Ecology Camp

EARTHKEEPING NEWS
A NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COALITION FOR CHRISTIANITY AND ECOLOGY

Volume Six, Number Six
September/October 1997

LUTHERAN OUTDOOR MINISTRIES CENTER OFFERS CHRISTIAN FAITH AND ECOLOGY CAMP CURRICULA

The Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center, Oregon, Illinois, over the last decade has developed methods that expose youth and adults to both the Christian faith and ecology (the study of relationships between all human and nonhuman organisms).

Each of the resources listed below has a background paper and a catalogue of activities for five days or more. These activities include worship ideas, Bible studies, environmental studies, games, arts and crafts, and interactive group experiences. These activities are useful with grades one through twelve.

Additional reference materials are needed, especially in the area of environmental learning experiences and games. The fee for each of these resources is $75, including shipping and handling. A Chart of Intentions ($5) gives an overview of the themes listed below.

Ants and Bats and Things Like That – ecology of the Spirit. Ecological Emphasis: Methods of pollination. The need for pollination to produce fruit. Theological Emphasis: The ecological word for God is "Spirit"- the activity of God that enables relationships of persons with the natural world, other persons, and God.

Birth of the Earth – natural, wild, free. Ecological Emphasis: The variety of ways birth takes place in the natural world. Theological Emphasis: The "birth" metaphor as a way of discussing the present tense of creation.

God Doesn't Own a Cookie Cutter – celebrating diversity, trusting the Spirit. Ecological Emphasis: Diversity as our most important ecological resource. Theological Emphasis: Diversity is a gift of God. The Spirit directs humans how to live with diversity. The necessity of diversity for the sake of community.

I Am a Pond – God creates me. Ecological Emphasis: A study that compares a pond and the human body as ecosystems that require specific care. Theological Emphasis: Understanding God as continually creating and how the creation is sacred, especially the human body.

Jesus Is the Key. Ecological Emphasis: The idea of a "key" used in a variety of ways in the study of the environment: a way of identifying species, a freeing agent, keystone species, and finding directions. Theological Emphasis: A study of Jesus using the same basic ideas of the key.

The Crossing that Changed the World – a joyous exchange. Ecological Emphasis: A study of the Columbian Exchange and the gas exchange. Theological Emphasis: An understanding of the incarnation of Christ and the event of the Cross that changes the course of history.

Wakan of the Coyote. Ecological Emphasis: A study of animals. Understanding of Native American ideas that animals are the teachers of humans. Theological Emphasis: A study of "spirituality" from the perspective of the Christian faith and the Native American style of life.

What Did Noah Do about Trash? – a theology of garbage. Ecological Emphasis: A look at what the world has become from the perspective of a garbologist. Theological Emphasis: The outline of the Biblical story of Noah used to discover how the Christian faith directs the use of resources.