As humanity is irrevocably enmeshed with technology and the environment, co-evolving with other forms of life, posthumanism (i.e., beyond human-centrism) presents challenges for environmental justice, eco-justice, and eco-spirituality. Posthumanism explores questions about what the world is when humans are no longer considered the center of the drama of existence. It requires that humanity reexamines who "We" are beyond our human community, and what it means not just for humanity but for the whole of creation when the age of anthropocentrism (human-centrism) gives way to more expansive concepts of "life," or the wider "We."
Part 1: Environmental Justice - Ensuring equitable access to Earth's goods and equitable protection from Earth's degradation for all human beings in a posthuman context
Part 2: Eco-Justice - What constitutes justice for the wider "We," ALL Earth's denizens, in a posthuman context?
Part 3: Eco-Spirituality - Learning the Deep Story in our Mother Tongue - Earth-Language - How might we calibrate the posthuman soul to the cadence of Earth's symphony?
Digital content created by and Cohort facilitated by Dr. Laura Weber (photo attached).
Dr. Weber grew up in the gorgeous Midwestern bio-region where her large St. Louis family is planted, and where her “community” includes not only a large extended human family, but the mighty river, hillocks, granite formations, fishes, avian-kin and arbor elders.
She was the first woman admitted to the Philosophy and Letters program at St. Louis University. Dr. Weber served almost three decades as professor and administrator in three Midwestern Jesuit universities. While in higher education, she championed inclusive access for international, BIPOC and LGBTQ colleagues and students, and taught eco-feminist theologies and spiritualities consonant with emerging environmental justice initiatives.
Dr. Weber has also worked as an administrator in non-profit settings and flourished as an environmental advocate through networks, consortia and grassroots organizations. Her guiding principle in leadership was to expand our concept and practice of the wider “We.”
Most recently, Dr. Weber is the Founder and Creative Curator of Environmental Soulutions, LLC, which represents a natural evolution of her desire for environmental justice advocacy, change management through the lens of biomimesis (imitation of nature), leadership training and formation, and accompaniment of organizations and individuals through the maelstrom that characterizes posthuman spiritualities.
Dates: 6-7:30pm CT, Jan. 13, Feb. 10, Mar. 10, Apr. 14, 2027.
All Cohort meetings will be online
Ministry Cohorts
Ministry Cohorts allow you to sample many theological themes, offering peer learning with your ministry context in mind. Scholars and experts have chosen a specific lens on a particular topic and share their expertise through digital content you watch on your schedule. Four monthly online meetings are interspersed, where you and other Cohort participants gather for facilitated discussion with an experienced leader.
Cohorts support lifelong learning and are for anyone- authorized clergy, chaplains, Christian educators, lay leaders and anyone interested in the topic. UCC members will recognize the Marks for Ministry woven throughout the cohorts, though anyone from any denomination, or no denomination, is welcome to attend.
Completion of this Ministry Cohort provides 9 contact hours of continuing education, subject to approval by the participant's credentialing body.
