Green Seminary
As an ecumenical theological seminary devoted to pursuing Scholarship, Piety, and Justice in service to God’s new creation in Jesus Christ, MTS is working to enhance our participation in creation care by joining in the Green Seminary Initiative.
The Green Seminary Initiative is a program organized by Drew Theological School and the interfaith environmental coalition GreenFaith which is premised on two convictions:
1. 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.
2. 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.
While this will be a unique process for MTS as it is for any school, we will soon be listed as a “Green Seminary” indicating that we have assembled a Green Team in order to pursue the five areas as outlined by the Green Seminaries Initiative:
Education 
- adding more creation care elements to the curriculum
- hosting lecture series devoted to creation care topics
- offering practical experiences to students, etc.
Liturgy, Ritual, and Worship
- organizing chapel and prayer services devoted to creation care, etc.
Buildings and Grounds
- increasing energy efficiency and recycling
- reducing carbon footprint and water usage
- using more environmentally friendly materials
- developing outdoor green spaces, etc.
Community Life
- using more eco-friendly foods and materials for refreshments, receptions, and meals on campus
- keeping consistent communication about ways for the MTS community to engage in creation care and about our progress as a Green Seminary, etc.
Public Leadership
- developing an environmental mission statement and integrating it throughout the seminary’s work and identity
- partnering with the larger community as a center of the church’s learning, training, action, and witness, etc.
The MTS Green Team currently comprises: Nathan Brasfield (co-chair), Dr. Tricia Vesely (co-chair), Dr. Martha Lyle Ford, Dr. Peter Gathje, Ed Hughes, Natalie Monkhouse, and Jack Richbourg.
If you would like more information about the Green Seminary Initiative at MTS, contact co-chair Nathan Brasfield.
The 2021 Ingram Lectures with Dr. Valerie Bridgeman
Hello Earth: Womanist Work as Relationship with Nature
God’s Call to Creation Care and Environmental Justice
a special series of Sunday Morning Seminary sponsored by a grant from the United Methodist Earthkeepers
Scriptural and Theological Foundations of Creation Care with Dr. Valerie Bridgeman of The Methodist Theological School in Ohio
Environmental Racism and Environmental Justice with Dr. Laurel Kearns of Drew University
Food Justice and Food Apartheid in Memphis with Dr. Emily Holmes of Christian Brothers University
Green Team Chapel Services
March 22, 2022: Nathan Brasfield – Genesis 9:1-17; Psalm 104
September 6, 2022: Dr. Tricia Vesely – Exodus 23:1-3; Isiaah 58:9-14
Use Recycle Bins!
There are recycle bins around campus–make sure to recycle only what the labels on the containers indicate is acceptable.
Use Reusable Bottles, Mugs, and Cups!
Fill your water bottle at the water fountains, bring your mug to the coffee/tea station in Founders Hall, and even bring your lunch or dinner in reusable containers with reusable silverware.
Turn Off the Lights!
1/2 of every minute of light usage consumes energy from non-renewable, carbon-emitting natural substances burned by the Tennessee Valley Authority. ALL of every minute of light usage still uses up resources of some kind.