“To Be Held”
By Linda Hogan
To be held
by the light
was what I wanted,
to be a tree drinking the rain,
no longer parched in this hot land.
To be roots in a tunnel growing
but also to be sheltering the inborn leaves
and the green slide of mineral
down the immense distances
into infinite comfort
and the land here, only clay,
still contains and consumes
the thirsty need
the way a tree always shelters the unborn life
waiting for the healing
after the storm
which has been our life.
~ Linda Hogan, “To Be Held,” in Dark. Sweet. (Coffee House Press, 2014).
August 9 is International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. In honor of this day, we are happy to share this poem by Linda Hogan, the Chickasaw novelist, story-teller, and environmentalist.
We hope this newsletter supports your own work
for the flourishing of the Earth community.
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Bill McKibben & Mary Evelyn Tucker:
“Climate Change Conversation”
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We are happy to share the recording of a conversation on “Climate Emergency” with environmentalist, academic, and author Bill McKibben and Mary Evelyn Tucker, co-founder of the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology. This conversation took place on June 6 at Harvard University during the 50th reunion of the Harvard/Radcliffe class of 1971. For further resources on climate change issues, see the Climate Emergency section on the Forum website.
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Remembering James Lovelock
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Photo by Bruno Comby
James Lovelock, the creator of the Gaia Hypothesis, died on July 26 on his 103rd birthday. Lovelock was a climate scientist who collaborated with the biologist Lynn Margulis to advance the theory that Earth is a living organism. You can read more about his life and work in these obituaries from the New York Times, The Guardian, and NPR.
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Religion and Ecology Bibliographies
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We are happy to let you know that many of the bibliographies on our website have been recently updated. You can access these bibliographies along with annotations in these sections of our website:
We are grateful to Leah Snavely for her wonderful help with these updates. We also thank Leslie Sponsel for his invaluable help with the Indigenous Traditions bibliography.
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Yale/Coursera Massive Open Online Course:
Western Religions and Ecology
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Designed for learners from a wide range of backgrounds, “Western Religions and Ecology” is an online course featuring the religious traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam within the context of environmental protection and conservation. While “Western Religions and Ecology” is the fourth course in a five-part specialization by Yale University, it is self-contained and can be taken out of order or on its own. Every course can be audited for free, and the step by step “How to Audit” guide can be found here. We encourage you to sign up for one or more of these courses.
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FORE Spotlights & Forum Blog
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Last month in our weekly video/podcast series, FORE Spotlights, our host Sam Mickey spoke with Jason Wirth from Seattle University on philosophy, Zen, and ecology. Sam also took an episode to speak more deeply about Thomas Berry, his life and his legacy. And he closed season 2 of Spotlights with a retrospective look at all we explored this past year. You can watch all of the videos here, and the audio versions are available here or from your usual podcast platform.
Highlights in the blog last month included a focus on environmental podcasts; reflection on the images from the James Webb telescope; highlighting even more eco-grief and eco-anxiety resources (see also the eco-anxiety section of the Forum site); and the exciting announcement of a new Zoroastrian section on our website.
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“Religions and Ecology: Restoring the Earth Community”
Yale / Coursera online classes with Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim
Sign up here anytime. To audit these courses for free, see this guide.
“Journey of the Universe: A Story for Our Times”
Yale / Coursera online classes with Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim
You may audit the courses free of charge. Sign up here anytime.
“Deeptime Leadership & Personal Empowerment Program”
Nine-month program beginning September 21, 2022
“Introduction to Regenerative Economics”
“New Ways of Seeing, Thinking, Managing, and Being for the 21st Century.”
Online course hosted by the Capital Institute
Next Cohort begins September 12, 2022.
“Climate Psychology Certificate”
Online through the California Institute of Integral Studies
“Cultivating a Prophetic and Contemplative Lifestyle”
A five-week meditation training program based on Laudato Si'
Free online course by the Global Catholic Climate Movement
“EcoSattva Training”
Online course for aspiring EcoSattvas
“Greening Your Church”
Free online mini-course with Norman Lévesque by Creation Care School
“The Black Church & The Environmental Age”
Online course by Green the Church
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“Ecosattvas in the Anthropocene”
2022 online series sponsored by Natural Dharma Fellowship
Speakers: Joanna Macy, Kaira Jewel Lingo, Sensei Kritee Kanko, Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi, Council on the Uncertain Human Future, Stephanie Kaza, Kristin Barker, Kaia Svien, Dekila Chungyalpa, Roshi Susan Murphy, Mark Coleman, and Susie Harrington.
August 3, 2022 and every Wednesday
“Creation Care”
Weekly online interfaith ecology discussion
Hosted by Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development
August 4, 2022
“Pathways Forum: Michelle Moore & Jonathan Rose on Leading an Equitable Energy Transition”
Online event hosted by the Garrison Institute
August 4, September 8, and October 31, 2022
“Scripture & Ecology in Interfaith Context”
Online event hosted by Oxford Interfaith Forum
Speakers: Rubén Kraiem, Ellen Davis, and Anna Gade
August 16, September 20, and October 18, 2022
“360carbon and Your Congregation”
Online event hosted by Climate Stewards
Waterspirit events:
* August 25: Community Advocacy Meeting (Rumson Presbyterian Church, NJ, USA)
* August 29: Online Book Club (focusing on children’s books that explore spirituality, nature and action)
* September 7: “10-Step Eco-Anxiety Support Group Info Session” (online)
* Every Tuesday: “Meditation for Earth” (online and at Rumson Presbyterian Church, NJ, USA)
September 17, 2022
“with – tender experiences of earth”
Facilitators: Helen Lowe and Stephen Podry
Stillpoint at Beckside, Bellingham, WA, USA
September 23-25, 2022
“We Are All Related: Immersive Ecospiritual Experiences for All of Your Senses”
Online and in-person with Diane Wilson and Matt Venuti.
Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center, Westfield, MA, USA
For more event listings, visit the calendar on our website.
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Books:
The Pearl and the Flame: A Journey into Jewish Wisdom and Ecological Thinking
By Rabbi Natan Margalit. Albion Andalus, 2022.
Faith, Hope, and Sustainability: The Greening of US Faith Communities
By Cybelle T. Shattuck. SUNY Press, 2021.
Agrarian Spirit: Cultivating Faith, Community, and the Land
By Norman Wirzba. University of Notre Dame Press, 2022.
From the Ground Up: Conversations with Wes Jackson
Edited by Robert Jensen. New Perennials Publishing, 2022. Download the PDF for free.
Pandemic, Ecology and Theology: Perspectives on COVID-19
Edited by Alexander Hampton. Routledge, 2021.
Is It Too Late? A Theology of Ecology
By John B. Cobb, Jr. 2nd edition. Fortress Press, 2021. With a new preface. (Originally published in 1970.)
Videos:
“Preserving Life on Land: Plans, projects, pitfalls and partnerships for rainforest preservation”
This was a Parallel Event of the UN High Level Political Forum on the Sustainable Development Goals. Co-sponsored by the Parliament with the Episcopal Church, the World Council of Churches, and the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative / Colombia. July 11, 2022.
“The Sea is Sacred: Religious Responses to Deep Seabed Mining”
Virtual side event of the United Nations Ocean Conference. Sponsored by NGO Mining Working Group, Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and VIVAT International. June 29, 2022.
Baha’i-inspired International Environment Forum at Stockholm+50
June 1-5, 2022.
Podcasts:
“How can religions address the environmental crisis?”
Podcast with Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim. Being Modern, Being Human interview by Inna Logunova. July 18, 2022.
Podcasts on Sikhism and the Environment
Sikh Human Rights Group
Podcast from the Prairie: Conversations with Wes Jackson
A collaboration between The Land Institute, The New Perennials Project, and Perennial Films.
Statements:
“One Planet, One Habitation: A Bahá’í Perspective on Recasting Humanity’s Relationship with the Natural World” (2022).
“Let’s Save the Future”
Sikh Human Rights Group’s Environmental Position Statement (2021)
Resources:
Resources for “Season of Creation” (September 1 – October 4, 2022):
Liturgical Guide by Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas and Rev. John Elliott Lein
Resources by Green Churches
Creation Justice Ministries Resource Hub
American Climate Leadership Awards: Replication Guides
EcoAmerica
“Dynamics of Integral Human Development”
Mother Pelican: A Journal of Solidarity and Sustainability. Edited by Luis T. Gutiérrez. Vol. 18, No. 7 (July 2022).
News Articles:
“Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the adoption of United Nations General Assembly resolution on the right to a healthy environment”
United Nations. July 28, 2022.
“Indigenous Shuar community in Ecuador wins decades-long battle to protect land”
By Maxwell Radwin. Mongabay. July 28, 2022.
“How religious worship is boosting conservation in India”
By Kavitha Yarlagadda. BBC News. July 26, 2022.
“A moral imperative: how southern ministers are trying to change minds about the climate crisis”
By Emily Cataneo. The Guardian. July 26, 2022.
“How US and UK faith communities are addressing global warming”
By Sueellen Campbell. Yale Climate Connections. July 19, 2022.
“African youth deliver environmental demands to bishops at Laudato Si’ meeting”
By Brian Roewe. EarthBeat. July 14, 2022.
“It has a pierced heart: an Indigenous tribe’s fight to protect a sacred lake”
By Aaron Hedge. The Guardian. July 13, 2022.
“Humanity has ‘moral obligation’ to fight climate change, pope says”
By Junno Arocho Esteves. Catholic News Service. Catholic Review. July 13, 2022.
“First climate agreement to center Indigenous voices gains international support”
By Carina Dominguez. Grist. July 13, 2022.
“Indigenous-led group opens new salvo in fight for climate justice”
By Aric Sleeper. Alternet. July 12, 2022.
“Can ‘green Islam’ save Indonesia from climate collapse?”
By Enno Hinz. Qantara. July 11, 2022.
“Climate Change Renders Hajj ‘Dangerous,’ Global Action Necessary”
By Souad Anouar. Morocco World News. July 8, 2022.
For more articles, see the News page of the Forum site.
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Job Openings, Student Opportunities,
and Calls for Papers
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Job Openings:
Lecturer in Religion and Sacred Space
University of Vermont, Department of Religion, Burlington, VT, USA
Director of Academic Programs
The Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society (RCC), Munich, Germany
Communications Director
Center for Humans and Nature, Libertyville, IL, USA
Director of Jewish Studies
University of North Texas, Department of Philosophy and Religion, Denton, TX, USA
Job openings at the Garrison Institute
Garrison, NY, USA
Job Openings at Laudato Si’ Movement
Job Openings at Faith in Place
Chicago, IL, USA
Job openings at DART (Direct Action & Research Training Center)
Executive Director
Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light
Waterspirit Job Openings
Rumson, NJ, USA
Student Opportunities:
Summer Internships: Sustainability, Ecology, Nonviolence
Agape Community, Hardwick, MA, USA
2022-2023 Fellowship
The Law, Ethics & Animals Program (LEAP) at Yale Law School, New Haven, CT, USA
Rising Earth: Transformative Permaculture Immersion
The Eco-Institute at Pickards Mountain, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Fellowships for Activists Fighting for Environmental and Social Justice
Calls for Papers:
“Religion and the Natural Environment.” Hosted by the Center for the Study of Religious Conversion and Inter-Religious Encounters (CSoC) at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), Be’er Sheva, Israel.
Center for Humans and Nature submissions
“Ecological Theology and Environmental Ethics (ECOTHEE-22) 7th International Conference.” Orthodox Academy of Crete, Kolymvari, Chania, Greece.
“After Earth? Religion and Technology on a Changing Planet.” 2023 Conference of the International Society for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture. Arizona State University and online.
“Myth, Ritual and Practice for the Age of Ecological Catastrophe.” 7th International Conference of the European Forum for the Study of Religion and the Environment. University of Potsdam.
“Interreligious Ecological Action.” Special issue of Studies in Interreligious Dialogue.
Emergence Magazine submissions
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