Happy Earth Day! Five years ago, we launched The Ecological Disciple! Check out our very first published pieces here, and over the next week, we'll be sharing links to our top five most read posts. Thank you for being part of our global community! www.ecodisciple.com/blog/anniver...

Final Call! Is there a particular poem, or line from a poem, that helps you to keep a measure of hope in your perspective when you feel the brokenness of the world acutely? If so, we would love for you to share it with us. www.ecodisciple.com/blog/putting...

What does a 6400 square-foot parcel of forest sound like when turned into music? James Bulley & Daniel Jones, two UK artists & musicians, teamed up together with sponsors, scientists, & others, to find out. Hear the music and learn more about their process: www.ecodisciple.com/blog/putting...

In this week's new #Earthkeepers episode, Drew, an army chaplain with nearly 19 years of service, shares his unique perspective on the intersection of faith, culture, nature, and military service. www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCUc...

As part of our educational programming, we continue to develop an internship program. We're excited to welcome two interns this summer: Allison Gilmeister, our Ecology and Faith Intern, & Sam Turner, our Ecological Stewardship Intern.⁠ ⁠ We look forward to introducing them to you after they arrive!

What can be done today to live more sustainably for tomorrow? It's instructive to see what other (non-USA) countries are doing: check out this thread for some great examples!

A whole sunny week on Camano Island has the Circlewood team starting to dream about the berry good days ahead this summer 😍 If you'd like to come out to the land and help us prep for summer, we're hosting a volunteer workday on April 25 from 9am-12pm. Email [email protected] to RSVP!

Is a zero waste society possible? Becoming a zero waste society would require some big changes—both in perspective and practice. This week, The Eco Disciple has a post from Dr. Joe Sheldon, a regular contributor and a good friend! www.ecodisciple.com/blog/is-a-ze...

Amy Keiper-Gowan, one of our Journey of Ecological Discipleship for Leaders cohort alum, recently founded Otters Den Nature School! Applications are open and scholarships available: www.ottersden.org

Remember the moments that have been meaningful to you. What gifts have you received from this mutilated world? What can you do to be part of its healing? www.ecodisciple.com/blog/light-t...

Mike and Kathy Holmgren, Circlewood Stand members, were honored last month with the Paul G. Allen Humanitarian Award from the Seattle Sports Commission for their philanthropic work with Medical Teams International and Circlewood! www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSIX...

For our local friends: mark your calendars! We're hosting a volunteer workday on Saturday, April 25, from 9am-12pm. Join us on Camano Island to work on some springtime projects around the Sine Center and in the Circlewood forest! All are welcome. RSVP to: [email protected].

"The poem, Try to Praise the Mutilated World, by Polish poet Adam Zagajewski (1945-2021) contains powerful images pointing to the beauty of this world in the midst of brokenness and the brokenness of this world in the midst of beauty." www.ecodisciple.com/blog/light-t...

Trusting Indigenous Ecological Wisdom: In this week's new Earthkeepers podcast episode, guest host Noah Guthrie (of A Rocha USA) interviews Ciro Flores Cabrera (of A Rocha Peru) about the vital work of A Rocha in environmental conservation across Peru. www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3d6...

🐸 Easter eggs!! We're finding lots of frog eggs, salamander eggs, aquatic insects, and full grown frogs in the pond at Circlewood!

How do we farm in a way that shows God's love to all creatures? 🐦 Leave food for birds and bugs 🐜 Leave or create shelter for birds and bugs 🌱 Avoid pesticides and herbicides Regular Eco Disciple contributor Noah Guthrie of A Rocha USA shares these tips and more:

For our local friends: mark your calendars! We're hosting a volunteer workday on April 25, 9-noon. Join us on Camano Island to work on some springtime projects! All are welcome. If you're interested, please let us know by emailing [email protected].

This week's Eco Disciple post comes from regular contributor Noah Guthrie, Nashville Conservation Coordinator with A Rocha USA. He reflects on how the way we treat creature and place can be a reflection of God's love. www.ecodisciple.com/blog/gardens...

We couldn't resist sharing a few more drone shots from Circlewood Stand member Josh Cobbley! What a cool view of Camano Island and the Circlewood forest!

We're looking forward to celebrating the launch of Circlewood friend and Stand member Michael Ferber's new book! Climate of Lament: Reflections on Ecological Grief has a foreward by our very own Forrest Inslee, Circlewood's Associate Director and host of Earthkeepers podcast.

There is also Ecosia, which will plant trees for you while you search! www.ecosia.org

Mike and Kathy Holmgren, Circlewood Stand members, were honored with the Paul G. Allen Humanitarian Award from the SSC for their philanthropic work! We are so thankful to have them in the Stand. The broadcast of the ceremony will be aired 7pm on 3/28 on KING 5.

A woman in India sees value in a bird that was once seen primarily as a pest, & she's made great strides in protecting it. Learn more about wildlife biologist Purnima Devi Barnum & the greater adjutant stork, known locally as “hargila,” at the link here. www.ecodisciple.com/blog/beyond-...

New #Eearthkeepers episode: Forrest and Brendan McClenahan discuss the launch of TEND, a free creation care curriculum rooted in faith and community. www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-Jd...

Circlewood friend (and Stand member!) Josh Cobbley came out to the Village last week to help us spread some woodchips, and he also snagged some cool shots with his drone! We love the chance to see the forest, Sine Center, and solar panels from a new angle. Thanks, Josh!

We have a trail cam set up in the Circlewood forest on Camano Island - we’ve gotten a peek at a number of our neighbors so far this month! Spring is on the way! Check out our compilation video here.

"In Lakota, our worldview, or way of life, is Mitakuye Oyasin, which translates to "all my relations," and it means that we are all related. We are related to Creator, to each other, and to all parts of creation, human and nonhuman."

"Even when society does not remember these ancient land relationships, the land remembers, the land is a witness. How will the land remember you?" This week in the Ecological Disciple, we hear from one of our regular writers, Lenore Three Stars (Oglala Lakota). www.ecodisciple.com/blog/the-lan...

A few more art projects from the Emerge Young Adult Retreat at Cascades Camp in Yelm, WA that James and Carmen recently co-led. The theme was “Created for Connection, Called to Care"!

Our partners at Trinity Education Foundation offer educational scholarships for passionate, engaged individuals to pursue formation, intentional about faith integration, value stewardship of creation, & prioritize relationships & community. www.trinityeducationfoundation.org/our-programs

"The Quechua way of seeing the world as a unified, sacred whole is a perspective those with western Christian mindsets can learn from. Too often, the physical and spiritual are relegated to different realms, with the physical being held as inferior and suspect." www.ecodisciple.com/blog/a-bridg...

In this week's #Earthkeepers episode, Forrest and Jo Swinney spend time with Ruth Padilla DeBorst of A Rocha Costa Rica, sharing experiences and insights on creation care and community living. Listen, subscribe, and review on our website or wherever you get your podcasts!

While at the Emerge Young Adult Retreat at Cascades Camp, James and Carmen led a nature art activity - we especially love this piece that looks like our logo!

James Amadon and Carmen Hixson (a friend of Circlewood and an alumni of our leadership cohort) recently co-led the Emerge Young Adult Retreat at Cascades Camp in Yelm, WA. The theme was “Created for Connection, Called to Care.”

"The ancient wisdom declares without ambiguity that ecological destruction will reap heavy consequences not only on those swing the axe, but also on all the innocent bystanders as well, especially the poor and vulnerable among us." www.ecodisciple.com/blog/ancient...

Pastor Sarah shares some practices she finds valuable, including gratitude, noticing, and the "Rs" of creation care: refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, repurpose, rot, and recycle! www.ecodisciple.com/blog/desirin...

We're collecting reviews for Earthkeepers! If you're a fan of the pod, please leave us a note on this post, this page, or any platform you listen on. Thanks for all your support!

In this week's Eco Disciple post, Rev. Sarah Robinson shares some practices for Lent that can help readers desire less as they look to follow the footsteps of Jesus. www.ecodisciple.com/blog/desirin...

NEW Earthkeepers ep out today: Forrest talks with Ben Lowe (Exec Director of A Rocha USA, our partner organization) and James Amadon (our Exec Director) to discuss current environmental challenges and the role of faith communities in addressing these issues. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd9S...

James and Forrest have been working with leaders of Bethany Community Church's Wilderness Ministry over the course of the last few months. They've been exploring the Journey of Ecological Discipleship, with the goal of deepening participant experiences in the various trips that they lead.

“People learn that they can use these recycled materials differently. The art helps the awareness spread.” This week's Art of Creation post highlights the work of Oscar Olivares and a mural created from plastic bottle caps. www.ecodisciple.com/blog/circles...

Progress continues on construction of our small office outside the Sine Center! We are looking forward to getting set up inside when it's complete. We have plenty of volunteer opportunities. If you or your group are interested in joining us for a day of service, email us at [email protected].

Here is a prayer for an individual or a community striving to change their relationship with the rest of the created world. May this prayer give voice to the desires of your heart.

In this week's Earthkeepers episode, Christy Berghoef talks with Forrest about her book Rooted: A Spiritual Memoir of Homecoming that explores themes of community and the connection to the land, as a foundation for living lives of social and environmental action. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvf6...

How can we protect the beautiful birds who live among us? Dr. Joe Sheldon wrote about it in last week's post on The Ecological Disciple. Find the full article at the link here: www.ecodisciple.com/blog/feather...

We are excited to share a piece from our friend and teacher, Dr. Joe Sheldon! Joe shares powerful experiences with large birds and invites us to consider our relationship to these wondrous creatures (and their smaller relatives).

A growing number of faith communities are beginning to see creation care as integral to their life of faith. For some, their journey of awareness starts with their kids. ⁠

James and Carmen will be teaching at this Young Adult Retreat at Cascades Camp & Conference Center in February! This retreat is for young adults (ages 18–28) of all backgrounds. Learn more at the link here. Please share with anyone you know who may be interested.

Louise created these beautiful cedar bark coasters that we are now using in the Sine Center for Ecological Learning!

A couple of months ago, we had to take down a cedar tree on the Circlewood land because it was too close to the building we recently completed. Learn a little more about what Louise did with the bark of the tree in this week's Ecological Disciple post!