Debra K Rienstra
@debrakrienstra.bsky.social
Author REFUGIA FAITH and refugianewsletter.substack, climate, ecotheology, Michigan, nature n stuff, Professor of English at Calvin U, she/her
Today's newsletter. As always, I try to balance the grim stuff with glimmers of goodness. Book-eating-fungi jazz? How can you resist?
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Refugia Newsletter #110
Venezuelan oil, offshore wind, African solar, good state news, federal science funding, green buildings, musical fungi, and one hopeless storage room
refugianewsletter.substack.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Today's newsletter. As always, I try to balance the grim stuff with glimmers of goodness. Book-eating-fungi jazz? How can you resist?
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Father Pete does it again--thanks for this challenging "half time speech" for people of faith and conscience in America.
fatherpetethewildernesspriest.substack.com/p/its-halfti...
fatherpetethewildernesspriest.substack.com/p/its-halfti...
It's Halftime in America
Time to Run With the Horses
fatherpetethewildernesspriest.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:01 AM
Father Pete does it again--thanks for this challenging "half time speech" for people of faith and conscience in America.
fatherpetethewildernesspriest.substack.com/p/its-halfti...
fatherpetethewildernesspriest.substack.com/p/its-halfti...
The US does stupid and illegal things for oil while the rest of the world catches on to the obvious: move to clean energy. Fast.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/c...
Cheap Solar Is Transforming Lives and Economies Across Africa
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 4:08 PM
The US does stupid and illegal things for oil while the rest of the world catches on to the obvious: move to clean energy. Fast.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/c...
Really disappointed in my governor. Come on, gov, there's still time to do the right things! Grateful for @insideclimatenews.org reporting. Thanks, Tom Perkins for covering Michigan.
insideclimatenews.org/news/2212202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/2212202...
As the Whitmer Administration Enters Its Final Year, Environmental Advocates Lament Wasted Opportunities - Inside Climate News
Climate legislation requiring Michigan to get all its electricity from renewable sources became Gretchen Whitmer’s signature environmental bill. But now, tax incentives the governor granted data cente...
insideclimatenews.org
December 23, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Really disappointed in my governor. Come on, gov, there's still time to do the right things! Grateful for @insideclimatenews.org reporting. Thanks, Tom Perkins for covering Michigan.
insideclimatenews.org/news/2212202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/2212202...
Good news for higher education from this survey on employers' views. Bottom line: big majority of employers value what we do and want more of it. Those of us laboring away at small liberal arts colleges need this encouragement!
www.aacu.org/research/the...
www.aacu.org/research/the...
The Agility Imperative: How Employers View Preparation for an… | AAC&U
The survey found strong alignment between the outcomes of a liberal education and the skills and dispositions employers view as essential for success in…
www.aacu.org
December 18, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Good news for higher education from this survey on employers' views. Bottom line: big majority of employers value what we do and want more of it. Those of us laboring away at small liberal arts colleges need this encouragement!
www.aacu.org/research/the...
www.aacu.org/research/the...
So, so, so grateful for the news today that I received a Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Teacher-Scholar grant to work on my book REFUGIA CHURCH! Hooray!!!! Many thanks to the grant-decision staff at CICW for all you do to enrich the church.
worship.calvin.edu/resources/ar...
worship.calvin.edu/resources/ar...
CICW Funds Dozens of New Worship and Preaching Projects | Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
worship.calvin.edu
December 15, 2025 at 10:07 PM
So, so, so grateful for the news today that I received a Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Teacher-Scholar grant to work on my book REFUGIA CHURCH! Hooray!!!! Many thanks to the grant-decision staff at CICW for all you do to enrich the church.
worship.calvin.edu/resources/ar...
worship.calvin.edu/resources/ar...
You can expect to hear more about solar permitting in the new year, but we'll get started here. Also, enjoy the scavenger hunt opportunity in this one--find the cute video of releasing beavers buried in one of the articles I cite!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Refugia Newsletter #108
Hitting goals, a new phase-out coalition, solar permitting, insurance crisis, climate migration, UK refugia, and tile-whipping
refugianewsletter.substack.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:20 PM
You can expect to hear more about solar permitting in the new year, but we'll get started here. Also, enjoy the scavenger hunt opportunity in this one--find the cute video of releasing beavers buried in one of the articles I cite!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Tile-whipping?? At moments like this, I'm proud to be half-Dutch. (Thanks to the ever-excellent Louise Conner @circlewoodearth.bsky.social.) www.ecodisciple.com/blog/flippin...
The Art of Creation: Flipping Gray into Green
The new Dutch sport of tegelwippen brings the fun of friendly competition together with care of the earth.
www.ecodisciple.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Tile-whipping?? At moments like this, I'm proud to be half-Dutch. (Thanks to the ever-excellent Louise Conner @circlewoodearth.bsky.social.) www.ecodisciple.com/blog/flippin...
After a brief, virus-induced delay, the latest edition of the newsletter. This one features Ron recounting his experiences as an observer at COP30. Plus a dancing fossil dinosaur!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Refugia Newsletter #107 For Real
An insider report from COP30 plus Brazil adventures and some pollinator therapy
refugianewsletter.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:07 PM
After a brief, virus-induced delay, the latest edition of the newsletter. This one features Ron recounting his experiences as an observer at COP30. Plus a dancing fossil dinosaur!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Oh boy!!! We fans have been waiting YEARS for @jspencerfleming.bsky.social's new book!!!! Clear the calendar: I've got reading to do!
November 19, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Oh boy!!! We fans have been waiting YEARS for @jspencerfleming.bsky.social's new book!!!! Clear the calendar: I've got reading to do!
Some hopeful news and some good videos in this one, plus: puffins!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Refugia Newsletter #106
COP30, subnational actors, biodiversity strategies, sea turtles, nuns and indigenous land return, thriving puffins and scuttling crabs
refugianewsletter.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Some hopeful news and some good videos in this one, plus: puffins!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Outrage + Optimism is producing such great episodes on COP30. I was amazed to learn about the major gathering of local leaders. Esp. hopeful for US folks--US local leaders were there, despite... everything going on here at fed level.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...
Inside COP: The Power of Cities - from the Local Leaders Forum
Podcast Episode · Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast · 07/11/2025 · 37m
podcasts.apple.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Outrage + Optimism is producing such great episodes on COP30. I was amazed to learn about the major gathering of local leaders. Esp. hopeful for US folks--US local leaders were there, despite... everything going on here at fed level.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...
Reposted by Debra K Rienstra
Calling all preachers: Grist, the foremost #climate-focused newsroom in the U.S., is teaming up with The BTS Center and our EcoPreacher partners to bring you a workshop that will hone your craft and renew your spirit.
Space is limited, so register now to hold your spot: bit.ly/visioning-gr...
Space is limited, so register now to hold your spot: bit.ly/visioning-gr...
November 10, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Calling all preachers: Grist, the foremost #climate-focused newsroom in the U.S., is teaming up with The BTS Center and our EcoPreacher partners to bring you a workshop that will hone your craft and renew your spirit.
Space is limited, so register now to hold your spot: bit.ly/visioning-gr...
Space is limited, so register now to hold your spot: bit.ly/visioning-gr...
Inviting you to my Substack page because I've been neglectful about posting recent podcast episodes and newsletters. It's all here! Hawaiian refugia, the mighty diocese of San Francisco, and so much more. Maybe start here?
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Refugia Podcast Episode 40
Kipuka to Kipuka: Islands of Life, Faith, and Restoration
refugianewsletter.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Inviting you to my Substack page because I've been neglectful about posting recent podcast episodes and newsletters. It's all here! Hawaiian refugia, the mighty diocese of San Francisco, and so much more. Maybe start here?
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
This is such a good one. If you attend a regular congregation and wish your church could do more about climate, listen to the marvelous Linda Racine and get inspired!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Refugia Podcast Episode 38
So Much Joy: Linda Racine and Traverse City Presbyterian Church
refugianewsletter.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:08 PM
This is such a good one. If you attend a regular congregation and wish your church could do more about climate, listen to the marvelous Linda Racine and get inspired!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Combine new monasticism with a faith-based farm, a forest, and some creative leaders, and you get Spring Forest. So great to hear Elaine Heath reflect on embodied spirituality and community building.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Refugia Podcast Episode 37
Land as Primary Text for Healing Community: Elaine Heath and Spring Forest
refugianewsletter.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Combine new monasticism with a faith-based farm, a forest, and some creative leaders, and you get Spring Forest. So great to hear Elaine Heath reflect on embodied spirituality and community building.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
This is a lovely one, an interview this week with the gentle and courageous Father Pete Nunnally of Water and Wilderness church.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Refugia Podcast Episode 36
True Woo: Pete Nunnally and Water and Wilderness Church
refugianewsletter.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM
This is a lovely one, an interview this week with the gentle and courageous Father Pete Nunnally of Water and Wilderness church.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Refugia Newsletter AND Refugia Podcast! My latest newsletter has exclusive video of PUFFINS! And the podcast so far in Season 4 features terrific guests: Heber Brown III, Douglas Day Kaufman, David Celesky, and Judy Hinck. More to come!
refugianewsletter.substack.com
refugianewsletter.substack.com
Refugia Newsletter | Debra Rienstra | Substack
A fortnightly newsletter for people of faith who care about the climate crisis and want to go deeper. Click to read Refugia Newsletter, by Debra Rienstra, a Substack publication with thousands of subs...
refugianewsletter.substack.com
October 6, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Refugia Newsletter AND Refugia Podcast! My latest newsletter has exclusive video of PUFFINS! And the podcast so far in Season 4 features terrific guests: Heber Brown III, Douglas Day Kaufman, David Celesky, and Judy Hinck. More to come!
refugianewsletter.substack.com
refugianewsletter.substack.com
Such a great conversation with the inspiring Heber Brown!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Refugia Podcast Episode 33
The Garden Became the Steeple: Heber Brown and the Black Food Security Network
refugianewsletter.substack.com
September 22, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Such a great conversation with the inspiring Heber Brown!
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-po...
Sun Day! This week's newsletter is a celebration of the clean energy transition that is happening, right now, despite... all the things.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Refugia Newsletter #102
Homegrown National Park, Sun Day fun, more good news about clean energy transition, church resilience hubs, and one super chill squirrel
refugianewsletter.substack.com
September 20, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Sun Day! This week's newsletter is a celebration of the clean energy transition that is happening, right now, despite... all the things.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Season 4 dropping Sunday! Find the Refugia Podcast on your favorite podcast platform, and listen to conversations about Christian communities doing great climate work! Or sign up for my Substack newsletter to get episodes sent directly to your email inbox: refugianewsletter.substack.com.
September 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Season 4 dropping Sunday! Find the Refugia Podcast on your favorite podcast platform, and listen to conversations about Christian communities doing great climate work! Or sign up for my Substack newsletter to get episodes sent directly to your email inbox: refugianewsletter.substack.com.
Need a boost of sunshine and mental vitamin D? Check out this week's newsletter.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Refugia Newsletter #101
Game-changing energy transition advances, myth-busting resources, agrivoltaic-improved wool and grapes, a youthful celebration of the sun, and salute to the moon
refugianewsletter.substack.com
September 6, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Need a boost of sunshine and mental vitamin D? Check out this week's newsletter.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Wow! This is good news.
We have an announcement to make... www.oilandwaterdontmix.org/over_92000_c...
September 5, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Wow! This is good news.
Great news! Grand Rapids, Michigan, (where I live) has an ambitious climate agenda, just passed by the City Commission.
www.michiganpublic.org/environment-...
www.michiganpublic.org/environment-...
Grand Rapids adopts climate action plan
The plan sets a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 62.8% per capita by the end of the decade, but doesn't come with any requirements yet.
www.michiganpublic.org
August 14, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Great news! Grand Rapids, Michigan, (where I live) has an ambitious climate agenda, just passed by the City Commission.
www.michiganpublic.org/environment-...
www.michiganpublic.org/environment-...
Faith/climate news in manageable doses with lots of opportunities to dive deeper.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
Refugia Newsletter #99
Endangered endangerment, legal triumph, research on faith leadership, oysters, river parks, and a gigantic owl
refugianewsletter.substack.com
August 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Faith/climate news in manageable doses with lots of opportunities to dive deeper.
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...
refugianewsletter.substack.com/p/refugia-ne...