The Episcopal Church is delighted to announce the launch of the 2024 Eco-Justice Fellows program, a groundbreaking initiative to address the critical need for greater faithful resilience and shaping a church response to environmental justice. This transformative program is deeply rooted in the principles of Environmental Justice. The Eco-Justice (EJ) fellows will delve into the Episcopal Church’s faith-based approach to just treatment and meaningful involvement of all individuals in a right relationship with creation, with creation.
Piloted by the Episcopal Church’s Department of Reconciliation, Justice, and Creation Care in collaboration with the Executive Council’s Task Force on Care of Creation and Environmental Racism, the program is designed to tackle specific environmental justice intersections and engage young individuals from diverse backgrounds.
The 2024 Episcopal Eco-Justice Fellows are:
– Elizabeth Simpson-Falck – Diocese of Chicago
– Kristoff Strachan – Diocese of North Carolina
– Mercy Irivwieri – Diocese of Texas
– Rylie Talmadge – Diocese of South Carolina
– Shane Keefer – Diocese of Pennsylvania
– William Lewis – Diocese of Alabama
– Lori Petrie – Diocese of Chicago
These exceptional young adults bring diverse skills and a keen curiosity about the potential of church and community response to environmental injustice and racism. A vital component of the program is the coordinating mentorship provided by Michelle Dibblee, a Union Seminary graduate with extensive experience in faith formation and community organizing.
Seven young adult eco-justice fellows have been carefully chosen to undergo training in creation care theology and advocacy as the build unique EJ partner projects with local churches or dioceses.
The program commences this week with a Thursday kick-off session, and a team of experienced mentors will accompany them every step of the way. Additionally, the fellows will participate in a 3-day in-person retreat, alongside online gatherings and support. Each fellow will receive a stipend of $2750 as part of the program, generously sponsored by the Episcopal Church Department of Reconciliation, Justice, and Creation Care.
The 2023 cohort of Eco-Justice Fellows achieved significant impact with their diverse and influential projects. Their initiatives resonated deeply with communities, from zine-making endeavors to hosting dialogues on climate change and planning food justice liturgies. The fellows themselves attested to the program’s effectiveness, highlighting the fruitful learning environment and the deep sense of purpose and community they found during the program.
“The Fellowship has been a great launching point into eco-justice, and I look forward to learning more about what I can do to help save the planet. We can do this. It will take a lot of faith and elbow grease, but we can do it,” said Dustin, a 2023 Ecojustice Fellow.
Troy, another 2023 Ecojustice Fellow, shared, “The Fellowship showed me that environmentalism was not simply one issue among many but that everything is environmental because we always impact our environment!”