Emerging Self: Moving from Egocentric to Ecocentric

Join us as we dig more deeply into our year-long reflection on Deepening Oneness Through the Seasons. This month we’ll continue to reflect on the need to move from a sense of self that is separate from the natural world to a more ancient understanding of ourselves as part of the Divine Mystery inherent within all of earth and its beings. And, together we’ll learn meditative practices that help us take this relational view of the natural world into our daily lives and consider what our niche is as we seek to act as loving members of our sacred ecosystems.

We’ll miss Sarah Anders this month as she officiates a wedding out of town. Beth Norcross, Founding Director of The Center for Spirituality in Nature, and Avery Davis Lamb will be leading our gathering, with help from our musical leader, Jane Pittman.

There will be no guided walk before Church of the Wild this month. If you are inclined, come early and take advantage of the wonderful trails at the park. Email Beth if you'd like some hiking ideas. There's a lovely circuit hike of about 2 1/2 miles that lands you right at our gathering site.

Join the Drumming!

Come at 2:40 to join in the drumming to help us center and prepare for our gathering.

Location

This month, we will be gathering in Turkey Run Park in McLean, Virginia near the Va/MD line on the George Washington Memorial Parkway near I 495.

We are meeting at a public park, but we’ve found a nook that should be quiet and peaceful. That said, we might have some intrusions, and we will use them as an opportunity to re-center ourselves and consider this an apt metaphor for our busy lives.

Carpool/Public Transportation Encouraged

We want to live lightly and in harmony with the earth in all that we do, so please carpool or use public transportation if possible. More instructions on using our new carpooling sign-up will be sent after registration.

Church of the Wild DC-VA-MD

Coming from many faith traditions, Church of the Wild gathers monthly in the Metro DC area to honor the mutual indwelling of the Divine with the Earth and all of its beings, remembering our sacred interconnection and interdependence through contemplative spiritual practices, music, and wanderings. As participants in the web of creation, we seek to be attentive to the Holy in our midst and invite one another to come home to the sacred ecological ground in which we live. This groundedness guides us to live from a place of deeper compassion, care and gratitude for all living things.

All Are Welcome!

We strive to be intergenerational and accessible to all. We welcome children and can offer age-appropriate programming. Please contact us when you'll be attending with children or when accessibility is a concern so that we can be fully welcoming. All are welcome and respected!

Stay Connected

We look forward to connecting with you and this sacred community. For more information on Church of the Wild or this event, check out our website or email Sarah Anders, our Spiritual Leader, or Beth Norcross, Wild Church co-founder and Founding Director of the Center for Spirituality in Nature.

Check out the trailer for the NEW Church of the Wild film by Jane Pittman!

Visit us on Facebook

Help Keep Church of the Wild Going