 Educational Classes
[Download the full Power Lite Education document here]
GIPL’s distinguished faculty of theologians, scientists and environmental activists is the perfect resource for your next Adult Education, Sunday school, or Young Adult ministry course. Our faculty has prepared presentations on creation care including Overviews, and a variety of perspectives, including Biblical, Practical, Spiritual and Theological, and Historical approaches. We also have a wonderful DVD that is suitable for sparking congregational interest in the environment, the award winning Kilowatt Ours. We’re always open to exploring new topics, so if you don’t see something that looks like it would appeal to your constituency, give us a call and we’ll be happy to work with you to develop a curriculum suited to your congregation.
Creation and the 4 P’s: Purpose, Prayer, Proclamation, and Practice Dr. Katy Hinman
This four-part series addresses the primary concerns for faith communities that are interested in becoming involved in creation care. The first session lays the groundwork for a theology of creation and a sense of mission for the congregation that includes care of creation. The following sessions then look at the life and work of the congregation through Prayer (individual and corporate prayer, liturgical practices, and rituals of the church), Proclamation (preaching and education), and Practice (concrete actions, including efficiency and conservation measures).
An Invitation to Faithfulness in a Creation with Limits Dr. Bill Witherspoon
Only God is infinite; God’s creation has limits. Hear stories of successes and failures to regard these limits and the profit that can be realized in curbing wasteful practices. Learn how faith can build a grass roots energy revolution.
Religion and Ecology are Sister Disciplines The Rev. Woody Bartlett
When you line up some major religious principles with major ecological principles, there are astounding agreements. Based on the thought of Dr. William Odum, father of modern ecology, this talk explains the parallels.
Why People of Faith Care about the Creation Dr. Katy Hinman
A general overview of the theological issues involved in thinking about some major environmental threats. The focus is broadly on stewardship and the ways in which our understandings of God should lead us into an active concern for creation. Depending on the audience and their interests, different sacred texts and faith traditions can be addressed.
Jesus and the Environment The Rev. Woody Bartlett
The teachings of Jesus relate directly to good environmental stewardship if you understand the meaning of the Kingdom of God as referring to the entire community of life. How can the Christian faith steer us directly into good environmental practice?
People of the Ark Faculty
Calvin DeWitt has called the story of Noah and his family the “first endangered species act.” How should people of faith view species loss on the earth? What are the most practical ways that a congregation can address this issue?
What About Dominion? The Rev. Woody Bartlett
The fact that God gave humans dominion in the creation story in Genesis has been used to rationalize our exploitation of the creation. Learn about the real meaning of dominion and its implications for our actions today.
Getting Your Congregation Organized and Focused Carol Bartlett
There are proven ways to rally your congregation for the work of changing our energy behaviors. Learn about some basic principles, listen to stories of how others have organized, and discuss the possibilities in your congregation.
Green Energy Options Dr. Dan May
Electricity and transportation are powered in many ways, most involving processes that are actually or potentially harmful to creation – coal-fired and nuclear power plants, gasoline-powered cars and trucks. This program looks at alternatives that are green – i.e. clean and renewable – including solar, wind, and biomass sources of electrical power and hydrogen-fueled automobiles.
Home Energy Use and Carbon Dioxide Emissions Dr. Dan May
The amount of electrical energy used in our homes directly correlates with the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by coal burning power plants. This practical talk demonstrates the effect of various uses of home appliances and suggests practical ways to cut energy consumption.
Thinking Green – Putting Creation Concerns into Action Dr. Katy Hinman
What can your congregation do to become more creation friendly? What can you do in your own home? This class looks at specific actions that your congregation and its members can take to reduce your footprint on the earth. Recommendations include energy efficiency and conservation measures, recycling ideas and techniques, behavioral changes, consumer choices, and more.
The Atmosphere - Mercury as a Current Issue and CFCs as a Success Story Faculty
Mercury pollution is an increasing issue as it enters the food chain. We know that we can move quickly to change our lives in response to chemical threats, as seen in our success in responding to the threat of ozone destruction by CFCs. How should we think about our responsibilities to current and future generations?
Creation in Liturgy Dr. Katy Hinman
Although not frequently talked about in worship services, creation care can play a vital role in the liturgy of the congregation. We will examine current liturgies that include creation themes as well as discuss the development of new resources for incorporating ideas of creation care into the spiritual life of the congregation through prayer, scripture readings, song, and ritual.
The Incarnation and the Creation Dr. Katy Hinman
Specifically geared toward Christian congregations, this class or series focuses on the ways in which Christians, specifically, are called to care of creation. We examine the incarnation and its implications for God’s care for the physical world. In addition, we look at the teachings of Jesus, and, in particular, the two greatest commandments – Love of God and Love of neighbor.
The Spiritual Foundations for Energy Stewardship Carol Bartlett
Engage in a small group discussion about the spiritual principles that under gird our work in energy stewardship. How can we root our work directly in the precepts of our faith?
How We Think Really Matters The Rev. Woody Bartlett
Trace the history of the way human cultures have thought about the Earth from indigenous peoples to the ancient Hebrews through Plato, St. Augustine, St. Francis of Assisi and the Protestant reformers down to the present. How we think makes all the difference in the ways we treat the creation.
The Road To and From Kyoto The Rev. Woody Bartlett
The Kyoto Protocol is a treaty binding 156 nations to limit their greenhouse gas emissions over the next few years. It does not include the United States, and it doesn’t limit emissions enough to effectively stop global warming. This talk explains the issue and what must be done to avoid the severest consequences of global warming.
The Story of GIPL Carol Bartlett
Georgia Interfaith Power & Light grew out of the concern of a few people over air pollution and global warming as well as the rumored offering of green energy by Georgia Power Company. Hear stories of its formation and growth and be inspired by the possibilities.
Multimedia / Intergenerational [return to top]
Kilowatt Ours 38 minute DVD
This award winning documentary by Jeff Barrie traces how energy is generated in the Southeast, the negative effects of this on our lifestyle and practical solutions to reducing our dependence on coal burning energy generation. This is a good kick off for a Sunday school series and may be accompanied by a panel discussion. Good for use with middle-to-high school age and above.
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