Seminaries

This ELCA seminary section’s goal is to prepare leaders for the ELCA who will offer care-for-creation leadership in ELCA congregations and other institutions and in their communities and the larger world.
We seek to:

  • Provide eco-resources and ideas for the full life and mission of seminaries.
  • Sponsor an LRC Seminary Networking group.
  • Offer news, highlights, and stories of seminary events and developments.
  • Link with other like-minded groups.

Please join us as partners to help to make this happen! And, keep checking back below as we are currently adding to this list.

Studying Resources:
Continuing Ed. & Online Learning Opportunities in Eco-Theology and Environmental Justice

Continuing Ed. & Online Learning Opportunities in Eco-Theology and Environmental Justice

There are a growing number of learning opportunities from seminaries and other trusted institutions (many are online and free). We ...
Read More
Lenten Resource: Carbon Fast Calendar

Lenten Resource: Carbon Fast Calendar

Lutherans Restoring Creation encourages you to try one new practice every day that may prevent further desecration of God's good ...
Read More
Ways to Integrate Creation Care in your Lenten Practices

Ways to Integrate Creation Care in your Lenten Practices

During the season of Lent (or any other time of introspection), share these resources with your Bible Study group, Worship ...
Read More
Food - Faith - Farming

Food – Faith – Farming

Since there are so many members of our ELCA community who live in agricultural areas and we all depend on ...
Read More
Awakening to God's Call to Earthkeeping

Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping

Download this free resource for a non-politicized, easy to follow path to help connect faith, eco-theology and the community we ...
Read More
Devotional resources for use with the Bible and nature

Devotional resources for use with the Bible and nature

EcoBible (2021) Through commentaries on the Hebrew Bible that fit perfectly with your daily study, Eco Bible reveals a spiritually ...
Read More
Bible verses on nature and care for creation

Bible verses on nature and care for creation

Bible and Nature The following is a listing of bible verses on creation, our relationship with the earth, and our ...
Read More
creation care group of Lutherans

What Can We Do?

AFFIRM: Personally, with your church council, or entire synod, review our ELCA's 1993 call to action and commit to engaging in ...
Read More
Creating An Action Plan

Creating An Action Plan

Action Plan Guidelines 1. Explore some action plan ideas: Consult the Manual and the websites/resources listed with each item for ...
Read More
What Do We Know About Carbon Pricing and How is it Part of a Just Transition?

What Do We Know About Carbon Pricing and How is it Part of a Just Transition?

We are grateful for the work of Faith Action Team with Citizens' Climate Lobby and eager to share that a ...
Read More
A Theology of Liturgy in a New Key: Worshiping With Creation

A Theology of Liturgy in a New Key: Worshiping With Creation

Thanks to David Rhoads, Paul Santmire, and Norman Habel who share here their Chapter 2 of "The Season of Creation: ...
Read More
This is Church and You Are Needed Inside & Out

This is Church and You Are Needed Inside & Out

Watch this message from our churchwide leaders and fellow members across the country who recognize the tough, uncomfortable work of ...
Read More
Lutherans Restoring Creation Trainings (video playlist)

Lutherans Restoring Creation Trainings (video playlist)

https://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=playlist&list=PLFPMTinJ7FKmCa8raWeI-Qr9a_3ldlSab&layout=gallery ...
Read More
Lutherans Restoring Creation's YouTube channel & playlists

Lutherans Restoring Creation’s YouTube channel & playlists

Visit our Youtube Channel to see "liked" videos, uploaded videos, and playlists. Or scroll through our playlists linked here: ...
Read More
Voices from the ELCA - Caring for Creation Today

Voices from the ELCA – Caring for Creation Today

Watch God's Work. Our Hands. created in partnership with ecoAmerica's BlessedTomorrow  ELCA churches across the country are working to serve ...
Read More
Ten Reasons Why Lutherans Care for All Creation

Ten Reasons Why Lutherans Care for All Creation

To join with other Lutherans in caring for creation, help your congregation become a Creation-Care congregation; visit this page for ...
Read More
How Do We Truly Commit to the Earth Charter?

How Do We Truly Commit to the Earth Charter?

During the 2019 Churchwide Assembly the ELCA voted to officially sign onto the principals of the Earth Charter.  How does ...
Read More
Tools for Talking and Listening

Tools for Talking and Listening

Being church together doesn't have to mean we have one mind.  Listening to the Holy Spirit within each of our ...
Read More
17 Ways to be an EcoPreacher

17 Ways to be an EcoPreacher

by Rev. Dr. Leah Schade Here are 17 ideas excerpted from my book Creation-Crisis Preaching: Ecology, Theology and the Pulpit (Chalice Press, ...
Read More
Eco Bible: An Ecological Commentary on Genesis and Exodus (2020)

Eco Bible: An Ecological Commentary on Genesis and Exodus (2020)

What does the Bible say about ecology? As people face huge ecological challenges--including growing hurricanes, floods, forest fires, and plastic ...
Read More
Saving Us, Katharine Hayhoe

Saving Us, Katharine Hayhoe

We have been grateful for the shared knowledge and experience shared by climate scientist and fellow person of faith, Katharine ...
Read More
Rooted & Rising: Voices of Courage in a Time of Climate Crisis (2019)

Rooted & Rising: Voices of Courage in a Time of Climate Crisis (2019)

Rooted and Rising is for everyone who worries about the climate crisis and seeks spiritual practices and perspectives to renew ...
Read More
Larry Rasmussen's Lecture for the Bonhoeffer Lectures in Public Ethics at Union Seminary

Larry Rasmussen’s Lecture for the Bonhoeffer Lectures in Public Ethics at Union Seminary

Voices from science, ethics, and theology on Eco-Reformation. Veni, Creator Spiritus! An Ecological Reformation Veni, Creator Spiritus! Once a World Council ...
Read More
Lutheran Study Guide to Pope Francis' Letter on Climate Change

Lutheran Study Guide to Pope Francis’ Letter on Climate Change

This is a four week study intended for church adult education, college, or seminary classrooms. The study takes up the theme ...
Read More
What Every Seminarian Should Learn about Caring for Creation

What Every Seminarian Should Learn about Caring for Creation

1. The environmental state of the world—basic principles of ecology, information about critical issues (such as global warming, ozone depletion, ...
Read More
Green Teams

Green Teams

How to create a “Green Team” with your congregation: 1. Formation. A green team may come into existence in a ...
Read More
Creation Care Congregation: Education Ideas

Creation Care Congregation: Education Ideas

Education: “Know your traditions and your world” Earthbound: Adult education for this six-part video series produced by the ELCA to ...
Read More
Sing Out! Celebrating with Creation: Songs in Support of Ongoing Earth-Care 

Sing Out! Celebrating with Creation: Songs in Support of Ongoing Earth-Care 

Sing Out! Songs written to known melodies, for use in association with the Eco-Reformation, the Season of Creation, or occasions for ...
Read More
Toward a Better Worldliness: Ecology, Economy, and the Protestant Tradition

Toward a Better Worldliness: Ecology, Economy, and the Protestant Tradition

by Terra Schwerin Rowe Five hundred years ago the Protestant Reformation inspired profound theological, ecclesial, economic, and social transformations. But ...
Read More
Companion Sites

Companion Sites

Lutherans Restoring Creation greatly appreciates the volunteers who keep the following resources updated. We are also blessed to have a ...
Read More
Loading...

How to Make Your Seminary Greener:

Certificate in Climate Justice & Faith at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary

Certificate in Climate Justice & Faith at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary

Lutherans Restoring Creation is proud to co-sponsor the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary's Certificate in Climate Justice and Faith Program.  Join a ...
Read More
Eco-Resources for Your Synod Gatherings

Eco-Resources for Your Synod Gatherings

What can YOU do to get congregations in your area thinking about Caring for Creation as part of church? 1 ...
Read More
Lenten Resource: Carbon Fast Calendar

Lenten Resource: Carbon Fast Calendar

Lutherans Restoring Creation encourages you to try one new practice every day that may prevent further desecration of God's good ...
Read More
Energy Stewardship

Energy Stewardship

Lutherans have had a tremendous history with being good energy stewards - but we have a LONG way to go.  ...
Read More
Ways to Integrate Creation Care in your Lenten Practices

Ways to Integrate Creation Care in your Lenten Practices

During the season of Lent (or any other time of introspection), share these resources with your Bible Study group, Worship ...
Read More
Water discipleship tool for Congregations!

Water discipleship tool for Congregations!

Vermont Lutheran Church partners with Interfaith Power & Light to Share the Various Ways to Revere Water: In 2018, Vermont ...
Read More
Creation Care Congregation: Building and Grounds Ideas

Creation Care Congregation: Building and Grounds Ideas

Building and Grounds: “The church as an alternative community” Be an Energy Steward. Revere the resources God so graciously gives, ...
Read More
Creating An Action Plan

Creating An Action Plan

Action Plan Guidelines 1. Explore some action plan ideas: Consult the Manual and the websites/resources listed with each item for ...
Read More
EPA's Energy Star Congregation's Guide

EPA’s Energy Star Congregation’s Guide

This workbook serves as a resource and planning guide for clergy, staff, and laypersons of houses of worship who want ...
Read More
Urban Farm on Seminary Campus

Urban Farm on Seminary Campus

Here is a link to an article about our newly dedicated urban farm, a collaboration between our seminary and Axiom ...
Read More
What Do We Know About Carbon Pricing and How is it Part of a Just Transition?

What Do We Know About Carbon Pricing and How is it Part of a Just Transition?

We are grateful for the work of Faith Action Team with Citizens' Climate Lobby and eager to share that a ...
Read More
Lutherans Restoring Creation's YouTube channel & playlists

Lutherans Restoring Creation’s YouTube channel & playlists

Visit our Youtube Channel to see "liked" videos, uploaded videos, and playlists. Or scroll through our playlists linked here: ...
Read More
How Do We Truly Commit to the Earth Charter?

How Do We Truly Commit to the Earth Charter?

During the 2019 Churchwide Assembly the ELCA voted to officially sign onto the principals of the Earth Charter.  How does ...
Read More
Companion Sites

Companion Sites

Lutherans Restoring Creation greatly appreciates the volunteers who keep the following resources updated. We are also blessed to have a ...
Read More
Green Teams

Green Teams

How to create a “Green Team” with your congregation: 1. Formation. A green team may come into existence in a ...
Read More
Action Plan Ideas

Action Plan Ideas

The goal is to make a difference by transforming attitudes and commitments and by embracing concrete actions that reduce human ...
Read More
Creation Care Congregation: Personal Discipleship Ideas

Creation Care Congregation: Personal Discipleship Ideas

Discipleship at home and work: “Love your neighbor” Personal Covenant with Creation: Plan a worship service in which members can ...
Read More
Checklist for Energy Savings Room by Room

Checklist for Energy Savings Room by Room

Overall Home Energy Saving Measures Efficiency Heat/ AC: Install high efficiency ENERGY STAR-rated furnace and air conditioner, at least at ...
Read More
Coming Home To Earth 

Coming Home To Earth 

by Mark Brocker As a young Norwegian Lutheran teenager in rural Wisconsin, Brocker lay awake one night worrying whether he ...
Read More
The Nature of Things: Rediscovering the Spiritual in God's Creation

The Nature of Things: Rediscovering the Spiritual in God’s Creation

Edited by Graham Buxton and Norman Habel Forward by David Rhoads With contributions by David Rhoads, Paul Santmire, Celia-Diane-Drummond, Heather ...
Read More
Within Limits: Remember the Sabbath

Within Limits: Remember the Sabbath

Jim Martin-Schramm Luther College Chapel October 7, 2011 Exodus 23:10-12 (or 31:12-17) Within Limits: Remember the Sabbath Our reading this ...
Read More
Valparaiso University shares tips about how to reuse plastic bags!

Valparaiso University shares tips about how to reuse plastic bags!

When one ton of plastic bags is reused or recycled, the energy equivalent of 11 barrels of oil is saved! ...
Read More
Green IT

Green IT

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) at Muhlenberg College has been on the forefront of campus sustainability initiatives. Not only ...
Read More
Growing a garden church from food scraps and compost

Growing a garden church from food scraps and compost

We turned an empty lot in L.A. into an edible sanctuary. by Anna Woofenden (shared from Christian Century magazine) When I moved ...
Read More
Living the Change: A Tool Connected to Many Faiths

Living the Change: A Tool Connected to Many Faiths

GreenFaith has helped pull together leaders from various religions across the globe to recognize our common concern for the planet ...
Read More
Tools for Talking and Acting on Climate with Faith-based Language

Tools for Talking and Acting on Climate with Faith-based Language

Blessed Tomorrow's Moving Forward Guide ecoAmerica helps leaders from the local government, the public health sector, and faith-based cohorts figure ...
Read More
The Green Foundation of Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg

The Green Foundation of Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg

Geothermal Comes to the Battlefield By Delaney Schlake (M. Div Middler, Trinity Lutheran Seminary) 150 years ago, the Lutheran Theological Seminary ...
Read More