Episode 370 - Worship in the Wild with Lanni Lantto

Guest Lanni Lantto co-founded UP Wild Church in 2019, a ministry designed to serve those who are disenchanted with traditional church, also known as “dones.” Here she shares how Wild Church offers nature-based gatherings and “wild walks” that also draw upon traditional practices such as prayer and scripture. She and Rev. Carol explore the inner calling to care for creation, the integration of ritual and mindful presence into the church experience, the nature of God, and ways to help people heal from church trauma. This episode invites you to rethink spirituality outside the walls of a church and step out into the wilds of nature.


Bio - Lanni Lantto co-founded UP Wild Church in 2019 as a collaboration between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Northern Great Greats Synod and the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan. The ministry targets "dones"—individuals disenchanted with traditional church structures—by holding nondenominational prayer services and "Wild Walks" in natural settings like forests and the shores of Lake Superior. Her approach emphasizes creation care, healing from past church trauma, and fostering a spiritual connection with nature.

Wild Church website: www.upwild.org

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