bringing spirit back to earth

We don’t have a fixed format for our monthly pilgrimages, as for us, an emergent style is part of the wild nature of Wild Church! In this and many other ways, we draw inspiration from the Celtic pilgrimage practice of ‘peregrinatio’ (or as Sam calls it, ‘wandering and wondering’). Collaboration is also a key element of our wild church and most events are unique co-creations with colleagues from different organisations. Yet there are recurring elements woven together in different ways for each gathering, including a simple core structure developed by Sam and inspired by Holy Communion. We always walk out into the wilds and we welcome anyone who wants to join us.

We are a pioneering inter-spiritual church, with a contemplative and mystical Christian heart, based primarily in the practice of pilgrimage. On our pilgrimages: first we gather , both outwardly and inwardly, then we engage together in silence, in a communion with our inner nature, each other and with outer nature, as we wander and wonder through the forest, along the river bank or shore. We meet whatever the weather and so are touched by the cool of the rain, the depth of gathering dark, the richness of mud, the sweetness of warm sunlight or whatever and whoever we meet along the way. We practise being quietly present with what is. We often seek out ancient or natural sacred spaces towards the end of our journey and pause to share a silent communion and reflections. Our final act is to give thanks for blessings received, to bless each other and where we are, and to seek to be a blessing as we return to home and work.

Many of our Wild Church companions also join in our regular ‘wild monastics’ contemplative meetings which meet both on Zoom with pilgrims from around the world and for ‘pop up’ in person gatherings, usually in Dartington, Devon. Individual eco spiritual counselling, mentoring and supervision, including in pioneer ministry, is also available with Rev. Sam, the founder of River Dart Wild Church, as well as short stays in her Dartington Micro Monastery.

Sometimes we are asked ‘why Wild Church?‘ Religion has sometimes been used destructively, to split matter from spirit and justify the domination of the natural world in a way that has contributed to environmental damage and the wounding of all beings, including us human creatures who depend on the web of all life for our survival. Let’s step outside of such understandings to heal the splits within ourselves and in relation to the world. As global warming increases and environmental and social crises grow, may we deepen our love, understanding and relationship with the natural world we are part of and commit together to act for the good of all. Wild Church is one of many ways of nature connection and of growing resilience as sacred activists in challenging times. Let’s celebrate the wilderness within and around us, care for our beautiful planet and support each other in making positive change. In the words of poet Mary Oliver, it is time for us to ask ourselves and each other: ‘what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?’