Refugia Faith: A Calling for Our Times
Resources to lead your own group or join EcoFaith gatherings in person or on Zoom
“Refugia are places of shelter where life endures in times of crisis—so that new life may one day flourish again.”
—Debra Rienstra, Refugia Faith
How do we become people of refuge—sheltering life, hope, and renewal in a time of overlapping ecological, political, and social crises?
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EcoFaith Recovery invites you to explore Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth through three flexible options. Read on to determine if you would like to
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About the Book
Refugia Faith explores how Christian spirituality and practice can adapt to life on a climate-altered planet. Debra Rienstra draws from ecology, theology, and ordinary wonder to ask:
- How can we find and nurture refugia in our spiritual lives and communities?
- How can we connect small acts of renewal into a larger web of healing?
Option #1
Join EcoFaith’s Advent Series on Refugia Faith
Wednesdays, December 3, 10, and 17
7:00–8:15 p.m. PST / 9:00–10:15 p.m. CST
Hybrid: on Zoom and in person at Spirit of Grace (Beaverton, Oregon)
Join EcoFaith Recovery and Spirit of Grace for a 25–30-minute worship experience followed by a 45-minute conversation on selected excerpts from Refugia Faith. Come on your own or organize a small group or your entire community to participate together.
Groups attending from the same congregation or community (whether in person or on Zoom) may request to be placed in the same small discussion group.
Explainer Video (8–15 minutes)
If you are organizing a group and would like a free copy of Refugia Faith to help you lead it:
Option #2
Lead your Own Gatherings for Advent
Would you like to host your own Advent gatherings using Refugia Faith?
In this option, EcoFaith leaders introduce Refugia Faith and walk you through resources EcoFaith designed to help you lead or adapt this process for your own community or small group. You’ll receive:
- An overview of the book and its key themes
- Suggestions for structuring 3 gatherings
- Sample worship outline and discussion prompts
- Three excerpts from the book and information about how to contact the author to receive permission to use them.
Click here for Refugia Resources
Explainer Video (8–15 minutes)
If you will organize and lead a group on Refugia Faith and would like EcoFaith to send you a free copy of the book:
Option #3
Lead a Refugia Faith Group Any Time of the Year
In this option, EcoFaith leaders introduce Refugia Faith and offer ideas for designing gatherings or a book study during:
- Epiphany
- Lent
- Ordinary Time, or
- Any Season when your community is seeking spiritual resilience and hope in the midst of the poly-crisis we are facing
An overview of the book, suggestions for how it can be used in Epiphany and Lent, how to contact the author for permission to use excerpts, and a link to the discussion guide is available here: Overview of Refugia Faith – leader resource
If you will organize and lead a group on Refugia Faith at another time of year and would like EcoFaith to send you a free copy of the book:
Who Should Participate?
This series is for individuals, faith communities, small-group leaders, and all who seek to cultivate renewal and resilience in a changing world. Whether you are rooted in a congregation, another spiritual tradition, or simply drawn to the idea of nurturing hope and life amid crisis—you are warmly invited to join us or adapt EcoFaith resources to meet your needs.
Stay Connected with EcoFaith
If you’d like to hear about future EcoFaith opportunities, we invite you to join our email list. Subscribe to email here
You can also learn more and register for our weekly Awakening Leaders gathering at this link.