TEMEC PROGRAM FEATURES

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CONFERENCES FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEMEC co-sponsors conferences and seminars that explore critical theological-ethical question raised by the ecojustice crisis, discuss pertinent resources and foster transformative teaching as well as institutional change. To date TEMEC has conducted seven major professional developmental events for teachers and students of theology and leaders of religious organizations in North America. In 1997-98 we are holding five major conferences Conference Summaries. LEAD INSTITUTIONS TEMEC encourages schools and churches to develop: (a) educational programs that emphasize the ecojustice context; (b) "green" institutional operations (including energy, food, housing and investments); and (c) outreach efforts to assist the wider community in becoming just and sustainable. TEMEC provides strategic planning assistance; workshops on institutional praxis, curriculum and program consultation; and modest funding for "lead institutions" that commit their own resources to this agenda for transformation. Institution List STRATEGIC PUBLICATIONS Publications List. 1997-98 INITIATIVES With grant support from the Pew Charitable Trusts, TEMEC is: 1. Deepening its work with "Lead Institutions" on their 3-fold commitment to academic programs, institutional practices, and public outreach. In cooperation with some of these institutions, we are also developing regional conferences on Pedagogy, Liturgy, Urban Ecology, and Globalization, that will assist faculty, students, as well as congregational and community leaders to: (a) explore the vision and practice of earth community/environmental responsibility; (b) focus on special aspects of eco-theology and ecojustice education; and (c) become equipped to participate in environmental policy education and advocacy. We have formed a working group on "Higher Education for Ecojustice" which will give scholarly attention to the process of transforming academic programs and institutions. 2. Supporting the Chicago Theological Initiative in Ecojustice Ministry, a collaborative effort of Chicago area seminaries linked with universities and civic organizations, to prepare seminary students for environmental ministry. This involves the coordination of course offerings and special opportunities in field education among six Chicago seminaries. An M.Div. concentration in Ecojustice Studies is being offered at two of the schools. For more information on the Chicago Theological Initiative and what is going on in other seminaries in response to the environmental challenge, visit the "Web of Creation" Home Page at http://www.lstc.edu/webofcreation/Home.html. 3. Encouraging action-oriented learning focused on issues, ethics and policies of population/consumption/environment/equity. TEMEC has prepared a resource packet with this content focus to assist teachers of theology or religion in exploring and mobilizing support for appropriate social and ecological policies. This resource packet on ECOLOGY AND EQUITY features an issue of the journal Theology and Public Policy on "The Ethics of Population, Consumption, and Environment: Essays and Cases" (Summer and Winter, 1996); Interfaith Reflections on Women, Poverty and Population (The Centre for Development and Population Activities, October 1996); and Women's Agenda for Action (Alternative Women in Development, 1996). Packet available from CRLE for $15 (202/778-6133).

CONFERENCES FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Back to Top). LITURGY FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES was a conference and Earth Day liturgy hosted by Seattle University, April 1997. Presenters and participants explored the meaning and practice of liturgy in light of growing commitment to sustainability and ecojustice. Participants also learned about the initiatives of Seattle University, a Jesuit school, to build a just and sustainable community through academic programs, institutional practices, and public outreach For additional information: Contact Loretta Jancoski, Dean, School of Theology and Ministry, 900 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122-4340, Tel: 206/296-5330. PEDAGOGY FOR ECOJUSTICE, Claremont School of Theology (CST), Claremont, CA; Sunday, November 9 through Tuesday, November 11, 1997. This conference will explore the transformation of both the content and structure of teaching and learning to embody ecojustice in higher education Participants form working groups to explore course and program design, as well as the "hidden" and "extra" curriculum. The conference will model education for ecojustice including ritual; music and celebration from diverse cultural perspectives; and exploration of CST's ecojustice innovations. The event will feature John Cobb, Stephanie Kaza, Jay McDaniel, David Orr and the CST faculty and community. To Register: Contact Frank Rogers, CST, 1325 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA 91711-3199 (Tel: 909/626-3521; Fax: 909/626-7062). CHRISTIANITY AND ECOLOGY, Center for the Study of World Religions, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA; Thursday evening, April 16 through Sunday, April 19, 1998. TEMEC is joining with the Harvard Center for the Study of World Religions to cosponsor this conference, one of a series of ten to contribute to the articulation of functional environmental ethics grounded in religious traditions and to link the transformative efforts of the world's religions to the larger international movements toward a global ethics for a humane and sustainable future. For additional Information: Contact Mary Evelyn Tucker, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837 (Tel: 717/524-1205). GLOBAL ECOJUSTICE: THE CHURCH'S MISSION IN URBAN SOCIETY, Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago, IL; Thursday, April 23 through Saturday, April 25, 1998. Designed for faculty, students, and religious leaders in theological education and the churches, this event will examine the global-regional shape of urbanization and explore methods of community social analysis and action for ecological integrity with social justice. We will receive input from several NGO leaders in environmental justice, urban food systems, and restoration ecology' and we will be addressed by African and Asian theologians, as well as keynote speakers Larry Rasmussen, author of Earth Community, Earth Ethics (Orbis, 1996), and Rosemary Ruether, author of Gaia and God (Harper, 1992). Cosponsored by TEMEC, the Chicago Center for Global Ministries, and the Chicago Program on Ecology, Justice & Faith. To Register: Contact Stephan Bevans or Richard Bliese at the Chicago Center for Global Ministries, 5401 S. Cornell Ave., Chicago, IL 60615 (Tel: 773/363-1342 Fax: 773/324-4360). ECUMENICAL EARTH: NEW DIMENSIONS OF CHURCH AND COMMUNITY IN CREATION, Union & Auburn Theological Seminaries, New York, NY; Thursday, October 22 through Saturday, October 24, 1998. This major international conference will focus on ecojustice education and action in the global "village" with diverse faiths and cultures moving, often reluctantly, toward an earth community. Particular topics will include: global education in theology and religion which is responsive to the ecojustice justice crisis; theological-ethical insights from: 1) the World Council of Churches Theology of Life case studies prepared for the WCC General Assembly in Zimbabwe; 2) the Ecumenical Decade of the Churches in Solidarity with Women; 3) the Earth Charter process and sustainable development since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit; and 4) liturgical practice pertinent to Ecumenical Earth. The conference will also focus on the transformation of the church's self-understanding, message and mission, in partnership with others; and implications for community involvement and public life. Conference leaders will include persons from South Africa, India, Korea, Brazil, Germany, Canada, and the USA. For additional information: Contact Auburn Theological Seminary, 3041 Broadway at 121st St., New York NY 10027 (Tel: 800/818-2911). STRATEGIC PUBLICATIONS (Back to Top). Theology for Earth Community: A Field Guide, edited by Dieter T. Hessel (Orbis Books, February, 1996), provides a comprehensive orientation to "state-of-the-art" scholarship and teaching across the fields of theological education. Crisp essays by seasoned teachers and emerging scholars bring participants in religious and environmental studies "up-to-speed" with the range and depth of Christian theological writing, plus aspects of inter-religious reflection. (See back of brochure or call Orbis Books, 914/941-7590.) Earth Ethics, a quarterly journal edited by Richard M. Clugston that examines basic assumptions, attitudes, and beliefs that underlie our relationship with the natural world. Recent issues excerpt selected papers given at TEMEC-sponsored conferences. (Contact CRLE, 202/778-6133). LEAD INSTITUTIONS (Back to Top) Appalachian Ministries Educational Resource Center, Berea, KY -- Providing environmental ministries within a rural social justice focus to a consortium of 44 Catholic, Orthodox & Protestant seminaries. Hendrix College, Conway, AR -- Emphasizing global issues and sustainability as a major liberal arts focus. Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Meadville/Lombard Theological School, McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL -- Cluster of Theological Schools in Hyde Park focusing on ecojustice justice ministry and citizenship. Seattle University, Institute for Theological Studies, Seattle, WA -- Featuring an integrative Ecological Studies Program and Sacred Earth on a campus committed to caring for creation. The School of Theology at Claremont, Claremont, CA -- Developing ecojustice justice course work, community life, policy advocacy, and institutional practices for justice and sustainability. St. Thomas University, Miami, FL -- Transforming major aspects of its entire curriculum according to an ecological perspective inspired by the work of Thomas Berry. Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY -- Focusing on the transformation of international global education for ecojustice justice. In addition, TEMEC is encouraging lead institution initiatives in the following schools: Andover Newton Theological School (Newton, MA) Baylor University (Waco, TX) Toronto School of Theology (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) United Theological Seminary (Dayton, OH) Wesley Theological Seminary (Washington, DC)