THE CHILDREN, LITURGY, ECOLOGY AND RENEWAL PROJECT
The Children, Liturgy, Ecology, and Renewal (CLEAR) project at Villanova University gathers scholars, musicians and church leaders to spark needed work on children, worship and ecology.
Even as many Christian communities wonder how to respond to the climate crisis and other environmental concerns, such discussions often ignore the centrality of worship and neglect children’s needs and gifts. Yet children are the first and worst impacted by climate change, and their gifts are needed in the church. Funded by a four-year grant of $1.25 million from the Lilly Endowment, the CLEAR Project responds by sponsoring work on children, worship and ecology. It will gather scholars to write on the topic, commission new music, and, through classes, site visits and conversations, equip 26 representatives of 13 Philadelphia-area churches and schools to lead new efforts in their home contexts.
Outcomes
This grant-funded project will produce:
- A published volume on children, worship and ecology
- A new album of 15 songs written and performed by three different music groups
- 13 initiatives by congregations or church-related schools in the Philadelphia area, which are integrating children more fully into Christian worship while attending more deeply to the wonder and wounds of Earth and its creatures
WHO WE ARE
Faculty Directors
The Rev. Christy Lang Hearlson, PhD, associate professor of Theology and Religious Studies, Villanova University
Timothy Brunk, PhD, associate professor of Theology and Religious Studies, Villanova University
Program Assistant
Monica Horvath, Villanova University
Gene and Fatima Burke, music ministers, Salt and Light Church in Philadelphia, PA
Laura Ash, director of Music, St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Seattle, WA
David Ash, director of Music Ministries, Edmonds Lutheran Church in Edmonds, WA
Phil McMillan, director of Music Ministries, Pennington Presbyterian Church in Pennington, NJ
Marcus Hong, PhD, professor of Practical Theology and Worship Coordinator, Louisville Seminary
The Rev. Catherine E. Williams, PhD, associate professor of Preaching and Worship and director of Chapel Worship, Lancaster Theology Seminary
The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas (Episcopal)
Christ’s Community Church (Presbyterian Church USA)
Emmanuel Church in Philadelphia (Presbyterian Church in America)
First Presbyterian Church in Germantown (Presbyterian Church USA)
Norwood-Fontbonne Academy (Independent Catholic School sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph)
Old St. Joseph’s Church (Roman Catholic)
Our Mother of Good Counsel (Roman Catholic)
Resurrection Philadelphia (Reformed Church in America)
Salt & Light (interdenominational Presbyterian Church USA/United Church of Christ)
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church (Eastern Orthodox)
St. Thomas of Villanova Parish (Roman Catholic)
St. Vincent de Paul (Roman Catholic)
Waldron Mercy Academy (Independent Catholic School sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy)