Ecology Archives - United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities

January 15, 2025

Activism Ecology Ethics Faith social transformation

Ryan Cagle’s Ministry Leads through Social Transformation & Eco-Justice

Student Ryan Cagle, who grew up in what he describes as the “backwoods of Alabama and the foothills of Appalachia,” is pursuing both an MDiv in Social Transformation and an MA in Eco-Justice. For the past three years, he has also been the driving force behind a social justice ministry in Parrish, Alabama, called Jubilee House Community. It is a big lift, but Ryan finds that his academic work at United is complementing his home ministry. “Seminary has always been a dream for me—something I always wanted to do,” Ryan shares. He’s been involved in ministry since he was 18 and supplemented his ministry with extensive reading. When he decided to pursue seminary, there were no local options. United, however, seemed like a good fit. “The theology and the place and the diversity that is here and embodied in the community,” Ryan explains, was what he needed. (more…)

July 5, 2021

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Artist and Ecosystem / Spirituality, Looking, Flowers, and Making in the Garden: Virtual Artist Talk by Benedict Scheuer

Reredos of Summer / Watercolor, Crayon, and Oil Pastel on Paper / 2019 On October 1, 2020, Benedict Scheuer gave a virtual talk at United. Benedict is an interdisciplinary artist who views gardening and nature as the spiritual center of his practice. His work spans drawing, painting, sculpture, video, photography, performance, singing, and textiles. He values a non-prescriptive approach to engaging with his work, allowing color, texture, shapes, and narrative to engage with each viewer uniquely. Death, Love, Connection, Mindfulness, and Cyclicality are often warmly encountered. (more…)

April 19, 2021

Ecology Environment Politics Public Policy students Voice

United Students Speak Out for the Environment

On Friday April 16, United students and professor Dr. Justin Sabia-Tanis attended a virtual call with a staff member from Rep. Betty McCullom's office, coordinated by Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light. The meeting included more than 60 faith leaders from St. Paul calling for strong federal action on the environment and climate justice. Student Stephani Pescitelli read a statement that the students wrote. Video below: (more…)

May 13, 2020

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Restraint in the Anthropocene

One of the unexpected effects of this terrible pandemic is that global pollution levels have dropped significantly. In China, after two months of near shut-down, carbon emissions have decreased by an estimated 25% and people in Northern India can see the Himalayas for the first time in decades. Travel restrictions have forced millions globally to stop flying and driving, heavy industry has slowed production, and we have largely slowed our manic consumerist habits, or at least channeled them into buying dried beans and pasta. In fact, except for those working the front lines of the health care crisis, and except for our consumption of media, we have collectively slowed way down in almost every other way. This is not a “silver lining." There is no silver lining to the thousands of people who have lost their lives to this pandemic, or to the many, many more who will not survive coming months, to the real and painful effects of an economy in recession. This is real, and the grief is real and the fear and shock, and the danger and insecurity. The realness of it all is also the only reason why we have changed our habits. It is the only reason why we are forced to practice restraint during this time, but that in itself is no small thing. (more…)

October 14, 2019

Ecology Environment justice social transformation Theology Voice Water

Water is Life: A Sacred Witness

The voice of a young Indigenous drummer echoed out over Lake Itasca at the headwaters of the Mississippi River as faith leaders, elders from the White Earth Nation, and climate activists from a variety of traditions gathered last weekend in a respectful prayer circle. Other spiritual voices included a Muslim call to prayer, Jewish singing, a Zen Buddhist chant, a Unitarian Universalist prayer/poem (included in this post), and a Christian homily. Organized by Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, Honor the Earth and the RISE Coalition, the event focused on protecting waters sacred to indigenous peoples and necessary to sustain life for all in this region. Rev. Karen Hutt and Rev. Dr. Justin Tanis, joined by their families, represented United Theological Seminary. Rev. Hutt led the UU contribution to the program, drawing connections between the experiences of African-American and Native experiences of water, which you can read below. (more…)