Sylvia Sweeney
[The Episcopal News] The Rev. Sylvia Sweeney will present “Ministry in an Age of Ecological Crisis,” a semester-long academic class open to lay and clergy auditors, during the spring semester at Bloy House (Episcopal Theological School, Los Angeles).
The class will be held in person at the seminary’s Glendale campus from 1 to 4 p.m. on alternate Saturdays beginning Jan. 15, 2022. (The spring semester academic schedule is here.)
In a class prospectus, Sweeney writes: “As our planet enters an age when the consequences of human action (and inaction) have led to a moment of unprecedented ecological crisis, how can people of faith minister to human beings impacted by this crisis and minister to the earth itself? What does our faith tell us about God’s vision for humanity’s relationship to God’s created world? Where can we look for God in this story of potential impending doom, and what does our faith ask of us in such a moment? How might the language of creation, sin, judgement, redemption, salvation, and healing guide us in working for our world’s best possible future?”
This ecological theology class will explore both abstract theological questions related to humanity’s relationship with creation and practical strategies for how Christians can translate their theology into action, serving as sources of comfort, hope, and healing for the world and all its vulnerable creatures (including humans).
Those attending this class will have an opportunity to reflect together about these questions using course texts as discussion starters. Students will also participate in individual and group projects, designing theological curriculum, liturgical rites, and hands-on community projects that can afterward be used by a parish or school.
Audit fee for the course is $250. Scholarship are available for financial need. Bloy House is located at 1300 E. Colorado Street, Glendale 91205. For more information, or to register, email bloyhouse@cst.edu.