DAYSPRING EARTH MINISTRY
AWAKENING TO THE DREAM OF THE EARTH
2026 Events Calendar
(Scroll down for details -- as they become available)
January 18, February 15, and March 15 - Wild Earth Spiritual Community at Dayspring
February 8 Book Launch for Cheryl's Children's Book: Sing Up The Earth
March 20 Spring Equinox Ceremony and Celebration
May 3 Spring Wildflower Walk
June 20 Summer Solstice Ceremony: Prayer for the Earth in this Season of Summer Sun
September 20 Autumn Equinox Ceremony and Celebration
October 9-11 Soul Nature Retreat at Rolling Ridge
November Wild Earth Spiritual Community at Dayspring
December Wild Earth Spiritual Community at Dayspring
December 4-6 An Advent Journey: Creativity and Courage in Turbulent Times - A Silent Retreat at Dayspring
December 20 Winter Solstice Ceremony and Celebration
January 18, February 15, and March 15
Wild Earth Spiritual Community at Dayspring 2pm (Jan), 3pm (Feb/March)
About Wild Earth Spiritual Community (Formerly Church of the wild DC-MD-VA)
We seek to live in deeper relationship with Earth, Divine Presence and each other. We gather twice monthly in sacred, natural woodlands in the Metro DC area. We are a diverse, inclusive and inter-spiritual community. Our gatherings combine contemplative spiritual practices with songs and chants, drumming, silent wandering and fellowship. Our practices enhance and grow our commitment to Earth and Her Beings, informing the work we do individually and collectively in the outer world.
We are a member of the Wild Church Network.
Please register for this free gathering so that we can keep you up-to-date on event information, including what to bring, directions, parking information, and weather-related changes! Register at https://www.wildearthspiritual.org/
February 8 Book Launch for Cheryl's Children's Book
Wellspring Conference Center, 2-4PM)
BOOK Coming February 2026
Sing Up the Earth!
by Cheryl Hellner, illustrated by Mercè Tous
A long time in the making, I am delighted to announce this new picture book, Sing Up the Earth! Each step on the journey of this book’s creation has been filled with longing for its beauty, care in the intricate and necessary refining of text, image, design, and a prayer that with patience and deep trust one day this story would be a book that could be shared.
A young girl, Meadow, dreams of making musical instruments out of clay—the very body of the Earth—just as her grandpa does. Clay ocarinas, flutes, horns, and drums make all kinds of music. Wild animals respond by singing back their calls and songs. In an old stone barn, Meadow learns the ancient art Grandpa has loved since he was a boy. On a winter night of thundersnow and lightning fire, the old stone barn burns down. Grandpa’s favorite instrument, a very old hawk-shaped ocarina disappears. Though Grandpa tries to re-make the instrument, he cannot. Until the day Meadow discovers one jagged clay piece sparkling at the bottom of the creek. A beautifully crafted, lyrical story of creativity, heartbreak, and hope.
Tender, gorgeous artwork illuminates this rich tale of the One Great Love that holds all things.
“Sing Up the Earth! is the kind of book I would have loved to read to my grandkids when they were young. Charming, lively, and honest, with colorful illustrations that nicely fit the text, and vice versa.”
—Luci Shaw, award-winning poet and author
Sing Up the Earth!
by Cheryl Hellner, illustrated by Mercè Tous
A long time in the making, I am delighted to announce this new picture book, Sing Up the Earth! Each step on the journey of this book’s creation has been filled with longing for its beauty, care in the intricate and necessary refining of text, image, design, and a prayer that with patience and deep trust one day this story would be a book that could be shared.
A young girl, Meadow, dreams of making musical instruments out of clay—the very body of the Earth—just as her grandpa does. Clay ocarinas, flutes, horns, and drums make all kinds of music. Wild animals respond by singing back their calls and songs. In an old stone barn, Meadow learns the ancient art Grandpa has loved since he was a boy. On a winter night of thundersnow and lightning fire, the old stone barn burns down. Grandpa’s favorite instrument, a very old hawk-shaped ocarina disappears. Though Grandpa tries to re-make the instrument, he cannot. Until the day Meadow discovers one jagged clay piece sparkling at the bottom of the creek. A beautifully crafted, lyrical story of creativity, heartbreak, and hope.
Tender, gorgeous artwork illuminates this rich tale of the One Great Love that holds all things.
“Sing Up the Earth! is the kind of book I would have loved to read to my grandkids when they were young. Charming, lively, and honest, with colorful illustrations that nicely fit the text, and vice versa.”
—Luci Shaw, award-winning poet and author
March 20 at 5:00 PM
Spring Equinox Ceremony and Celebration
Amongst the debris and the horror and the sadness of so much that is around us right now, I say: cling to beauty -- Dr. Martin Shaw
On the day of the Spring Equinox we come together for a ceremony both ancient and new to give thanks for all the precious beauty and intimations of new life that Spring embodies. For the first flowers pushing up from the forest floor and the swelling of little buds on the trees. For all the small wonders that bring us joy and love. May that beauty fill us with a radiance that flows through us and even makes people around us more beautiful.
In heartbreaking times like these, it so important that we do this.
Here's a general flow. Come for all or part.
5:00 pm We will gather outside the Dayspring Farmhouse and walk on the land for this ceremony of poetry, silent wander, and shared prayer, inspired by the "Thanksgiving Address" of the Native People known as the Iroquois.
6:00 pm Gather indoors at Overlook for a simple supper.
7:00 pm We will circle for creative sharing time around the seasonal theme. Please bring a poem or a story … share a favorite work of art or image … bring your musical instrument and play a song … guide us in singing or sacred dance …
For planning for the outdoor ceremony and for seating and food at Overlook, and to inquire about the possibility of staying overnight in the Overlook retreat space, PLEASE RSVP
to Jim at jimhallmd@yahoo.com and Trish at stefanik.trish@gmail.com
Dayspring * 11301 Neelsville Church Road * Germantown, MD 20876
On the day of the Spring Equinox we come together for a ceremony both ancient and new to give thanks for all the precious beauty and intimations of new life that Spring embodies. For the first flowers pushing up from the forest floor and the swelling of little buds on the trees. For all the small wonders that bring us joy and love. May that beauty fill us with a radiance that flows through us and even makes people around us more beautiful.
In heartbreaking times like these, it so important that we do this.
Here's a general flow. Come for all or part.
5:00 pm We will gather outside the Dayspring Farmhouse and walk on the land for this ceremony of poetry, silent wander, and shared prayer, inspired by the "Thanksgiving Address" of the Native People known as the Iroquois.
6:00 pm Gather indoors at Overlook for a simple supper.
7:00 pm We will circle for creative sharing time around the seasonal theme. Please bring a poem or a story … share a favorite work of art or image … bring your musical instrument and play a song … guide us in singing or sacred dance …
For planning for the outdoor ceremony and for seating and food at Overlook, and to inquire about the possibility of staying overnight in the Overlook retreat space, PLEASE RSVP
to Jim at jimhallmd@yahoo.com and Trish at stefanik.trish@gmail.com
Dayspring * 11301 Neelsville Church Road * Germantown, MD 20876
May 3 Spring Wildflower Walk
at Dayspring Creek
Sunday, May 4 from 12:30 to 2:00 PM
Join Dayspring Earth Ministry for a Spring Wildflower walk at Dayspring Creek after worship on Sunday May 4. We will leave at 12:30 from the Farmhouse and return by 2:00 PM. Bring a snack to eat ahead of time if you wish. Among the flowers we expect to see are wild columbine and rue anemone. Wood Thrush and Scarlet Tanager may have returned as well.
We will be walking to a section of the creek upstream from Dayspring -- an area of County Parkland that has been designated as one of ten high biodiversity areas in the County. The walk is a little over a mile round-trip. The trail is steep in some places, rough and rocky in other places. We recommend wearing sturdy footwear and bringing a walking stick or trekking pole(s).
Please register!! Space along the creek is limited, so we can only accommodate about 15 people. Contact Jim Hall at jimhallmd@yahoo.com to register.
June 20-- 5 PM at Dayspring
Summer Solstice Ceremony
An Invitation to a Gathering of Prayer for the Earth in this Season of Summer Sun and Wildfire
On the evening of the Summer Solstice, we come together to remember and give thanks: for the gifts of the sun's light, for the beauty and abundance of summer gardens and fields, for the wisdom of Earth herself. It matters -- perhaps more than we will ever know -- that we do this. Especially now, when northern forests burn on an unprecedented scale, and our air is filled with smoke. When it is dangerous for us and our children even to be outside.
5:00 pm You are invited to an outdoor prayer ceremony to welcome in the change of seasons. Meet at the Farmhouse to walk together to a particular place on the land. 6:00 pm Gather indoors at Overlook for a simple supper.
7:00 pm We will circle for creative sharing time around the seasonal theme. Please bring a poem or a story … share a favorite work of art or image … bring your musical instrument and play a song … guide us in singing or sacred dance …
NOTE PLEASE: For planning for the outdoor ceremony and for seating and food at Overlook, RSVP to Jim or Cheryl at jimhallmd@yahoo.com or 301-916-4827. To inquire about the possibility of staying overnight in the Overlook retreat space, contact Trish at stefanik.trish@gmail.com or 240-357-3551.
Autumn Equinox Ceremony and Celebration
Sunday, September 20 at Dayspring
When I turned toward the hurt in the silence, I entered a kind of tenderness that was not sore, not wounded, but rather powerfully present... I sunk deep into the soft ground, where the source of life was revealed... And then, dare I say it, I was ‘completely tender.’ --- Zenju Earthlyn Manuel
In Autumn, as the life force shifts from visible bounty to invisible mystery, we pause to listen to Earth’s wisdom inviting surrender, inner growth, and renewal. We sink down into our roots, and into the deep ground of Earth’s tenderness. This is an act of profound resistance to all that seeks to tear our world apart. And we offer gratitude -- ancient prayers of thanksgiving. It matters -- perhaps more than we will ever know -- that we do this.
5 pm -- We will gather outside the Dayspring Farmhouse at 5:00 pm and walk to the amphitheater for this ceremony of poetry, silent wander, and shared prayer on the land, inspired by the “Thanksgiving Address” from the Native People known as the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois).
6 pm -- We will gather indoors at Overlook Retreat House for a simple supper.
7 pm -- We will circle for creative sharing time around the seasonal theme. Please bring a poem or story ...share a favorite work of art or image ...bring your own musical instrument and play a song ...guide us in singing or sacred dance.
For planning for the outdoor ceremony and for seating and food at Overlook, and to inquire about the possibility of staying overnight in the Overlook retreat space,
PLEASE RSVP
to Jim at jimhallmd@yahoo.com and Trish at stefanik.trish@gmail.com Dayspring * 11301 Neelsville Church Road * Germantown, MD 20876
October 9-11 A Soul Nature Retreat at Rolling Ridge
A nature & soul retreat at Rolling Ridge near Harpers Ferry, WV. The theme (to be announced) will bring us together in earth-rooted spiritual community, where in our time of great unraveling, we can slow down, open our hearts to grief and gratitude, listen to the old stories and ancient wisdom, and listen to the deep wisdom of Earth herself.
Leaders : Jim Hall, Cheryl Hellner, and Lindsay McLaughlin
Join us to wander the wild land of Rolling Ridge, return to intimate relationship with the Sacred Others in rock and stream, tree and bush, with the winged ones and the four, six, and eight-legged ones.
Participate in ceremony and council, share in circles of safety and grace, listen to poets and storytellers, dance in sacred circles, sing heart songs with and to the Earth.
$445 single occupancy
$375 shared (full or bunk) - please tell us the name of your roomate when you register
$350 camp - bring your own tent
Register at www.friendsofsilence.net under events.
$75 non-refundable deposit requested.
A November Sunday at 3PM
Wild Earth Spiritual Community at Dayspring
THEME: Deep Quiet and the Fire of Possibility. We gather contemplatively around the fire at Dayspring for deep immersion into Presence. Deep Quiet takes us into the fire of possibility and transformation. All are Welcome!
December 4-6 An Advent Journey: Creativity and Courage in Turbulent Times - A Silent Retreat at Dayspring
The weeks of Advent fill us with gifts if we release ourselves into the flow of possibilities of this sacred season: Time for slowing down and resting by the fire.
Time for listening to our dreams.
Time for silence and sacred space in community
Time for stories, poems, art Wanders in the late Autumn woods and wild fields of Dayspring opening to the wisdom of the Earth.
This is an invitation to renew your creativity and strengthen your courage for the challenges we must face.
Come join us.
Leaders: Jim Hall is a longtime teacher and retreat leader who lives on the wild and earthy edge of the Christian Faith and is passionate about restoring our kinship relationship with the living Earth.
Cheryl Hellner is a teacher, retreat leader, storyteller, and author of the new children’s picture book Sing Up the Earth! Together they live and work in Earth Ministry at Dayspring.
Wild Earth Spiritual Community at Dayspring
A December Sunday at 3PM
Theme and Day: To Be announced
December 21 at 5 PM at Dayspring
Winter Solstice Ceremony
Blessed are you Who bear the light In unbearable times...
Blessed are you In whom The light lives...
-- Jan Richardson
On the day of the Winter Solstice we come together for a ceremony both ancient and new to honor the return of the light and to give thanks. We are thankful for the ways that darkness invites us to inner stillness and grounding, may nurture our resilience, and can fill us with holy longing.
At Solstice, sunlight begins to return. Just a little, day by day. Perhaps the light begins to return in us, too. Maybe even to arise from us and to live in us.
5 pm -- We will gather outside the Dayspring Farmhouse and walk to the Pavilion for a ceremony inspired by the “Thanksgiving Address” of the Native Peoples known as the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) -- a ceremony of giving thanks, of giving our holy longings to feed the fire, and of receiving a blessing of light to carry out into the surrounding darkness. 6 pm -- We will gather indoors at Overlook Retreat House for a simple supper. 7 pm -- We will circle for creative sharing time around the seasonal theme. Please bring a poem or story ...share a favorite work of art or image ...bring your own musical instrument and play a song ...guide us in singing or sacred dance.
For planning for the outdoor ceremony and for seating and food at Overlook, and to inquire about the possibility of staying overnight in the Overlook retreat space,
PLEASE RSVP
to Jim at jimhallmd@yahoo.com and Trish at stefanik.trish@gmail.com
Dayspring * 11301 Neelsville Church Road * Germantown, MD 20876
[note: image courtesy of stockcake.com]
