Well, first things first....what is a Wild Church?
I think that the best way to describe what a "wild church" is...is to take the words directly from their website: " It began as a phenomenon of isolated pastors and spiritual leaders, taking prophetic and courageous steps in their radical vision to leave buildings to connect with the natural world to restore sacred relationship. As we began to find one another and connect, "wild church" blossomed into an organic, spirit-led and collaborative movement. We are a network of "churches" affiliated with many denominations and others who are not affiliated at all. Some don't call themselves church at all, as the word itself can trigger wounds. Others find the word church to be nourishing as it becomes something very different outside of literal and theological walls. The old paradigm of "nature as other" is shifting. Wild Churches don't just "meet outside," they gather to recognize and learn to participate in the kindred interconnection of all beings, elements, and places. It is a relationship, rooted in love, that the ancients described as Logos." For more information, please check out the website here: Wild Church Network
If you're still a little confuised about about the definition of a "wild church", I would offer this simple description: "a wild church is a gathering of people who are drawn to nature as a place of spiritual connection." These churches can take many different forms.
What is the name of my wild church?
Anam Cara Earth Gatherings. The name for the Wild Church is based on the Celtic “Anam Cara” meaning Soul Friend, so beautifully described by the late Celtic poet and philosopher John O'Donohue in his book Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom, An Anam Cara or Soul Friend is essential to deep and meaningful relationship with ourselves and others. Anam Cara Earth Gatherings is way of connecting with our "soul friends" of the human and more-than-human world. Honouring the “more than human world” is one of the key foundations of Soulful Gatherings and the services I provide.
Full Disclosure:
I am now in my late-sixties, and as I reflect on my rich and bountiful life, I am so grateful for the diverse and meaningful events, people and experiences that have formed the person I have become (so far)! I am filled with gratitude for all the messiness and beauty and pain and joy, gains and losses that have formed the beautiful tapestry of my ordinary, extraordinary life. I am always amazed that I am really here! In fact, I just can’t believe what a miracle each of us is….how we came to exist! I can’t help but think of the magic of our basic DNA journey to this particular time and place. How did our ancestors survive poverty, disease, natural disasters, wars, crime, famines-to allow us to be here, right now, on planet earth? What a miracle this is-this gift of life! I reflect on this as a person who has been incredibly fortunate (through no effort of my own) to live in a part of the world largely unaffected by the turmoil and pain and poverty that is the experience of so very many people and creatures with whom we share this precious planet. I believe that is so important to place this story within the context of my own privilege.
Ok so I am waxing philosophical here, but hopefully you get the picture. I am grateful for being a person who grew up in Canada at a time of a post-war boom-where, for the most part, people could earn a livable wage, education was relatively accessible for all, housing was for-the-most-part affordable and available to most. And ….well, we did have the best music! Let’s face it, John, Paul, George and Ringo…..need I say more?
As for me, I have had the amazing good fortune of being able to work in a variety of jobs that has allowed me to meet thousands of people and to get to share quite intimate stories with hundreds of those people. I have worked in customer service jobs, social services, employment services and education. I am so grateful that so many have trusted me with their stories-with their experiences-their struggles and their joys. And, this experience has taught me so much. Amid the diverse and rich stories and challenges that have been so generously shared- whether they be cultural, personal, religious, educational, philosophical, economic, health-centered- thread weaves through the stories. That thread is that we are all so much more alike than we are different. We all have joys and sorrow, gains and losses. Regardless of who or what we pray to (or do not pray to) or elect into government, or how much money we earn (or don’t earn), all of it, these differences, in the end, are artificial. We really all yearn for the same values-love, peace, community, safety, a place to call home, and food on the table. To me, realizing this “truth”-albeit my “truth” (yikes, I dislike that expression so much!)- makes it so much sadder to see all the turmoil, partisanship, and divisiveness that seems to define our era. The world is so small, and we are, in my view, at the core of it all so alike. Why is this happening?
Of course, this is too big a question for my little pea brain. But, is there something I can do? What, in my little way, can I do to bring connection instead of divisiveness? What can I do to support a sense of “we” instead of “us” versus “them” ? In my very small way, in this particular place and time, how can I contribute to something that brings people together – something that unites us, rather than divides us?
I have always been a spiritual seeker. Raised as, and still identifying as an Anglican churchgoer, I am so very grateful for being raised to embrace and honour (what I interpret as the core) Christian values of love, forgiveness, compassion, hospitality, hope and peace. Not always successfully, I have tried to live these values in my personal and professional life I am a work in progress-as are we all, but these are the values I hold dear. What I also realize is that those values aren’t specific to my Christian tradition. There are so many people I’ve met who hold those values-those from a variety of established religious traditions, and those who consider themselves “spiritual but not religious” and those who consider themselves “non-religious”. There is much beauty and wisdom in my tradition-and beauty and wisdom are found in other traditions and philosophies as well. And, a truly disturbing fact to acknowledge, is that there are many who claim to be “very” religious who seem to hold radically contradictory values to those I hold dear. And, that is true in all religions and secular philosophies as well. And, when I hear a commonly-used expression today that certain programs or services are “faith-based”, I really have to ask "what does that mean" exactly? "Faith-based" is, I think, a very complex term. For me, spirituality is too nuanced to be reduced to such a descriptor. But, of course, all of these ramblings are just my perspective. I know that my perspective doesn't make me "right"!
Bottom line, is, to me, that we humans are all a mixture of strengths and frailties, stumbling along through life as best we can.
I remember attending a church camp in the 1960’s, and the part I loved most about that experience (It may sound weird)…was the daily “church” service held in a beautiful open-air chapel in the woods. More than any other time in my life, I felt close to God. That experience led me to explore nature spiritualities, and for over 35 years now, I have been exploring Celtic spiritualities- Christian and pre-Christian traditions, both of which emphasize the philosophy of embracing the belief in the divine source in all creation-with a strong relationship to the natural world. Of course, indigenous spiritualities have been embracing the nature relationship for thousands of years, and, seemingly my own indigenous roots-based largely in the United Kingdom, also embrace these values through the Druidic tradition. In 2019 I was trained and ordained as a metaphysical minister. This was my first practical step to offering services, such as weddings and celebrations of life to people who may be looking for a meaningful option outside of the traditional religious or civil ceremonies. For more information about the metaphysical ministry, please check out Bancroft Spiritual Centre . This experience has deepened, not diminished my spiritual experience and tradition.
So, whew….long story, but for those of you who have weathered that lengthy introduction (and for those of you who have jumped right to this synopsis), this is the “elevator speech” of why I have developed a Wild Church. Going back to my question asked earlier-What can I do in my little way to contribute something that brings people together – something that unites us, rather than divides us?
Elevator Speech:
My little way to contribute something that brings people together is by offering Anam Cara Earth Gatherings.
"Anam Cara Earth Gatherings”, part of the Wild Church Network, provide an opportunity to all who are drawn to the natural world for personal or spiritual nourishment. The gatherings are non-denominational and welcome to all – those who are a part of a religious community, those who consider themselves spiritual but not religious, and those who consider themselves to be non-religious. Offered outdoors, and drawing from Celtic Christian and per-Christian traditions, the gatherings are designed to provide space for reflection and connection to the mystery and wonder of the natural world.
Now what?
If this blog resonates with you and you are interested in attending one of my upcoming offerings, please contact me! I would love to have you join our little community. We meet about every 6 weeks (or just once if you’d prefer) per year to reflect the Celtic Eightfold Wheel of the Year. In pre-Christian tradition they are in order; Samhain, Winter Solstice, Imbolc, Spring Equinox, Beltane, Summer Solstice, Lughnasadh, and Autumn Equinox.
I am so fortunate that Sister Jacquie and Brother Bill at Jericho House in Wainfleet, Ontario have graciously allowed us to gather in their beautiful Carolinian woodland for our gatherings. For more information on the good work of the Jericho House team, Jericho House
If you would like to attend one of my Anam Cara Earth Gatherings, please contact me so that I can anticipate the number of attendees.
If you’d like more information about the Celtic Christian tradition, please check out my FREE Course on Celtic Spirituality-the source of which is graciously provided through the author of its source material, Sacred Living: Practical Inspirations from Celtic Spirituality for the Contemporary Spiritual Journey, Reverend Grace Clunie.
I will be offering optional zoom meetings to support discussion of the content of this course so I would love for you to join me for those discussions.
If you would like to know more about the Druidic tradition, please check out this website: The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids
In addition, later this spring I will be offering a discussion group (not sure yet whether in-person or online) to discuss the book Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul: Celtic Wisdom for Reawakening to What Our Souls Know and Healing the World; I am very excited to be attending a pilgrimage to Iona, Scotland, led by the author this June. If you think you might be interested in this group or attending a Wild Church event, Please Contact me