What is this all about?

I think it is appropriate to give a quick overview of what I want this blog to be.

Growing faith is one component of an independent study course I am currently taking. The idea for this independent study was inspired by a previous course I took one year ago, on Religion and Ecology. This course, taught by Professor Cynthia Moe-Lobeda at Seattle University exposed me to the movement to connect faith and environmental work throughout the world. Since taking this class I have had the incredible opportunity to serve as a volunteer and intern at Earth Ministry, a Seattle based Christian Environmental Non-profit.

Through my work with Earth Ministry, and continuing theology courses at Seattle University I have found great excitement in learning about and participating in the budding Environmental Faith Activism movement.

As the year has gone on I have recognized within my self the need for intentional thought on the subject of empowerment. I find a startling ability to despair when I learn about the pain in God's creation. It seems to me that if anything can provide hope in light of the immense environmental degradation in our world, faith traditions can. What is it then that faith traditions can provide? What is the role that they play in empowering their people to take action on social and environmental justice issues? And finally, what misunderstandings about or untruths are we as people of faith believing that create disempowerment within us?

These are the questions that I hope to begin discussing in my independent study course. My hope is that this blog can be a space for discussion on these questions and more.

Peace and Blessings,

Mikaila