In 2022, there were multiple policies or overtures passed focused on creation care, and it really put out an alarm, saying “It’s serious, folks, the Earth is really in trouble. So we need to take strong action.” And they were encouraging all churches to reduce their carbon emissions by at least 25% in the next four years and get it down to net zero or net positive by 2030. A group of interested folks at church looked at that and said, “Let’s do it. Let’s go for it.”
My Summer Vacation: A Report
I spent an entire day yesterday with my departmental compatriots working on Student Learning Outcomes. This is merely the latest manifestation of the assessment mania now gripping our college–and higher education as a whole. Naturally I came home with a crushing headache.
Meanwhile, many of us have seen each other only in passing for the last few months, so we engaged in some pleasant chit-chat and catching up with one another. “How was your summer?” was the obvious lead-in to conversations, a question I’m never sure how to answer. And then, it struck me…
Summer Assessment Rubric
Rate each category on a scale of 1-4.
Maternal guilt mitigation
Yard and house projects
Professional productivity
Guilty pleasure reading
Self-care/Health
Travel
Sheer relaxation
Well, that was very revealing! I now have a great answer to the question “How was your summer.” The answer is “19.”
Of course, as with any rubric, there are problems. For example, under Self-care, I checked a 3, but I also went to the dentist and had my cholesterol checked. I did not, however, cut down on potato chip consumption. Also, there was simply no way to account for unexpected and significant events that ended up characterizing most of my summer, such as hospitalizations and major life transitions of loved ones.
Oh well! At least I can now track my progress in the Summer Excellence Initiative. I’ll be setting some measurable goals next year and aiming for Continuous Quality Improvement.
Refugia Podcast Episode 38 So Much Joy: Linda Racine and Traverse City Presbyterian Church
In 2022, there were multiple policies or overtures passed focused on creation care, and it really put out an alarm, saying “It’s serious, folks, the Earth is really in trouble. So we need to take strong action.” And they were encouraging all churches to reduce their carbon emissions by at least 25% in the next four years and get it down to net zero or net positive by 2030. A group of interested folks at church looked at that and said, “Let’s do it. Let’s go for it.”
Refugia Podcast Episode 37 Land as Primary Text for Healing Community: Elaine Heath and Spring Forest
Elaine Heath is the abbess of Spring Forest, a new monastic community in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Spring Forest centers around communal prayer and meals, a vibrant farm, refugee support, and other ministries you can read about here. You can learn more about Elaine’s work as an author and speaker on her website, or in articles like this one from the Center for Action and Contemplation.
Refugia Podcast Episode 36 True Woo: Pete Nunnally and Water and Wilderness Church
Father Pete Nunally is the founder of Water and Wilderness Church, a Washington DC-based outdoor church and watershed community. You can read more about the model of Water and Wilderness Church here. Father Pete is a passionate and well-spoken advocate on his social media pages and other forums, as in this interview with Creation Justice Ministries.
Refugia Podcast Episode 35 Peacemaking at the River: Doug Kaufman and the Anabaptist Climate Collaborative
Doug Kaufman directs the Anabaptist Climate Collaborative, an organization that leads climate justice initiatives from an Anabaptist faith perspective. Doug and his team support Mennonite and other Anabaptist churches, helping to build networks, train leaders, and empower climate-related initiatives. Doug describes environmental work as a form of peacemaking, a way of countering the slow violence of actions that cause and exacerbate climate change. Thanks to Doug for geeking out with me on theology and offering some glimpses of Mennonite climate work.