Unnatural Disasters (Joel 2, Matthew 6)

Our guests this week are Rev. Dr. Shannan Vance-Ocampo and Rev. Dr. Christopher Carter

 

Rev. Dr. Shannan Vance-Ocampo

 

Shannan is the General Presbyter of the Presbytery of Southern New England and has served in ministry in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) since 2001 in both congregations and mid-councils. Her ministry has been focused in both congregational settings and those of social justice ministry both internationally and domestically. She is an avid gardener, growing food and perennials. Five years ago she became “mom” to four (which are now six!) ridiculous backyard chickens alongside the other inhabitants of the ever-growing habitat she is cultivating. 

 

In 2024 Shannan completed her Doctor of Ministry degree which focused on the intersection of ecology and ministry. Her research project was centered on clergy and how they can best be resourced theologically, spiritually and with practical skills for ministry during our time of climate crisis. Prior to this work, she completed a fellowship with GreenFaith and has trained in clergy coaching. She is currently working on a book on eco-spirituality and leadership. 

 

Shannan and her husband, Juan Gabriel Ocampo Valle, live in Albany, New York and continue to maintain a family home in his home country of Colombia. 

 

Rev. Dr. Christopher Carter’s research, teaching, and activist interests are in Black, Womanist,
and Environmental ethics, with a particular focus on race, food, and nonhuman animals. His
publications include “Race, Animals, as a New Vision of the Beloved Community” in Animals and
Religion (Routledge, 2024), The Spirit of Soul Food (University of Illinois Press, December 2021),
and “Blood in the Soil: The Racial, Racist, and Religious Dimensions of Environmentalism” in The
Bloomsbury Handbook on Religion and Nature (Bloomsbury, 2018). In them, he explores the
intersectional oppressions experienced by people of color, non-human nature, and animals.
Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Theology, Ecology, and Race at Methodist Theological
School in Ohio, Lead Pastor of The Loft at Westwood United Methodist Church, and he is also
on the board of directors of Farm Forward, an anti-factory farming non-profit. He is married to
Dr. Gabrielle Carter, a small animal veterinary oncologist, and while their son Isaiah is not a
doctor of any sort, he definitely believes he is more intelligent than his parents.