Mysterium Church
A virtual community dedicated to the animist, ecological, and embodied teachings of Christ Jesus
ON SUMMER BREAK, WILL RESUME IN SEPTEMBER
The incarnate God adores material reality.
All matter is infused with Spirit.
Illustration of the seasons by Hildegard von Bingen
Mysterium Church is an online “Christianimist” community space (not a legally recognized church) for those exploring animist Christianity — meaning, a Christianity that sees all incarnate reality as imbued with Spirit.
In contrast to the bizarre, anti-flesh turn taken by the tradition centuries ago (which contradicts the faith’s foundational premise of loving an incarnate God), animist Christianity is simultaneously radical and orthodox; Christianism aligns with the core tenets of Jesus’s ministry while rejecting the church’s later adherence to imperial motives.
Mysterium Church is for those who:
ascribe to (or are intrigued by) animist, panentheistic, and liberation theologies
sense (or wish to sense) that material reality is infused with sacrality
who celebrate (or want to celebrate) the incarnate God’s unending process of becoming embodied
experience all things (or want to learn how to experience all things) — including so-called “inanimate objects”, humans, other animals, plants, minerals, landscapes, celestial bodies, and vast ecosystems — as manifestations of the divine (which encompasses yet also exceeds all things).
We engage in embodied/somatic practices that facilitate communion with the incarnate world, worshipping with (not simply in) our bodies and the environments around us.
If this sounds interesting, you’re invited to nurture personal, communal, ecological, and spiritual wholeness with others at Mysterium Church.
foundress + facilitator
I’m Gabriela, a devoted Christianimist with extensive training in Christian ministry, theology, animist frameworks/practices, and spiritual care. I created Mysterium Church so more people could experience the resonance between traditional animism and Jesus’s teachings.
interest Form
Want to experience Mysterium Church? Complete this form to receive updates and Zoom info for virtual gatherings!
Faqs + Helpful info
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WE'RE CURRENTLY ON SUMMER BREAK BUT WILL RESUME GATHERINGS IN SEPTEMBER.
To join us and request Zoom information, fill out the interest form below!
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As of now, gatherings include the following:
An educational share by Gabriela on resonances between scripture, mythosomatics, and ecological processes
Relevant, accessible mythosomatic practice
Prayerful utterances
Community discussion, announcements/updates, and prayer requests from participants
All elements are optional; no one is required to do anything they don’t want to.
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Mysterium Church wholeheartedly welcomes all persons. People from socially marginalized and privileged groups are welcome here. LGBTQ+, non-monogamous, divorced, disabled, low-income, BIPOC, and non-Christian folks (among others) are cherished here. Those who are recovering from religious trauma are especially cherished; your agency is honored here.
We encourage everyone to explore their spiritual selves with integrity and authenticity, free from coercion and without coercing others to believe or live as we do. We speak from our own position/experience, recognizing that others may or may not share our perspective (which is their right). We build connections across differences, rather than seek to homogenize reality.
All of that said, not all behaviors are welcome. Discriminatory, derogatory, deceitful, and disruptive acts won’t be indulged, especially the kind that collude with systems of oppression such as white supremacy, homophobia, transphobia, etc. There is no hierarchy amongst beings who were all made by a loving God; we work to remember this here and won’t entertain behaviors that suggest otherwise.
When issues arise, we believe in the possibility of amends/repair and invite participants to grow through conflict. At the same time, we recognize the need for healthy boundaries and uphold them to protect the integrity of communal space. Such boundary maintenance is not punishment and will never be personally punitive; it is meant to preserve the health and sanctity of the communal body.
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Not at all! We’re non-creedal, meaning we don’t require that participants proclaim/espouse any specific thing. We honor your agency, and we’ll never try to “convert” you to anything.
Members are generally progressive, animist, panentheistic, and committed to collective liberation, but that’s not always the case, and many are exploring what feels authentic to them. Some identify as Christian, while others are “Christ-curious” or something else entirely. Questions, curiosities, and differences of opinion/belief are welcome here, and there’s no faith test. Come as you are, whatever your questions, doubts, and beliefs may be.
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No! You’re welcome to weave in and out of attendance as you wish. If you come one month and then abstain for many months, you’ll be welcomed back again anytime. There’s never any obligation to stretch yourself beyond capacity or comfort.
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Mysterium Church is a free offering! Financial donations are, of course, appreciated, but no one is required to give money if they’re unable or unwilling.
If you wish to support this project financially, we’ll “pass the (virtual) basket” each gathering. (At this time, we aren’t a non-profit, so donations aren’t tax-deductible.) For other opportunities to support this initiative, reach out to me.
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While we call ourselves a church given the communal nature of this space, Mysterium Church is not (yet) a legally recognized church or part of an established Christian denomination. We’re not registered as a religious entity and do not accept tax-deductible donations at this time.
Share your Thoughts
Want to help shape Mysterium Church? Complete our feedback form!
All are Welcome
LGBTQ+, non-monogamous, divorced, disabled, chronically ill, low-income, BIPOC, and non-Christian folks (among others) are cherished at Mysterium Church. Come as you are, whatever your background or beliefs.
