacebuilding news and analyses. If you would like to be added to this mailing, please send an email request to [email protected].

Find out more about Christine Sine on
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In this conversation Christine speaks to Emmy and Frederico Borman about their work in the Ecuadorian rainforest. They help run the Cofan Survival Fund which is dedicated to the survival of the Cofán indigenous culture and its Amazonian rain forest environment. They discuss comparative spirituality, indigenous values, and the vital necessity for all of us that the Amazonian rainforest survive and thrive. Their work gives hope in an often overwhelming world.

Key Points

• Rainforest preservation is not just for helping locals, but, is necessary for all of us
• The Cofan people have cultural and spiritual perspectives that are in harmony with Christianity
• There are external threats like illegal mining and deforestation
• In the face of overwhelming work, find the one thing you can do, and do it
• There is a pristine rainforest in Ecuador and you can visit

Casete puyi'coo (greetings everyone) Federico and Emmy Borman have been married for 12 years and live in Ecuador. Ecuador is Federico's home country. He is a member of the Cofan Nation, one of the oldest surviving indigenous cultures in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The Cofan still maintain their language, cultural identity, traditional way of life and a value system linked in communal life in the rainforest. Emmy is originally from Kansas, USA through her relationship with Federico she has learned about the Cofan way of life, and it has reshaped her understanding about faith, creation, home and community. 

They both volunteer with the Cofan Survival Fund, a non-profit founded by Federico's father and mother. The Cofan Survival Fund is dedicated to the survival of the Cofan indigenous culture and its Amazonian rainforest environment through conservation and social programs. The Cofan commitment to conservation in the midst of oil contamination, mining and deforestation threats, is a true testament of their dedication to serve our planet, and all of us, as vital stewards of the last pristine forests of Amazonia.

More about the Cofan and the Bormans' work can be found at:

• www.cofan.org 
• Instagram: @cofansurvivalfund 

Find out more about Christine Sine on
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In this conversation, Christine Sine explores the concept of being a liturgical rebel, emphasizing the importance of spiritual seeking, the need for diverse spiritual practices, and the role of doubt in faith. She discusses how liturgical rebels challenge traditional church norms and seek to create beauty and wholeness in the world through various forms of art and community engagement. Christine encourages listeners to embrace their unique spiritual journeys and to find practices that resonate with their experiences.

Takeaways

• A liturgical rebel is someone who seeks spiritual growth outside traditional church settings.
• Being a Liturgical Rebel is about walking together in faith, not leading or following.
• There is no clear roadmap for being a follower of Jesus.
• Engaging in diverse spiritual practices can help stretch our understanding of faith.
• Doubt is a natural part of faith and can lead to deeper understanding.
• Spiritual practices can include everyday activities that draw us closer to God.
• Art and creativity are powerful tools for spiritual expression.
• Community engagement is essential for Liturgical Rebels to thrive.

Find out more about Christine Sine on
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In this conversation with Christine, Kate Caroe shares her innovative approach to storytelling, education, and community building through her project Out of the Box. Discover how her methods foster wonder, wisdom, and wellbeing across diverse settings, from schools to care homes, and learn practical ways to incorporate storytelling and reflective practices into your own work.

Takeaways

• Storytelling is a tool for learning and community building
• Emotional connection in stories is key to learning
• Building atmosphere and trust provides space for deep reflection
• Spiritual and community engagement require innovative approaches

Kate Caroe is co-Founder of OutoftheBox Training & Consultancy. She has home educated her six children following the educational philosophy of Charlotte Mason. She is also Chair of Trustees of Steel City Choristers, a grassroots cathedral-style choir which aims to make choral music more relevant and accessible. In the past she worked in international media planning and was a Trustee of Salmon Youth Centre in Bermondsey. Her degree was in Japanese at Clare College Cambridge.

Kate Caroe can be reached at outofthebox.org and Steel City Choristers can be found here.

Find out more about Christine Sine on
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Music by Maksym Malko from Pixabay

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Christine's interview with Ray Minniecon explores Indigenous heritage, environmental stewardship, and advocacy for Indigenous rights globally. It highlights the importance of land, culture, and spiritual perspectives in addressing climate change and social justice.

Key topics

• Indigenous heritage and advocacy
• Environmental stewardship and land rights
• The impact of colonization and policies like the Stolen Generations
• The need for the UN to exist as a resource for indigenous peoples
• The roles and responsibilities, past and future, of the Church

Ray Minniecon is an Aboriginal pastor with roots in the Kabikabi and Gurang-Gurang tribes of Queensland. He lives in Sydney and has dedicated his life to supporting members of the Stolen Generations of Aboriginals. The term “Stolen Generations” refers to the tens of thousands of Aboriginal children who, from the late 1800s until the 1970s, were forcibly removed from their families by government agencies and church missions in an attempt to assimilate them into the culture of white Australia. Ray is a Board member with several Indigenous Ministries and organizations. He is Founder of the Coloured Digger Project and Consultant to both the Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation and the Children of the Bomaderry Aboriginal Children's Home where many Aboriginal children were taken and placed under the Native Welfare Act of NSW.

Ray Minniecon can be found at the Forgiveness Project  and on facebook https://www.facebook.com/raymond.minniecon/ 

Find out more about Christine Sine on
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Music by Maksym Malko from Pixabay

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In this insightful interview, April Yamasaki shares her insights into grief, her biblical reflections on loss, and spiritual practices for healing and hope. She and Christine discuss her books, including 'Hope Beyond Our Sorrows' and 'Sacred Pauses,' which offer valuable tools for navigating life's challenges. April explains how the human journey through grief is similar whether it is the traumatic loss of a spouse, loss of a job, or even loss of a dream.

Key Topics

• Grief and healing process
• Biblical stories of Naomi, Ruth, Elijah
• Spiritual practices for renewal
• Impact of loss on relationships
• Balancing life and faith during grief

April Yamasaki writes on her author website at AprilYamasaki.com, which is the best way to learn more about her. On Substack, she focuses on writing as a spiritual journey. Her most recent books include 'Hope Beyond Our Sorrows' and 'Sacred Pauses'. She serves as editor for Rejoice! daily devotional magazine, published by MennoMedia. She also preaches once a month for Valley CrossWay Church, which is a liturgical worship community, and often speaks in other local congregations and settings. 

Find out more about Christine Sine on
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Music by Maksym Malko from Pixabay

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In this conversation, originally podcast on Earthkeepers, Christine's friends Forrest Inslee and James Amadon 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.
• 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.

More from Earthkeepers can be found here:

Earthkeepers
Support the Earthkeepers podcast
Check out the Ecological Disciple

More from Wes and Stephanie Vander Lugt can be found here:

https://www.kinshipplot.org

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In this engaging conversation, Christine Sine and Melissa Kelly reflect on their journey of creating a podcast over the past two years. They discuss the challenges and learning experiences they've encountered, the connections they've made with guests from around the world, and the importance of exploring diverse perspectives on faith and spirituality. The conversation also touches on the need to dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery, the role of art in expressing faith, and the exploration of innovative church models that foster community engagement.

Takeaways

• Podcasting has been a learning journey for both hosts.
• Connections with guests have enriched their understanding of faith.
• Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery is crucial for justice.
• Artistic expression can deepen spiritual experiences.
• Exploring global perspectives broadens understanding of faith.
• The importance of community in spiritual practice.

Melissa Kelly is Christine Sine's assistant. She has a lifetime of experience with the church and a lifelong interest in learning new things. She has a PhD in Developmental Psychology and was a professor for years. Now she runs her church office and Christine's podcast.

Find out more about Christine Sine on
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Music by Maksym Malko from Pixabay