Seminary Environmental Leadership & The Seminary Environmental Certification Program
Premised on Four Convictions 1. Creation human and non-human is in serious danger, and those who live on the margins are suffering first and foremost. 2. There are theological, moral and pastoral implications to the ecological crisis. 3. The religious community has unique calling to participate in bringing all of creation into health and wholeness. 4. Theological schools need to equip religious leaders with the tools necessary to lead their congregations in dealing with the implications of the ecological crisis and to work towards restoring creation. 3 Green Seminaries Initiative
The Green Seminary Initiative Encourages schools of theology to be participants in, and keepers of, God s creation through academic engagement and in preparation of their students for congregational leadership Builds and supports a nationwide coalition of theological schools committed to greening Provides resources in five broad areas 4 Green Seminaries Initiative
5 Green Seminary Initiative
Webinar Participants Laurel Kearns Mordechai Liebling Tim Van Meter Fletcher Harper Beth Norcross 6 Footer text here
Green Seminary Initiative Survey 75+ in-depth interviews with faculty, administration, students, trustees Growing interest in creation care, but not systemically integrated. Creation care programs develop around individual champion(s) Schools would like to do more; thwarted by: Competing institutional obligations Lack of financial and staff resources Need for discipline-specific knowledge Need for strategic guidance and counsel Concern that it was too political Enthusiastic endorsement for Seminary Environmental Certification to provide structure, support and guidance 8 June2014 Green Seminary Initiative
Seminary Environmental Certification Combines seminary knowledge, experience, relationships from the GSI network with GreenFaith s experience with congregational certification Offers comprehensive structure for infusing creation care into all aspects of seminary life curriculum, liturgy and ritual, buildings and grounds, community life and public leadership. Provides process, standards, resources, support, accountability for a school to achieve environmental certification. 9 June 2014 Green Seminary Initiative
Seminary Environmental Certification How will it work? 3-year process Buy-in required from board, faculty, administration, staff, students Step 1 Guided self-assessment, support for development of an action plan across all five areas curriculum, liturgy/ritual, buildings and grounds, community life and public leadership Step 2 Begin action plan implementation, 6-month reports Step 3 Implement action plan, report, plan for sustainable continuation 10 June 2014 Green Seminary Initiative
Seminary Environmental Certification What support will be offered? Coaching, guidance through webinar, peer groups, training, staff support Regular networking with peers Personalized support and feedback on audits, action plans, progress reports Extensive web-based resources on all areas to meet each requirement 11 Green Seminary Initiative
Seminary Environmental Certification Status Finalizing standards, guidelines with extensive input from faculty, administrators, students, and staff April completion Finalizing assembly of resources organized around five focus areas of Education, Liturgy/Ritual, Building and Grounds, Community Life, and Institutional Leadership All resources will be publicly available Launch pilot with 5-7 schools: Application period April 15 to May 30 Announce schools selected for pilot in July Pilot group will begin work in September 12 Green Seminary Initiative
Next Webinar The Seminary Environmental Certification Program Monday April 4 4:00-5:00 pm ET 13 Footer text here
Methodist Theological School in Ohio
SEMINARY HILL FARM
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
D U N N D I N I N G H A L L
E X P L O R I N G A L T E R N A T I V E E N E R G Y
Sustainabilty Initiatives American College and University President s Climate Commitment-already reduced energy consumption 20% LEED Dorm and Student Center (Theo School renovation has many eco-featuresflooring, energy efficient and motion detector lighting, reusing materials, ecocarpeting, low water use bathrooms.) Integrated pest management, no pesticides/herbicides, native planting Green cleaning supplies Double sided printing as default, 100% recycled paper, paperless classes LED lighting, EnergyStar machines and appliances Dat e of Pre sen tati on System wide recycling, food composting in Dining Areas Three student groups, plus groups on Food, Socially Responsible Investing
Drew Theological School Initiatives FOOD COVENANT no mammal flesh served because of climate footprint, CAFO practices, energy and water ratio of meat, health Vegan options always No bottled or canned drinks served Compostable plates and utensils Fair Trade coffee STALL TALK (various informative comic book style posters on stall doors)
Cultivating practices: Zuck Arboretum Nature Trail orientation walk through the forest Senior gift water bottles and filling stations, Graduation green pledge,
Theo community garden and cooking, eating our harvest of greens, beets, squash and tomatoes
Several Chapel services/year Fall Harvest, Earth Day, Blessing of the Seeds, Water Pollution
Engaged Outings Climate Justice March, the United Nations, Appalachia and Mountain Top Removal, Ironbound Newark Environmental Justice Tour
Courses with Eco-content and Themes in Courses: Drew recognized by the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development for its extensive course offerings. At least 50% of professors incorporate relevant aspects. Bible Literature-particularly Genesis and Revelation (R=required)_ Liturgy and Preaching (two required) Philosophy Ecstatic Naturalism Theology Process Theology (part of Systematic R) Ethics (R) Religion and Social Process (R) Religion and Science Religion and Social change Christianity and Ecology Religions and Food Religions and the Earth (multiple religious traditions, World Religions R course) Environmental justice/eco-justice Consumption Interconnectedness/intersectionality Food ethics Farmworker and immigrant justice Climate change Animals/Animality Studies Eco-feminism Science literacy Eco-spirituality Love of Creation Stewardship/Caring for Creation