AScience‐FaithDialogueintheIndianaHeartland

ReportonaPublicScienceEngagementProgramwithsupportfromtheAAAS/DialogonScience,Ethics,andReligion

Ledby

ConcernedScientists@IU

MichaelHamburger AdrienneKellerProfessorofGeophysics Ph.D.Candidate,EcologyDepartmentofEarth&AtmosphericSciences DepartmentofBiologyIndianaUniversity IndianaUniversity

incollaborationwith

Dr.RobertWhitaker LeadPastor EvangelicalCommunityChurch Bloomington,Indiana

February1,2020

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SummaryOverathree‐weekperiodinSeptember‐October2019,theadvocacygroupConcernedScientists@IUdevelopedandconductedacoordinatedseriesofworkshopsthatbroughttogetherscientistsandmembersofseverallocalfaithcommunitiestoaddressthescien‐tific,ethical,andreligiousdimensionsofclimatechangeandenvironmentalstewardship.Participantsincludedmembersofthescientificcommunityinvolvedinclimatechangeresearchandadvocacy,pairedwithreligiousleadersandcongregantsfromfiveEvangelicalchurchesinthearea.Thethreeworkshopsinvolvedsome120participants,culminatinginafield‐basedworkshopandcelebrationconductedatMcCormick’sCreekStatePark.Theprojecthelpedlaythegroundworkforfuturecollaborationandscience‐faithdialogueinourlocalcommunity.Background

WithsupportfromtheAmericanAssociationfortheAdvancementofScience’s(AAAS)DialogueonScience,Ethics,andReligion(DoSER)program,thescienceadvocacygroupConcernedScientists@IUdeveloped,incollaborationwithseverallocalreligiouscongregations,acoordinatedseriesofworkshopsfocusedontheissueofclimatechangeandenvironmentalstewardship.Thethreeworkshopsaddressedtheconfluenceofscientific,ethical,andreligiousissuessurroundingthissalient,timely,andcontroversialtopic.TheprogramwasledbyProf.MichaelHamburger,ageophysicistinIndianaUniversity’sDepartmentofEarth&AtmosphericSciences,whoservedasaSeniorAdvisorattheStateDepartment’sOfficeofReligionandGlobalAffairs,andAdrienneKeller,aPh.D.candidateinIU’sDepartmentofBiology,aleaderofscienceadvocacyinitiativesoncampusandinthecommunity.OurprimarycollaboratorfromthefaithcommunitywasDr.RobertWhitaker,leadpastoroftheEvangelicalCommunityChurch.

Theproposalexpandedonthemomentumbuiltbyseveralparalleleffortsinour

community.TheseincludetheorganizationofConcernedScientists@IU(anditsstudentaffiliate,AdvocatesforScience@IU).CSIUisanon‐partisanscienceadvocacygroupwithmorethan1100members.Overthepastdecade,multiplefaith‐basedorganizationsinBloomingtonhaveledorparticipatedindynamicprogramsonenvironmentalstewardshipandcreationcare.Althoughtherearenumerouslocalfaith‐basedeffortsaimedataddressingtheclimatecrisis,fewoftheseeffortshaveinvolvedmembersoftheEvangelicalChristiancommunity.WethereforedecidedtofocusourprojectspecificallyonthelocalEvangelicalChristiancommunity.Ourprojectsoughttobuildonthegeneralmomentumbuiltbyinterfaithcollaboration,butalsoseektobringinnewmembersofthefaithcommunitywhohavelargelybeenleftoutofthisdevelopingenvironmentalcoalition.

Theprojectcenteredonaseriesofmoderateddialoguesfocusedonunderstanding

andrespondingtoclimatechange.Theprograminvolvedtwoformalworkshopsfocusing,respectively,onmoral/ethical/religiousandscientificaspectsofclimatechangeandenvironmentalstewardship.Thesetwoformalworkshopswerefollowedbyaninformalfieldworkshop,conductedatMcCormick’sCreekStateParkinSpencer,Indiana.ThisoutdoorexperienceallowedustoreframeanexaminationanddiscussionofclimatechangeinthecontextofsouthernIndiana’sbeautifulnaturalenvironment,whereparticipants

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wereencouragedtosharescientificandspiritualobservationsofthechanginglandscapesurroundingthepark.

WorkshopPlanning

TheworkshopserieswasdesignedtobringtogetherleadersfromthelocalreligiouscommunitywithmembersoftheConcernedScientistsgroupandothermembersoftheIUacademicandclimatesciencecommunityforacombinationofformalpresentationsandinformaldiscussion.Atallstages,theworkshopplanningwasacollectiveeffort,involvingclosecollaborationbetweenleadersandparticipatingpresenters.Ateachstageoftheworkshops,leadersattemptedtoprojectaclearmessageofcollaboration,communication,andmutualrespect,fosteringanopenandrespectfuldialoguethroughouttheworkshops.

Inplanningourworkshopprogram,weelectedtodeveloparelativelyshort,focused

seriesofthreepublicworkshops,conductedinSeptember‐October2019.TheworkshopswerefocusedoncongregantsfromfivelocalEvangelicalcongregations,withtheleadershipofPastorRobertWhitaker,withBloomington’sEvangelicalChristianChurch.Participatingcongregationsincluded:

EvangelicalChristianChurch(PastorsRobertWhitaker,DanWaugh) SherwoodOaksChristianChurch(PastorsBradPontius,JeremyEarle) InterVarsityChristianFellowship(SamBoldenow) ReformedPresbyterianChurch(PastorsRichHoldeman,PhilipMcCollum) FXChurch(PastorMattShockney)

Inplanningtheworkshops,wedecidedtoconducttwoformalworkshopsfollowed

byamoreinformalgatheringinanaturalsetting.Thetwoformalworkshops,conductedonSeptember25andOctober2,respectively,weredesignedtofosterdiscussionof(1)themoral/ethicalandreligiousdimensionsofclimatechangeandenvironmentalstewardship,and(2)thescientificaspectsofclimatechange.Weelectedtobeginwiththefaith‐focusedeventinordertobettermotivateinterestandcomfortwiththetopicamongthereligiousmembersoftheaudience.Ininvitingparticipants,wesoughttodevelopapproximateparityinparticipantsfromscientificandreligiouscommunities(recognizing,ofcourse,thatthereissignificantoverlap!)toallowforengagingsmall‐groupdiscussion.Weincludedineachoftheworkshops,arelativelyformalprocessofmoderateddiscussion,ledbyfacilitatedbyDr.KristaHoffmann‐Longtin(facultyinCommunicationsStudiesatIndianaUniversity–PurdueUniversityIndianapolis).Thediscussionswerestructuredfirstwithgeneralgroupicebreakerquestionsusingelectronicpollingsoftware,followedsmallgroupdiscussionsattablesandgeneralreporting‐outdiscussion.Thethirdworkshopwasdesign‐edasaninformalculminationofthefirsttwoandtookplaceatMcCormick’sCreekStatePark,oneofsouthernIndiana’smostdramaticnaturalsettings.Theparkprovidedanidealenvironmentforbothstructureddiscussionsandinformalconversationinabeautifulnaturalsetting.FundingfromAAAS/DoSERallowedustoprovidefundingforpresenters’travel,rentalofparkfacilities,andrefreshmentsforthethreeworkshops.TheDoSERfundingwasaugmentedbygenerousin‐kindcontributionsfromtheEvangelicalCommun‐ityChurch.TheworkshopannouncementispresentedasAttachmentA.

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Thestructureandcontentofthreeworkshopsaredescribedingreaterdetailbelow.DetailedagendasarepresentedinAttachmentB. Workshop1–September25,2019:ReligiousPerspectivesonCreationCare

Thefirstworkshopfocusedonfaith‐basedaspectsofenvironmentalstewardshipusingthefaith‐orientedterm‘creationcare’.TheworkshopwasmoderatedbyPastorWhitaker,withdiscussionsfacilitatedbyDr.Hoffman‐Longtin.

Dr.JessicaMoorman,anevangelicalChristianwhoisalsoaclimatologistand

environmentalscientistwiththeU.S.DepartmentofEnergy,wasinvitedtoprovideakeynotepresentationlinkingscienceandfaithperspectives.Herpresentation,entitled“PermissiontoCare:God’scalltoStewardship”wasfollowedbypaneldiscussionwithfourmembersoftheBloomingtonfaithcommunityandarepresentativeoftheorganizationYoungEvangelicalsforClimateAction,listedbelow:

KyleMeyaard‐Schaap,director,YoungEvangelicalsforClimateAction MikeBowling,Pastor,EnglewoodChristianChurch BradPontius,Pastor,SherwoodOaksChristianChurch AshleyInselman,WorldVision&EvangelicalCommunityChurch MadelineHirschfeld,CongregationBethShalom

Theoverarchinggoalofthediscussionwastoexploremoral,ethicalandspiritual

aspectsofclimatechangeandenvironmentalstewardship.Theformalmeetingwasfollowedbyastructureddiscussion,ledbyDr.Hoffman‐Longtin,includingbothsmall‐groupdialoguebetweenscientistsandmembersofthefaithcommunitiesandgroupdiscussionamongall~100participants.Theworkshopwasstructuredthroughhandoutstoworkshopparticipants,including(1)theworkshopagenda(AttachmentB);(2)alexiconofclimatechangeterminology(AttachmentC);(3)groundrulesfortablediscussion(AttachmentD);and(4)resourcesforfurtherinquiry(AttachmentE).

Avideorecordingoftheworkshopisavailable(intwoparts)at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTZUGR4QX3U(Part1:Introduction&Keynote)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsnPUp0zw1M(Part2:Panel&Discussion)Workshop2–October2,2019:“OurChangingPlanet:ScientificPerspectivesonClimateChange”

Thesecondworkshopfocusedonscientificandtechnologicalaspectsofclimatechange.Theworkshop,attendedbyabout80participants,featuredanoverviewpresentationbyBenBrabson,ProfessorEmeritusofPhysics,followedbyapaneldiscussionwithfourmembersoftheclimatesciencecommunity.Participantsincluded:

Dr.PaulStaten,AssistantProfessorofAtmosphericScience(ClimateModeling) Dr.KimNovick,AssociateProfessorofPublic&EnvironmentalAffairs

(EnvironmentalSciences) Dr.EllenKetterson,DistinguishedProfessorofBiology(ImpactofEnvironmental

ChangeonBirds) Dr.GabrielFilippelli,ProfessorofEarthSciences,IUPUI(ImpactsofEnvironmental

ChangeonPublicHealth)

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Onceagain,theformalmeetingwasfollowedbyastructureddiscussion,ledbyDr.

Hoffman‐Longtin,andincludedbothsmall‐grouptabledialoguebetweenscientistsandmembersofthefaithcommunitiesandgroupdiscussionamongallparticipants.TheworkshopagendaispresentedinAttachmentB.

Avideorecordingofthisworkshopisavailableathttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvxGmsF4pW0.Workshop3–October6:

Theculminationofourprogramwasanambitious‘pleinair’workshop,conductedonarainybutbeautifulfallafternoonatMcCormick’sCreekStateParkinSpencer,Indiana.Thisbeautifulnaturalsetting,overlookingthegorgecreatedbyMcCormick’sCreek,allowedforarichconclusionoftheworkshops.Thefieldworkshopincludeddiscussionofaesthetic,scientific,andhumanisticaspectsofthenaturalworldalongsidespiritualandreligiousinterpretations.WestartedwithawelcomefromParkRangerWyattWilliams,anopeningbenediction,ledbyPastorWhitaker,amusicalinterludebyasmallchoirledbycomposerMalcolmDalglishandabird‐bandingdemonstrationledbymembersofDr.Ketterson’sornithologylab.

Theafternoon’sdialoguecenteredonashared~2hourfieldexcursionthatallowed

ustojointlyexploregeological,ecological,andspiritualaspectsoftheremarkableMcCor‐mick’sCreekcanyon.Followingthefieldtrip,wesharedapicnicdinnerataparkpavilion,tocelebratethegrowingcommunionbetweenscientistsandmembersofthefaithcom‐munities.Themealwasfollowedbyaclosingdiscussionwithreflectiononobservationsfromthethreeworkshopsanda“wheredowegofromhere”discussionofpossibleactionstoaddresstheclimatechangechallenge.ThedetailedagendaispresentedinAttachmentB.

Post‐WorkshopSurvey

Inordertoobtainfeedbackfromworkshopparticipants,andtolaythegroundworkforfutureengagements,wedevelopedapost‐eventsurvey.Thesurvey,conductedundertheleadershipofDr.Hoffmann‐Longtin,soughtbothgeneralinformationaboutpartici‐pants’attitudesaboutenvironmentalandclimateissuesandspecificfeedbackabouttheworkshopcontentandimpact.ThesurveyreceivedIRBapprovalfromIU’sOfficeofResearchComplianceandwasdistributedviaemail(usingtheQualtricssurveytool)toallparticipantsintheworkshopwithinabouttendaysoftheworkshopconclusion.Surveyquestionsexaminedparticipants’pre‐andpost‐workshopattitudesandimpressionsoftheworkshop.Thesurveyreceivedaresponserateof36%,providingaformalstatisticalbasisforassessingworkshopsuccess.

Overall,thesurveyconfirmedgenerallypositiveimpressionsfromdiscussionwith

workshopparticipantsandprovidedspecificcommentsandfeedbackonworkshoppresentersandelements.Participants’responseswerestronglypositiveoverall,with80‐90%ofrespondentsreporting“VeryGood”or“Excellent”onmostevaluationquestions.Assessmentofthegroupdiscussionswassomewhatlower(60‐75%),perhapsreflectingvariabilitywiththetimingandqualityofsmall‐groupdiscussionsatindividualtables.A

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broadrangeofindividualcommentswereprovided,rangingfromspecificsuggestionsaboutworkshoporganizationandcontenttoideasforfollow‐upactivities.

 

    

Summaryofrespondents’assessmentsofthevalueofvariouscomponentsofWorkshop1(Top),Workshop2(Middle),andWorkshop3(Bottom)

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Belowisawordcloudofresponsestothequestion,“Whatwasthemostimportanttake‐awaymessageforyoufromthisseriesofworkshops?”Thelargeranddarkertheword,themorefrequentlyitappearedinthequalitativecomments.However,thewords“climate”and“change”wereremovedfromtheanalysistooffermorespecificdetailontheresults.

Manycommentsaddressedparticipants’interestinknowinganddoingmoreabouttheclimatecrisis,suchas,“IneedtocontinuetomakethisanimportantissueinthewayIliveandhavearippleeffectonothers.”However,someofthesecommentswereframedwithconcernsuchas,“Scientistsarenotprovidingactionablerecommendations,totheextentthepubliccanuse.” Inresponsetothequestion,“Ifthisworkshopseriesweretobedoneinthefuture,whatwouldyoudotoimprovetheevent?”themostfrequentresponsewasmoretimeforthesmallgroupdiscussions.DocumentaryFilmProject

Ourworkshopsallowedforparticipantinterviewsthatwillbeincludedinanupcomingfilmthatisaimedatevangelicalcongregations.Thefilmwhichisnamed“RedeemingCreation”hasnowproducedatrailerwhichexplainstheproject.Althoughthefilmprojectisonlyinthebeginningstagesofdevelopment,itpromisestobeanopportunitytoopenfurtherchannelsofconversationwithinfaithcommunities,especiallythoseassociatedwithevangelicals.

WorkshopOutcomes

Agoalofthisreportistoformallydocumentthestructureandinstructional/readingmaterialforourworkshopsandmakethematerialsavailabletoparticipantsinDoSER

Wordcloudsummarizingparticipants’responsetothequestion,“Whatwasthemostimportanttake‐awaymessageforyoufromthisseriesofworkshops?”

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programs.WealsoplantomakematerialsavailableviatheConcernedScientists@IUandinterfaithenvironmentalwebsites.Weworkedwithourlocalnewspaper,theBloomingtonHerald‐Timestodoanextendedstoryontheworkshops(AttachmentF).[Note:weweredisappointedwiththearticle,butithelpedgeneratesomeadditionalcontactsinthecommunity.]Overthecourseofthenextfewmonthsweanticipateseveralwrittenarticlestodocumentourworkintheseworkshops.Theseinclude(1)op‐edarticle(s)ontheimportanceofscience‐faithdialogue;(2)researcharticlesoncommunicationbetweenacademicscientists;and(3)editorialpiecesintendedforthescientificcommunity.Perhapsmostimportant,weviewthesethreeworkshopsasa‘down‐payment’onalonger‐termprogramofengagementandcommunicationbetweenlocalscientificandreligiouscommunities.

Faithcommunityparticipantshaveinitiatedseveralprojectsforcontinuing

conversationandactionitems.CongregationBethShalomandEvangelicalCommunityChurch(ECC)havecometogetherinaworkshopthatisdesignedtoreduceenergyconsumptionisourindividualhouseholds.Thiswasdoneatagroupmeetingwherethehomeownerssignedacovenantthatincludedspecificactionitems.ECChasestablishedseveralnewforumsforongoingconversationthatincludefurthereducationinthecontextofsmallgroupmeetingsandSundaymorningstudygroups.Oneofthescientistsfromourworkshop(BenBrabson)hasagreedtoprovideseveralpresentationsonthesubjectfromafaithperspective.Additionally,aneworganizationhasbeenestablishednamed“CreationCarePartners”forthepurposeofencouragingenvironmentalstewardshipamongEvangelicalandJewishcongregations.Currentlyweareintheprocessofseekinggrantstoencouragethesecongregationstomoveinthedirectionofsolarpower.Laterthismonth,aspartofourcommunity’sMartinLutherKingDayevents,theEvangelicalCommunityChurch,injointsponsorshipwithCreationCarePartners,willsponsorarenewableenergyfair,withcontributionsfrommembersofthefaithcommunity.

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ImagesfromWorkshop1(Top).Theassembledaudienceof~100participantsforthefirstworkshop;PastorWhitakeroffersawelcometotheparticipants;Dr.JessicaMoermanwithakeynotepresentation;(Middle)audiencelisteningtokeynotepresentation;panelistsaddperspectivesandrespondtoaudiencequestions;(Bottom)EllenKettersonintroducesherselfduringsmall‐groupdiscussions;MichaelHamburgerlistensduringsmall‐groupdiscussion.

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ImagesfromWorkshop2.(Top)MichaelHamburgerwelcomestheassembledaudience;BenBrabsondeliversthekeynotepresentation;(Middle)audiencelisteningtoDr.Brabson’skeynote;panelistsoffertheirperspectivesonclimatechangemodelsandimpacts;(Middle)panelistsKimNovick,PaulStaten,andEllenKettersonsharetheirperspectives;(Bottom)share‐outdiscussionfollowingperspectivesfromsmallgroups.

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ImagesfromWorkshop3.(Top)Thegroupgathersforanopeningbenedic‐tionandwelcomefromParkRangerWyattWilliams;(2ndrow)EcologicalperspectivefrombiologistAdrienneKellerandanintroductiontobirdband‐ingbyornithologistAbbyByrd;(3rdrow)ScientificandspiritualdiscussionsintheMcCormick’sCreekgorge,includingscripturalreadings;(Bottom)aclosingdinnerwithmusicalentertain‐mentfromMalcolmDalglishandchoir.

Attachment A: Workshop Flyer

CreationCareandEarth’sChangingEnvironmentAdialogueonscience,faith,andearthstewardship

Workshopagendas

SessionI:SacredGround:EvangelicalPerspectivesonCreationCareWednesday,September25,7:00–9:00PM,EvangelicalCommunityChurch

7:00–7:15Welcome&Introductions: MichaelHamburger,Professor,IUDepartmentofEarth&AtmosphericSciences RobertWhitaker,LeadPastor,EvangelicalCommunityChurch

7:15–7:30IcebreakerDiscussion: Dr.KristaHoffmann‐Longtin,moderator

7:30–7:50KeynoteSpeaker: Dr.JessicaMoerman,ClimateScientist(andEvangelicalChristian),DepartmentofEnergy

7:50–8:20PanelDiscussionwithQ&A: KyleMeyaard‐Schaap,YoungEvangelicalsforClimateAction MikeBowling,Pastor,EnglewoodChristianChurch BradPontius,Pastor,SherwoodOaksChristianChurch AshleyInselman,WorldVision&EvangelicalCommunityChurch MadelineHirschfeld,CongregationBethShalom

8:20–8:50Small‐groupdiscussion Dr.KristaHoffmann‐Longtin,moderator

8:50–9:00ClosingReflections

SessionII:OurChangingPlanet:ScientificPerspectivesonClimateChangeWednesday,October2,7:00–9:00PM,EvangelicalCommunityChurch

7:00–7:15Welcome&Introductions: MichaelHamburger,Professor,IUDepartmentofEarth&AtmosphericSciences RobertWhitaker,LeadPastor,EvangelicalCommunityChurch

7:15–7:30IcebreakerDiscussion: Dr.KristaHoffmann‐Longtin,moderator

7:30–7:50KeynoteSpeaker: Dr.BenBrabson,ClimateScientist,ProfessorEmeritus,IUDepartmentofPhysics

Attachment B: Workshop Agendas

7:50–8:20PanelDiscussionwithQ&A: Dr.PaulStaten,AssistantProfessor,DepartmentofEarth&AtmosphericSciences

[climatemodelsandfutureprojections] Dr.KimNovick,AssociateProfessor,O’NeillSchoolofPublic&Environmental

Affairs[impactofclimatechangeonbiosphere] Dr.EllenKetterson,ProfessorofBiologyandDirector,EnvironmentalResilience

Institute[birdsandenvironmentalchange] Dr.GabeFilippelli,ProfessorofEarthScience,IUPUI[publichealthimplicationsof

climatechange]8:20–8:50Small‐groupdiscussion

Dr.KristaHoffmann‐Longtin,moderator

8:50–9:00ClosingReflections

SessionIII:ASharedAppreciationofCreationSunday,October6,2:00–6:00PM,McCormick’sCreekStatePark

2:00PM Participantsarrive 2:15–3:00 WelcomeandIntroductions

InvocationbyPastorWhitaker Welcomeandintroductiontothepark,RangerWyattWilliams Introductiontobird‐bandingactivities,AllisonByrd,IUDept.ofBiology Summaryofplansforafternoon,MichaelHamburger,IUDept.ofEarth&

AtmosphericSciences

2:45–3:00 Musicalcelebration MalcolmDalglishandOoolitesingers

3:00–4:30 Optionalactivities

Group1:Hikethroughcanyontowaterfallwithscientificandtheologicaldiscussion Group2:Walktowaterfalloverlook Group3:Birdbandingactivity Group4:CitizenScienceActivitywithKimNovick

4:45–5:30 Fellowshipdinner

“PeaceofWildThings”withMalcolmDalglishandOoolites GracewithPastorBob SingingHymn

5:30–6:00 Closingdiscussion

KristaHoffman‐Longtin,moderator MadiHirschland,AshleyInselman,opportunitiesforaction

Creation Care and Earth’s Environment  Our shared lexicon for compassionate communication 

Biodiversity – the richness of biological life, represented by variability among living organisms and the environments they are a part of (includes diversity within species, between species and across environments) 

Creation care – idea emphasizing the biblical mandate concerning humanity’s role as stewards of God’s creation (taken from Genesis 2:15, human beings are to “cultivate it and keep it” or “tend it and watch over it” as if it were a gift from God) 

Climate change – a long‐term (occurring over multiple decades) alteration of large‐scale (global or regional) climate patterns, including temperature, precipitation, wind and cloud patterns and other measures of climate 

Climate modeling – use of quantitative (and typically computer‐based) methods to simulate the interactions of the important drivers of climate, including atmosphere, oceans, land surface and ice. They are used for a variety of purposes from study of the dynamics of the climate system to projections of future climate. 

Ecological services – the many and varied benefits that humans freely gain from the natural environment and from properly‐functioning ecosystems such as agroecosystems, forests, grasslands and aquatic systems. 

Environmental justice – providing all people equal access to opportunities to survive and thrive, independent of economic or social status; environmental justice seeks to address disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority and low‐income populations. 

Global warming – a long‐term increase in overall temperature of the earth’s atmosphere and oceans 

Resilience – the ability to prepare and plan for, absorb, recover from, or more successfully adapt to actual or potential adverse events 

Stewardship – careful and responsible management of something, such as an organization or property—or of the planet we share 

Sustainability – societal development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This includes ensuring biological systems remain healthy, diverse and productive over time. 

Tipping point – point at which small changes can have dramatic consequences (e.g. small changes in global temperatures have large changes on environmental processes) or point in time when a group rapidly and dramatically changes its behavior by widely adopting a previously rare practice  

Attachment C: Discussion Lexicon

GroundRulesforInformalDiscussion(adaptedfromtheUniversityofMichiganIntergroupDialogueProgram)

(1) Takethisopportunitytogettoknowoneother.Introduceyourselftothosesittingnearyou.Refertooneanotherbynameandmakeeyecontact.

(2) Confidentiality.Wewanttocreateanatmosphereforopen,honestexchange.Weencourageyoutotalkaboutyourownnewideasandunderstandingsafterourdialogue.Allowotherstoowntheirownfeelingsandperspectivesbynotsharingthemwithouttheirpermission. 

(3) Ourprimarycommitmentistolearnfromeachother.Wewilllistentoeachotherandnottalkateachother.Wewillseektounderstandandhonorourdifferences.

(4) Listenrespectfully.Don’tinterrupt,engageinprivateconversations,orturntotechnologywhileothersarespeaking.Useattentive,courteousbodylanguage.

(5) Wewillnotdemean,devalue,or“putdown”peoplefortheirexperiences,lackofexperiences,ordifferenceininterpretationofthoseexperiences.

(6) Wewilltrustthatpeoplearedoingthebesttheycan.Wewilltrynotto‘freezepeopleintime’butleavespaceforeveryonetolearnandchangethroughourinteractionswithoneanother.

(7) Understandthattherearedifferentapproachestosolvingproblems.Ifyouareuncertainaboutsomeoneelse’sapproach,askaquestiontoexploreareasofuncertainty.Listenrespectfullytohowandwhytheapproachcouldwork.

(8) Challengetheideaandnottheperson.Ifwewishtochallengesomethingthathasbeensaid,wewillchallengetheideaorthepracticereferredto,nottheindividualsharingthisideaorpractice.

(9) Speakyourdiscomfort.Ifsomethingisbotheringyou,pleasesharethiswiththegroup.Oftenouremotionalreactionstothisprocessofferthemostvaluablelearningopportunities.

(10) “StepUp,StepBack.”Bemindfuloftakingupmuchmorespacethanothers.Onthesamenote,trytospeakupwhenothersaredominatingtheconversation. 

Attachment D: Discussion Ground Rules

DIGGING IN DEEPER – SOME RESOURCES FOR FURTHER INQUIRY

Books on Faith & Environment Katharine Hayhoe and Andrew Farley (2009). A Climate for Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith-Based Decisions. Faith Words Press.

Mark Stoll (2015). Inherit the Holy Mountain: Religion and the Rise of American Environmentalism. Oxford University Press.

Douglas and Jonathan Moo (2018), Creation Care: A Biblical Theology of the Natural World. Zondervan Press.

Colin Bell and Robert White, eds. (2016), Creation Care and the Gospel, Hendrickson Pubs.

National Association of Evangelicals: Loving the Least of These (https://www.nae.net/loving-the-least-of-these/)

Steven Bouma-Prediger (2010), For the Beauty of the Earth, Baker Academic

Ellen Davis (2011), "Knowing Our Place: Learning Environmental Responsibility from the Old Testament," in The Green Bible, HarperOne.

Chris Doran (2017), Hope in the Age of Climate Change: Creation Care This Side of the Resurrection, Cascade Books.

Resources on Climate Change TED talk – Katharine Hayhoe: https://www.ted.com/talks/katharine_hayhoe_the_most_important_thing_you_can_do_to_fight_climate_change_talk_about_it

American Association for the Advancement of Science - What We Know http://whatweknow.aaas.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/whatweknow_website.pdf

National Academy of Sciences and Royal Society – Climate Change: Evidence and Causes https://www.nap.edu/catalog/18730/climate-change-evidence-and-causes

Skeptical Science – John Cook (George Mason University) https://www.skepticalscience.com

“Global Weirding with Dr. Katharine Hayhoe” Youtube channel (PBS Digital Studios) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi6RkdaEqgRVKi3AzidF4ow

NASA resources on climate change: https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/

Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment Program: https://ag.purdue.edu/indianaclimate/

Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute: https://eri.iu.edu/

Evangelical Creation Care Groups Evangelical Environmental Network: https://www.creationcare.org

Young Evangelicals for Climate Action: https://www.yecaction.org

Climate Caretakers: https://climatecaretakers.org

Creation Care Mission Blog: http://www.creationcaremissions.org

Interfaith Creation Care Groups Bloomington Earth Care: http://www.earthcareindiana.org/

Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light: https://hoosieripl.org/

Greenfaith: Interfaith Partners in Action for the Earth: https://greenfaith.org/index.html

Attachment E: Additional Resources