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Greening the curriculum: Steps towards formational integration

Anne Tomlinson, Scottish Episcopal Institute

Initial Description

An investigation into the adoption of a transversal approach to the consideration of creation care across the formational lives of two theological institutions - the Scottish Episcopal Institute (Anglican/URC TEI) and The Scottish College (Congregational and United Reformed) – in partnership with Eco Congregation Scotland.

All three organisations believe that if students are to emerge from their formation as ministers committed to leading the people of God in their discipleship and participation in the biblical mandate of creation care, then they themselves need to be formed as co-creative care-givers; they need to undergo what Laudato Si’ calls ‘a profound interior conversion’.

The qualitative research project will seek to establish, by means of longitudinal data gathering followed by focus groups and selected in-depth interviews, how effectively the measures already instituted within the curricula of the two theological institutions – within all the locations where learning takes place - have caused such a change of heart and mind; and, in conversation with EcoCongregation Scotland, analyse what further developments require to be embedded in the curricula of each institution in order to achieve better integration in future.

The outcomes have the potential to shape the practice of other TEIs, offering insights into possible ways of incorporating environmental teaching and learning – and indeed that of other justice issues - within their syllabuses and practices.