How do citizens talk about stewardship of the Earth—of creation—from a Christian perspective and put that talk into practice? How is one leading theological school attempting to inspire this kind of thinking and doing through its own actions?
Such was the conversation on Earth Day weekend at Old South Church in Boston, where Yale Divinity School and its dean, Greg Sterling, played pivotal visiting roles.
In his sermon at Old South’s Sunday services, Sterling cited Paul’s words in Romans about a creation that “groans” and a humanity that groans in turn, awaiting redemption.
“We live in an age when our technology has enabled us to lay waste to our world,” Sterling preached. “The issues are not simply technological and political. They are religious. They are moral. They are matters of our faith as Christians. If we believe that God created the world, if we believe we are a part of this world … then we must be part of the vision of hope to change that world.”
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Listen to Dean Sterling’s sermon (beginning at the 25-minute mark).
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At community hour in between the two Sunday morning services at OId South, Sterling gave the congregation a presentation on one major way in which the Divinity School is attempting to live up to the charge in his sermon; this, through the construction of the largest living-building residential complex in the world. YDS is currently raising funds and making plans for a “living village” that would house roughly 150 students in completely sustainable buildings that get their water from rainfall and their energy from the sun, and that process their own waste.
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Related story: YDS Dean honored at Yale Sustainability awards
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The living village complex was also the subject the previous day at a reception at Old South bringing together alumni of YDS and Andover Newton Theological School. The two schools have entered into a phrased affiliation by which Andover Newton, if negotiations continue in a successful direction, would relocate to YDS while continuing its historic mission of educating students for ministry in congregational churches. In addition to discussing the sustainable building plans, Sterling and Andover Newton President Martin Copenhaver ’80 M.Div. answered alumni questions about the affiliation.
Historic Old South Church, founded in 1669, was the ideal venue for such a gathering given its prominent role in U.S. history and its long-standing relationship with Yale Divinity School.
Senior Minister Nancy Taylor ’81 M.Div. is a YDS alum and a 2009 recipient of the Divinity School’s award for Distinction in Congregational Ministry. But the ties between Yale and Old South go back centuries, beginning with Old South’s 11th minister, Joshua Huntington, who was an 1804 Yale graduate, and the church’s 14th minister, George Blagden, who was an 1823 Yale grad. Old South’s 18th minister, Frederick Meek, who began his tenure at the church in 1946, earned his theological degree at YDS.