Founded in the fall of 2014, Luther Seminary’s EcoFaith Network is a campus organization advised by professors Kathryn Schifferdecker and Alan Padgett. In addition to increasing the sustainability of the campus grounds, buildings, and rubbish systems (trash, recycling, and composting), EcoFaith facilitates Luther’s community garden planting in the spring and helps maintain the garden throughout the summer. The group focuses on green initiatives through a lens of its collective calling to tend creation joyfully, collaboratively, and through continual invitation.

In 2024, EcoFaith hosted a Stuff Exchange, an event in which students, faculty, and staff donated clothing, books, furniture, vestments, and more for the Luther community to browse. Dozens participated, creating space for upbeat conversation and offering gently used items completely free of charge. “It helps the community by sharing items we already have and don’t need,” says Rachel Wyffels ’26 M.Div., a current member of EcoFaith. “People can get things they need without more production.”

Luther’s campus isn’t the only place EcoFaith’s impact is seen. Through a partnership with Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, the organization participated in the Rise and Repair Rally at the Minnesota state capitol this March. The event prioritized the advancement of Indigenous rights and climate justice in Minnesota’s legislature through a diverse alliance of people and organizations.

In April, a cohort of faculty, staff, and students traveled to Duluth for the 2025 EcoFaith Summit of the Upper Midwest. This year’s theme—“Earth’s Cries, Earth’s Call: Becoming Midwives of Hope for the Healing of Creation”— invited participants to name the powers responsible for the climate crisis and provided an introduction to midwives of hope today. Featuring keynote speaker Kelly Sherman-Conroy ’16 M.A., ’18 Th.M., ’22 Ph.D., the summit also included workshop sessions, a community meal, and tabling by environmentally focused organizations.

“I am always excited to return to the EcoFaith Summit,” says Alex Theship-Rosales ’24 M.Div., EcoFaith’s community garden master. “Advocating for creation care in a fossil fuel-addicted society is exhausting. It is good to worship and refocus, pray, gather, and replenish alongside neighbors who are brilliant, care deeply, and have creative and active solutions for faith communities to join in on.”

This winter, EcoFaith is excited to support the Rutlen Lecture on Faith and Creation, Luther’s biennial series designed to examine the intersection between faith and eco-justice. William P. Brown, professor of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary, will deliver the Rutlen Lecture on January 13, 2026, exploring the intersecting issues of ecology, justice, faith, and science from various biblical perspectives.