Eco-Justice & Spirituality

One way to define spirituality is  “an exploration into what is involved in becoming human,” describing “becoming human” as “an attempt to grow in sensitivity to self, to others, to the non-human creation, and to God who is within and beyond this totality.”  This course explores this understanding of how spirituality intersects with eco-justice in the context of the pandemic crisis and consider how this relates to the practice of ministry.   Building from the theological perspective of Sallie McFague,  this course will also consider Pope Francis’s encyclical Praise be to You: Laudato Si: On Care for our Common Home and survey literature from scholars from a variety of disciplines.  Readings and discussion will be complemented with presentations from practitioners in pastoral care from a variety of settings.

COMPETENCE OBJECTIVES:

1. Be able to articulate how an eco-justice world informs personal and corporate spirituality.
2. Define core principles of an eco-justice spirituality
3. Create a series of autobiographical reflections that locate self within creation
4. Apply eco-justice principles to at least two area of pastoral care (congregational, prison, hospital, stewardship, liturgical, hospitality, educational ministries)
5. Be equipped to offer a congregational/community educational program on eco-justice spirituality.

PREREQUISITES:  None

Available by Distance
Synchronous Zoom only