Earth Week: Ecology and Spirituality: A Roundtable with Harvard Divinity School Students

April 23, 2021
Natalia Schwien, Sakiko Isomichi, jessica young chang, Quinn Parker Matos

This informal roundtable features four Harvard Divinity School graduate students coming together to speak about the intersection of ecology and spiritual practice. From providing practical ways to connect with nature in urban spaces and thinking about mindfulness in waste reduction to learning how to pause with tea, they will explore how their belief systems engage with the natural world and how that impacts their daily lives.

About the Panelists

Natalia Schwien (she/her) is a Master of Theological Studies candidate at Harvard Divinity School studying ecology and spiritual practice. She is a practicing herbalist, wildlife rescuer and rehabilitator, and environmental advocate.

Sakiko Isomichi (she/her) is a Master of Divinity candidate at Harvard Divinity School studying ethnography, waste, and the Arabic language.

jessica young chang (she/her) is a second-year Master of Divinity student who is excited about growth and transformation in individuals and communities through creative, embodied, mystical, and collective spiritual practices. Originally from the Midwest, jess studies the intersections of mystical and embodied spirituality in Christianity and non-dual Tantra, and she currently serves the HDS community as one of three chaplain interns. jess is considering a call to chaplaincy and spiritual direction, and pursuing ordination in the United Church of Christ.

Quinn Parker Matos (they/them) is a first-year Master of Theological Studies candidate at the Harvard Divinity School studying medical and ritual traditions in the Americas and the African Diaspora. Their work and practice involves finding ways to synthesize and work between different medical approaches to adapt and respond to life in urban environments.