(Arlington, VA) May 24, 2022 — The Center for Spirituality in Nature(CSN) is partnering with TryTank – an experimental lab for church innovation within the Episcopal Church – to bring its Spirituality in Nature Groups(SING) program to the Episcopal Church network. In partnership with TryTank, CSN will form a pilot cohort of 10 Episcopal SINGs, providing resources, training, curriculum, and facilitated cohort meetings. These new communities will explore their local ecosystems, learn how best to support and care for them, all while engaging the ancient tradition of connecting with God in nature.

The partnership was inspired by a recent Episcopal Church poll which found that, when given a number of options,  Americans feel most spiritually fulfilled through “being outdoors or in nature.”  45% of religious and non-religious respondents chose nature as most fulfilling, surpassing other options, including attending service, watching online religious content and even prayer. The response to this new and innovative partnership has been swift with applications already coming in from around the country.

Payton Hoegh, CSN’s Spiritual Communities Coordinator and an aspirant for ordained leadership in the Episcopal Church, will be leading the partnership: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with TryTank on this innovative project. In these times of uncertainty and anxiety, nature offers essential, though often under-recognized gifts. This cohort of Episcopal SINGs will invite communities to be mindful, attentive and engage one another and the Earth in renewed ways.”

In addition to this new partnership, the more general SING program is open to all interested individuals. CSN will be holding a SING Leadership Training on June 11 that is open to the public.

About the Center:

The Center for Spirituality in Nature provides opportunities for deepening spirituality through nature and for nurturing loving relationships with the Earth. They offer a variety of programs, classes, webinars, talks, gatherings and resources, for both individuals and groups, designed to help people reconnect with, and live into, a deeply rooted relationship with our sacred Earth community and the Divine Spirit that enlivens it.