The GreenFaith Fellowship Program:
Curriculum

The Curriculum of the Fellowship Program will address the following topics:

• Introduction to Religious Environmentalism and the Environmental Movement
  Fellows read texts that have shaped religious environmentalism, be introduced to various faces of the religious-environmental movement, and learn about key points, leaders and texts from the history of the environmental movement. Fellows also explore important themes in the relationship between science and religion. From within these readings, Fellows identify resources to inspire and guide their own vocational and leadership development.
• A Scientific Review of Global Environmental Issues
  Fellows learn to speak confidently to a lay audience about scientific dimensions of environmental concerns, including the state of global ecosystems, climate change, environmental toxins, and the environmental impacts of population, economic activities, and war. In addition, Fellows learn to articulate responses to religiously-based counter-scientific claims.
• Developing a Personal Eco-Theology
  Drawing on personal experience and research into the sacred and theological texts of their traditions, Fellows write their own eco-theological statement. These statements, which Fellows revisit during the program, serve as a basis for interreligious dialogue within the program and a resource from which Fellows can speak to their own communities.
• The Human Soul and Nature – Introduction to Eco-Spirituality
  Fellows write an ecological autobiography, identify spiritual experiences they have had in nature, explore sacred and theological texts describing the relationship between the human soul, the divine and the earth, and learn how to integrate ecological themes into worship, pastoral care, religious education and programs promoting spiritual development.
• Race, Poverty and Pollution - History and Methods of Environmental Justice Work
  Fellows take part in “Toxic Tours” of environmentally-blighted urban communities, learn from leaders of successful environmental justice campaigns, read the work of leading theologians on environmental justice, and receive introductory training in methods of legislative advocacy and community organizing for environmental justice.
• Religion, Consumption, and Reducing our Ecological Footprint – Environmental Stewardship and Religious Institutions
  Fellows learn how the lifestyle of the average US citizen and religious institution negatively impacts the environment, and are taught to reduce their own “ecological footprint” and the footprint of their house of worship. Areas of focus include energy conservation, renewable energy, water conservation, toxics reduction, waste reduction, procurement, transportation and food choices.
• Developing and Implementing a Religious-Environmental Leadership Plan
  Fellows articulate their guiding principles for leadership and develop a religious-environmental leadership plan that engages stakeholders in communities including their house of worship, denomination, geographic region and regional environmental community. GreenFaith staff work directly with each Fellow to develop his or her plan, and provide regular mentoring calls to support Fellows. To support the implementation of their Leadership Plans, Fellows are eligible to receive a mini-grant of up to $1,000, to be matched by funds Fellows raise from other sources.

Read a more detailed summary of GreenFaith's Fellowship Program
Who We Are Seeking
Schedule and Tuition Costs
View the members of the Fellowship Advisory Committee

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Upcoming Events:
 
Meeting the Sacred in Creation Retreats Offered in Hudson Valley, Pacific Northwest, Southeast in April, May, October 2007.
 
New Brunswick Environmental Health and Justice Tour, April 18, 2007.
 
Prof. Larry Rasmussen to Keynote April 23, 2007 Interfaith Environmental Conference with Drew Theological School.