[151] How Church in the Wild connects faith and nature

Reverend Corey Turnpenny invites us on an awe-inspiring exploration of spirituality harmonized with the beauty of the natural world. Learn about the innovative faith community, Church in the Wild, where worship occurs beneath open skies, embracing the rhythms of nature and fostering a sense of belonging for those who feel spiritually homeless.

Corey Turnpenny is the founding pastor of Church in the Wild, a unique nature-focused congregation in Upstate New York. Her journey from the UMC Next conference in 2019 led her to create a spiritual haven where individuals reconnect with their spirituality amidst the splendor of creation. Through outdoor worship and a vibrant community, Corey is pioneering a movement that calls people back to nature.

In this episode, explore the fascinating intersection of faith and nature, understand why community gatherings in the wild hold profound significance, and learn how natural settings can enhance spiritual practices. If you’re on a quest for a deeper spiritual connection and appreciate engaging conversations about faith, this episode is for you!

In this episode:
(00:00) Church in the Wild: Nature’s Worship
(08:06) Catching a vision for a new church
(11:45) Doing church in the wild
(13:57) First followers and outdoor community networking
(19:36) A weekly escape to a natural bubble
(21:30) Spiritual practices in nature
(29:15) Spirituality through environmental care
(30:31) Finding peace in nature’s church
(38:10) Learn more

Find episode notes and more episodes of Compass: www.umc.org/Compass

Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications.