Hedgerow Initiative - Spring 2012
View pictures from the April 16th session at Heart of the Beast

Engaging Science and Spirituality:

Understanding the Journey of the Universe

Mondays, February 13 through May 7, 6:30-8:30pm

Today through science, we in Western culture have a new, deeper understanding of the larger evolutionary story which is inclusive of the universe, earth, and human stories. We have an opportunity to integrate what the ancients have intuited all along: All that exists is connected.

The following questions will guide the course reading and content:

Why is this great story important to us at this time?

  • What are the implications?
  • How does this change our world view and images of God?
  • How does this impact our understanding of the divine and human?
  • What does it call us to as individuals and as local and global communities?

This seminar is an opportunity to create and integrate the emerging theologies inspired by this new cosmology.

Common Text:  Journey of the Universe book by Mary Evelyn Tucker PhD and Brian Thomas Swimme PhD. Yale University Press, 2011.

Other resources: Journey of the Universe film and DVD educational series plus a wide range of readings and resources from which participants will select. List of suggested readings includes: Christianity and Ecology edited by Dieter Hessel and Rosemary Radford Ruether; Awe-Filled Wonder: The Interface of Science and Spirituality by Barbara Fiand; Radical Amazement and Field of Compassion by Judy Cannato; Emergent Christ: Exploring the Meaning of Catholic in an Evolutionary Universe by Ilia Delio; Introducing Ecofeminist Theologies by Heather Eaton; The Dream of the Earth by Thomas Berry; World as Lover, World as Self by Joanna Macy;  A New Harmony: The Spirit, the Earth, and the Human Soul, by John Philip Newell

Course facilitators: Mary Kaye Medinger, MA; Joan Pauly Schneider, MA, MDiv; Cathy Steffens, MA, MEd; and Jill Underdahl, MA. Some classes will include guest presenters.

Guest presenters & responders: Katherine McLaughlin, CSJ (theology), Jill Welter (biological science at St. Catherine University), Nancy Cosgriff (theology & spiritual direction), Kay Egan, CSJ (education), Roseann Giguere, CSJ (theology & spiritual direction), and Karen Hilgers, CSJ (science & holistic health).

Course Outline:  (Print Syllabus)

I. Science That Inspires Awe & Wonder - February 13 and February 20
(Text: Journey of the Universe, Chapter 1-10)

  • Film Journey of the Universe
  • Engaging participant’s experience and questions
  • Furthering and deepening our questions and understandings from the Journey of the Universe

II. Spiritual and Theological Implications of the Universe Story - February 27 through April 2 (No Class March 19th)
(Text: Journey of the Universe, Chapter 11 plus articles)

  • Tracing the lineage - Hildegard of Bingen, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, and Thomas Berry
  • “Doing theology” from our ecological and feminist perspective
  • How do we now understand God-Divine Energy?
  • How do we now understand  Jesus, Salvation, Resurrection?
  • How do we now understand Spirit and Global Perspectives?
  • How do we now understand what it means to be human?

III. Ecological Ethics - April 9 through May 7 (Note: The April 16 session will be held at In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre, 1500 E. Lake St., Minneapolis.  -Map-)
(Reading: Articles)

  • Becoming a Planetary Presence: Compassion and Eco-Spiritual Practices
  • Sustainable Energy/Eco-Cities
  • Healing and Revisioning Community
  • Transformative Dialogue
  • Sustaining power of ritual


FACILITATORS: Mary Kaye Medinger, M.A.; Joan Pauly Schneider, M.A., M.Div.; Cathy Steffens M.A., M.Ed. and Jill Underdahl, M.A. Some classes will include guest presenters.

WHEN: Mondays, February 13 through May 7, 2012, 6:30-8:30pm

COST: $25 per session