The BTS Center

10/21/2026

This snippet of our conversation between host Autumn Brown and author/environmentalist Bill McKibben about the midterm elections seemed quite timely, so we're releasing it early. He also speaks directly to the lasting impact that the response of Autumn's community of Minneapolis have had on the American political narrative. It's powerful stuff.

May we all have the courage to live in hope and to stand up for what's right.

Season 5 of the Climate Changed Podcast is coming in Spring 2027.

"The idea that we’ve long ceded Christianity and spiritual expressi...

10/20/2026

"My response these days is to remind [my preschooler] that many grownups are working on the problem, and she doesn’t need to take it on. And to work on better coping with my own eco-anxiety. The more I can do that, Matthiae points out, the more effectively I’ll demonstrate that distressing feelings don’t last forever, but that they do provide valuable information about what we care about and how to spend our energies."

Katie O'Reilly at Earth Island offers us a hopeful perspective when it comes to navigating climate-anxiety with young children, and in doing so provides a useful reminder to us adults: When you feel yourself spiraling, remember the many, many people that are working on this problem, and ask yourself "What action can we take to show our love for this Earth?"

How early education experts are tackling the delicate task of fostering environmental awareness without burdening young children with despair.

10/19/2026

Register today for October 27th's How I Work, a peer-learning network for climate-conscious chaplaincy. How I Work is a live, unscripted conversation series that opens a window into the many ways that this work is taking place.

Four times a year, we feature a practitioner from this expanding field, sharing their bio in advance and inviting questions from you ahead of time. Practitioners answer live, with room for questions from those gathered.

These sessions won’t be recorded. What’s said here stays in the room, a gift of the moment. Open to all, and especially to those working in and around climate-conscious chaplaincy.

(Participation in How I Work is free of charge. Donations would be deeply appreciated to support our ongoing programs for spiritual leadership development.)

10/19/2026

Dear spiritual leaders in a climate-changed world:

In September 2026, we became aware that Francis Weller, a renowned psychotherapist, self-described soul activist, and a past guest on our Climate Changed podcast, has abused his power and position to emotionally and sexually take advantage of his students and clients.

The pain of Francis’ victims is not reducible to the learning experiences of others. The acute healing and wholeness of those who’ve experienced abuse must take priority over community processing.

What we can offer is an invitation to other spiritual leaders to reflect on accountability.

Read on: https://thebtscenter.substack.com/p/on-learning-of-a-soul-activists-abuse

10/16/2026

10/15/2026

Thank you, Interfaith Alliance, Rev. Jodi Hayashida, Maine People's Alliance, and all the faith leaders in solidarity to protect the right to vote.

10/15/2026

“The vote is sacred and voting is more than just a civic duty," said our executive director Rev. Dr. Allen Ewing-Merrill yesterday in Lewiston, ME, on the path of 's “The Vote Is Sacred” bus tour.

"It’s an expression of our hopes, our values, our commitment to one another. Voting is how we shape the world we want to live in. And not only for ourselves, but for our children, our grandchildren, our neighbors, our other-than-human kin and future generations."

Read more about "The Vote is Sacred" at the link in the comments.
Photo by Mark LaFlamme

10/15/2026

Leah Penniman's galvanizing, dream-weaving keynote speech from our 2026 Convocation is now available online. If you were unable to attend, or are looking to reconnect with her inspiring talk, click the link below.

We are so grateful to share this moment with intelligent, exuberant, thought-leaders like Leah. We hope this talk can be a resource as we work together to shape our response to the climate crisis with kin-centric thought and action.

Leah Penniman's keynote speech on Black Earth Wisdom. Given to The BTS Center's 121st Convocation, held on September 18, 2026 at The Ecology School at River Bend Farm in S**o, ME.

10/15/2026

A friendly reminder that our Climate Chaplaincy Study Forum is underway. If you are interested in engaging with our incredible community and sitting with the latest thinking around the tender and necessary work of Climate Chaplaincy there is a spot available for you.

Sign up here: https://thebtscenter.org/studyforum/

The forum is guided by a deep commitment to whose knowledge counts and whose voices have been left out — drawing from interdisciplinary, global, and decolonized sources that make room for the full breadth of human spiritual experience. We trust this community will add depth and dimension to your vocational pursuit.