Facing Climate Anxiety: How Maine’s Chaplains Are Supporting Communities on Land and at Sea

As a maritime chaplain for Seafarer’s Friend, a 200-year-old New England organization, Thomas Kircher visited ships from Portsmouth to Searsport. Many seafarers he met were from different countries, away from home for three to nine months. Kircher listened to their stories and helped them send money back to their families.

His go-to question was, “How’s the weather out at sea?” This question might seem simple, but it dives deep. Research highlights that climate change is making storms more intense and leading to more marine heatwaves, according to NASA. While the seafarers were often focused on their immediate challenges, Kircher noted their tales of bigger waves and stronger winds.

Recently, Kircher retired from his maritime role to concentrate on climate advocacy within faith communities. He’s joining other faith leaders in Maine to address the emotional toll that a warming planet has on individuals. A recent survey from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication found that about 10% of Americans experience anxiety due to climate change. Some even reported feelings of depression; many prefer to avoid the topic entirely.

Kircher emphasizes that whatever choices society makes regarding climate change, people will feel its effects. “Faith leaders must learn to start conversations about the emotions tied to these issues,” he shares.

The role of chaplains is evolving. Historically, they’ve been a part of the American military since before the Declaration of Independence, focusing on soldiers’ spiritual needs. Today, their work spans hospitals, schools, and community centers, adapting to the country’s growing diversity. The Association of Professional Chaplains outlines competencies for responding respectfully to different spiritual needs.

Non-religious chaplains are increasingly part of this profession as well, as highlighted by Religion News Service. They support a range of causes, from disaster response to social movements. Eco-chaplaincy, a term coined by Sarah Vekasi in 2005, reflects a unique subset of chaplains addressing how climate change impacts people spiritually.

In Portland, the Chaplaincy Institute of Maine has trained over 220 interfaith ministers since 2006. Rev. Lisa Steele-Maley, the institute’s executive director, points out that many students apply their training in various contexts outside traditional church settings. Discussions often touch on climate change, especially during environmental events like wildfires.

Chaplains can meet spiritual needs across different belief systems. For instance, eco-chaplains like Circe Moss MacDonald organize ceremonies that help people process grief about the climate crisis. Her cosmic mass invites participants to connect with their environment and confront their feelings about climate change.

Rev. Gabe Burford, another graduate from the Chaplaincy Institute, supports activists and community members facing climate challenges. He believes that through trust-building conversations, people can shift from a mindset of hopelessness to one of agency and action.

Environmental lawyer Gus Speth once said, “The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed, and apathy.” Rev. Allen Ewing-Merrill, director of the BTS Center in Portland, sees this as a call to action for spiritual leaders. Since joining the center in 2019, Ewing-Merrill has focused its mission on addressing environmental issues.

Additionally, Rev. Alison Cornish is spearheading the center’s climate-conscious chaplaincy program, aimed at equipping leaders in various fields to respond to the mental health impacts of climate change. She emphasizes the importance of adapting spiritual leadership to the realities of our changing world.

In summary, as climate challenges grow, the spiritual community is stepping up to support individuals emotionally. By engaging with these pressing issues, chaplains can foster deeper connections with those seeking support amid uncertainty.

For more insights on the emotional impact of climate change, check the study from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication here.

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