Green Seminary Initiative supports seminaries as they integrate earth care across their curricula. This integration happens in the creation of ecological emphases and concentrations in curricula, introductory and elective courses and opportunities for field education, as well as in faculty development and spiritual formation.

These foci are integrated into our certification program as well as into the resources we recommend to schools in our network.

Theology and Ecology

GSI understands the broad area of theology and ecology as the study of how sacred texts, theologies, ethics, religious traditions and practices intersect with human and ecological well-being, along with the concurrent study of actions necessary to understand and meet the crises facing local and global ecosystems.

• Webinar on Eco-Theological Education - Presented by Green Seminary Initiative in partnership with Larry Rasmussen, Reinhold Niebuhr Professor Emeritus of Social Ethics, Union Theological Seminary, Rabbi Mordechai Liebling, Director of the Social Justice Organizing Program at Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Mary Frohlich, Associate Professor of Spirituality at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and a Sister of the Society of the Sacred Heart, and Ted Hiebert - Old Testament Professor and Dean of the Faculty at McCormick Theological Seminary.
• GSI's curated collection of syllabi - Since our founding, GSI has collected hundreds of syllabi for courses at the intersection of religion and ecology; here we share several from our collection.

Faculty Development and Pedagogy

GSI facilitates seminary faculty development in a variety of fields related to eco-theology, particularly as seminaries seeks ways to encourage faculty to integrate such content into coursework and provide opportunities for faculty to develop related skills and competencies.

• Teaching Creation: A Modular Approach - David A. Bosworth provides an approach for teaching Genesis 1-3.
• Environmental Pedagogy - Timothy B. Leduc and Traci Warkentin from York University, Canada, reflect on best practices in their pedagogy in teaching eco-theology.
• Ten Ways to Integrate Sustainability into Curriculum - Practical tips for faculty and staff by Clara Changxin Fang, Sustainability and Campus Planning Manager at Towson University.
• Sustainability Curriculum in Higher Education - Actions steps from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
• Learning on the Ground - An article on pedagogy in religious education and sustainability by Jennifer Ayres of Chandler School of Theology at Emory University.
• Teaching and Religion: Keys to an Equitable and Ecological Future - An article on pedagogy around climate change and equity by Cynthia Moe-Lobeda of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary

Spiritual Formation

GSI believes that students, faculty and staff commitment to ecological care needs to be rooted in spirituality. As such, GSI supports the sharing of practices and experiences that foster eco-spiritual formation. Eco-spiritual formation is understood as encouraging an appreciation of spiritual experience in relation to the natural world, a knowledge of the interconnectedness of the human and beyond-human community, an understanding of and responsiveness to the spiritual, cultural and physical harm done by ecological degradation, particularly to vulnerable communities, and opportunities for cultivation of eco-spiritualities of praise, thanksgiving, awe, wonder, delight, resistance, despair and grief.

• The Role of Nature in Spiritual Formation - an article by Tim Robinson from Brite Divinity School on how we use Nature as way to respond to God.
• Lectio Divina and Nature - a resource from Restoring Eden for applying the spiritual practice of Lectio Divina to Nature.
• Center for Spirituality - GSI Co-Founder Beth Norcross offers several courses in spirituality and nature, as well as information about broadening one's ecological vocabulary.

When you send us the document, please include:

• Name of course
• Name of professor and contact information if possible
• Date taught or to be taught

At GSI, we have the benefit of housing dozens of resources on incorporating earth care into curriculum and education in seminaries.

Below you'll find some of our favorites, but if you're looking for something else, please email us or explore the rest of our resources.

Environmental Pedagogy

Timothy B. Leduc and Traci Warkentin from York University, Canada, reflect on best practices in their pedagogy in teaching eco-theology.

Ten Ways to Integrate Sustainability into Curriculum

Practical tips for faculty and staff by Clara Changxin Fang, Sustainability and Campus Planning Manager at Towson University.

Sustainability Curriculum in Higher Education

Actions steps from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

Learning on the Ground

An article on pedagogy in religious education and sustainability by Jennifer Ayres of Chandler School of Theology at Emory University.

Practices for Awakening Leadership

On interpersonal and communal ways to bring leadership training into seminary education, from Eco-Faith Recovery.

Bibliography of Books on Christian Creation Care

A collection, curated by the Seminary Stewardship Alliance, of a wide variety of books and articles related to care for creation from a Christian perspective.

Additional Syllabi Curated by the Seminary Stewardship Alliance

More syllabi as resources for course planning.

At GSI, we believe that the leadership of the seminary plays a crucial role in integrating ecology into religious education, as well as connecting eco- justice with social justice

Environmental Mission Statement

To embrace publicly its commitment to creation and to meeting ecological challenges, the seminary will integrate its commitment into a widely used statement.

Environmental Policies and Board/Governance Leadership

To ensure that the school’s ecological commitment is fully integrated into its culture, the seminary will include environmental topics into orientation for new board, faculty and staff members, report to its board or high-level leadership team regularly about progress towards Certification, and adopt policies that reflect its commitment.

Environmental Engagement

To model public engagement as an expression of religious belief and practice, the seminary will support students and other members of the seminary community in addressing environmental concerns publicly.

Resources

Whose Earth Is It Anyway? James Cone's seminal text on how working for ecological justice and racial justice must go hand in hand.

• Seek to expose students to the current national, state and local policy issues that will affect ecological degradation. Include speakers, workshops, attendance at public hearings and events.
• Encourage those teaching courses in areas such as Ethics and in Church and Society to include ecological concerns in their classes.
• Promote active involvement in political issues addressing systemic problems of ecological injustice.

• We suggest the following ways to engage seminarians:

• Action alerts: Provide a mechanism whereby students can receive e-mail action alerts regarding important ecological justice issues. These can also be promoted through the internal newsletter.

• Petitions: Where appropriate, circulate petitions that support legislative actions and policies friendly to the earth and that promote ecological justice.

• Local actions: There may be local issues where community organizers are organizing to encourage or resist an action by the government or a corporation that degrades the natural world and poses a threat to environmental health and well-being. These are excellent opportunities for students to get hands-on experience in community organizing, activism, and outreach.

• Displays: The Green Team can sponsor a display of photographs or art depicting the impacts of climate change on the poor and the marginalized. Bulletin boards are also excellent ways to share your success, to educate, or to advertise future actions.

Urge the development office to invest your endowment and other funds in socially just funds that include ecologically sound corporations and companies. Many funds and agencies now specialize in ecologically oriented investments.

Overview of Buildings and Grounds

The Green Seminary Initiative encourages theological schools to green their buildings and grounds in a comprehensive fashion. In addition to teaching students about ecological practices, divinity schools should also put green practices into action. By learning to eliminate waste, reduce energy consumption, and minimize the ecological footprint of existing and future buildings,

Before you can begin to green your buildings and grounds, take the appropriate steps to assess your current practices, to create an action plan, to include others and to communicate your vision effectively.

You can also watch our webinar on Eco-Building and Grounds here.

We also have a webinar on Energy Conservation for seminaries here.

Here are a few key starting points and suggestions:

• Consult and Communicate. Find ways to become an integral part of the maintenance and remodeling projects of the institution. Remember that those in charge of buildings, maintenance, and grounds are working under tight budgetary and time constraints. Be respectful of their work and their time. Also, be sure to include members of the buildings, maintenance, and grounds staff in the planning process.

• Conduct a comprehensive environmental inventory. You can find excellent tips on conducting an inventory at the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). After completing your survey, determine in what areas it is feasible to work and take the appropriate actions.

You can find general tips, suggestions, and resources through the

following links:

• For more in-depth analysis and practical “how to” advice, refer to these guides: Building a Firm Foundation: “Green” Building Toolkit, and Earthkeeping Ministries: A New Vision for Congregations. Both are available for download here.

• The Web of Creation website has created a training guide on how to green your religious institution.

• Others have found this checklist to be indispensable when greening their buildings and grounds.

• Seek out resources and organizations such as AASHE to assist you in your progress.

• The COEJL website offers a number of resources for greening your synagogue.

• Visit the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences for information on eco friendly Mosques.