Episode 16 :: A Chaplain for a New Century
The movement we at JEM see is toward a greater consciousness about the interconnectedness of all things. More than being a philosophical musing discussed over coffee (or absinthe) in lofty intellectual circles, this realization is dawning on more and more people and becoming evident in social movements, economics, and contrary to what some might believe, in matters of spirituality. A post modern view is emerging of wholeness and interrelationship and is affecting decisions from the household level to the corporate giants.
Lauren Van Ham has had a love affair with the natural world and has found renewal from being there. She has worked in nonprofit and for-profit settings, ministry settings, corporate settings, and has found herself instructing WalMart employees and management in what sustainablity means on a personal level. She is the Dean of Chaplaincy at the Chaplaincy Institute in Berkeley where people called to interfaith spiritual leadership can learn how to communicate with and serve people of various religions and none at all. After some eye opening experiences showing her the great need for someone tuned into the needs of the Earth, she decided to recommit herself as an “eco-chaplain,” even re-ritualizing her ordination to solidify her commitment outwardly.
Lauren tells us about the varied experiences she’s had and how she’s been sculpted into a spiritual leader who embodies the needs of the new century—able to work meaningfully at the personal and corporate level to help the world on the way to healing.
Here is a bonus! We had a video camera trained on the conversation that day. Enjoy a 10:40 version of the interview, or pass it along to your buddies. (Audio file for download is below the movie clip.)
Monday, August 1, 2011 at 12:01AM alternatives, business, chaplaincy, eco-friendly, interfaith, lauren van ham, ministry, wal mart
Reader Comments (2)
Whoa!!! I am so very excited to see Lauren and her dad, both incredible people, working toward a goal of justice with an empathy and vulnerability that shows us each how to embrace the very essence of who we were created to be and share that essence with others. In doing so we grow abundantly...the Spirit is definitely flowing at JEM! Congrats, Lauren! And, congrats Lee to you for helping to influence, through your quiet and loving way, your daughter's growth through the years so that she was able to find her true calling. I can only hope and pray to do the same for my own children. In great humbleness, bless you both!
Deb Hicks
Lauren also plans to contribute to a site that my wife and I are keeping, Women Who Speak In Church. This video and podcast are cross posted there too, but be sure to see what the clergy girls have to say :-)