Launched in September 2012, the Franciscan Earth Corps (FEC) USA aims to engage young adults aged 18 to 35 in various environmental projects at both the local and grass-roots level. FEC aspires to imbue a greater concern for God’s creation and an advocacy for social and environmental justice.
Aligning with the Franciscan theology of creation and ethic of care, this programme attempts to integrate contemplation with action. Thus, formation in the Franciscan tradition (i.e. social and ecological justice, communal and humble living, and the Franciscan spirituality) and participation in local and grass-roots projects is of essence. These projects are also targeted to be shared and implemented in the wider parish and college communities.
Here’s what the head of the Franciscan Earth Corps, Rhett Engelking, has to say:
“The big thing we are hoping to do is to bring about a transformative experience for young adults. They have all the information they need on all of these social and environmental justice issues, but they don’t know what to do with it.”
FEC and direct experiences with nature
Through direct experiences such as “digging in the dirt together”, Engelking leads these young adults into candid interactions with the natural elements. This indeed reinforces the Franciscan theology “…to see everything as sacred and cultivate our universal sense of belonging.” This also addresses Engelking’s concern that accumulated and extensive knowledge of the environment through vicarious experiences will be but wasteful if individuals are not directed to apply their environmental knowledge. Such direct experiences with nature promoted by FEC also seeks to address the nature-deficit disorder by allowing the young to reconnect with and foster their environmental identities.
Follow FEC’S Facebook page to find out more about their activities.