August 2025 Speakers
Alison Cornish and Trebbe Johnson

For the past three years, Trebbe Johnson and Rev. Alison Cornish have conducted a 20-minute bi-weekly online gathering called Earth Hospice Rites. The Earth herself is not dying, of course. Our planet has regenerated countless times over a four and a half billion-year lifespan and will do so again. But something very dear to us humans is dying, and that is our relationship with the seasons, plants, animals, and waters as we know and love them. In many ways, we are called to offer Earth practices similar to that which Hospice offers to our friends and family as they end their physical lives amongst us.

A brief, yet focused time of refuge and reflection, Earth Hospice Rites invites participants to share their grief, fear, and outrage about climate change, while also opening up to gratitude for the marvels that Earth continues to offer everywhere and every day. This Speaker Series session will include a brief introduction to the practice and an Earth Hospice Rites gathering, with time following for participants to engage in quiet solo reflection and journaling before returning to the group for questions and discussion. 

Alison and Trebbe will address the origins and intentions behind Earth Hospice Rites and describe how the program can be adapted for any community, either online or in person. Participants will be provided access to written guidelines for creating their own Earth Hospice Rites gathering.