Ecological Faith and Vocation
A Learning Cohort For Young Adults
Fall 2024 - Summer 2025
The focus of this cohort-based formational experience is on helping younger adults to deepen the connection between their faith and creation, and to integrate creation care and earth advocacy into every aspect of life, with particular emphasis on their vocational aspirations. Through teachings, readings, discussions, meditations, and practical nature-based exercises, participants will be encouraged to cultivate curiosity in four essential areas of inquiry:
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What are some of the theological perspectives that inform a creation-centric values and practices?
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In what ways might we practice a more ecologically-conscious faith and cultivate awareness of God’s revelation through creation?
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How do we integrate ecological sensibility into every aspect of our vocations and community life?
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How do we discover sources of inspiration for the sometimes-disheartening work of earthkeeping that will help maintain our motivation and sustain our commitments for the long haul?
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Who is this experience for?
Ecological Faith and Vocation is all about deep personal transformation, particularly for younger adults who are seeking clarity about what to do and how to be in light of a dire ecological future. To offer just a few examples, this cohort-based learning community aims to serve recent college graduates, people preparing for skilled trades, graduate students, and parents of young kids. Participants will be in their 20s and early 30s.
What is the time frame?
Starting in the fall of 2024, there will be four seasonal gatherings over the course of a year. The first three will be one-day events: October 27, February 1, and May 10. The final gathering will be a two-day culminating retreat July 26-27. Between sessions, participants will interact via an online platform—to engage new learning content together, and to share emerging insights from their own personal experiences.
Where will gatherings take place?
In person gatherings will be held at the Sine Center—a beautiful new educational facility in the heart of Circlewood Forest on Camano Island, WA.
What will it cost?
We are committed to making this affordable for participants through a pay-what-you-can approach. We will work with everyone to make sure cost is not a barrier.
Want to apply?
If you are interested in being part of the Ecological Faith and Vocation experience, please complete the application form by October 15, 2024. If you have questions, please send an email to info@circlewood.online.
Cohort Guides
James Amadon
James is the Executive Director of Circlewood, a ministry dedicated to “accelerating the greening of faith” through creative media, immersive education, and the development of Circlewood Village, a sustainable learning center on Camano Island. James is ordained in the Covenant Church, and pastored in churches for 15 years before starting Circlewood in 2017. He has a BA from Gordon College, an MDiv from North Park Theological Seminary, and a DMin from Duke Divinity School, where he focused his work on developing the framework for Ecological Christian Leadership (ECL). He lives on Camano Island with his family.
Forrest Inslee
Forrest is the Associate Director of Circlewood, and the host of the Earthkeepers podcast. He has also served as a graduate professor of International Community Development for 20+ years at Northwest University. More recently he helped create the Resilient Leaders program and the Thriving Congregations program at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. He earned a BA, MA, and PhD from Northwestern University in Chicago, and an MA in Theology from Regent College—where he designed contextualized strategies for theological education and leadership training for emerging Turkish churches. Forrest is ordained in the Vineyard, and was sent as a missionary to Turkey by a partnership of Vineyard and PCUSA churches; in Istanbul, Forrest served as a church planter and pastor for a number of years. He has a daughter currently studying at SPU, and lives in Edmonds with his dogs Nigel and Suzie.
