Liturgical rebels

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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. 
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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 nislyweldon@gmail.com.
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 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
Walking In Wonder on Substack
and on her website Godspacelight
And on social media:
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Music by Maksym Malko from Pixabay