Ron Rienstra
@ronrienstra.bsky.social
Professor of Preaching&Worship Arts, Western Theological Seminary, Holland, MI | E7 | Worship Words | Church at Church| he/him | fave class: liturgical shenanigans | amateur musician (guitar, string bass) | backyard re-wilder | leaning into eco-theology
Christ the King Sunday. Went to see the statue “Cristo Redentor” - his arms stretched wide in an expensive gesture, not of domination, but of peace.
May all those who wield power follow his example.
May all those who wield power follow his example.
November 23, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Christ the King Sunday. Went to see the statue “Cristo Redentor” - his arms stretched wide in an expensive gesture, not of domination, but of peace.
May all those who wield power follow his example.
May all those who wield power follow his example.
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
Some hopeful news and some good videos in this one, plus: puffins!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Refugia Newsletter #106
COP30, subnational actors, biodiversity strategies, sea turtles, nuns and indigenous land return, thriving puffins and scuttling crabs
refugianewsletter.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Some hopeful news and some good videos in this one, plus: puffins!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
Inviting you to my Substack page because I've been neglectful about posting recent podcast episodes and newsletters. It's all here! Hawaiian refugia, the mighty diocese of San Francisco, and so much more. Maybe start here?
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Refugia Podcast Episode 40
Kipuka to Kipuka: Islands of Life, Faith, and Restoration
refugianewsletter.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Inviting you to my Substack page because I've been neglectful about posting recent podcast episodes and newsletters. It's all here! Hawaiian refugia, the mighty diocese of San Francisco, and so much more. Maybe start here?
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
This is such a good one. If you attend a regular congregation and wish your church could do more about climate, listen to the marvelous Linda Racine and get inspired!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Refugia Podcast Episode 38
So Much Joy: Linda Racine and Traverse City Presbyterian Church
refugianewsletter.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:08 PM
This is such a good one. If you attend a regular congregation and wish your church could do more about climate, listen to the marvelous Linda Racine and get inspired!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
What if we used our church grounds to feed our human and non-human neighbors? For those near Nashville, TN, you can explore this question with faith leaders and gardening experts at a gathering hosted by the Food & Faith Collective on 11/15!
Register here: nashvillewpc.church/faith-food-2...
Register here: nashvillewpc.church/faith-food-2...
October 18, 2025 at 7:23 PM
What if we used our church grounds to feed our human and non-human neighbors? For those near Nashville, TN, you can explore this question with faith leaders and gardening experts at a gathering hosted by the Food & Faith Collective on 11/15!
Register here: nashvillewpc.church/faith-food-2...
Register here: nashvillewpc.church/faith-food-2...
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
Thanks to our first year of Churches of Restoration who generously shared their experiences in restoring right relationship with the earth with our Year 2 Churches of Restoration in our first national webinar.
We can't wait to see what projects our Year 2 churches launch! 💒🌱
We can't wait to see what projects our Year 2 churches launch! 💒🌱
October 16, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Thanks to our first year of Churches of Restoration who generously shared their experiences in restoring right relationship with the earth with our Year 2 Churches of Restoration in our first national webinar.
We can't wait to see what projects our Year 2 churches launch! 💒🌱
We can't wait to see what projects our Year 2 churches launch! 💒🌱
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
This is a lovely one, an interview this week with the gentle and courageous Father Pete Nunnally of Water and Wilderness church.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Refugia Podcast Episode 36
True Woo: Pete Nunnally and Water and Wilderness Church
refugianewsletter.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM
This is a lovely one, an interview this week with the gentle and courageous Father Pete Nunnally of Water and Wilderness church.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
We've been really enjoying this season of the Refugia Podcast, hosted by our friend @debrakrienstra.bsky.social - each week, she interviews a different guest and explores the idea of refugia from a variety of perspectives.
If you're interested, you can find it here! refugianewsletter.substack.com
If you're interested, you can find it here! refugianewsletter.substack.com
Refugia Newsletter | Debra Rienstra | Substack
A fortnightly newsletter for people of faith who care about the climate crisis and want to go deeper. Click to read Refugia Newsletter, by Debra Rienstra, a Substack publication with thousands of subs...
refugianewsletter.substack.com
October 8, 2025 at 9:30 PM
We've been really enjoying this season of the Refugia Podcast, hosted by our friend @debrakrienstra.bsky.social - each week, she interviews a different guest and explores the idea of refugia from a variety of perspectives.
If you're interested, you can find it here! refugianewsletter.substack.com
If you're interested, you can find it here! refugianewsletter.substack.com
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
Refugia Newsletter AND Refugia Podcast! My latest newsletter has exclusive video of PUFFINS! And the podcast so far in Season 4 features terrific guests: Heber Brown III, Douglas Day Kaufman, David Celesky, and Judy Hinck. More to come!
refugianewsletter.substack.com
refugianewsletter.substack.com
Refugia Newsletter | Debra Rienstra | Substack
A fortnightly newsletter for people of faith who care about the climate crisis and want to go deeper. Click to read Refugia Newsletter, by Debra Rienstra, a Substack publication with thousands of subs...
refugianewsletter.substack.com
October 6, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Refugia Newsletter AND Refugia Podcast! My latest newsletter has exclusive video of PUFFINS! And the podcast so far in Season 4 features terrific guests: Heber Brown III, Douglas Day Kaufman, David Celesky, and Judy Hinck. More to come!
refugianewsletter.substack.com
refugianewsletter.substack.com
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
my takeaway from climate week nyc is that "climate storytelling" is a little too much "we must reimagine our deepest souls in relationship to mother nature and the moral abyss of the polycrisis into which we must now stare" and not enough "ok but get a heat pump"
September 28, 2025 at 6:52 PM
my takeaway from climate week nyc is that "climate storytelling" is a little too much "we must reimagine our deepest souls in relationship to mother nature and the moral abyss of the polycrisis into which we must now stare" and not enough "ok but get a heat pump"
Refugia Podcast Episode 34
open.substack.com/pub/refugian...
open.substack.com/pub/refugian...
Refugia Podcast Episode 34
A Parable of Redemption: Dave Celesky and Redeem MI Land
open.substack.com
September 28, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Refugia Podcast Episode 34
open.substack.com/pub/refugian...
open.substack.com/pub/refugian...
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
Such a great conversation with the inspiring Heber Brown!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Refugia Podcast Episode 33
The Garden Became the Steeple: Heber Brown and the Black Food Security Network
refugianewsletter.substack.com
September 22, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Such a great conversation with the inspiring Heber Brown!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
Sun Day! This week's newsletter is a celebration of the clean energy transition that is happening, right now, despite... all the things.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Refugia Newsletter #102
Homegrown National Park, Sun Day fun, more good news about clean energy transition, church resilience hubs, and one super chill squirrel
refugianewsletter.substack.com
September 20, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Sun Day! This week's newsletter is a celebration of the clean energy transition that is happening, right now, despite... all the things.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
Welcome to our West Michigan Churches of Restoration Cohort! 🌿⛪ During our kick-off, creation caretakers new and experienced affirmed each other's work and inspired one another to pursue new projects.
We are honored to support these leaders in nurturing God's ecosystems in the upcoming year! 💚🕊️
We are honored to support these leaders in nurturing God's ecosystems in the upcoming year! 💚🕊️
September 19, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Welcome to our West Michigan Churches of Restoration Cohort! 🌿⛪ During our kick-off, creation caretakers new and experienced affirmed each other's work and inspired one another to pursue new projects.
We are honored to support these leaders in nurturing God's ecosystems in the upcoming year! 💚🕊️
We are honored to support these leaders in nurturing God's ecosystems in the upcoming year! 💚🕊️
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
At our annual A Rocha USA team retreat, we discussed the conservation work we enact in Texas and Florida, and we strategized for projects like our Churches of Restoration program and our new Tree Planting Initiative. 🌳⛪
We are excited to bring greater flourishing to God's creation this year! 🌎
We are excited to bring greater flourishing to God's creation this year! 🌎
September 18, 2025 at 1:22 PM
At our annual A Rocha USA team retreat, we discussed the conservation work we enact in Texas and Florida, and we strategized for projects like our Churches of Restoration program and our new Tree Planting Initiative. 🌳⛪
We are excited to bring greater flourishing to God's creation this year! 🌎
We are excited to bring greater flourishing to God's creation this year! 🌎
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
A reflection from one member of our 2024/25 Churches of Restoration program:
"It has helped me feel less alone, more seen and supported, less crazy for thinking we as the church should make creation care a priority."
We are excited for the many years of community and creation care to come! ⛪🌱
"It has helped me feel less alone, more seen and supported, less crazy for thinking we as the church should make creation care a priority."
We are excited for the many years of community and creation care to come! ⛪🌱
September 16, 2025 at 12:06 PM
A reflection from one member of our 2024/25 Churches of Restoration program:
"It has helped me feel less alone, more seen and supported, less crazy for thinking we as the church should make creation care a priority."
We are excited for the many years of community and creation care to come! ⛪🌱
"It has helped me feel less alone, more seen and supported, less crazy for thinking we as the church should make creation care a priority."
We are excited for the many years of community and creation care to come! ⛪🌱
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
On our blog, you can read about St. Bartholomew's Episcopal, a 2024/25 Nashville Church of Restoration that has done amazing work to remove invasive plants and restore habitat on their property, seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance in healing their ecosystem! 🌱🕊️
Read more: arocha.us/churches-of-...
Read more: arocha.us/churches-of-...
September 10, 2025 at 1:47 PM
On our blog, you can read about St. Bartholomew's Episcopal, a 2024/25 Nashville Church of Restoration that has done amazing work to remove invasive plants and restore habitat on their property, seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance in healing their ecosystem! 🌱🕊️
Read more: arocha.us/churches-of-...
Read more: arocha.us/churches-of-...
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
Need a boost of sunshine and mental vitamin D? Check out this week's newsletter.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Refugia Newsletter #101
Game-changing energy transition advances, myth-busting resources, agrivoltaic-improved wool and grapes, a youthful celebration of the sun, and salute to the moon
refugianewsletter.substack.com
September 6, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Need a boost of sunshine and mental vitamin D? Check out this week's newsletter.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
Alongside September’s prayer requests, we also take time to share these thanksgivings. We’re grateful for the many ways we’ve seen God’s blessings, through the work of A Rocha USA, the care of colleagues around the world, and the beauty of creation itself.
September 6, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Alongside September’s prayer requests, we also take time to share these thanksgivings. We’re grateful for the many ways we’ve seen God’s blessings, through the work of A Rocha USA, the care of colleagues around the world, and the beauty of creation itself.
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
I know this sounds crazy, but shouldn’t the Secretary of Energy know something about energy?
September 2, 2025 at 11:30 PM
I know this sounds crazy, but shouldn’t the Secretary of Energy know something about energy?
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
Running from September 1 to the Feast of St. Francis on October 4, the Season of Creation invites churches to focus anew on God's species and landscapes, seeking to join Christ in reconciling creation to God (Col. 1:19-20) in our worship, teaching, and service! ⛪🌱
Learn more: seasonofcreation.org
Learn more: seasonofcreation.org
September 1, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Running from September 1 to the Feast of St. Francis on October 4, the Season of Creation invites churches to focus anew on God's species and landscapes, seeking to join Christ in reconciling creation to God (Col. 1:19-20) in our worship, teaching, and service! ⛪🌱
Learn more: seasonofcreation.org
Learn more: seasonofcreation.org
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
Great news! Grand Rapids, Michigan, (where I live) has an ambitious climate agenda, just passed by the City Commission.
www.michiganpublic.org/environment-...
www.michiganpublic.org/environment-...
Grand Rapids adopts climate action plan
The plan sets a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 62.8% per capita by the end of the decade, but doesn't come with any requirements yet.
www.michiganpublic.org
August 14, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Great news! Grand Rapids, Michigan, (where I live) has an ambitious climate agenda, just passed by the City Commission.
www.michiganpublic.org/environment-...
www.michiganpublic.org/environment-...
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
Faith/climate news in manageable doses with lots of opportunities to dive deeper.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Refugia Newsletter #99
Endangered endangerment, legal triumph, research on faith leadership, oysters, river parks, and a gigantic owl
refugianewsletter.substack.com
August 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Faith/climate news in manageable doses with lots of opportunities to dive deeper.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Reposted by Ron Rienstra
Over the past year, A Rocha USA’s Texas team, led by Veronica Godoy, worked with volunteers & Master Naturalists to restore 22+ acres in the Stenis Tract, removing 9,389 invasives & planting 456 native species.
Restoration now expands to Bull Creek Bluff Park. Thanks to all who made this possible!
Restoration now expands to Bull Creek Bluff Park. Thanks to all who made this possible!
August 11, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Over the past year, A Rocha USA’s Texas team, led by Veronica Godoy, worked with volunteers & Master Naturalists to restore 22+ acres in the Stenis Tract, removing 9,389 invasives & planting 456 native species.
Restoration now expands to Bull Creek Bluff Park. Thanks to all who made this possible!
Restoration now expands to Bull Creek Bluff Park. Thanks to all who made this possible!