Ecology and Liturgy

Convener: Lisa Dahill (ldahill@hartfordinternational.edu) is Miriam Therese Winter Chair for Transformative Leadership and Spirituality and Director of the Center for Transformative Spirituality at Hartford International University for Religion & Peace.

Members in Attendance: Timothy Brunk, Cláudio Carvalhaes, Lisa Dahill, Kristen Daley-Mosier, Paul Galbreath, Lawrence Mick, Martin Marklin, Mary McGann, Ellen Oak, Ron Rienstra, Susan Marie Smith, Samuel Torvend, Richard Vosko

Description of Work: We engaged two papers, two chapters of forthcoming books, a piece written for a general audience, a pedagogical outline for a doctoral seminar, a book proposal, a newly published book, and a set of musical podcasts. This diversity of forms of work reflects our seminar’s ongoing commitment to experiencing and discussing emerging eco-liturgical pieces (in this case, the musical podcast); our desire to reflect on ways to reach more people with the creative and timely work we are producing (here, the piece for a popular audience and the reflections on pedagogy); and our strong, indeed primary, center in one another’s scholarly work.

Papers and Presentations:

• Kristen Daley-Mosier, “Divided Waters: How a Via Aquatica Encourages Ecological Conversion.” This paper explores how a focus on watershed makes possible a glimpse of the Christian life as via aquatica: contextual, justice-oriented, and ecological.

• Samuel Torvend, “An Environmental Rule?”, chapter in forthcoming book, Monastic Ecological Wisdom (Liturgical Press, 2023). This chapter traces key aspects of the Rule of Benedict having to do with sustainability, especially stability and care of the land.

• Paul Galbreath, “Reforming Reformed Worship: Towards a Biblical Hermeneutic for the Earth and the Poor.” This chapter in a forthcoming volume examines the role/s of Scripture in Reformed worship, focused on texts highlighting Earth and the poor.

• Mary McGann, “Food Systems in Crisis: A Trio of Responses.” McGann presented three means by which she is engaging people with global eco-food crises: a popular article in America; a doctoral seminar pedagogy; and a new book proposal.

• Cláudio Carvalhaes, Inventory, Metamorphoses and Emergenc(i)es: How Do We Become Green People and Earth Communities. This book, based on lectures at Princeton Seminary, calls for liturgies that perceive and tell the truth, and enact real change.

• Ellen Oak, “Singing the Dawn.” This set of podcasts recorded a series of 90 daily videos at daybreak, over the period from the spring equinox to the summer solstice 2021, inviting viewers into the practice of chanting Lauds from the Rule of Benedict.

Other Work and Plans for the Future: In addition to our usual set of fantastic scholarly work and liturgical creativity from Seminar members, we hope next year to engage leaders of Creation Justice, an eco-justice ministry located in Seattle. Our new convener, Dr. Samuel Torvend, will bring new ideas and initiatives— beginning with his home bioregion of the Seattle/Tacoma area and Puget Sound Watershed for our 2024 meeting.