{"id":11798,"date":"2026-02-10T06:22:20","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T05:22:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.courmettes.com\/?p=11798"},"modified":"2026-03-05T01:49:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T00:49:05","slug":"hoping-against-hope-theology-for-an-anxious-age","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.courmettes.com\/en\/hoping-against-hope-theology-for-an-anxious-age\/","title":{"rendered":"Hoping Against Hope: Theology for an Anxious Age"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

16 – 22 August 2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The awareness that the world faces significant ecological challenges (including climate change) is now widespread and raises deep concern for many.  At the same time, during the last four decades, the view that care of creation is an integral aspect of normal Christian life and worship \u2013 integral to our human vocation \u2013 has been rediscovered by large parts of the broader Christian community.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But do the theological motifs we employ to describe this vocation inspire us?  Do the actions we promote as a response nourish our collective hope or leave us feeling overwhelmed and anxious?  Do the spiritual practices advanced to sustain our conservation activities, bring life and flourishing to those involved or contribute further to a sense of exhaustion? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrew Shepherd<\/strong>, lecturer at the University of Otago (New Zealand) and former director of A Rocha New Zealand, will be our speaker throughout the week. He will help us reflect on these issues together by sharing his own insights. The mornings will be devoted to Andrew’s teachings, while the afternoons will be more free, with suggested activities on site (nature outings, walks, discovering biodiversity), allowing everyone to recharge their batteries and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Please note: morning classes will be conducted in English<\/strong> with a simultaneous translation in French. Other activities may be conducted in both English and French.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr Andrew Shepherd<\/a><\/strong> is the Senior Lecturer in Theology and Public Issues within the\u00a0Theology Programme, University of Otago in\u00a0Aotearoa New Zealand.\u00a0\u00a0His working life has included involvement in theological education and Christian leadership formation, participation in intercultural and environmental education, practical conservation work, and leadership roles within Christian non-profit organisations \u2013 including significant involvement in the establishment and leadership of A Rocha in Aotearoa NZ between 2005-2018.\u00a0\u00a0He researches, teaches, and writes on a range of ethical topics, including\u00a0ecological theology and climate change, social polarisation, violence and militarism, economics, and digital technologies.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Programme :<\/h4>\n\n\n\n