The Local Church as Hub for Creativity, Curiosity, Intellectual Adventure, and Lifelong Learning
I asked a friend what she wanted most in an open and relational church. I expected her to say something like "community," "spiritual depth," or "opportunities for service." I know she wanted all of these things. But instead, her answer surprised me: "I want a place that will stretch my mind... I want a humanities orchard."
Her words stay with me. A humanities orchard is not just a place for theological discussions or spiritual practices, but a space where the great questions of humanity can bloom and bear fruit. A church where philosophy, art, history, literature, and science are cultivated alongside faith. A church that invites people to pick the fruits of wisdom from the past and the present, nourishing their souls and expanding their imaginations.
In her vision, an open and relational church wouldn’t just provide comfort or belonging. It would challenge its members to think deeply and critically, to grapple with new ideas, and to explore the complexities of life. It would be a place of intellectual vitality, where minds are awakened, and hearts are inspired—a garden of possibility where faith meets curiosity and tradition meets innovation.
I think this is part of what an open and relational church can be. A space where we’re not only fed but stretched, not only comforted but transformed. A place where the spirit of exploration thrives, inviting us to engage with the humanities and sciences in all their richness, and in doing so, discover new ways of seeing, being, and loving in the world.
Humanities orchards come in different scales. They can be small and focused, such as a reading center at a local library or a local theatre company, or large, like a community-based cultural center offering a wide variety of activities. In any case, they are hubs for creativity, adventure, and lifelong learning. They provide spaces where diverse perspectives can be shared and explored, helping individuals develop empathy, broaden their understanding of the world, and address complex societal challenges with insight and imagination.
Churches shaped by open and relational (process) theologies can provide a profound service to their communities and, at the same time, attract interested constituencies by understanding themselves, theologically, as humanities hubs—spaces that foster connection, creativity, and meaningful engagement with life's deepest questions.
All of this is consonant with open and relational (process) theology. Open and relational (process) theology invites us to see God not as distant and controlling, but as intimately present within us and the world. From this perspective, God is an inwardly felt lure, gently guiding us toward spiritual, intellectual, and emotional growth, deeper connections with others, and richer engagement with the natural world. At the same time, God is present in the world itself, such that when we explore its history, cultures, and ideas, we are also learning about what forms part of God’s own life, in ways both beautiful and sometimes tragic. This vision helps us become good citizens, better able to appreciate and understand others, including those with differing perspectives. It also encourages us to be better listeners, recognizing that listening without projection is a sacred way of participating in God’s life. And, of course, it helps us grow as individuals, realizing our creative potential and learning to think for ourselves. This is what the humanities do, and the open and relational tradition celebrates and fosters this growth. To think with the humanities is one way of practicing open and relational theology.
Sample Offerings for Adults in a Humanities Orchard
Philosophy Circle: Big Questions, Big Ideas
Format: Monthly discussion group using a podcast episode, short text, or video as a prompt.
Example Texts: The Daily Stoic podcast; Philosophy Bites podcast.
Focus: Ethics, meaning, and the art of living.
Leader: Local philosophy professor or passionate thinker.
History Uncovered: Lessons from the Past
Format: Bi-weekly gatherings exploring pivotal historical events or themes.
Example Texts: Revolutions podcast; articles from History Today.
Focus: How history informs present challenges.
Leader: Local historian or history teacher.
Literary Conversations: Stories That Shape Us
Format: Book club-style discussions focusing on literature.
Example Texts: Poetry Unbound podcast; excerpts from novels or short stories.
Focus: The transformative power of storytelling.
Leader: Local librarian or writer.
Creative Writing Orchard
Format: Weekly workshops to encourage creative expression through poetry, memoir, or fiction.
Example Texts: Writing prompts from online resources; episodes of Writing Excuses podcast.
Focus: Storytelling as a tool for connection and self-discovery.
Leader: Local author or writing enthusiast.
Music and Meaning
Format: Monthly listening and discussion group exploring how music shapes identity, community, and spirituality.
Example Texts: Song Exploder podcast, selected tracks, or short readings on music and culture.
Leader: Local musician or music enthusiast
Interfaith Dialogues: Shared Wisdom
Format: Monthly dialogues exploring themes like compassion, justice, or the sacred.
Example Texts: On Being podcast episodes.
Focus: Building bridges across faith traditions.
Leader: Clergy or community interfaith advocate.
The Humanities Orchard Café
Format: Casual gatherings with rotating topics like “Philosophy Over Coffee” or “Stories from Our Elders.”
Example Texts: Short essays or local oral histories.
Focus: Informal, accessible discussions to build community.
Leader: Volunteer with a knack for conversation.
Nature’s Lessons: A Humanities Perspective
Format: Guided nature walks paired with readings or reflections.
Example Texts: Excerpts from Thoreau’s Walden or Mary Oliver’s poetry.
Focus: Finding inspiration and wisdom in the natural world.
Leader: Local naturalist or environmentalist.
Steps to Implement
Start with One or Two Offerings: Choose those that align most with local interests and available resources.
Promote Effectively: Use community bulletin boards, church newsletters, and social media.
Create a Welcoming Space: Foster an environment that encourages participation, curiosity, and connection.
Evaluate and Adapt: Gather feedback regularly to refine offerings and ensure sustainability.
Celebrate Successes: Share highlights from gatherings to keep enthusiasm high and attract new participants.
Humanities Orchards for Children
A Humanities Orchard for children is a place where curiosity, creativity, and kindness come to life. It’s a space where kids can explore big ideas, ask questions, and discover the world in fun and exciting ways. In the orchard, children learn through stories, music, art, and hands-on activities, helping them grow in their ability to imagine, create, and connect with others.
Here are some activities that could make a Humanities Orchard magical for kids:
Storytime Adventures: Sharing stories from around the world to spark imagination and teach lessons about compassion, bravery, and friendship.
Little Philosophers Club: Encouraging kids to ask questions like, “What makes a good friend?” or “Why is the sky so big?” and explore their thoughts together.
Music and Movement: Singing songs, dancing, and even making their own instruments to express themselves and have fun!
Art in the Orchard: Painting, drawing, and crafting projects inspired by nature, books, and their own creativity.
Nature Explorers: Guided walks and outdoor play to learn about the beauty of the world around them and how to care for it.
Kindness Projects: Activities like creating cards for neighbors, planting flowers, or making care packages to show love and empathy in action.
In a Humanities Orchard for children, the focus is on helping young minds grow and flourish in ways that are thoughtful, playful, and deeply connected to the world and each other. It’s a space where they can dream big, think deeply, and feel at home.
Interfaith Humanities Orchards
An Interfaith Humanities Orchard is a place where people from diverse religious and spiritual traditions come together to learn, share, and grow in understanding. Rooted in mutual respect and curiosity, this orchard celebrates the rich tapestry of human thought, creativity, and faith. It invites participants to explore the world through the lenses of philosophy, history, art, literature, and spirituality, fostering a deeper appreciation for the unique perspectives that each tradition offers.
Key features of an Interfaith Humanities Orchard might include:
Shared Storytelling Circles: Participants share sacred stories, myths, and personal experiences from their traditions, highlighting common themes of compassion, justice, and hope.
Interfaith Book Clubs: Reading and discussing texts from various traditions, such as the Bible, Qur'an, Bhagavad Gita, Buddhist sutras, and works by modern thinkers like Thich Nhat Hanh, Rumi, or Howard Thurman.
Collaborative Art Projects: Creating murals, music, or poetry inspired by interfaith themes, showcasing unity in diversity.
Dialogues on Shared Values: Facilitated conversations on topics like peace, environmental stewardship, or the sacredness of life, drawing on wisdom from multiple traditions.
Meditative Practices: Opportunities to experience and learn about practices like Christian contemplative prayer, Islamic dhikr, Jewish meditation, or Zen mindfulness.
Celebrations of Sacred Time: Observing and learning about religious holidays and rituals, from Ramadan and Easter to Diwali and Vesak, as ways to honor the rhythms of different traditions.
Workshops on Social Action: Exploring how faith communities can collaborate to address shared concerns like poverty, inequality, and climate change.
An Interfaith Humanities Orchard nurtures the seeds of understanding and cooperation. It creates a safe, welcoming space for participants to honor their differences while discovering their shared humanity. In this orchard, learning and connection become acts of faith, revealing the beauty of a world where many paths meet.
Humanities Orchards for Social Change
The East Side Institute Model
The East Side Institute's approach to social activism through creative and performing arts offers an inspiring model of a Humanities Orchard dedicated to fostering social change. This method, often referred to as play activism, harnesses the power of collective creativity, performance, and relational engagement to address social challenges, nurture community, and promote personal and societal transformation.
At the heart of this approach is the belief that play, creativity, and improvisation are not just tools for individual expression but essential for reimagining relationships, breaking down barriers, and building new forms of community. By engaging in the performing arts—whether through theater, music, dance, or collaborative storytelling—participants become active co-creators in shaping their world.
Key elements of a Humanities Orchard inspired by the East Side Institute might include:
Play-Based Community Workshops: Interactive sessions where participants engage in improvisational games and exercises that foster collaboration, empathy, and trust. These activities help people step out of rigid roles and imagine new possibilities for themselves and their communities.
Performative Dialogues: Events where social issues are explored through theatrical or musical performance, followed by facilitated discussions. These performances encourage audience participation and reflection, making activism a shared, creative process.
Art as a Bridge: Collaborative art projects designed to bring together diverse groups to address shared concerns, such as murals that reflect community stories or performances that amplify marginalized voices.
Theatrical Interventions in Public Spaces: Using street theater or flash mobs to draw attention to social issues in creative and accessible ways, making activism both visible and inviting.
Training for Activist-Artists: Workshops or residencies that teach participants how to use creative and performing arts as tools for advocacy, healing, and social change.
Improvisation for Social Healing: Using improv theater techniques to explore conflict resolution, build communication skills, and create a sense of solidarity among participants.
Inspired by the East Side Institute’s philosophy, this Humanities Orchard would cultivate a spirit of relational transformation, where people are empowered to see themselves as active agents of change. By combining the reflective nature of the humanities with the dynamic energy of the performing arts, such an orchard nurtures not only creativity and imagination but also the deep relational connections necessary for social healing and justice. This approach highlights how the humanities can move beyond passive contemplation to become an active force for reimagining and reshaping the world.