Innovative Preaching and Eco-Justice Initiative Application
Thank you for your interest in joining the 2025-2026 Fellows cohort with the Innovative Preaching and Eco-Justice Initiative!
About the Fellowship
The Innovative Preaching and Eco-Justice Initiative (IPEJI) is housed at Union Theological Seminary and the Center for Earth Ethics. For the 2025-2026 fellows program, we have partnered with Drew Theological School and Methodist Theological School in Ohio.
The IPEJI fellowship is a transformative program designed for seminarians passionate about leadership development, preaching excellence and ecojustice. This fellowship equips emerging faith leaders with the skills, knowledge and networks necessary to create meaningful change in their communities.
Applications are due by May 12, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. EST. We anticipate announcing our cohort on June 1, 2025.
Join Director Karenna Gore and Program Manager Lea Schweitz for an online, information session on April 28 from 12-1 p.m. EST. Come meet some of the program staff and ask your questions about the IPEJI fellowship. Register to receive the Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/
Questions? Please email Dr. Lea Schweitz, Program Manager: [email protected]
Who Should Apply:
We welcome applications from current seminarians who have either completed or are currently enrolled in a preaching course. In addition, fellows will be expected to have a close working relationship with a Christian congregation in which they will have the opportunity to preach. Fellows may enter the IPEJI fellowship program with a proposed congregational partner, or they may work with IPEJI staff to develop one.
*At this time, this program is for current Master’s level students only.
Ideal Candidates Are:
- Dedicated to personal and spiritual growth, including being open to giving and receiving feedback from peers and mentors.
- Committed to building community engagement.
- Engaged in or eager to learn how to lead faithful activism and ecojustice efforts.
- Passionate about integrating preaching with social and environmental justice.
Program Components:
- Leadership development courses with experienced mentors.
- Preaching intensives to refine homiletic skills.
- Ecojustice education and hands-on engagement with environmental advocacy.
- Community-based projects to implement learning in real-world contexts.
Fellowship Benefits:
- One-on-one mentorship from seasoned faith leaders and activists.
- A supportive cohort of seminarians.
- Funding for community projects focused on preaching and ecojustice.
- Networking opportunities with leaders in faith-based activism.
- $5000 stipend.
- Travel expenses for three in-person immersion experiences.
Program Commitments:
- Participation in weekly fellows cohort meetings on Tuesday evenings from 6:45-9:15 p.m. EST, beginning August 26, 2025 through May 26, 2026.
- Participation in three in-person immersion experiences:
- September 12-14, 2025 (New York area)
- March 13-15, 2026 (MTSO, Delaware, Ohio)
- June 5-7, 2026 (New York area)
- Evidence of a preaching event by August 15, 2026
Faculty Steering Committee
Timothy Adkins-Jones
Rev. Dr. Timothy Adkins-Jones is assistant professor of homiletics at Union Theological Seminary and pastor of the historic Bethany Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey.
Cláudio Carvalhaes
Rev. Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes is professor of worship at Union Theological Seminary. He is an ordained teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Karenna Gore
Karenna Gore is the founder and executive director of the Center for Earth Ethics and visiting professor of practice of earth ethics at Union Theological Seminary.
Robert Seesengood
Robert Seesengood is the associate dean of Academic Affairs and teaching professor of Bible and Cultures at Drew Theological School.
Timothy Van Meter
Timothy Van Meter is associate professor in the Alford Chair of Christian Education and youth ministry coordinator of ecological initiatives at Methodist Theological School in Ohio.
