2023 Trainings
Illinois/Wisconsin - May 22-24
North Carolina - June 14-16
Ohio/Kentucky - October 16-18
A climate change training for Christian leaders.
In the face of the looming climate disaster, many of us do little about it. We may feel anger, anxiety, or nothing at all. We may feel powerless in this global societal crisis, keeping us from engaging. How can churches help people engage in the climate crisis? How can Christians be work side-by-side with scientists to address the challenges before us?
Pastors and other church leaders are unique in bringing together social, emotional and spiritual roles. The training helps empower pastors and other leaders to effectively engage science, broaden climate action in a congregation or ministry setting, and move people from denial and inaction to congregational action and political advocacy.
The retreat is a transformational experience that aims to weave together scientific, theological, and ministry approaches to climate change. Our goal is to increase opportunities to connect pastors and scientists around climate change.
Each retreat location is a unique experience that addresses the regional challenges that communities face in the wake of climate change and environmental injustice.
Join us to:
We are looking for Christian leaders from across the spectrum of engagement climate: from seasoned activities to those who have never said the words “climate change” in church.
If you don’t see an upcoming retreat in your region, let us know if you are interested in co-hosting a similar program in your community, please contact us at info@creationjustice.org.
Pastors and other church leaders are unique in bringing together social, emotional and spiritual roles. The training helps empower pastors and other leaders to effectively engage science, broaden climate action in a congregation or ministry setting, and move people from denial and inaction to congregational action and political advocacy.
The retreat is a transformational experience that aims to weave together scientific, theological, and ministry approaches to climate change. Our goal is to increase opportunities to connect pastors and scientists around climate change.
Each retreat location is a unique experience that addresses the regional challenges that communities face in the wake of climate change and environmental injustice.
Join us to:
- Build connections with ministry leaders and scientists to engage as faithful climate advocates.
- Explore the pastoral care implications of social psychological research on climate.
- Learn from scientists about how the changing climate is altering the human and ecological realities of local ecosystems
- Experience congregational resilience in the face of climate injustice and how climate impacts frontline communities most vulnerable to natural disasters.
- See how the Christian tradition can foster a wild hope in the midst of tragic consequences.
- Worship in ways that engage our embeddedness in nature.
- Learn how your church community can create a supportive network of activists engaged in climate resilience and advocacy deeply rooted in our faith.
We are looking for Christian leaders from across the spectrum of engagement climate: from seasoned activities to those who have never said the words “climate change” in church.
If you don’t see an upcoming retreat in your region, let us know if you are interested in co-hosting a similar program in your community, please contact us at info@creationjustice.org.
LogisticsWho is eligible?
All Christian leaders (clergy and lay) are eligible to apply. Priority is given to the participants who are the best fit for the workshops based on region or theme. How much does it cost? This program so far has been offered for free and we are committed to keeping this program accessible in price. We attempt to fundraise to keep the cost for participants as low as possible. However, the expenses (if any) will vary from one location to another. We try to cover all expenses except travel to retreat locations. |
2023 Retreat Locations2023 Trainings
Illinois/Wisconsin - May 22-24 North Carolina - June 14-16 Ohio/Kentucky - October 16-18 
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Past Workshops
Dr. Norbert Wilson, Professor of Food, Economics, and Community at Duke Divinity School
Professor Wilson’s research touches on several food issues, such as access, choice, and food waste. He continues to work on food safety and quality issues in international trade and domestic food systems. Wilson is an ordained vocational deacon in the Episcopal Church USA. Additionally, his work is moving to explore equity in food access. He has published in AEA Papers and Proceedings, World Development, American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Journal of Public Health, Food Policy, Agricultural Economics, and other publications. Before joining Duke Divinity School, Wilson was a professor of food policy at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy (2017-2020). He was also a professor of agricultural economics at Auburn University (1999-2016).
Professor Wilson’s research touches on several food issues, such as access, choice, and food waste. He continues to work on food safety and quality issues in international trade and domestic food systems. Wilson is an ordained vocational deacon in the Episcopal Church USA. Additionally, his work is moving to explore equity in food access. He has published in AEA Papers and Proceedings, World Development, American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Journal of Public Health, Food Policy, Agricultural Economics, and other publications. Before joining Duke Divinity School, Wilson was a professor of food policy at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy (2017-2020). He was also a professor of agricultural economics at Auburn University (1999-2016).
Dr. Wylin Wilson, Assistant Professor of Theological Ethics at Duke Divinity School
Professor Wilson’s work lies at the intersection of religion, gender, and bioethics. Her academic interests also include rural bioethics and Black church studies. Prior to joining Duke Divinity School in 2020, she was a teaching faculty member at the Harvard Medical School Center for Bioethics and a senior fellow at the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard Divinity School. She has also served as visiting lecturer and research associate at the Harvard Divinity School Women’s Studies in Religion Program. Professor Wilson is the former associate director of Education at the Tuskegee University National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care, and former faculty member in the College of Agriculture, Environment, and Nutrition Sciences at Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama. Professor Wilson served on the Mount Auburn Hospital Ethics Committee in Cambridge, Mass., the advisory board for the Rural Child Hunger Summit, and as volunteer spiritual care giver for Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services in Somerville, Mass. She is a member of the American Academy of Religion’s Bioethics and Religion Program Unit Steering Committee. Among her publications is her book, Economic Ethics and the Black Church.
Professor Wilson’s work lies at the intersection of religion, gender, and bioethics. Her academic interests also include rural bioethics and Black church studies. Prior to joining Duke Divinity School in 2020, she was a teaching faculty member at the Harvard Medical School Center for Bioethics and a senior fellow at the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard Divinity School. She has also served as visiting lecturer and research associate at the Harvard Divinity School Women’s Studies in Religion Program. Professor Wilson is the former associate director of Education at the Tuskegee University National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care, and former faculty member in the College of Agriculture, Environment, and Nutrition Sciences at Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama. Professor Wilson served on the Mount Auburn Hospital Ethics Committee in Cambridge, Mass., the advisory board for the Rural Child Hunger Summit, and as volunteer spiritual care giver for Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services in Somerville, Mass. She is a member of the American Academy of Religion’s Bioethics and Religion Program Unit Steering Committee. Among her publications is her book, Economic Ethics and the Black Church.
Dr. Betsy Albright, Assistant Professor of the Practice of Environmental Science and Policy Methods at the Nicholas School of the Environment
Elizabeth's current research centers on how policies and decisions are made in response to extreme climatic events. Further, she is interested in collaborative decision making processes, particularly in the realm of water resource management. She has received a grant from the National Science Foundation and a Fulbright Scholarship to support her scholarship. The Midwest Political Science Associated recently awarded Elizabeth the 'Best Paper by an Emerging Scholar' award at their national conference. Her geographic regions of interest include the southeast US and Central and Eastern Europe. Prior to completing her Ph.D. Elizabeth worked for the State of North Carolina in water resource management.
Elizabeth's current research centers on how policies and decisions are made in response to extreme climatic events. Further, she is interested in collaborative decision making processes, particularly in the realm of water resource management. She has received a grant from the National Science Foundation and a Fulbright Scholarship to support her scholarship. The Midwest Political Science Associated recently awarded Elizabeth the 'Best Paper by an Emerging Scholar' award at their national conference. Her geographic regions of interest include the southeast US and Central and Eastern Europe. Prior to completing her Ph.D. Elizabeth worked for the State of North Carolina in water resource management.
Dr. Nicki Cagle, Lecturer in Environmental Science and Policy, Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Nicholas School of the Environment
I am a dedicated ecologist and environmental educator with a passion for writing. I work as a Lecturer in the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University where I teach courses emphasizing natural history and environmental education & communication. I am also the Director of the Environmental Science Summer Program at Duke and Director of the NSOE Communications Studio.
I am a dedicated ecologist and environmental educator with a passion for writing. I work as a Lecturer in the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University where I teach courses emphasizing natural history and environmental education & communication. I am also the Director of the Environmental Science Summer Program at Duke and Director of the NSOE Communications Studio.
Dr. Jerusha Matsen Neal, Assistant Professor of Homiletics at Duke Divinity School
Professor Neal’s scholarly work examines the action of the Spirit on the performative borders of body and culture. Her research interests focus on postcolonial preaching, climate stewardship, preaching and gender, and a theology of the Spirit in sermon performance.
Her most recent book, The Overshadowed Preacher: Mary, the Spirit, and the Labor of Proclamation (Wm. B. Eerdmans), asks the sticky question of what is meant when preaching is described as “anointed.” It challenges preachers to leave behind false shadows and be overshadowed by the Spirit of God. It received a 2020 Christianity Today Jesus Creed Book Award for the Preaching Life.
Neal is an ordained American Baptist minister with broad ecumenical experience, most recently serving as a Global Ministries missionary to the Fiji Islands through the United Methodist Church. During her years in Fiji, she served as Dean of Studies at Davuilevu Theological College, the oldest theological seminary in that nation.
She has written numerous articles and book chapters reflecting on preaching in the Fijian context and the importance of a global homiletic conversation (selected examples include: Bible in Folklore Worldwide (2021); The Future Shape of Christian Proclamation (2020); Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology (2021)). A former actress and playwright, she has authored a collection of dramatic monologues, Blessed: Monologues for Mary (2012).
Professor Neal’s scholarly work examines the action of the Spirit on the performative borders of body and culture. Her research interests focus on postcolonial preaching, climate stewardship, preaching and gender, and a theology of the Spirit in sermon performance.
Her most recent book, The Overshadowed Preacher: Mary, the Spirit, and the Labor of Proclamation (Wm. B. Eerdmans), asks the sticky question of what is meant when preaching is described as “anointed.” It challenges preachers to leave behind false shadows and be overshadowed by the Spirit of God. It received a 2020 Christianity Today Jesus Creed Book Award for the Preaching Life.
Neal is an ordained American Baptist minister with broad ecumenical experience, most recently serving as a Global Ministries missionary to the Fiji Islands through the United Methodist Church. During her years in Fiji, she served as Dean of Studies at Davuilevu Theological College, the oldest theological seminary in that nation.
She has written numerous articles and book chapters reflecting on preaching in the Fijian context and the importance of a global homiletic conversation (selected examples include: Bible in Folklore Worldwide (2021); The Future Shape of Christian Proclamation (2020); Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology (2021)). A former actress and playwright, she has authored a collection of dramatic monologues, Blessed: Monologues for Mary (2012).
Dr. Liz Demattia, Research Scientist and Director Community Science Initiative, Duke Marine Lab
I am an ecologist interested in the intersection of science and community. I am currently working on issues of plastic pollution education from a marine debris perspective and a stormwater/microplastic perspective. I have written curricula regarding marine debris (elementary) and community science and microplastics (high school) and collaborate with researchers at the EE lab of NCSU to study the role of intergenerational learning in changing perspectives on plastic pollution.
I am an ecologist interested in the intersection of science and community. I am currently working on issues of plastic pollution education from a marine debris perspective and a stormwater/microplastic perspective. I have written curricula regarding marine debris (elementary) and community science and microplastics (high school) and collaborate with researchers at the EE lab of NCSU to study the role of intergenerational learning in changing perspectives on plastic pollution.
Karyn Bigelow is a Co-Executive Director at Creation Justice Ministries. She has served as a policy and research analyst at Bread for the World, focusing on the intersections of climate change, food security and racial equity. She is a steering committee member of the American Baptist Churches’ Creation Justice Network and on the Leadership Committee of the Pan African Young Adult Network. She earned her Master in Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, where she sat on the Board of Directors, and her undergraduate degree in social relations and policy from Michigan State University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Global Food Security and Nutrition focusing her studies and research on sustainability. She holds a certificate in Beekeeping and is a former Green Faith Junior Fellow.
Avery Davis Lamb is a Co-Executive Director of Creation Justice Ministries. He is an activist, ecologist, and public theologian working at the intersection of Christianity and environmental justice. Avery has a background in both ecological research and faith-based environmental organizing, studying ecology in various ecosystems and organizing faith communities across the country in support of action on environmental justice. Previously he has worked for Sojourners and Interfaith Power & Light. He serves on the board for The Center for Spirituality in Nature and is a Fellow with the Re:Generate Program at Wake Forest Divinity School and the Foundations of Christian Leadership Program at Duke Divinity School.
Doug Kaufman is an ordained Mennonite minister with almost 30 years of pastoral experience. His passion for ecology emerged with his congregation’s baptismal practice, learning to care for their watershed so that their baptismal river is cleaner. His approach, what he calls pastoral ecology, takes seriously all the creatures of the ecosystem, including humans, and a concern for justice and a place for all these creatures. This project is based on his Master’s of Theology thesis from the University of Toronto called: “Who cares about climate change? Pastoral responses to denial and despair.”
