Seminary Environmental Reports
Add your seminary's voice to the Initiative - download a blank Care for Creation seminary report and e-mail the completed form to us.
The Web of Creation recently canvassed a representative group of seminaries seeking information on their particular environmental efforts. The first part of this report contains the list of seminaries that have responded. The second part contains information that each seminary shared with us about their practical and theological efforts concerning ecology of God's creation. Included are names of contact persons and resources.
Responding Seminaries
Andover Newton Theological Seminary
2007 Green Seminary Report
Ecology Ministry, Campus Box #91
210 Herrick Road
Newton Centre, MA 02459
Current contact: Cristina Cabrera, Ecology Minister
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
100 East 27th Street
Austin, Texas 78705-5797
Contact Person: William Greenway
wgreenway@austinseminary.edu
Bangor Theological Seminary
Two College Circle
PO Box 411
Bangor ME 04402
Contact Person: Marvin Ellison
mellison@bts.edu
Baptist Theological Seminary of Richmond
3400 Brook Road
Richmond VA 23227
Contact Person: Richard Vinson
rvinson@btsr.edu
Boston University School of Theology
745 Commonwealth Ave
Boston MA 02215
Contact Person: John Hart
drjhart@bu.edu
Brite Divinity School
2855 S University Drive
Fort Worth TX 78129
Contact Person: Tim Hessel-Robinson
tim.robinson@tcu.edu
Catholic Theological Union
5401 S Cornell Ave
Chicago IL 60615
Contact Person: Dawn Nothwehr
nothwda@ctu.edu
Chicago Theological Seminary
5757 S University Ave
Chicago IL 60637
Contact Person: Joellen Hosler, Ken Stone
joellenhosler@sbcglobal.net, kstone@ctschicago.edu
Christian Theological Seminary
1000 West 42nd Street
Indianapolis IN 46208
Contact Person: Carol Johnston
johnston@cts.edu
Church Divinity School of the Pacific
2451 Ridge Road
Berkeley CA 94709
Contact Person: Marion Grau
mgrau@cdsp.edu
Columbia Theological Seminary
PO Box 520
Decatur GA 30031
Contact Person; Stan Saunders
SaundersS@CTSnet.edu
Denver Theological Seminary
6399 S Santa Fe Dr
Denver CO 80120
Contact Person: David Buschart; Randy MacFarland
David.Buschart@denverseminary.edu; randy.macfarland@denverseminary.edu
Drew Theological Seminary
3 Seminary Hall
Drew University
Madison NJ 07940
Contact Person: Laurel Kearns
lkearns@drew.edu
Eastern Mennonite Seminary
1200 Park Road
Harrisonburg, VA 22802-2462
Contact Perrson: Dorothy Jean Weaver
weaverdj@emu.edu
Fuller Theological Seminary
135 N Oakland Ave
Pasadena CA 91182
Contact Person: Glen Stassen
gstassen@fuller.edu
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
2121 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60201
Contact Person: Jack L. Seymour
jack.seymour@garrett.edu
Harvard Divinity School
45 Francis Ave
Cambridge MA 02138
Contact Person: Tovis Page
tpage@fas.harvard.edu
Iliff School of Theology
2201 S University Blvd
Denver CO 80210
Contact Person: Stephanie Yuhas
syuhas@iliff.edu
Luther Seminary
2481 Como Ave
St. Paul MN 55108
Contact Person: Sarah Henrich
shenrich@luthersem.edu
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
1100 E. 55th ST
Chicago, IL 60615
Contact Person: David Rhoads
drhoads@lstc.edu
Lutheran Seminary Program of the Southwest
607 Rathervue Place
Austin TX 78705
Contact Person: Faye Schott
fschott@lsps.edu
Meadville Lombard Theological School
5701 South Woodlawn Ave
Chicago IL 60637
Contact Person: Mike Hogue
mhogue@meadville.edu
North Park Theological Seminary
3225 West Foster Ave
Chicago IL 60625
Contact Person: Brent Laytham
blaytham@northpark.edu
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
2770 Marin Ave
Berkeley CA 94708
Contact Person: Marty Stortz, Lori Pelletier
mstortz@plts.edu, lori.pelletier@gmail.com
Payne Theological Seminary
PO Box 474
1230 Wilerforce - Clifton Road
Wilberforce OH 45384
Contact Person: Betty Holley
bholley@payne.edu
Perkins School of Theology
Jouette M. Bassler, Acad. Dean
Southern Methodist University
PO Box 750133
Dallas, TX 76275-0133
Contact Person: Marjorie Procter-Smith
St. Paul School of Theology
5123 E Truman Road
Kansas City MO 64127
Contact Person: Shannon Jung
shannon.jung@spst.edu
San Francisco Theological Seminary
105 Seminary Road
San Anselmo CA 94960
Contact Person: Carol Robb; Sam Hamilton-Poore
crobb@sfts.edu; shamiltonpoore@sfts.edu
Sewanee: The School of the South
735 University Ave
Sewanee TN 37383
Contact Person: Susanna Metz
smetz@sewanee.edu
Stockholm School of Theology
Åkeshovavägen 29
168 39 Bromma
Stockholm
Sweden
Contact Person:
Owe Kennerberg
owe@ths.se
Trinity Lutheran Seminary
2199 E Main St
Columbus OH 43209
Contact Person: Lisa Dahill
ldahill@trinitylutheranseminary.edu
Union Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education
3401 Brook Road
Richmond VA 23227
Contact Person: Henry Simmons
hsimmons@union-psce.edu
University of Dubuque Theological Seminary
Bradley J. Longfield, Dean
2000 University Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
Vancouver School of Theology
6000 Iona Drive
Vancouver BC V6T 1L4
Canada
Contact Person: Sallie McFague
smcfague@vst.edu
Wartburg Theological Seminary
Craig L. Nessan, Academic Dean
333 Wartburg Place
Dubuque, IA 52003-7797
Contract Person: Craig L. Nessan
Wesley Theological Seminary
Bruce C. Birch, Acad. Dean
4500 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
Contact Person: Beth Norcross
BethNorcross1@aol.com
Yale Divinity School
409 Prospect St
New Haven CT 06511
Contact Person: Willis Jenkins, Mary Evelyn Tucker, Christiana Peppard
willis.jenkins@yale.edu, maryevelyn.tucker@yale.edu, christiana.peppard@yale.edu
Curriculum, Community Programs, and Resources of Responding Seminaries
Andover Newton Theological Seminary
Please follow THIS LINK for Andover Newton's complete report.
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Curriculum: NATURE, THEOLOGY, AND ETHICS, and AN ADVENTURE IN WILDERNESS AND SPIRITUALITY, which address ecological/creation concerns at the seminary.
Community Programs: Seminary liason to Texas Impact, a state lobbying organization which acts on behalf of mainline denominations -with a focu on environmental issues and legislation and an education branch.
Curriculum: Two residential members of the faculty, one in Ethics and the other is Pastoral Care and Leadership, teach courses on economic justice and globalization with attention to the ecological dimensions. Dieter Hessel (adjunct) has taught a 3-credit (full semester) course on ecological ethics, theology, and ministry fall 2007. Another adjunct faculty member, Kim Raikes, has also taught several courses on ecology, ecological theology and ministry, and the greening of congregations.
Education: Larry Rasmussen has been a speaker for a public lecture on eco-justice themes.
Building and Grounds: Bangor Theological Seminary has sold its historic campus and now resides in leased space, in which we do recycling.
Personal Discipleship: Use coffee mugs in lieu of paper; compact lightbulbs.
Public Ministry/political advocacy: BTS students have done internships with the Maine Council of Churches and focused on eco-justice concerns and sustainable agriculture/CSA’s in Maine.
Other: We’re at the very beginning of the process of transformation – and would appreciate resources, especially in terms of revising seminary policies and greening the curriculum.
Baptist Theological Seminary of Richmond
The seminary has had recycling programs for several years, mostly overseen by students. For conservation and budget-cutting reasons, there have been energy-saving measures implemented for the buildings. There have been worship services focused on care for the world, particularly around Earth Day.
Boston University School of Theology
John Hart offer three courses related to ecological issues. In one of the courses, students do field work with an environmental organization: in Boston during the semester, or in Montana for three weeks in the summer.
In the Boston University School of Theology community, many faculty and students are conscious of environmental issues. And, vegetarian options are offered at the weekly community lunch provided after the chapel service by the School of Theology or one of its departments or organizations.
Worship services occasionally have a green theme and sermon.
Recycling of paper and plastic is facilitated by blue trash containers in faculty and administrative offices, and at the end of the halls.
Dr. Hart has done lectures at Boston College and Weston Jesuit Seminary, and also in biology courses and for a biology lecture series on the Boston University campus.
Curriculum: Tim Hessel-Robinson teaches an elective course called: "Spirit in Nature: An Introduction to Ecospirituality and Ecotheology." In my "Spiritual Resources and Disciplines Class" I also include a section on earth-keeping and resisting consumerism. Associate Professor of Theology Elaine Robinson includes ecotheology in her elective course called "Emerging Theologies." Director of Lay and Continuing Education Eilene Thelig will be teaching an intersession course this May entitled "Science and Religion."
The faculty has recently adopted set of goals and pedagogical outcomes we see as defining our "signature pedagogy" at Brite. Among the ten goals we have set, one of the outcomes we hope to see in our graduates is the they "value ecojustice."
Building and Grounds: Texas Christian University is in a significant buliding phase at present, which will include a new building for Brite Divinity School with significant renovation of our existing facility. The university has pledged to build each new building as environmentally sound "as possible."
Community: Some students are currently looking into forming an "eco committee" to take a place on the student association.
Courses -
J-Term 2008 - Ethics, Spirituality and Global Climate Change - elective course - Nothwehr/Frohlich
Periodically - Care of the Earth - Environmental Ethics - elective course - Nothwehr
Periodically - Ecology & Spiritual Practices - elective course - Frohlich
Dianne Bergant - Scripture and ecology courses - periodically & in process of developing more
Richard Fragomini - Liturgy - interested but in process of developing courses etc.
Lent 2008 - March 7th - Stations of the Cross and the Suffering Earth
Institutionally - In conversation in our Faculty Curriculum & Development Committee - As part of curriculum review - how to teach our courses from an ecological perspective and include Catholic Social Teaching on the Environment in appropriate courses
Maintenance Department has "gone Green" - changing over to environmentally friendly cleaning products etc.
Staff & Faculty - engaged in doing recycling - paper cans, bottles, ink, etc.
Spring 2008 - monthly Brown bag lunches for faculty, students, staff - various topics on climate change & ecology in light of Catholic Social Teaching
Community: CTS has a student-formed, led and initiated green group that has recently re-organized itself and began meeting again.They have already started planning a number of events for this semester at CTS including an Earth Day chapel service later in the semester.
Curriculum: JoAnne Terrell continues to include an ecojustice component in her Ethics courses every fall. Ken Stone is currently on sabbatical reformulating an older course on "Creation Themes in the Hebrew Bible" to include a stronger emphasis on ecological hermeneutics, which will be taught in the fall (2008). The reconstruction of this course coincides with one of his current research interests on biblical interpretation and "the question of the animal," which of course has some contact with green concerns though the two things are not identical.
Building and Grounds: The President and Trustees launched a strategic task force for facilities planning last year, which has been looking at all of our buildings as well as discussing plans for any future new facilities. The President has insisted that all moves should be in a "green" direction, and so far the trustees and other consultants have been working with her toward that end.
Christian Theological Seminary
Curriculum: Environmental Theology and Ethics as an occasional course offering. There is a required senior seminar entitled “Pastoral Care and Care for Creation.” Lectures - speakers have come to our Forum hour. Three outside speakers have been invited to address the senior seminar mentioned above (community wide invitation pending).
Resources: Johnston, Carol, ecoBible booklet, “And the Leaves of the Tree Are For the Healing of the Nations: Biblical and Theological Foundations for Ecojustice” available from Presbyterian Distribution Service .
Community Programs: Our social justice committee and student council have addressed ecological concerns Worship – pollution was ritually represented in worship last year. Carol Johnston serves on the city of Indianapolis's Green Commission. On campus, the seminary recycles office paper, cardboard, cans, bottles, plastic, etc. and has energy-saving lights.
Students, staff and faculty members were active in the Alliance of Crown Hill Neighbors representing 19 community groups opposed to the development of 70 mostly wooded acres (including about 20 acres of “living museum” wetland woodland). Rezoning of this land was successfully opposed and the Central Indiana Land Trust is now negotiating to purchase the property for preservation. This land is directly across the street from the seminary. http://www.allianceofcrownhillneighbors.org/.
Church Divinity School of the Pacific
Please follow THIS LINK for CDSP's complete report.
2007 Alumni/ae Colloquium (April 2008) focused on “The Word for a Warming World” with Terry Fretheim and Barbara Rossing as keynoters.
We are just about to break ground for a new dormitory that will be LEED certified (Silver); some of us are pushing for gray water recycling systems.
We have an Ecology Taskforce that has been dormant for several years, but it about to be revived.
Three faculty members are on the steering committee for a newly formed “Earth Covenant Ministry” that works with the Atlanta Presbytery to educate and provide resources to congregations on environmental issues
Stan Saunders is working with congregations in retreat and lectureship settings on the Bible and environmental issues.
Building and Grounds: We built a new campus in 2004-2005, taking up residence here in July 2005. Our architects worked extensively with Xcel Energy (the local utility) in the designing of our new campus to achieve optimal energy efficiency through a variety of strategies, including window glazing, wall insulation, lighting design & control, & HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) systems. Post construction testing demonstrated that these strategies were effective, which resulted in an energy rebate check from Xcel Energy.
Denver Seminary’s janitorial staff is recycling all waste paper. In addition, recycling containers are available among the trash containers for the campus apartments to promote recycling of paper, glass, plastic, & metal by campus residents.
Curriculum: Although the seminary does not currently offer a course on creation-care, we discuss creation-care in the context of the study of the doctrine of creation (in the first of the two theology-survey courses) and again in the context of the study of the doctrine of eschatology (in the second of the two survey courses).
Please follow THIS LINK for Drew's complete report.
Please follow THIS LINK for Eastern Mennonite's full report.
Community Programs : "Peace and Justice Concerns Committee" advocates for various environmental practices on campus and in community. The seminary's administration has had a professional energy survey and retrofitted much of the lighting as well as some other energy-saving actions, and has installed waterless urinals.
All staff need to report regularly on how we commute to work. We get $5 a month in food coupons if we walk, bicycle, or take public transportation to work, as well as an annual barbecue and tee shirt.
We teach Creation Care in our core Christian ethics course that most all students take, with practical suggestions of how they can teach it in their churches.
CBS TV of Los Angeles filmed professor Glen Stassen biking to work, and interviewed him on What Would Jesus Drive? And put it on TV; Jim Ball, a former student of Stassen's, has used the film for his work on creation care.
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Curriculum: Theology of Creation course offered as an elective covers contemporary issues and critiques as well as biblical and theological views of nature
Community Programs: Usually one worship service each year focuses on creation/environment
Resources: Rosemary Ruether has numerous publications.
Organized, institutional ecological activity among faculty and students does not seem to be very visible. My colleagues were not aware of any curriculum, worship, public ministry, or political advocacy that is continuous or sustained. However, we have a committed building and grounds (facilities) management that has been actively engaged in environmental (green) activities for years. Among many things they do, a current major building renovation project is being done that is in accord with green building guidelines and protocols. They have been building and facilitating student, faculty, and staff awareness over the last several years and this year, the “Green Team” has scheduled several monthly meetings addressing various environmental issues. Handout attached. For more information, contact Facilities Superintendent, Roy Lauridsen (roy_lauridsen@harvard.edu) or student Travis Stevens (tstevens@hds.harvard.edu).
The lifestyle of the community seems to be very aware of environmental choices and many seem to be conscientious about practices such as recycling, using personal water bottles, and resource conservation. The larger Harvard community is very attuned to environmental commitments and sensitivities and has many programs and initiatives in place.
The Center for the Study of World Religions presented the “Ethics, Values, and the Environment” conference in March 2006 http://www.hds.harvard.edu/cswr/resources/eve/index.html. From 1996-1998, they hosted the “Religions of the World and Ecology” conference series which culminated with the publication of the Religions of the World and Ecology series of books. http://www.hds.harvard.edu/cswr/about/history/ecology.html. Other single events have engaged with issues of ecology, environmentalism, or nonhuman rights.
May, 2007 we sponsored a program titled Theological Perspectives and "Tool Kit" Development for Addressing Environmental Issues led by Greg Hitzhusen of the National Council of Churches and Peter Sawtell of Eco-Justice Ministries.
October, 2007, we hosted a reception and lecture featuring Mary Evelyn Tucker on the subject of "The Emerging Alliance of Religion and Ecology."
May 2008, we will hold a community worship service on Eco-justice.
In recent years, Laurel Kearns and Larry Rasmussen have taught courses in our summer program.
When we replace the roof on our recently landmarked old building, there will be some consideration to use solar shingles in the replacement process.
Our campus encourages recycling and has a variety of bins available for the appropriate materials
Resources: In November of 2007, Luther sponsored Mark Wallace for their annual Word & World lecture. His topic was "The New Green Christianity: Why the Church Is Vital to Saving the Earth." It was stimulating and provocative and got a great response. The lecture will appear in the Winter 2008 issue of Word & World (ca. January 1, 2008). Luther Professor Fred Gaiser's address to a 2005 NCC Eco-Justice meeting in Denver is on his website (www.luthersem.edu/fgaiser) under "Sermons, Addresses, and Hymns." The title is "'No one comes to cut us down': God, Trees, and Human Beings."
Community: The seminary recycles paper and aluminum cans.
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Please follow THIS LINK for LSTC's full report.
Lutheran Seminary Program of the Southwest
Curriculum: "Earth Theology: Environmental Perspectives on Creation, Redemption and Spirituality," is a course taught by Faye Schott. "Visceral Theology: Crumbs of Historical Theology from the Perspective of Hunger," is a course taught by Eliseo Pérez-Álvarez. A variety of the seminary's courses also have components that deal with environmental concerns.
Building and Grounds: LSPS has become a business partner in the Austin City Utilities Green Program, supporting a venture in which part of the city's electricity comes from wind-generated power (from wind farms located in west Texas). Participants in this program initially pay a slightly higher utility fee, but with the guarantee that their rate will not increase for 10 years. LSPS also participates in the citywide curbside recycling program, is changing to compact flourescent bulbs in all light fixtures, and shares in a paper recycling project with the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest. The seminary also uses fair trade coffee.
Community: There is no official committee, but we have several students who are interested in making changes. One recent change is the use of ceramic dishes and metal utensils (rather than paper and plastic) at our weekly community lunches.
Regarding worship, there have mainly been references to the earth and ecological concerns in sermons and prayer.
Meadville Lombard Theological School
Curriculum: Recent class offerings include "The Big Blue Marble: Theology and Globalization," and "Ecotheological Ethics: Bios, Anthropos and Theos."
Building and Grounds: ML has committed to using fairly traded organic coffee and is using only reusable dinnerware for its community dinners. Plans are currently in process for the construction of a new building site that would be LEED certified and incorporate support for local minority-owned businesses.
Community: MLTS has initiated a new student-led environmental concerns group in the Spring semester of 2008.
North Park Theological Seminary
Curriculum: There are a variety of courses taught that focus on environmental topics and themes.
Building and Grounds: North Park has instituted a moderately extensive recycling program, with paper bins in each office, and multiple use bins on each floor. The seminary also composts all its coffee grounds from the community coffee pot.
Community: In 2005, North Park Theological Seminary started a community garden in the back yard of a two-flat the seminary owns. In about 400 square feet, student volunteers have grown more than 200 pounds of produce each year. A Sunday picking is sold in the seminary on Mondays, and a Wednesday picking is distributed at the local food pantry on Thursdays. Thus the garden is financially self-sufficient while also serving the needy. The seminary gardens organically, uses seed from the nation’s best heirloom seed company, and has a good composting system.
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
Students have recently started meeting to begin work on "greening the seminary."
Students from our social justice committee viewed the film "Renewal" at an advance screening in November -- even before it premiered at the AAR/SBL.
With Ryan Parker and activevoice.net, along with some of the GTU environmental groups, we are showing the film in celebration of Earth Day among the nine seminaries. Sally Bingham and Marty Stortz will host questions. This will be an opportunity for all the seminaries to pool their initiatives -- as well as see the film.
Finally, the GTU and going to work with the Trust for Public Land to host a joint Bay Area screening of "Renewal" involving local environmental leaders, etc. We hope to do this in the Fall.
Presently at Payne Theological Seminary, we are trying to green our curriculum. We have added Ecological Theology to the list of theology courses. Ecological theology can be taken in lieu of an Ethics course to complete the course requirement for the theology part of the seminary curriculum. In our Pulpit Communications class, students are being asked to develop sermons relative to justice issues. In the course, Liberation Theology, we have incorporated Ecological Theology.
Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University
Curriculum: The following course is a required component of the Master of Divinity curriculum and is taught by Professor Ruben Habito. HR-6302, World Religions and Christianity: A Global Perspective. A study of world religious traditions, their interaction and Christianity, and their implications for the mission and ministry of the church in the contemporary world. The course examines the global context of ministry, including themes such as poverty and socioeconomic injustice, the ecological crisis, and cultural and religious diversity as issues for theological reflection.The following elective course is frequently taught, with various faculty members serving as instructor. MT-8352, Contemporary Moral Issues. A study of selected moral issues concerning such subjects as abortion, crime and punishment, the environment, sexuality, war and peace, and others. Each issue studied will be examined in relation both to moral-theological questions and to the morally relevant circumstances.
*LEED Certification sought for new building (Prothro Hall) under construction
*Environmentally responsible planning for renovations of two current buildings, Selecman Hall and Kirby Hall.
*Working with a Curriculum Review Task Force on inclusion of ecological awareness in a revised Statement of Mission of the school
* Scheduling worship services with ecological themes on appropriate occasions (Earth Day, Feast of St. Francis Assisi, etc.)
*Some faculty offering courses considering the ecological dimension of Christian vision either as a main theme or as one of the themes addressed
*Every classroom and office provided with bin for recyclable material.
*Individual faculty available to give talks in churches or public lectures on the ecological mission of the church.
*Seeking to cultivate a culture in our Perkins School of Theology community that is ecologically sensitive and responsible and pro-active on environmental issues.
We are offering a course in the theology of eating and growing in which we will partner with Master Gardeners, grow vegetables for local consumption, and hope to partner with Latino/a residents of the neighborhood in growing together. At the same time we will offer a class which looks at historic and contemporary theologies of eating and gardening/farming.
We offer a course in Environmental Ethics. Our Social Justice Committee regularly undertakes projects which airm to make SPST more eco-friendly.
San Francisco Theological Seminary
Please follow THIS LINK for SFTS's full report.
Sewanee: The School of the South
Right now we're beginning major environmental sustainability work. We have a committee of faculty and students that are working on both the practical things the college and seminary can do to become a more green campus. This all is part of a grant effort to help us create a center for theology and creation. Two professors from the seminary and one college professor team teach a course on sustainability open to students from both the college and seminary. We're in our second year of that course. Several professors from the seminary have been involved in a three-year Metanexus program funded by a Templeton grant. A recent lecture series at the seminary was devoted to creation. A great number of Creation Care-themed sermons have also been preached in chapel.
The school offers the course Ecology and Theology. Sometimes part of our worship. We try to always buy the “green” alternatives. We are engaged to get a green certificate on our business. The president drives an “eco car”.
Curriculum: Professor Ann Lee, adjunct ethics professor teaches an environmental ethics course. Professor Lisa Dahill has proposed a course in ecological spirituality, although the course has not yet been taught. A professor at Ohio State, Greg Hitzhusen, has many local eco-connections and there are hopes that he may be teaching a course for Trinity, although that has not been set up at this time. Bible Institute on climate change and Christian biblical stewardship of the earth (February 2008).
Building and Grounds: Trinity Lutheran Seminary has a green initiative begun in the fall of 2007 involving faculty, staff, and students. The larger group has divided into eleven task forces working on various projects around the seminary: from lighting to paper use to increasing recycling to a garden. Energy audit of buildings planned for spring 2008 (to feed into suggestions for major capital energy improvements in upcoming capital campaign). Ongoing initiatives on increasing recycling (paper good; cardboard much improved; cans and bottles mediocre -- working on getting curbside recycling for cans and bottles). Reduction of paper used in chapel (this is minor objectively but important symbolically): reduction or elimination of all bulletins, use of ELW Leader's Guide/Presider's Missal instead of xeroxed leaders' guides prepared each week. Garden planned for spring/summer/fall 2008 on previously unused plot of land behind seminary apartments.Consulting with Job Ebenezer, retired locally in Columbus from ELCA hunger/environment desk, on resources we can use -- and his urban gardening expertis. Ongoing intiatives on reducing other paper use (esp. double-sided printing).
Community: There is an eco-committee which meets monthly. The seminary is also planning educational events for the whole community next semester, has begun to include green tips in each week's seminary newsletter, and is working on questions of continuity so that the initiative doesn't fizzle once this academic year ends.
Union Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education
Curriculum: Ecology and Hope is an eco-theology course taught by professor Henry Simmons in the Spring of 2007.
Building and Grounds: There has been a conscious effort in the school's physical plant during recent years to tighten up the energy usage on campus. There is a recycling program in place. All faculty documents are published on Blackboard and faculty meetings are paperless-people bring laptops or use the computers in the meeting room. The school also has a large tract of land that will be redeveloped at some point, and there is a strong push for green initiatives to be incorporated into this project.
Resources: Professor Henry Simmons' recent sabbatical project focused on greening the school's Christian Life course. You can read a copy (Word document) of his report to the faculty by clicking HERE. Dr. Simmons has also developed a thesis connecting aging and the environment, and you can download a copy by clicking HERE (Word document). Dr. Samuel Adams has spent a significant amount of time preaching and lecturing at area churches that want to address environmental issues.
Community: Through our partnership with Computer Recycling of Virginia, we recently made available for recycling about 800 lbs of unsalvageable electronic equipment and components. This combined with our fall pickup means that Union-PSCE has responsibly disposed of well over 1/2 ton of electronic equipment this year! CRVA has a "no landfill" policy and all their donations are refurbished or recycled in compliance with all local, state and federal regulations. And CRVA does this free of charge.
Curriculum: Shannon Jung teaches a Theology of Land course and includes environmental concerns in immersion courses. He is currently researching a Theology of Food/eating as part of his sabbatical work .Dr. Marsha Wilfong, a faculty member in homiletics and worship, is concerned about climate change issues and is environmentally sensitive in her lifestyle and courses .Dr. Lyle Vander Brock and Dr. Elizabeth Platt, professors of New and Old Testament, are environmentally concerned and see these issues as part of their work.
Community Programs: There is a student group which occasionally focuses on environmental issues.The seminary sponsors a Center for Theology and Land which sees environmental concerns as integral to rural community and congregation life. The Director is Shannon Jung
Resources: Jung, S. We Are Home: A Spirituality of the Environment (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1993)
Jung, S. "Ecology, Consumption, and the Small Church," Anglican Theological Review LXXVIII: 4, Fall 1996
Jung, S. "Agricultural Technology as if God were Involved," Reformed Review, Spring 1988.
More of his articles can be found in The Annual of the Society of Christian Ethics, The Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion
Curriculum: Professor Sallie McFague regular offers at least one eco-theology themed course during the course of the regular academic year. Additionally, there is almost always an eco-theology course offered during the summer terms.
Building and Grounds: On-campus practices include extensive recycling and making fairly-traded coffee available.
Community: VST is committed to being a positive presence in the greater Vancouver community. In November of 2007, VST will be hosting a conference entitled Considering Ways of Being Church Amid the New Urbanism.
Curriculum: Environment and Development 3 credits with faculty, David Rames & Duane Priebe; Theology of the Land 3 credits with faculty, Shannon Jung; Paradigm Shifts in Mission 2 credits with faculty; H. S. Wilson. "I devote one class hour to mission as caring for nature. The reading comes from the text book I use for the class: Bosh, Transforming Mission.
Stewardship instruction at seminary includes care for creation. Ethics course studies ELCA study document on Care for Creation.
Resources:Jung, Shannon. We are Home: A spirituality of the Environment. Paulist Press, 1993"Grounded in God," Anglican Theological review, Fall 1997Other articles in The Annual of the Society of Christian Ethics, 1987, 1995; Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion, 1993Jung, Shannon. A Theology of Food is under development.
Community:Campus recycling of paper, glass, plastic and other recyclables. Geothermal heating for the main campus buildings.Student led activities for wellness include creation component.
Curriculum: Wesley introduced a new course in summer 2007, “The Church and the Ecological Crisis,” which was well-received by the students and faculty. We hope to offer it regularly. We are also taking steps to integrate earth care more fully into the general Wesley curriculum.
Worship: Wesley is planning a creation care service in November 2007. We hope to incorporate earth care into the worship at Wesley more regularly.
Building and Grounds: Wesley is working with our staff to make appropriate changes in the building and grounds to reflect our concern for creation. We have a regular recycling program in place and have recently made changes in our food service to eliminate paper and Styrofoam as well as promote local foods. We are also making changes in our lighting fixtures, using LEDs and CFLs where we can.
Wesley is also currently undergoing an extensive renovation. We are working with our architect, who is experienced with LEED-certified construction, to make our new building as eco-friendly as possible.
Community Life: A community-wide Dean’s Forum on Creation Care is scheduled for November 2007 in conjunction with the creation care service. We hope to form a standing creation care committee at Wesley made up of faculty, staff and students.
Congregational Support: Through the Churches’ Center for Theology and Public Policy, Wesley supports Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light (GWIPL), which is housed at the seminary. GWIPL offers information to local congregations on how to conserve energy and reduce their output of greenhouse gasses which contribute to climate change.
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