Columbia Seminary Garden
Just Creation
God’s Creation
Columbia Seminary is attends to God’s creation with wonder and thanksgiving, by caring for, celebrating, and sharing the gifts and resources of God’s earth. We express this by:
tree-lined campus
Beyond the Classroom
Caring about the earth is an important part of who we are, and we seek to show that care to the planet on a daily basis.
March 16-18 theologians, environmental scientists and activitsts and artists will gather to discuss environmental justice. Stay tuned for more information.
A group of students, families, staff, and faculty committed to the concept of sustainability and ensuring that it is front and center on our campus and in our lives.
Columbia community garden
Over 14,000 square feet of garden space designed and built by students, maintained by SAGE with compost and rainwater collection.
Eco-Friendly
We are committed to wisely using the resources that God has given us. Building sustainable new buildings and recycling where we can.
The Vernon S. Broyles Jr. Leadership Center (BLC) was created from the Simon-Law Residence Hall (circa 1932. Over 90 percent of the original building was “recycled” and is still a part of the BLC.
The Marcia Riggs Common, named after Columbia faculty member, Dr. Marcia Riggs, is Columbia’s newest residence hall. It has 35,000 square feet with a capacity of 660 students and a monthly energy bill of just $2000.
Both BLC and Riggs Common share some eco-friendly characteristics:
Columbia Theological Seminary has earned a Green Seminary Certification.
Green Seminary Certification is a 3-year process designed to provide the structure, guidance and support that seminaries need to further develop their institution’s commitment to creation care.
The foundation of the program begins with a commitment from a cross-section of school representatives (faculty, staff, students, alumni, etc.) to serve as a Green Team. Together they conduct a self-audit of their existing environmental practices in the areas of: Education – Liturgy, Ritual, and Worship – Building and Grounds – Community Life – Public Leadership.
The Green Seminary Initiative is premised on two convictions: The first is that the religious community has a unique and significant calling to turn back human-caused environmental destruction and to participate in bringing all of creation into health and wholeness. The second conviction is that theological schools should provide clergy and religious leaders with the tools necessary for them to lead their congregations, communities and organizations in meeting their unique call to protect and restore creation.
Columbia’s commitment to sustainability extends into our classrooms where we help ensure future generations of pastoral leaders will continue to care for God’s creation. We teach many courses that have a focus on caring for and conserving the earth. Some of those include:
Biblical Area
Historical Doctrinal Area
Honoring Creation
The Dabney and Tom Dixon Creation Care Sermon Prize is awarded each year to the student with the best sermon addressing environmental concerns. In 2022 it went to Kathy Tessin.
Dixon Creation Prize
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We invite you on a transformative journey. We want you to imagine what could be and to shape the not yet.
©2022 Columbia Theological Seminary
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