Rev. Susan Karlson Begins GreenFaith Fellowship

National Initiative Training Diverse Religious-Environmental Leaders

Today, GreenFaith announced that the Rev. Susan Karlson will join the Fellowship Class of 2015. Susan is a Unitarian Universalist community minister, working with other faith and community leaders to bring volunteers to help with Superstorm Sandy recovery. Part of her ministry is to heighten awareness and social justice efforts concerning climate change and those most marginalized in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy and other disasters. She will join 30 classmates from religious traditions including Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Baha'i, and Unitarian Universalist. Other members of this class of Fellows work in a wide variety of settings, including congregations, universities, environmental and religious NGO's, denominational organizations, and businesses. "I'm looking forward to joining the Fellowship community," said Rev. Karlson. "I am most interested in the dynamic intersection between climate change, environmental racism, trauma ministry and congregational preparedness. I'm deeply concerned about our human impact upon the earth and all creation, and I believe that religious communities can help stir the moral conscience in a way that will move us further along in stewardship of this earth. I want to contribute to that movement."

"We're thrilled to welcome these new Fellows into the Program," said Rev. Fletcher Harper, GreenFaith's Executive Director. "We look forward to working with them to support their growth as religious-environmental leaders."

Since 2008, GreenFaith has trained over 130 Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Unitarian leaders for environmental leadership. Through three residential retreats, monthly webinars, and extensive reading, the Fellows will receive education and training in eco-theology, "greening" the operation of religious institutions, environmental advocacy, and environmental justice. Each Fellow writes their own eco-theological statement and carries out a leadership project in their community, mobilizing religious leaders in relation to an environmental issue. Upon graduating, they will join the Fellowship's alumni/ae network and mentor other emerging leaders in this field.

Harper directs the Program, with support from a multi-faith and multi-disciplinary faculty. "This program will offer these leaders the opportunity to become well-trained leaders in religious environmentalism," said Harper. "They will help create an environmentally just and sustainable world."

GreenFaith is an interfaith environmental coalition whose mission is to educate and mobilize diverse religious communities for environmental leadership. Founded in 1992, GreenFaith is a leader in the fast-growing religious-environmental movement and has won national and international recognition for its work.

GreenFaith is grateful to the Kendeda Sustainability Fund for support for the Fellowship Program. For more information, visit the Green Faith website.