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In this enlightening conversation, Christine Valters-Paintner shares her insights on the contemplative practices that foster spiritual growth and creativity with Christine Sine. She discusses her book 'Give Me a Word', which encourages individuals to seek a guiding word for the year, drawing from the rich traditions of monasticism and the expressive arts. Christine emphasizes the importance of listening with the heart, the significance of doorways as symbols of transition, and the transformative power of creative practices. The discussion also touches on the communal aspect of personal growth and how the insights gained can be shared for the benefit of others.

Takeaways

• The 'Give Me a Word' practice is rooted in the desert monastic tradition.
• Listening with the heart is essential for spiritual growth.
• Doorways symbolize transitions and new possibilities in life.
• Creative practices can help embody and integrate spiritual insights.
• Community plays a vital role in personal transformation.
• The journey of spiritual growth is ongoing and requires reflection

Christine Valters Paintner is a Benedictine oblate and the online Abbess at Abbey of the Arts, a virtual monastery integrating contemplative practice and creative expression. She is a poet and the author of more than 20 books on the spiritual life, including A Midwinter God: Encountering the Divine in Seasons of Darkness. Her newest book is Give me a Word: The Promise of an Ancient Practice to Guide ?Your Year. Christine lives on the wild edges of Ireland with her husband John and dog Sourney, where they lead online programs for a global community.

You can find more about Christine Valters Paintner and her work at AbbeyoftheArts.com Transformative Living through Contemplative and Expressive Arts

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Music by Maksym Malko from Pixabay

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Christine and Tom Sine reflect together on lessons from the past and themes in their work that help us look to the future. Christians and churches need to get out in front of this changing world and help shape the world Christ envisioned. Christ is calling us to a world of meaning and meaningful living beyond the current consumer culture.

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In this conversation, Christine Sine and Mark Pierson discuss the unique aspects of Advent and Christmas worship in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly in New Zealand. They explore the challenges and creative approaches to integrating local culture and indigenous practices into the liturgical calendar. Mark shares insights on how to make Advent a meaningful and reflective season, emphasizing the importance of community and creativity in worship. They also recommend resources for enhancing the Advent experience and reflect on the deeper meanings of the season.

Takeaways

• Mark describes himself as a garden variety pastor.
• Advent marks the start of summer in New Zealand and a busy time with many people going on holiday.
• Mark emphasizes the need to model a different way of being during Advent.
• Advent is a time for reflection and creativity.
• The essence of celebrations should be reclaimed and rooted in reality.
• Mark shares the importance of care when incorporating indigenous practices in worship.
• Resources like the 2-minute Advent video can enhance understanding.

Mark Pierson is passionate about designing worship events and spaces that enable people, inside and outside the church, to engage with the Trinitarian community of God in creative, life-giving, formative and transformative ways. He is an accredited minister of the Baptist Churches in New Zealand, and over the last 25 years has developed the model of worship curator for the design of worship events. In that time he has written extensively, curated worship events, and led seminars in churches, institutions and festivals around the world on the integration of the arts, faith, and justice using the worship curation model.

His 2010 book “The Art of Curating Worship: Reshaping the role of worship leader”, is his contribution to this discussion of how God can speak through art.

Mark currently curates a weekly worship event, Rhythms of Grace, in Auckland, focused on spiritual formation.

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In this conversation, Terry Wildman shares his journey as a Native American leader and translator of the First Nations New Testament. He and Christine discuss the importance of language and culture in understanding faith, the process of translating biblical texts to resonate with Native peoples, and the significance of storytelling in conveying spiritual truths. Wildman emphasizes the need for cultural sensitivity in language, particularly in translating terms like 'church' to better reflect Native values and experiences. He also introduces his Christmas book, which started as part of the First Nations New Testament. Its interpretation on the Nativity story highlights the importance of names and cultural connections in a narrative.

Takeaways

• Languages are important to God and reflect His creation.
• Salvation is about restoration and healing.
• Our understanding of faith is enriched by experiences different cultures.
• Translation must resonate with the cultural context of the audience.
• The word 'church' carries historical baggage for Native peoples.
• Storytelling is a powerful tool for sharing spiritual truths.
• Embracing diversity in faith leads to a richer understanding of God.

Terry M. Wildman (Ojibwe and Yaqui) is the lead translator, general editor, and project manager of the First Nations Version. He serves as the director of spiritual growth and leadership development for Native InterVarsity. He is also the founder of Rain Ministries and has previously served as a pastor and worship leader. He and his wife, Darlene, live in Arizona. The second book from the project First Nations Version Psalms and Proverbs is now available. Learn more about the translation council and process at firstnationsversion.com.

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In this conversation, Christine Sine and Kelley Nikondeha explore the intersections of liberation theology, the role of women in faith, and the realities of the Advent season. They discuss the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context of biblical narratives, particularly focusing on the figure of Mary and the significance of community and hospitality in the birth of Jesus. The conversation emphasizes the need to confront trauma and suffering in order to cultivate genuine hope and transformation in our lives and communities.

Takeaways

• Liberation theology is deeply rooted in personal experiences and community work.
• Women play a crucial role in both biblical narratives and contemporary faith practices.
• The Advent season should reflect the harsh realities of human suffering.
• Mary represents a figure of rebellion and strength against societal norms.
• Understanding the land and its history can deepen our comprehension of biblical stories.
• Community and hospitality are essential in the narrative of Jesus' birth.
• Trauma and loss are integral to the human experience, including Jesus' life.
• The concept of Jubilee offers a framework for addressing economic injustices.
• Hope and transformation arise from acknowledging and lamenting suffering.

Kelley Nikondeha is a theologian, feminist, Co-Director of Communities of Hope, a community development enterprise in Burundi, Co-founder of Amahoro Africa, and the the author of forth-coming Jubilee Economics: The Purpose, Practices, & Possibilities for a Better Future (Orbis, November 2025); The First Advent in Palestine: Reversals, Resistance, and the Ongoing Complexity of Hope (Academy of Parish Clergy Top 10 for 2022); DEFIANT: What the Women of Exodus Teach Us about Freedom (Academy of Parish Clergy 2021 Book of the Year); And ADOPTED: The Sacrament of Belonging in a Fractured World (Christianity Today 2018 Award of Merit for Christian Living / Discipleship).

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Ruth Harvey and Christine Sine explore the relationship between work and worship, emphasizing how skilled laborers can contribute to spiritual leadership. Ruth highlights the importance of a rhythm of daily prayer and the ethical use of time and resources within a community, as well as a commitment to justice and integrity. She discusses her formative faith experiences and her long history with Iona - which goes back to childhood. Finally they reflect on Celtic Saints and the beauty and depth of Celtic Advent - a 40 day tradition parallel to Lent.

Iona takeaways

• Those early workers would pray and learn together.
• Anyone, including the skilled laborers building Iona, could lead worship.
• A commitment to daily prayer is still upheld.
• Members discuss how they use their time and money.
• Members of the Iona Community live under a Rule of Life made of four rules.
• The community values justice, peace, and integrity.
• The use of Earth's resources and ethical living are shared concerns.

Ruth Harvey is a leader in the Iona Community grounded in both the Quaker and Church of Scotland traditions. She has particular responsibility for Iona Community Life: Membership and Pastoral Care, Communications and Public Witness.

In work and worship
God is with us
Gathered and scattered
God is with us
Now and always
God is with us

We speak these words in Iona Abbey, at our
kitchen table, in small groups across the globe,
and as we meet in community.

Prayer and reflection inspire us to act for
justice and peace in the world. And as a
movement for change, we inspire each other to
live out our faith wherever we find ourselves.

We are convinced that communities are not just
the stuff of dreams. At their best, they are radical,
inclusive spaces where everyone belongs and
everyone has the potential to change the world.
And that includes you.

To find out more about the Iona Community:

• iona.org.uk
• fb and Insta: @IonaCommunity
• youtube: @IonaCommunityOnline
• ionabooks.com

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In this first episode in a series preparing for Celtic Advent, Roy Searle joins Christine to discuss his own spiritual journey, Celtic Spirituality and the Northumbria Community. Roy moved from a happy, un-churched childhood to an adulthood influenced by friends and mentors from a variety of Christian traditions. He himself has led a number of different Christian churches and communities, including the Northumbria Community, a geographically diverse community of believers. Christine and Roy explore the particular blessings of Celtic Spirituality and discuss ways of being and doing Church.

Roy Searle lives with his wife Shirley in Newcastle, in the north-east of England. A father of four and grandfather of eight, Roy loves spending time with family and friends, playing a lot of sport, and spending time in his beloved Northumberland. A Northumbrian by birth and calling, he is a companion and former leader of the Northumbria Community, www.northumbriacommunity.org. He is a former President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, a creative pioneer ambassador, leadership mentor, a member of the Renovare Board in Britain and Ireland, www.renovare.org.uk, an associate of a Northumbrian Collective www.northumbrian.org and a member of The Commons executive team, https://www.thecommonscooperative.com. He contributed and was part of the editorial team that compiled Celtic Daily Prayer and he has recently published a book on Forming Communities of Hope in the Great Unravelling: Leadership in a changing world, with his friend, the Canadian missiologist Alan Roxburgh (interviewed by Christine this year, here.)

Find out more about Christine Sine on
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In this conversation, Christine Sine interviews Ben Lowe, exploring his multicultural background, faith journey, and deep connection to creation. They discuss the importance of environmental stewardship within Christian theology, the blind spots often present in traditional teachings, and the growing engagement of Christians in environmental issues. They discuss the theological perspectives that inform Christian attitudes towards creation care, the impact of political identity on environmental attitudes, and the importance of education and connection to nature in fostering a love for God's creation. Lowe shares insights about A Rocha's mission and various initiatives aimed at promoting ecological awareness and action within communities.

Takeaways

• Ben Lowe's upbringing in Singapore fostered a love for creation.
• Many Christians overlook the importance of creation in theology.
• Cultural lenses can distort our understanding of God's Word.
• Environmental issues are often rooted in social crises and attitudes are driven by political identity rather than theology..
• Christians should be at the forefront of environmental care.
• The Left Behind theology can create a disconnect from environmental concerns.
• Understanding scripture in context is crucial for responsible environmental stewardship.
• Caring for creation begins with knowing and loving the world around us.
• A Rocha's mission is to equip others to care for creation.
• Churches can serve as community hubs for environmental action.
• Simple actions like composting can make a difference.
• The invitation to care for creation is a privilege and responsibility.

Rev Dr Ben Lowe is the Executive Director of A Rocha USA, a Christian environmental conservation organization and part of the worldwide A Rocha network. He holds a BS in environmental biology from Wheaton College and a PhD in the human and religious dimensions of environmental change from the University of Florida (USA). Originally from Singapore, Ben is an ordained minister, the author of multiple books, and was the founding national organizer of Young Evangelicals for Climate Action. Ben is currently based in the warm and watery state of Florida, USA, where he can often be found kayaking around the mangroves.

More about A Rocha can be found here

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