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WELCOME TO

Spring Forest

Welcome to Spring Forest!

Our Abbess, Rev. Elaine A. Heath, PhD.
our abbess, rev. Elaine A. Heath, PhD.

The geographic hub of Spring Forest is The Farmastery, located at 1907 New Sharon Church Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278.

The “farm” aspect of The Farmastery includes 23 acres that features a working, regenerative farm—The Garden at Spring Forest—and about 10 acres of gorgeous mixed hardwood and pine forest. Several families and individuals live at the Farmastery, anchoring the many activities and events that happen there.

The “monastery” aspect of The Farmastery is expressed through our set of common spiritual practices (prayer, work, table, neighbor and rest) and in gathered morning prayer, Monday through Friday online, 8:00-8:30 AM Eastern, that reaches around the world. (Please email us for the link if you’d like to join in.)


To draw an illustration from nature, Spring Forest in its entirety is like a forest of trees connected through mycelium, the hidden fungal network that branches, grows, and when it fruits, produces mushrooms. In the natural world, mycelium networks connect trees to each other underground, making it possible for the trees to support each other, provide nutrients, protection, and more. Spring Forest in its entirety is a forest of diverse kinds of “trees” (companioning refugees, farming, teaching people contemplative practices, offering summer camps to kids, etc.) all of which are interwoven by the “mycelium” of our common set of spiritual and grounding practices: prayer, work, table, neighbor, and rest. Because we are a practice-based community, we are able to participate and revel in not only the diversity of “trees” but also human diversity, which we believe creates a fruitful community that is good for the world.

The Farmastery also hosts a monthly potluck dinner and worship gathering called Forest Feast, bringing together the many circles of friendship, spirituality and service that are part of Spring Forest.


 

mushroom forest_edited.jpg

Overall, the best way to understand Spring Forest is through EXPERIENCES, such as:

  • Farm to fork culinary events

  • Educational events that connect people with the earth, animals, and one another

  • Hands on support for refugee resettlement

  • Environmental and social justice activism and advocacy

  • Music and arts events

  • Multicultural family-friendly events and festivals

  • Sabbatical stays for healers and helpers in need of respite

  • Work-share stays for creatives, earth-keepers, and healers

  • Spiritual, psychological, physical, and relational growth and healing

  • Rest and renewal for body, mind, and soul

Come to Spring Forest and EXPERIENCE life with us!

Prayers

As a community we have an ongoing creation and collection of prayers. We use these during our community morning prayers. 

Held M-F from 8:00-8:30 EST

Email office@springforest.org for zoom link.

Grass

monthly Events

Like the rhythms of nature, you can always look forward to these two gatherings held the first and third Saturdays of every month.

Friendship First Saturdays Flyer (1)_edi

Upcoming Events

  •  Advent Vizio Divina Meditations
     Advent Vizio Divina Meditations
    Multiple Dates
    Thu, Dec 12
    The Big Red Barn at Spring Forest
    Dec 12, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    The Big Red Barn at Spring Forest, 1907 New Sharon Church Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278, USA
    Dec 12, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    The Big Red Barn at Spring Forest, 1907 New Sharon Church Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278, USA
    On three Thursdays in December, we will engage together in Vizio Divina, a meditative practice that involves both scripture and images.
  • Christmas in the Forest
    Christmas in the Forest
    Sat, Dec 21
    The Church at Spring Forest
    Dec 21, 2024, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    The Church at Spring Forest, 1907 New Sharon Church Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278, USA
    Dec 21, 2024, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    The Church at Spring Forest, 1907 New Sharon Church Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278, USA
    Come join us for a special Christmas celebration in the forest!
  • New Year's Eve Celebration
    New Year's Eve Celebration
    Tue, Dec 31
    The Big Red Barn
    Dec 31, 2024, 9:00 PM – Jan 01, 2025, 12:00 AM
    The Big Red Barn, 1907 New Sharon Church Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278, USA
    Dec 31, 2024, 9:00 PM – Jan 01, 2025, 12:00 AM
    The Big Red Barn, 1907 New Sharon Church Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278, USA
    Come join us at the Big Red Barn as we ring in the new year!

Find us here

1907 New Sharon Church Rd

Hillsborough, NC 27278

Radishes!

CSA

CSA stands for "Community Supported Agriculture." To read more about Spring Forest's CSA, click the button below!

Spring Forest Nature Guide

Spring Forest’s Nature Guide documents over 450 species of creatures and critters  that have been spotted at Spring Forest!