Spiritual Practices: Trees of Life CHM592
This two-day course will be offered both as a noncredit retreat and as a course for credit (one credit hour).
Instructor
Janeen Bertsche Johnson (MDiv 1989; current DMin student) has been a pastor since 1989, serving as Campus Pastor at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary since 1995, She has taught several colloquia and Spiritual Practices courses, and developed the “Water of Life” course in 2015 and the “Trees of Life” course in 2022. Janeen became an Indiana Master Naturalist in 2008 and led the 4-H Earthcare Club for 13 years. She loves teaching the AMBS community and congregations about trees, prairies, water and other aspects of creation.
Trees of Life Retreat
The noncredit Trees of Life Retreat weaves together study of biblical texts about trees; understanding of trees as organisms and within ecosystems; ecological issues; and spiritual practices. Participants will also consider how to engage trees within their faith communities. Units of study (each including input, spiritual practice, and discussion) include trees in the Bible, roots, trunks, branches, leaves, fruits/seeds/nuts, trees in our ecosystem, tree identification, and ecological threats and restoration.
The retreat runs Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30, 2026 (10 a.m. – 5 p.m. EDT both days). The first day will be held on the AMBS campus in Elkhart, Indiana, and the second day will be held at Camp Friedenswald near Union, Michigan, so that participants can experience forest ecosystems.
The cost of the retreat is $150, which includes lunch on Friday and Saturday and the use of Camp Friedenswald. (Lodging is not included.)
Register by May 20. (Limit: 15 participants total) (Registration form to come.)
Questions? Contact Janeen Bertsche Johnson.
Spiritual Practices: Trees of Life CHM592 — Course
The one-credit-hour Spiritual Practices: Trees of Life course — consisting of the retreat described above as well as additional coursework — meets a spiritual practices requirement and is available to both credit and noncredit participants. Students taking the course for credit will need to complete all of the assigned readings before attending the retreat. Readings include excerpts from:
- Benyus, Janine. The Field Guide to Wildlife Habitats of the Eastern United States
- Chase, Steven. The Tree of Life: Models of Christian Prayer
- Green, Barbara. Like a Tree Planted: An Exploration of Psalms and Parables Through Metaphor
- Heinrich, Bernd. The Trees in My Forest
- Kimmerer, Robin Wall. Braiding Sweetgrass
- Nadkarni, Nalini. Between Earth and Sky: Our Intimate Connections to Trees
- Turner-Skoff, Jessica and Nicole Cavender. “The Benefits of Trees for Livable and Sustainable Communities”
- Wohlleben, Peter. The Hidden Life of Trees
- Woodley, Randy S. Shalom and the Community of Creation: An Indigenous Vision
After the retreat, those taking the course for credit will be asked to turn in their reading notes/reflections as well as a project of their choice, such as an outline for a Christian education class, a “Wild Church” worship service, a sermon, or an article to be submitted to a Christian journal.
The cost to take the course for credit is $621 ($600/credit hour plus a $21 Student Services Fee); this includes lunch on Friday and Saturday and the use of Camp Friedenswald. (Lodging is not included.) Register by May 20. (Limit: 15 participants total)
Ready to register for this course as a guest?
If you are not yet an admitted student at AMBS and are not enrolled at another seminary, college or university, we’re happy to register you as a guest student. Nonadmitted students get 50% off their first two courses for credit!
Questions? Contact the Registrar’s Office.