Liturgical rebels (Christine Sine )

How often have you felt restricted to spiritual practices that seem outdated and of little relevance in today’s world? How often have you felt discouraged to express your own creative talents and develop spiritual practices that are uniquely you?  Are you a Liturgical Rebel wanting to break out of the boxes of convention?

In this inaugural episode Christine Sine and Forrest Inslee discuss what it means to be a liturgical rebel and why it matters. They discuss how we enhance our faith by connecting to God revealed in nature, in creativity,  and the everyday acts of life. They encourage us to explore our own pathways to discover spiritual expressions that resonate in our souls, strengthen our faith and nourish our spirits.

You can find out more about Forrest Inslee at Earthkeepers Podcast and Circlewood

Find out more about Christine Sine on her website Godspacelight or join her on social media:
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In this second episode of The Liturgical Rebel I am in conversation with Drew Jackson about poetry as spiritual practice and how it can help us express the laments and joys of life while enabling us to sit longer in the questions life raises, not looking for answers but sitting in the mystery of all things. His poetry is part protest, part Biblical commentary and provides fresh insight as he weaves the Biblical narrative with contemporary issues of justice, lament and hope.

We will also discuss his amazing sensitivity to women in the gospels and how poetry enables us to access our anger and see it as an invitation to uncover the mystery of life and let go of a need for answers and control. 

Drew has published 2 wonderful books of poetry: Touch the Earth and God Speaks Through Wombs.  (NOTE: As an Amazon Associate I receive a small amount if you purchase through these links.) 

For more information about Drew Jackson visit him at his website drewjackson.com or join him on Instagram or on Facebook. 

Find out more about Christine Sine on her website Godspacelight or join her on social media: Instagram; Facebook; X or YouTube

In this third episode of The Liturgical Rebels Christine Sine interviews Scott Erickson, a creative artist and storyteller, who shares his journey as an artist and how he uses his God-given creativity to bring the biblical story to life in fresh and new ways. They discuss his early artistic influences, his experience using art in church services, and his approach to developing a visual vocabulary. Scott and Christine also explore his decision to move away from traditional Christian symbols and his focus on creating artwork that invites viewers to unknow the familiar story. Scott emphasizes the importance of experiencing awe and wonder and the role of art in connecting with the giver of our souls. 

Throughout the conversation, Scott reflects on the responses he receives to his artwork and the impact of art on the margins of society. In this conversation, Christine Sine and Scott also discuss the importance of mindfulness in daily life. They explore how mindfulness can improve emotional well-being, physical health, relationships, and productivity. The conversation emphasizes the benefits of being present in the moment and cultivating a mindful mindset.

Takeaways

• Art can be a powerful tool for bringing the biblical story to life in fresh and new ways.
• Developing a visual vocabulary and exploring symbols beyond traditional Christian imagery can help deepen our understanding of the story.
• Experiencing awe and wonder is essential for connecting with the deeper meaning of the story and the presence of God.
• Art created from the margins can have a profound impact on individuals and communities, offering a different perspective and inviting deeper reflection. Mindfulness is a powerful practice that can improve various aspects of life.
• Practicing mindfulness in daily life can lead to greater emotional well-being.
• Mindfulness can have positive effects on physical health, including reducing stress and improving sleep.
• Being mindful in relationships can enhance communication and connection.
• Incorporating mindfulness into work and daily tasks can increase productivity and focus.

Stay Connected 

For more information about Scott Erickson his artwork and books, please visit him at scottericksonart.com,  follow @scottthepainter on instagram or join him on substack https://scotterickson.substack.com 

For more information about Christine Sine visit her website godspacelight.com or follow @christinesine on Instagram and Facebook. 

Summary

In this conversation, Christine Sine interviews artist Kreg Yingst about his journey as a block print artist and his approach to combining art and faith. Kreg shares how he got into block prints and the influence of storytelling art on his work. He discusses his connection with the Psalms and parables, and how his art became a spiritual practice. Kreg also talks about the impact of his artwork on people, sharing stories of healing and restoration. He emphasizes the importance of embracing creativity and finding a place in the body of Christ.

Takeaways

• Block printing is a time-consuming method of printmaking that allows for storytelling and narrative art.
• Art can be a spiritual practice and a way to connect with God.
• Artwork can have a profound impact on people, bringing healing, restoration, and spiritual growth.
• Creativity is a unique expression of faith and should be embraced and celebrated.

Stay Connected 

For more information about Kreg Yingst and to learn about his upcoming book release for Everything Could Be A Prayer, https://amzn.to/48UqKs2 visit his website  Kregyingst.com or his Etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/psalmprayers  or follow him on instagram, www.instagram.com/psalmprayers; www.facebook.com/psalmblockprints 

For more information about the Liturgical Rebels host, Christine Sine visit her website godspacelight.com or follow @christinesine on Instagram, Facebook X our Youtube. 

In this episode Mark Pierson joins Christine Sine and co-host Lilly Lewin to discuss the concept of worship curation and its impact on the way they approach church. Mark Pierson a long-time Baptist pastor in Aukland New Zealand, who coined the term 'worship curator,' describes it as curating contexts and spaces built around practices that offer people the potential for transformational engagement with God. He shares examples of curated worship experiences, including art installations and the Tea and Be ceremony. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced in introducing creative elements to traditional church settings and the importance of curating people's gifts.

Takeaways

• Worship curation involves curating contexts and spaces that offer opportunities for transformational engagement with God.
• Curated worship experiences can take various forms, including art installations and rituals like Tea and Be.
• Introducing creativity to traditional church settings can be challenging, but it is important to create spaces where people can engage with God in new ways.
• Curating people's gifts and providing opportunities for them to contribute to worship can enhance the overall experience.
• Those who have given up on church are encouraged to find like-minded individuals and create their own worship experiences centered around communion and simplicity.

In this episode Christine interviews Lilly Lewin about creativity and worship. 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.

Lilly Lewin shares her journey into art and worship curation including the importance of incorporating art and participatory elements into worship experiences. She also explains how she creates sacred spaces and prayer stations using everyday objects. She emphasizes the need to redefine worship and highlights the value of prayer as a practice of noticing the world. Lilly  and Christine  discuss the use of everyday objects as prayer tools and the concept of pilgrimage. They explore different forms of pilgrimage and the importance of noticing God's presence in the journey. They also emphasize the need to live as pilgrims in our own towns and to make worship more participatory.

Takeaways

• Art is a powerful tool for worship and spiritual expression.
• Participation is key in worship, and incorporating art engages all the senses and create a more meaningful and memorable experience.
• Creating sacred spaces and prayer stations provide opportunities for people to encounter God in a tangible way.
• Prayer is not limited to traditional settings and can be practiced throughout daily life by noticing the world around us.

In this conversation, Christine Sine interviews Shane Claiborne, a Christian activist and author, about his journey and his work in advocating for social justice. They discuss topics such as community living, gun violence, the death penalty, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Shane shares his experiences and insights, highlighting the importance of love, nonviolence, and solidarity with marginalized communities. The conversation culminates in a discussion about the recent pilgrimage walk and protest at Lockheed Martin, a major weapons contractor.

Takeaways

• Living in community can provide a foundation for radical activism and social justice work.
• Gun violence, the death penalty, and militarism are issues that Christians should care about and work to address.
• The ongoing conflict in Gaza is a deeply spiritual and humanitarian crisis that requires attention and action.
• Transforming weapons of violence into tools of life and love is a powerful symbol of hope and transformation.
• Becoming a parent can deepen one's commitment to justice and inspire a vision of a better world for future generations.

Shane Claiborne is a best-selling author, renowned activist, sought-after speaker, and self-proclaimed “recovering sinner.” He is the co-founder with Tony Campolo of Red Letter Christians redletterchristians.org   Shane writes and speaks around the world about peacemaking, social justice, and Jesus, and is the author of several books, including "The Irresistible Revolution," "Jesus for President," "Executing Grace," "Beating Guns," and his newest book, "Rethinking Life (released in Feb 2023)." He is the visionary leader of The Simple Way in Philadelphia and co-director of Red Letter Christians. His work has been featured in Fox News, Esquire, SPIN, TIME, the Wall Street Journal, NPR, and CNN. 

In this conversation, Tony shares his journey from being a pastor in the Emerging Church Network to finding solace and connection with God in the wilderness.  Tony emphasizes the importance of nature in spiritual experiences and how it can be a place to interact with God. He explores the presence of death in life from composting and gardening to hunting. The conversation explores the paradox of valuing animals and of hunting and eating them, the responsibility humans have for the death of animals, and the need for honesty about animal deaths. The conversation concludes with a discussion on mortality and the focus on living the best life in the present.

Tony Jones is the author of The God of Wild Places and contributing writer to several outdoors periodicals. He’s written a dozen books, including Did God Kill Jesus? and The Sacred Way: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life, developed the iPhone app, hosts the Reverend Hunter Podcast, and teaches at Fuller Theological Seminary and The Loft Literary Center. He writes a weekly newsletter on Substack.  He holds an A.B. from Dartmouth College, an M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary.
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Takeaways

• Tony's journey from being a pastor in the Emerging Church Network to finding solace and connection with God in the wilderness
• The challenges and advantages of being an Enneagram 8
• The importance of nature in spiritual experiences and connecting with God
• The metaphor of composting for the cycle of life and the interconnectedness of all creation.
• Humans are responsible for the death of animals, whether we eat meat or not, and it is important to be honest about our choices.
• Respecting and caring for creation is an important aspect of our relationship with the natural world.
• Focusing on living the best life in the present and embracing our mortality can lead to a deeper appreciation for life and the world around us.

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Contact Information for Tony Jones
Email: tj@tonyj.net
Mobile phone: 612-597-0441
Website: ReverendHunter.com
Facebook: facebook.com/jonestony
Twitter: @jonestony
Instagram: @TheReverendHunter

In this episode of Liturgical Rebels, Christine Sine and Forrest Inslee interview Brian McLaren.

A former English professor, Brian D. McLaren was a pastor for twenty-four years. Now he’s an author, activist, public theologian, and popular public speaker. His work has been covered in TIME Magazine, Newsweek, USA Today, The New York Times, Washington Post, and CNN. The author of more than 15 books, including Faith After Doubt, Do I Stay Christian? and A New Kind of Christian, he is a faculty member of The Living School at the Center for Action and Contemplation.

As we look back at 2023 it seems the year was full of wars and mass-shootings, massive floods and unprecedented heat waves. No wonder we all feel an “un-peaceful, uneasy, unwanted feeling” every time we watch the news and end up doom scrolling every time we go online. For Brian D. McLaren, doom is the emotional and intellectual experience shared by all who realize the dangerous future into which we are presently plunging ourselves, our descendants, and our fellow creatures. So, in the face of that dangerous future, what do we do?

Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart is an attempt to provide a path for all of us, whatever our backgrounds, to process our feelings of doom and let them become fuel for wise and courageous action.  Blending insights from philosophers, poets, scientists, and theologians, Life After Doom explores the complexity of hope, the necessity of grief, and the need for new ways of thinking, becoming, and belonging in turbulent times. This book is for those who want to help themselves, their families, and their communities to find courage and resilience for the deeply challenging times that are upon us.

You can find Brian's blog, social media links, and contact information on his website, brianmclaren.net

Naomi Lawrence, a fiber artist known for her yarn bombing installations, shares her journey and the impact of her art on communities. She started yarn bombing in 2012 and has since brought joy and light to dark places through her crochet creations. Yarn bombing is a form of street art where objects in public spaces are covered with knitted or crocheted pieces. Naomi's installations have evolved from guerrilla knitting to commissioned site-specific projects, often bringing together communities to create the artwork. She shares positive responses from people who have been touched by her installations, including stories of hope and transformation. Naomi's faith plays a significant role in her art, as she sees it as a way to show love, bring beauty, and make the world a better place. She is part of Inner Change, a Christian order that focuses on living out their faith in their contexts. Naomi's artwork is a reflection of her identity and brings her immense satisfaction and joy.

00:00
Introduction and Reconnecting
03:07
Discovering Yarn Bombing and Bringing Light to Dark Places
07:55
Yarn Bombing as a Form of Street Art
12:59
Faith and the Role of Art in Naomi's Life
24:55
Community and Support for Naomi's Art

Naomi Lawrence is a NYC Fiber Artist based in Harlem, NYC. 

She works with acrylic yarn to create oversized 2-Dimensional crochet flowers, trees and wildlife. The site-specific installations are sewn onto chain-link fences in parks and public spaces.

Originally from England, UK she studied Floral Design at the University of Arts London and worked as a freelance events florist for some of Londons top floral designers.

Her first installation created in 2014, Blue Iris endeared her to the community that she now calls home. Her installations take a few months to create but are generally approved by the city to stay in place for up to one year. They are often washed and refurbished to be reinstalled in various locations such as school playgrounds. Public engagement is a primary goal of each installation. The works become part of the urban landscape.

You can contact Naomi at https://naomilawrence.com/ or https://www.instagram.com/naomilawrence.art/ or https://www.patreon.com/NaomiRAG

Kelly Latimore, an iconographer, discusses his approach to iconography and the power of using art to address uncomfortable subjects. He combines classic Orthodox iconography with figures representing the marginalized and oppressed and believes icons to be windows to God and reflections of the image of God within us. Kelly and Christine discuss how his spirituality shifted from transcendence to engagement and embodiment through his experiences on a farm and working with the homeless. Latimore also discusses the response he has received from traditional iconographers and the importance of creating art that challenges and creates dialogue.

Takeaways

• Art, specifically icons, can be a powerful tool for addressing uncomfortable subjects and representing the marginalized and oppressed.
• Icons serve as windows to God and reflections of the image of God within us.
• Creating art that challenges traditional norms and creates dialogue is important for fostering change.
• Observing and contemplating artwork in community can lead to profound experiences and new ways of seeing God.
• The purpose of church art is to teach us how to observe and be still, fostering a deeper connection with God.

Kelly Latimore is an artist and iconographer from St. Louis, MO. He started painting icons in 2010 while a member of the Common Friars, a small monastic farming community in Athens, Ohio. Latimore’s icons often mix classic orthodox iconographic imagery with figures representing the marginalized and the oppressed among us here and now. Latimore’s icon “Refugees: La Sagra­da Familia,” in which the flight to Egypt is interpreted as Latinx immigrants crossing the desert, adorns the cover of Pope Francis’s book “A Stranger and You Welcomed Me.” Latimore has also created a diverse array of icons of unexpected saints such as poet Mary Oliver, author James Baldwin, and TV host Mr. Rogers.

Find out more on his website: https://kellylatimoreicons.com/
Or join him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kellylatimoreicons/

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In this conversation, Christine Sine interviews Kathy Escobar, the author of 'Faith Shift,' about her book and the impact it has had on readers. They discuss the process of faith deconstruction and reconstruction, as well as Kathy's own journey of reimagining her faith. They talk about the unique community and church experience at The Refuge, which Kathy cofounded. She shares how the community has evolved and the challenges and joys of maintaining a diverse and growing community. They also touch on Kathy's involvement in Community Heals and the work they do in creating spaces for transformation. Kathy Escobar discusses the importance of accessibility and community in healing, as well as her experience walking the Camino de Santiago. She opens up about the devastating loss of her son and the lessons she has learned about grief and making meaning. Kathy emphasizes the need to talk openly about death. She concludes by mentioning her upcoming book, 'Turning Over Tables: Lent, Power, and a Weary World.'

Takeaways

• 'Faith Shift' is a book that explores the process of faith deconstruction and reconstruction, providing language and support for those going through this journey.
• Reimagining faith is an ongoing process of unraveling and reimagination, with core values of freedom, mystery, and diversity.
• The Refuge is a unique community and church experience that focuses on healing, social action, and creative collaboration, with shared values rather than shared beliefs.
• Maintaining a diverse and growing community requires ongoing commitment to growth, health, and resourcing.
• Community Heals cofounded by Kathy is a nonprofit organization that creates spaces for transformation, including Beauty Heals, a property for rest and renewal, and Presence Heals, offering spiritual direction and holding space for individuals. Healing should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their resources or background.
• Grief has no rules, and it is important to honor the rhythms of grief and make meaning out of loss.
• Talking openly about death is crucial for healing and supporting those who have experienced loss.
• Kathy Escobar has a new book coming out called 'Turning Over Tables: Lent, Power, and a Weary World.

Kathy Escobar is Co-Founder and Community Cultivator at The Refuge, a hub for healing community, social action, and creative collaboration in North Denver. She’s a pastor, spiritual director, speaker, advocate, and author of several books including Practicing: Changing Yourself to Change the World and Faith Shift: Finding Your Way Forward When Everything You Believe is Coming Apart. She’s also Co-Founder of #communityheals, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating accessible experiences on the water and in the mountains for all ages. More at kathyescobar.com.

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Martin Poole, author of 'Church Beyond Walls,' discusses his journey of taking spirituality out to public spaces. He shares his background as an actor and priest, and how he became dissatisfied with traditional church settings. Poole talks about his organization, Beyond, which focuses on creating public art events that provoke people to think about God. He highlights some of their projects, such as the Beach Hut Advent Calendar and the Blessing of the Surf service. Poole also offers advice for those interested in engaging in creative worship outside of traditional church settings.

Takeaways

• Taking spirituality out of traditional church settings can lead to meaningful and creative worship experiences.
• Engaging in public art events can provoke people to think about God in new and unexpected ways.
• Collaborating with people from different backgrounds and perspectives can enrich worship experiences and lead to new insights.
• Creating art installations and events in public spaces can be done with limited resources and the support of a dedicated team.
• Engaging in creative worship outside of traditional church settings can deepen one's faith and provide opportunities for spiritual growth.

Martin Poole is currently the parish priest of St. Luke’s Prestonville in Brighton and founder of Beyond Church, an arts organisation dedicated to creating innovative arts and spirituality events and conferences www.beyondchurch.co.uk.  For most of his working life he’s been a creative TV producer, travelling around the world creating brand identities and promotion campaigns for TV channels. He worked with a wide variety of clients including the BBC, SKY, ITV and Disney eventually becoming a communications strategist specialising in branding, marketing and promotion for media.  He’s also been an actor, butler, construction worker, receptionist, cleaner, youth volunteer and chaplain as well as a husband and father.  As the founder of Beyond he has initiated and curated hundreds of public art events on the seafront, in parks, in pubs and theatres and is the inventor of the Beach Hut Advent Calendar which ran for 11 years along Hove promenade.

He recently authored a book, Church Beyond Walls which is a description of the creation and production of some of these art events and the personal stories of those who became involved in them and their experiences of the divine through the wonders of art.

Find out more about Christine Sine on
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NOTE: As an Amazon Associate I receive a small amount for purchases made through appropriate links above. All proceeds go towards the costs of this podcast. 

In this episode of Liturgical Rebels Brian Edgar explores the concept of a playful attitude towards God and the world, emphasizing the importance of enjoying life as part of having a relationship with God. Edgar highlights the need to integrate work and play, challenging the Protestant work ethic that prioritizes productivity over creativity and imagination. He reminds us that the biblical images of the eternal kingdom of God emphasize childlike play and joy. Edgar's book, 'The God Who Plays,' offers a refreshing perspective on Christian faith and spirituality. In this conversation, Brian Edgar and Christine Sine discuss the concept of play and its significance in various aspects of life, including work and worship. They explore the idea that play is not separate from work but can be integrated into it, bringing joy and creativity. They also delve into the notion of worship as a form of play, highlighting the importance of interaction and enjoyment in our relationship with God. Additionally, they examine the idea of suffering as an opportunity for growth and the role of pain in the development of character. Overall, the conversation challenges traditional perspectives and invites listeners to embrace playfulness in all areas of life.

Takeaways

• Brian Edgar's career has spanned both Australia and the United States, with teaching positions and work in theology and public theology.
• A playful attitude towards God and the world is at the heart of Christian faith, emphasizing the enjoyment of life and a relationship with God.
• The Protestant work ethic, which prioritizes productivity, has often overshadowed the importance of play, creativity, and imagination.
• The biblical images of the eternal kingdom of God focus on childlike play and joy, challenging the notion that suffering and sacrifice are the ultimate goals of the Christian journey. Play can be integrated into work, bringing joy and creativity.
• Worship is a form of play, involving interaction and enjoyment in our relationship with God.
• Suffering can provide an opportunity for growth and character development.
• The concept of play challenges traditional perspectives and invites us to embrace playfulness in all areas of life.

Brian Edgar is married to Barbara and they have two adult daughters, a son-in-law and two grandchildren. They live in Melbourne, Australia, and Brian is now retired. He is Professor Emeritus of Asbury Theological Seminary where he taught theology for fifteen years. Prior to that he was Director of Public Theology for the Australian Evangelical Alliance and Dean and lecturer at the Melbourne School of Theology. Amongst other writing Brian is author of a short series of three books which indicate what became his primary theological and spiritual interest:  God is Friendship: A Theology of Spirituality, Community and Society (Seedbed, 2013),  The God Who Plays: A Playful Approach to Theology and Spirituality (Wipf and Stock, 2017) which received a Merit Award in Christianity Today's Book of the Year and Laughter and the Grace of God: Restoring Laughter to its central Role in Christian Spirituality and Theology  (Wipf and Stock, 2019). 

Find out more about Christine Sine on
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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. 

You can e-mail Tom Sine at gmail; his address is twsine

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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 latest 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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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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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 upcoming 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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