Rewilding Faith
A year-long, monthly journey for people who want to explore the Christian faith in a more thoughtful, open and inclusive way.
If you’ve felt disillusioned with Christianity as you’ve known it, you’re in good company.
But what if the thing you’ve lost isn’t faith… but a cramped version of it? What if it just needs a chance to be rewilded—released back into the spacious landscape of spiritual wonder?
Every month we take one theme and create space around it, especially the bits people usually rush past, avoid, or weaponise. These are the big questions many of us carry after dogmatic religion, fundamentalism, or harmful church experiences.
Each theme unfolds in three ways: a main teaching, a discussion group with guest voices, and a contemplative practice. You might think of them as Spark, Campfire, and Wild Practice (more below).
Come for the whole journey, drop in for a month, or just show up when a theme or practice calls to you.
This is not a membership drive, and it is not a debate club. It is a held space to breathe, listen, learn, and explore faith again with integrity and freedom. The space is held in friendship between Harbour Faith Community (Carrickfergus) and First Church (Belfast), alongside other affirming and inspiring faith communities across Northern Ireland.
The 2026 themes
The themes for 2026 are the fruit of years of listening—coffee chats, late-night questions, after-service conversations, and the surveys you’ve helped shape. It’s not a random list; it’s a journey. There’s a deliberate flow to the year, with each month building on the one before it.
Spring season (Feb to June)
FEB: Rewilding the Bible
From Rule-Keeping to Wisdom
MAR: Rewilding God
Beyond the God We Once Knew
APR: Rewilding the Cross
Discovering God in Whom There Is No Violence
MAY: Rewilding the Body
Ending the Religious War on Women, Bodies & Desire
JUNE: Rewilding Our Pain
Prayer, Suffering & the Practice of Presence
Autumn season (Sep to Nov)
SEPT: Rewilding Peace
Faith, Power, and the Refusal to Hate
OCT: Rewilding Hope
The End of Fear, Hell, and Retribution
NOV: Faith in the Wild
Belief and Doubt in a Pluralist World
Is this for you?
You might be here because:
You are tired of fear-based faith (hell, guilt, “are you saved?” anxiety).
You have Bible questions you are no longer willing to ignore.
You are LGBTQ+ (or love someone who is) and you need safety, not debate.
You are healing from toxic church culture, control, or spiritual shame.
You still want meaning, prayer, and community, but with honesty and freedom.
No pressure. No sales pitch. You can take part as much or as little as you like.
How does a month work?
Each monthly theme is explored through three simple gatherings: an introductory talk each month - one in Belfast and one in Carrickfergus, an open discussion with guest voices in Belfast on the Wednesday after, and an immersive contemplative practice about a week later.
Think of them as Spark, Campfire, and Wild Practice.
Come to one. Come to all. Or dip in whenever a theme speaks to you.
Spark
A short, accessible talk that lights the month’s theme.
Carrickfergus: First Sunday of each month, 11:00am (Harbour Faith Community)
Belfast: One Sunday each month at First Church, Rosemary Street, 10:30am (date varies)
Both talks will be recorded and shared afterwards.
Campfire
A guided conversation night, more like gathering around a fire than sitting in a classroom. A few guest guides will share short reflections, then we’ll open the circle for questions and discussion. We finish with one or two “Ask a Theologian” questions from the survey.
When: First Wednesday after Spark, 7:00 to 8:30pm
Where: First Church, Rosemary Street - Minor Hall
Wild Practice
A simple, seasonal, embodied practice - something different from talking. It might be a sunset or sunrise gathering, a quiet walk, a short ritual in nature, or another low-pressure contemplative moment.
When/Where: Announced monthly (subscribe for updates)
How can I take part?
Choose what fits your life and changing rhythms. There is no “right way” to do this. You might:
Come to Spark only: one Sunday a month, big-idea teaching
Come to Campfire only: Belfast discussion nights and community
Or maybe a monthly Wild Practice is all you need for now
Or go all-in for a month: Spark + Campfire + Wild Practice
Or just drop in when a theme speaks to you: you really don’t have to commit to the whole year
Or just catch the recordings: Spark talks will be recorded and shared afterwards
ethos (a short safety note)
This space is built on a few simple commitments:
We practice curiosity, not combat.
Questions are welcome. Shame is not.
We do not use dehumanising language about anyone.
You will not be pressured to believe, perform, or sign up to anything.
We aim to be a space where people can explore faith with integrity and freedom.
FAQs
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No. You can come with faith, doubt, or no certainty at all.
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It is a space for honest exploration. Some people will call it progressive; others will not. The point is that you can ask real questions without fear.
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We are working on more online options. For now, Spark talks will be recorded and shared afterwards.
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Yes. If we ever need to cover venue costs for Campfire nights, we will make that clear, and nobody will be excluded for lack of money.
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Yes. Explicitly.
