Celebrating Four Years

Since we launched The Ecological Disciple four years ago on Earth Day 2021, we have published 307 pieces of writing through The Ecological Disciple. We are grateful to our readers, our contributing writers, and to those who helped us grow by reposting or forwarding our work to others. With this help, we have grown to 442 subscribers and are looking forward to another year of continuing this journey of ecological discipleship with you, our readers.

Below, we share five of our most-read published pieces from the past four years of publication along with some reasons why we think they have been so widely read and shared. For each of the pieces, we share a quote from the piece followed by a link to the entire piece for those who are intrigued by the excerpt.

Happy reading and Happy Earth Day!

James and Louise

Exodus 3-4: Call and Response

Our most-read piece to date is from James' series on the book of Exodus, the entire series of which has been very well-read. The link to this second part in the series was included in a regular column that curates posts on the intersection of faith and culture. We find that when links are shared, they regularly point people to us even years after the original post.

Moses lived in one of the most civilized societies of his time, yet it was also one of the most brutal - a paradox that, sadly, repeats itself through history. Leaving the civilized world opened Moses to new possibilities for himself and his place in the world, and to an encounter with the wild God of creation, who can never be civilized.

The Art of Creation: Leaf on Leaf, Stone on Stone

Our second-most read piece was written by Louise on the artist Andy Goldsworthy. It has been used as a reference in papers such as the one found here, has been shared multiple times on Facebook, and continues to be cited in other media.

By using the landscape as his material, he illustrates aspects of the natural world such as its colors, movement, and mutability but all in a way that incorporates his aesthetics. His work doesn't just mirror what you would find normally in nature, but transforms those natural materials into something different, creating a work of art that is made from nature and placed within it, but is also distinct from it. 

Practical Earthkeeping: Beyond Ziploc Bags

Another piece that resonates with many readers is our Practical Earthkeeping article on alternatives to ziploc bags, written by Jessalyn Gentry. Years after its original publication, people continue to read it, find it helpful, and pass it on to others.

Ziploc bags and similar storage products (like takeout containers) are incredibly useful around the house and in life, but they're not great for the environment: they're single-use, not recyclable, and can contain microplastics or other materials you probably don't want to ingest. In addition, they're expensive to continue buying over and over again. Thankfully, there are tons of alternatives readily available for packing a lunch to go, sharing leftovers with friends and family, freezing food, or storing things.

The Art of Creation: Standing in Place

This Art of Creation piece by Louise on the poem, "Lost," by David Wagoner has been quoted quite a few times (sometimes without citation) in other people's writing. Although there isn't always acknowledgment, people nonetheless continue to find and read the original piece on our website.

The poem Lost by David Wagoner, a Pacific Northwestern poet originally from the Midwest who died last month, speaks about the movement from being lost to being found—from disconnection and disorientation to connection and placement. This movement from one to the other is accomplished, ironically, according to the poem, by standing still.

The Power of Beauty in Troubled Times

James wrote this piece shortly after Russia had invaded Ukraine in March, 2022. We think it has been read so widely because of the continuing need people have to navigate difficult times with hope. This piece continues to encourage and resonate with readers three years after it was originally published.

To see that beauty endures, even if only as a memory, is a pathway to healing. It is also a pathway to hope, helping us see our existence beyond mere physicality, even as it roots us more deeply there. It speaks to things unseen, unknown, unrealized. It also keeps us open to the present, available to moments when God might break into our lives in new and fresh ways.

As a reminder, you can find all 307 pieces published by The Ecological Disciple on our website. Subscribe to receive each piece as they are published — at no cost! And, if you know others who might find the writing helpful, please pass it on.

Feel free to leave a comment below (you can sign in through your email) or contact James directly at james.amadon@circlewood.online or Louise at louise.conner@circlewood.online.