“The external deserts in the world are growing, because the internal deserts have become so vast.” - Benedict XVI

Those of us who staff the Center for Religion and Environment (CRE) here at The University of the South believe that a root cause of the environmental crises we face is spiritual in nature. Estranged from God’s presence in the world around us, many of us go about our lives oblivious to the larger consequences of our actions. On the other hand, others of us are deeply concerned about environmental issues and our own spiritual journey, but are unsure how to make the connections between them. While we may have discovered an eco-spirituality suited to our personal lives, we wonder how to make a difference in the world beyond ourselves. And many of us feel isolated, alone in our concerns. We long for a supportive community of like-minded people.

CONTEMPLATION AND CARE FOR CREATION

If you relish the idea of exploring further, in company with others, the “ecology” by which Christian faith and spirituality join with an environmental consciousness, consider participating in our program on Contemplation and Care for Creation. Our ecumenical program welcomes and encourages participation from persons of all parts of the Christian family. This highly unusual program offers participants a combined exposure to the theology and the spirituality of creation care and its social implications. The program is offered annually.

THE PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Throughout the program participants will encounter the sacred in nature, interpret that experience, and reflect on its implications for their own lives and society. This involves becoming steeped in the contemplation of nature based upon classic monastic spiritual formation (utilizing its spiritual growth program, Living an Icon), studying the integral relation of creation to fundamental tenets of the Christian faith, and exploring the implications for the way humans interact with nonhuman creation. As part of this process participants will be guided in creating a rule of life to guide them after the program has ended.

The program begins with a four-day retreat, a period of prayer and residential instruction, in Sewanee. Participants will prepare for the retreat through guided reading so that the time in Sewanee can focus on discussion. Throughout the year the program continues with a variety of online activities, including 2-3 days (spaced throughout the year) of online instruction via Zoom for which they will have read in advance. Each day’s sessions will be well-spaced to minimize Zoom fatigue. Participants additionally will meet via Zoom every two weeks for two hours to practice a contemplative lesson together and will post short reports online based upon their experiences and their reading of course material. Finally, participants will practice what they have learned by organizing and leading a contemplative program or discussion program based upon CRE resource materials. At the end of the program participants will return to Sewanee for a two- or three-day retreat and wrap-up.

COVID-19

This year’s program will benefit from the experience of having had to offer the 2020/21 program totally online. To our surprise and delight we learned that our contemplative program, Living in an Icon, worked extremely well even when we had to do it at a distance. We also, of course, had to engage the academic work online also. Given the success of the process to date, should the Covid-19 situation by the time of the retreat make it appear unsafe to gather together in person, we will move totally online once again with confidence, having done this once before.

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER ENROLLING? THIS PROGRAM IS BEST SUITED FOR PERSONS ANSWERING TO ONE OR MORE OF THESE DESCRIPTIONS:
  • Those who seek a deeper, more theologically grounded understanding of how their Christian faith can inform the practice of creation care.
  • Those looking to grow spiritually through the practice of natural contemplation.
  • Those persons, both lay and ordained, who wish to serve as “Green Guides” within their parish communities or other groups.
  • Those, both lay and ordained, who seek training to lead environmentally informed offerings in Christian education or spiritual formation.
  • Those seeking a spiritually grounded, supportive community of people engaged in creation care.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of the program participants can expect to have:

  • grown spiritually through the practice of natural contemplation
  • grown closer both to God and to God’s creation
  • grown in understanding of how the Christian faith intimately involves all of creation
  • learned how to:
    • lead an introductory event in natural contemplation
    • lead an extended program in spiritual formation involving natural contemplation
    • utilize other materials from the Center in their communities
  • received suggestions for further reading and growth
  • developed a rule of life
  • developed supportive, ongoing relationships with like-minded people

Participants who complete the program will receive a certificate of completion from The University of the South’s Center for Religion and Environment. The primary instructors for the program include Robin Gottfried, Center Director and Professor Emeritus of Economics; Jerry Cappel, Environmental Coordinator for Province IV of the Episcopal Church; and John Gatta, Dean Emeritus of the College of Arts and Sciences at Sewanee and Professor Emeritus of English. Classes will be held in the outdoors on and near the University’s Domain on the Cumberland Plateau, a nationally significant area of high biodiversity. Program enrollment is limited to 15 participants.

PROGRAM DATES

The 2021/2022 program begins with an initial retreat in Sewanee starting first thing in the morning of Wednesday, June 23, and extending through the evening of Saturday, June 26, 2021. The wrap-up session at the end of the program (late April or early May of 2022) will be determined during the initial retreat. Should the program have to go totally online, we will begin on the same dates in June as the residential retreat.

PROGRAM COSTS

Tuition for the program is $750 with a deposit of $200 upon application. Final payment is due by May 21. This cost does not include lodging or food while in Sewanee. We are committed to helping all those interested in participating in the program to be able to come regardless of financial circumstances. Please contact the program director for information on financial aid.