Illustration of a purple flower with green leaves on a long stem, set against a partly transparent background with lines and color blocks.

Missional Guilds

The missional guilds are Wild Indigo Guild’s primary way of equipping people of faith to bring lasting change to their land and their congregation.

Missional Guilds begin with Phase 1, our “Eight Themes for Exploration and Discovery” - Our curriculum for connecting with God, others and the natural world through nature based contemplative practice.

During the second and third phases of each guild we get practical, creating plans for ecological restoration on your property. Learn more about these phases in the drop down menu to the right.

In permaculture and nature, guilds are plant communities where individuals support one another, making for a healthier and more resilient ecosystem. Wild Indigo Guilds are small groups of people, often from congregations, who commit to learn together, dream together and build together toward a better world. Contact us for more info and to start a guild.

  • Each guild begins with our eight experiential learning modules designed to help participants connect with God, others and the natural world. These eight modules are led by John and Evan who are both spiritual directors and pastors.

    8 Themes for Exploration and Discovery

    1. Look with wonder

    2. Appreciate the Web of Interconnection

    3. Know and Love the Land and its Inhabitants

    4. Lament for Creation

    5. Imagine a New Way

    6. Commit to Creation’s Renewal

    7. Engage In God’s Restoration and Communal Action

    8. Work With Our Hands

  • During the “dream and design” phase of the program we work with guilds to help them discern what God is leading them toward, as individuals and as congregations. During this design phase participants will put on paper the ways God is leading their congregations to take action for food justice, Creation care and equitable sharing of creation’s bounty. At the end of phase two you’ll have a comprehensive plan for bringing restoration and production to your yard or church land.

  • During the final phase of the program we coach guilds to implement their design plans for their land, neighborhoods, buildings and congregations.

  • John and Evan offer a unique approach to spiritual direction. We love to use our awareness of ecological realities and accompany people in their spiritual journey, bringing connection between spirit and physicality. Many of us long to be more spirituality grounded in nature and ecology. As you are beginning design work, learning more about permaculture or starting any kind of project, participants may want to explore new paths of connection with God, others and the natural world through spiritual direction. . Visit our spiritual direction page to learn a little more.

Email about Forming a Guild

Photo Gallery of our 2024 Guilds and Classes

A group of ten people standing outdoors on a grassy area, with some smiling. In front, a woman is kneeling beside a potted young tree, which appears to be freshly planted. The background features trees, a parking lot with cars, a building, and a partly cloudy sky.
A group of people sitting in camping chairs around a campfire in a wooded area, with trees and string lights overhead.
A group of five children and teenagers working together outdoors with gardening tools and a wheelbarrow, surrounded by trees and a house in the background.
People working together on a muddy outdoor project involving concrete or mud, with buckets, tools, and a wooden structure in a lush green garden.
A group of people sitting and standing outdoors in a wooded area, some eating and socializing, with trees and a large shade sail overhead, and tables with food and drinks in the foreground.
People sitting around a campfire outdoors on a cloudy day, with backpacks and camping gear nearby, and trees in the background.
Group of people working together outdoors, mixing clay or mud in a bucket on a forest floor.
Looking up at a tall tree with a textured bark trunk and a canopy of green and yellow leaves with some blue sky visible through the branches.

 

Illustration of a lavender plant with green leaves and purple flowers, with botanical labels indicating parts of the plant.