Overview

The Anthropocene Era, our current epoch of climate change, biodiversity loss, and human dislocations of many kinds, can bring fear, confusion, despair, and anger. This book of letters invites you to an understanding of the gospel as a way of life that can support and ground our action and witness in this time of intensifying polycrises. Consistent with current science, it speaks as well the languages of spiritual life and the imagination. It draws from a wide range of sources from the Christian tradition, including some Quaker practices for spirituality in action. Illustrations and meditations support an encounter with the living book of nature. Reflection queries are offered to support conversation and spiritual formation.

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9781594982101

Table of Contents

Reviews

As the world becomes more complex, uncertain, and challenging by the day, a curious thing seems to happen simultaneously: a kind of intensification, simplification, and clarification. But it doesn't just happen, and it doesn't happen to everyone. It happens to those awake enough and willing to keep looking, slowly and carefully, at the whole/holy mess we're in (even as it is still possible to fall in love with toads and ravens). This book is borne from one who seeks, observes, tastes, and listens, one who does not look away, one who reckons with our pressing realities at the scientific, pragmatic, emotional, and spiritual level. As you read, you will walk with him through New England landscapes, discovering beauty and devastation all over again, and suddenly you will find yourself in observant reflection and deep conversation. Susanne Moser, founder of The Adaptive Mind Project Brian Drayton's eloquent letters intersperse evocative vignettes from the natural world with penetrating scientific and social insights, framed within a gospel concern for the natural world and Quaker-based guidance for a way forward through this dire Anthropocene era. Given the bearing of both Christian and scientific worldviews upon our present dilemmas, Drayton's synthesis is crucial to a whole vision for the future. Douglas Gwyn, author of The Covenant Crucified: Quakers and the Rise of Capitalism This is a beautiful book-not to be read at a sitting but to be dipped into, like a flowing stream, as one works toward a full and useful life. Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature

Author Information

With training in plant conservation biology, Brian Drayton's work has concentrated in research on science pedagogy, climate change education, and learning and discourse in educational communities of practice. He is a member and a recorded minister in New England Yearly Meeting of Friends. Brian has traveled widely in the ministry; he has also given addresses, retreats, and workshops on Friends history and spirituality. His writings include Messages to Meetings (2019) On Living with a Concern for Gospel Ministry, (2nd edition 2019), and, with William P. Taber, Jr., A Language for the Inward Landscape: Spiritual Wisdom from the Quaker Movement (2015). He blogs at amorvincat. wordpress.com. Brian and Darcy Drayton worship with Wellesley (Massachusetts) Friends Meeting.

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