The BTS Center

The BTS Center • Cultivating & nurturing spiritual leadership for a climate-changed world • Learn more at www.thebtscenter.org

With roots dating back to 1814, The BTS Center is a private foundation in Portland, Maine, building on the legacy of the former Bangor Theological Seminary. Although no longer a degree-awarding institution, today The BTS Center seeks to catalyze spiritual imagination, with enduring wisdom, for transformative faith leadership by offering theologically grounded programs of continuing education and s

piritual formation, including workshops and retreats, learning cohorts, public conversations, and projects of applied research. Inspired by the vision of human hearts renewed, justice established, and creation restored, today many of The BTS Center's program opportunities aim to equip faith leaders — clergy and laity alike — with the knowledge, skills, mindsets, and practices that are needed for effective and faithful ministry in a time of global climate devastation.

In a stroke of Indigenous and ecological justice: a stretch of land called Mesgilg Maqamigew has been returned to the Mi...
06/23/2026

In a stroke of Indigenous and ecological justice: a stretch of land called Mesgilg Maqamigew has been returned to the Mi’kmaq Nation, doubling the tribe's territory.

The Portland Press Herald reports that The Conservation Fund "purchased the parcel last year from forestry company H.C. Hayne, then held it on behalf of the tribe. The organization worked with the Wabanaki Commission on Land and Stewardship and First Light to secure $1.9 million for project."

The Climate Psychology Alliance of North America (CPA-NA) is offering a two-day, two-hour training experience just for T...
06/22/2026

The Climate Psychology Alliance of North America (CPA-NA) is offering a two-day, two-hour training experience just for The BTS Center’s community.

Climate Cafés are a tried-and-true model of co-facilitated community conversation. By helping people talk about their personal relationship to the climate crisis, Climate Cafés generate emotional regulation and vitality for action.

Join us on Wed–Thu, July 22–23, 4–6pm ET, for a full Climate Café experience, facilitator training, materials for you to launch your own Climate Café, and support for new facilitators.

Register at the link in the comments.

Juneteenth is an anniversary of Black liberation, but Black liberation is still unfinished. In our food systems, our gov...
06/19/2026

Juneteenth is an anniversary of Black liberation, but Black liberation is still unfinished.

In our food systems, our governing systems, the very topography of our lives: what could a world look like that didn’t depend on Black subjugation – that celebrated Black flourishing?

Leah Penniman, Co-Founder and Director of Farm Operations for Soul Fire Farm, says in her Pushcart Award-winning essay, “Black Land Matters: Climate Solutions In Black Agrarianism":

It stands to reason that any hope of solving the environmental crisis will require an examination and uprooting of the white supremacist ideologies that underpin the crisis. The voices and expertise of black, brown, and indigenous environmentalists, amplified by all those who have eschewed white supremacy, must be heeded if we are to halt and reverse planetary calamity. Ecological humility is part of the cultural heritage of black people.

While our 400+ years immersion in racial capitalism has attempted to diminish that connection to the sacred earth, there are those who persist in believing that the land and waters are family members, those who understand the intrinsic value of nature. The same communities that are on the front lines of climate impact, are also on the front lines of climate solutions.

A new generation of black farmers are leading the way as climate stewards by putting carbon back in the soil where it belongs.

The fourth issue of Murmurations is here! Climate Conscious Chaplaincy Intern Anastasia Yarbrough-Mackie has created a g...
06/18/2026

The fourth issue of Murmurations is here! Climate Conscious Chaplaincy Intern Anastasia Yarbrough-Mackie has created a gorgeous Spring 2026 collection of resources, art, interviews, and more, for spiritual care providers offering presence in a climate-changed world.

Read Issue 4 on our chaplaincy page, linked in the comments:

How are you handling pushback to your preaching?The EcoPreacher Initiative has designed a workshop to help you with just...
06/17/2026

How are you handling pushback to your preaching?

The EcoPreacher Initiative has designed a workshop to help you with just that. Navigating Pushback in Climate Preaching is Thursday, June 25, 1–4pm ET. The line-up of preachers and storytellers is impressive, and you'll get real-time practice.

Learn more + register at the link in the comments. We hope to see you there!

Tomorrow (Thursday), Rev. Ash Temin + Hailey Mitsui are discussing 'The Seed Keeper' by Diane Wilson over lunch, and we'...
06/17/2026

Tomorrow (Thursday), Rev. Ash Temin + Hailey Mitsui are discussing 'The Seed Keeper' by Diane Wilson over lunch, and we'd love to hear your thoughts and questions on this rich saga.

Whether you've finished the book, are part-way through, or have this on your 'to read' list, you are welcome to join us.

We'll dive into themes around land, regeneration, intergenerational inheritance, and indigenous sovereignty.

Learn more about this one and all the books we're reading this summer at the link in the comments.

In this companion episode to last week's conversation between host Autumn Brown and Rev. Katie Mears: Autumn and co-host...
06/16/2026

In this companion episode to last week's conversation between host Autumn Brown and Rev. Katie Mears: Autumn and co-host Rev. Nicole Diroff wade into the deep waters of disaster, democracy, and accompaniment.

Alongside Katie, they ask, “How do we cultivate agency in the face of climate change?” The co-hosts then illuminate what faith communities are really being called to offer in a climate-changed world.

This is an episode with many timely next steps on the cusp of this El Niño-amplified disaster season. This is one to share with your neighborhood or faith community.

Listen at the link in the comments.

We're deeply grateful for the generosity of Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ (SNEUCC), which is ...
06/15/2026

We're deeply grateful for the generosity of Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ (SNEUCC), which is granting 10 registration full sponsorships to this year's BTS Center Convocation.

This year's Convocation theme is Sacred Soil, inviting us to not only explore but participate in the co-healing of our lands, waters, and relations.

Learn more about Convocation and register at the link in the comments.

Summer Fiction Book Club is back, and Book #1 is The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson. If you liked The Covenant of Water or...
06/12/2026

Summer Fiction Book Club is back, and Book #1 is The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson.

If you liked The Covenant of Water or Pachinko, you'll savor this soaring and depth-plumbing bildungsroman. “A haunting novel spanning several generations, The Seed Keeper follows a Dakhóta family's struggle to preserve their way of life and their sacrifices to protect what matters most.”

Learn more & join us (for free) by registering at the link in the comments.

Address

97 India Street
Portland, ME
04101

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12077745212

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