A climate change training for Christian leaders.
May 22-24, 2023
Monday afternoon-Wednesday afternoon
Holy Wisdom Monastery
Madison, Wisconsin
In the midst of a rapidly changing climate, faith communities are called to discern how they will respond. Churches and faith-based organizations are gifted with unique resources to help communities and individuals move from anger, anxiety, or denial to action. They can guide us in the work of seeking justice and healing for a broken world.
Pastors and other faith leaders in particular are able to draw upon the social, emotional, and spiritual responses to climate change that will be urgently needed in the coming years.
Pastors and other faith leaders in particular are able to draw upon the social, emotional, and spiritual responses to climate change that will be urgently needed in the coming years.
Join us at this retreat to cultivate your capacities to lead congregations and communities in the midst of the climate crisis.
The training serves to empower church leaders to understand and draw upon science effectively, foster sustainable, regenerative initiatives in a congregational or other ministry setting, and lead communities from political inaction and denial to faithful action and advocacy. In doing so, we aim to provide opportunities for faith leaders, activists, and scientists to build connections to work together on addressing climate change in our local communities and region.
Join us to:
Join us to:
- Build connections with local ministry leaders and scientists to engage as faithful climate advocates.
- Learn from scientists about how the changing climate is altering local human and ecological realities.
- See how the Christian tradition can foster spiritual depth and 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.
LogisticsWho is eligible?
All Christian leaders (clergy and lay) are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to those living in northern Illinois and Wisconsin. What is the timeline?
Priority will be given to applications by March 31. Selected participants will be notified during week of April 10t How much does it cost?
Pastor/Ministry leader: Free Lay leader who brings Pastor/Ministry leader: Free Lay leader/congregant: $350 Other participants: $350 **This pricing covers all expenses except travel** |
LocationHoly Wisdom Monastery, Madison, WI
photo credits: Holy Wisdom Monastery
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Sponsors:
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Co-Sponsors:
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Workshop Guides:
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Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III,
With civil rights advocacy in his DNA, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III built his ministry on community advancement and social justice activism. As Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Moss spent the last two decades practicing and preaching a Black theology that unapologetically calls attention to the problems of mass incarceration, environmental justice, and economic inequality. Dr. Moss is part of a new generation of ministers committed to preaching a prophetic message of love and justice, which he believes are inseparable companions that form the foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was recently recognized as one of the “12 Most Effective Preachers in the English-Speaking World” by Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. As part of his community engagement through Trinity United Church of Christ, Dr. Moss led the team that came up with the “My Life Matters” curriculum; which includes the viral video, “Get Home Safely: 10 Rules of Survival” created in the aftermath of Michael Brown’s death at the hands of Ferguson, Missouri police.
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Rev. Victoria Loorz
Victoria Loorz, MDiv, is a "wild church pastor," an "eco-spiritual director" and co-founder of several transformation-focused organizations focused on the integration of nature and spirituality. She feels most alive when collaborating with Mystery and kindred spirits to create opportunities for people to re-member themselves back into intimate, sacred relationship with the rest of the living world. After twenty years as a pastor of indoor churches, she launched the first Church of the Wild, in Ojai CA and began to meet others with the same sense of call to leave building and expand the Beloved Community beyond our own species. She then co-founded the ecumenical Wild Church Network. Victoria is co-founder and director of Seminary of the Wild, which is focused on a deep-dive yearlong Eco-Ministry Certificate program for all those who feel called by Earth and Spirit to "restore the great conversation." (Thomas Berry) She now calls Bellingham, Washington her home, a beautiful land along the Salish Sea on territory tended and loved for generations by the Coast Salish peoples, in particular the Nooksack and Lummi nations. Victoria's young adult children -- Alec and Olivia -- are wise, creative, tender souls, dedicated to creating a more inclusive, compassionate, and just world.
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Rev. Scott Onqué
Pastor Onqué currently serves as Pastor of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, a 100-year-old historic church on the south side of Chicago. He has served in this capacity for 14 years. Under his leadership the church has grown tremendously both spiritual and numerically. Pastor Onqué has a passion for teaching and preaching the Word of God. Pastor Onqué is very civically and socially conscious. He serves on several community boards and commissions and realizes that volunteering his time in community efforts is an integral part of his ministry. He is currently the President of the Congress of Christian Education Department of the Salem Baptist District Association of Chicago and Vicinity. He currently serves as the Treasurer of Baptist General State Convention of Illinois. Pastor Onqué also serves as a commissioner for African American Families Commission for the State of Illinois. |
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Dr. Timothy Eberhart
Timothy Reinhold Eberhart is the Robert and Marilyn Degler McClean Associate Professor of Ecological Theology and Practice at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, where he directs the Master of Arts in Public Ministry program and the Center for Ecological Regeneration. Eberhart, who grew up in South Dakota, earned a bachelor of arts in religion from St. Olaf College, master of divinity degree from Vanderbilt Divinity School, and doctor of philosophy from the Graduate School at Vanderbilt University. He has led numerous environmental initiatives at the seminary, including Garrett-Evangelical’s founding role in the Seminary Stewardship Alliance and the completion of a three-year Green Seminary Initiative certification as a Green Seminary. His publications include Rooted and Grounded in Love: Holy Communion for the Whole Creation (Wipf and Stock, 2017), The Economy of Salvation: Essays in Honor of M. Douglas Meeks (Wipf and Stock, 2015), and chapters on mission, ecclesiology, and ecotheology. Eberhart is an ordained elder in the Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church, a trained permaculturalist, UMC Earthkeeper, and an Advisory Team member of the UMC Creation Justice Movement. He, his spouse Rebecca, and their three children live in Evanston, IL, where he is active with Citizens Greener Evanston, Environmental Justice Evanston, and the city’s Equity & Empowerment Commission.
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Dr. Sarah E. Fredericks
Dr. Fredericks is Associate Professor of Environmental Ethics; also in the College and Committee on Environment, Geography and Urbanization; Affiliated Faculty Member of The Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality at the University of Chicago Divinity School. Professor Fredericks' research focuses on sustainability, sustainable energy, environmental guilt and shame, environmental justice, and the interaction of religion, science, and philosophy. Her work draws upon pragmatic and comparative religious ethics. She recently published Environmental Guilt and Shame: Signals of Individual and Collective Responsibility and the Need for Ritual Responses (Oxford University Press, 2021) about the ethical dimensions of experiencing and inducing environmental guilt and shame, particularly about climate change. |
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Dr. Mark Potosnak
Professor and chair of Environmental Science & Studies at DePaul University, Dr. Mark Potosnak has degrees from Harvard and Columbia and he was a fellow in the Advanced Study Program at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. His research focuses on how climate change impacts interactions between the plants and air quality. His studies have revealed complex connections between temperature, drought, invasive species, carbon dioxide concentration and other global climate change factors on ecosystem emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds. He also deploys low-cost air quality sensors that provide information for urban areas to be more resilient to climate change. Through the Metropolitan Chicago Data-science Corps, he fosters the work of student researchers who partner with local nonprofit organizations to meet their data science needs. Dr. Potosnak has been trained as a Climate Ambassador for the Catholic Climate Covenant, and in this role he shares his scientific understanding with others from a faith perspective. |
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Rev. Douglas Kaufman
Doug is a pastor and environmental activist who began as the Director of Pastoral Ecology at ACC in February 2018. In this role he organizes and leads pastoral and leadership retreats on climate change, helping congregations reduce their carbon footprint and engage society more broadly in climate action. He continues as a pastor of Benton Mennonite Church, Goshen, IN, a Green Patchwork congregation with Mennonite Creation Care Network. Doug first became passionate about creation care when he discovered that the Elkhart River, where they often baptize, sometimes is compromised with too much manure. Since 2005, he has led a Hoosier Riverwatch group there. The congregation, whose vision includes “pursuing God’s peace at the river,” has also led river cleanups, installed solar panels, includes recycling, and has a green group. Doug recently completed a Th.M. in theology and ecology at the University of Toronto and has a M.Div. from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, IN. He is also trained as an Indiana Master Naturalist. He previously served as a conference minister with the Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference.
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Derrick Weston
Derrick is the Theological Education and Training Coordinator at Creation Justice Ministries. Derrick Weston is a writer, filmmaker, podcaster, speaker, and educator whose most recent work has focused on the intersection of food and faith. He is the co-host of the Food and Faith podcast and producer of Spoon, Spade, and Soul, a podcast highlighting food and land-based ministries in the Episcopal church. Additionally, he is the producer of the short film series "A Wilderness Like Eden" highlighting the work of churches engaged in food justice work. After two decades of being a pastor and community organizer, Derrick is a strong believer in the potential of local congregations to enact change in their communities. Derrick received his B.A. in film studies from the University of Pittsburgh and his Masters of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary. He also has a certification in health ministry from Wesleyan Theological Seminary and was a part of the Re:Generate fellowship on food, faith, and ecology through Wake Forest Divinity School. Derrick is the co-author of the book The Just Kitchen: Invitations to Sustainability, Cooking, Connection, and Celebration and has written numerous articles for several publications. He and his wife Shannon have four children and live outside of Baltimore, Maryland. |
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Rev. Brian Sauder
Rev. Sauder serves as the President and Executive Director of Faith in Place, a nonprofit empowering people of diverse faiths and spiritualities to be leaders in advancing environmental and racial justice by providing resources to educate, connect, and advocate for healthier communities. Ordained by the Mennonite Church, U.S.A.—Rev. Sauder also serves as an Adjunct Professor at both McCormick Theological Seminary and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary—teaching public ministry courses for future clergy and faith leaders on organizing for environmental justice.
He is an award recipient of the University of Illinois Business School's Community Scholar, a Central IL Business 40 Under 40 winner, and a 2019 Midwest Energy News' 40 Under 40 winner. Rev. Sauder grew up in rural Tazewell County, IL and received his B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois, his M.A. in Religion from Urbana Theological Seminary, and his M.B.A. from the University of Illinois.dit. |
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Rick Lindroth (Ph.D., University of Illinois-Urbana) is a Vilas Distinguished Achievement professor of ecology and former Associate Dean for Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research focuses on forest ecosystems, with a special emphasis on the implications of global environmental change (e.g., climate change, invasive species). He has been a Fulbright Fellow and is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Ecological Society of America, and the Entomological Society of America. Funded by grants from the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and other agencies, Rick and his research group have published ~240 journal articles and book chapters.
Rick’s contributions at the interface of science and faith include public lectures and articles about climate change, creation care, and science communication in an era of science denialism. He is a member of the Biologos “Voices” speakers’ bureau and the governing board of A Rocha USA, and has served in numerous leadership and teaching roles in his local (Madison, WI) church. |
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Rev. Veronica M. Johnson
Rev. Veronica M. Johnson was born in Chicago, IL and raised in Maywood, IL. She attended the University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering, with honors. She worked in the fields of engineering and project management for several Fortune 500 companies for 20 years prior to answering her call to ministry in 2006.
Rev. Johnson earned a Master of Divinity Degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in 2012, graduating with academic commendation. Rev. Johnson currently serves as CoPastor of Hyde Park Union Church. She has served previously in the Baptist, AME, and UCC churches, and is the former president of the council for the American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago. Rev. Johnson has been instrumental in mentoring and guiding persons of many nationalities, ages, religious backgrounds, etc., to pursue theological education, as she served for seven years as the Sr. Director of Admissions and Enrollment of McCormick Theological Seminary. She has also served as a motivational speaker, mentor, workshop facilitator and consultant for corporations, K-12 and higher educational institutions, churches and faith-based organizations. Rev. Johnson is the mother of two children: Curtis Johnson II, a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Vanessa Johnson, a student at Howard University in Washington D.C. |
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Alexander Malchow
Alexander Malchow lives in Madison, Wisconsin, and is the Wisconsin Policy Coordinator for Faith in Place.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies and is working toward completing his Master in Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Alexander is passionate about environmental and social justice, advocacy, and politics. Before joining the Faith in Place team in June 2022, Alexander's interest in justice led him to co-found Housing Navigation Services of Dane County. A program assisting individuals, families, and young adults, to get housed quickly and systematically. In his free time, Alexander enjoys bicycling, coaching basketball, reading, and volunteering in his community. |
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Jonathan "Cosmic" Jackson
Jonathan Jackson, who also goes by Cosmic Shaman, is the Wisconsin Outreach Coordinator for Faith in Place. He was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and currently lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Jonathan holds an Associate Degree from DeVry University in Applied Science in Networking Systems Administration and has a diverse career background. Previously, he worked as an independent contractor installing IT systems. He also trained youth at Union League Boys & Girls Club in computer literacy. Jonathan has even interned at The Chicago Community Trust, The Chicago Defender, LUV Institute, and Lebanon Baptist Church where he learned to manage social media marketing/analytics. Jonathan is also a Shaman, Holistic Health Practitioner, and Community Activist and Advocate. He holds certificates in Community Building & Restorative Practices and Conflict Resolution & Trauma Resiliency. A 2018-19 participant of the NAACP NextGen Leadership program, Jonathan developed additional leadership skills to implement change in his community. A long-time environmentalist, he was drawn to Faith in Place’s intersectional and multi-faith approach to environmental work. He is enthusiastic about growing Faith in Place’s impact in Wisconsin and is eager to connect. |
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Dr. Rachel Licker
Rachel Licker is principal climate scientist with the Climate & Energy Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. In her role, she provides strategic thinking and technical and analytical expertise across the organization, analyzes new developments in climate science, and communicates climate science to policymakers, the public, and the media. Prior to joining UCS, Dr. Licker completed an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science & Technology Policy Fellowship. For her fellowship, Dr. Licker served as a foreign affairs officer with the U.S. Department of State, where she managed its work with the Global Environment Facility trust fund. Dr. Licker earned her Ph.D. in environment and resources, and her B.S. in biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She also holds an M.S. in environmental studies and sustainability science from Lund University in Sweden. Dr. Licker has been quoted in BuzzFeed News, CleanTechnica, CNN, the Las Vegas Sun, NBC News, NPR, and the Orlando Sentinel, among other outlets. |
