How Maine’s Chaplains Are Addressing Climate Anxiety Both on Land and at Sea

As a maritime chaplain with Seafarer’s Friend, Thomas Kircher spent many years boarding ships in Maine, listening to the stories of seafarers from around the world. These men often faced loneliness while working on vessels for months at a time. Kircher was there to lend a sympathetic ear and help them send money to their families back home.

In his chats with them, he commonly asked, “How’s the weather been out at sea?” It’s a simple question, but it holds deeper meaning. Research by NASA indicates that climate change is causing more severe marine heatwaves and intense storms. Seafarers often reported experiencing bigger waves and stronger winds—issues directly linked to climate change, even if they were more focused on immediate challenges.

This summer, Kircher retired to devote more time to climate advocacy within faith communities. He’s joining other leaders in Maine to highlight the spiritual needs that arise from environmental concerns.

A recent Yale survey found that about 10% of Americans report ongoing anxiety and depression related to climate change. Many people, instead of dealing with these feelings, choose to ignore the topic altogether. Kircher believes these emotions are vital to address. “Whether we choose to act or not, the impacts will come,” he said. It’s crucial for faith leaders to open conversations about these feelings—anger, grief, or fear.

Chaplains play an important role in various settings, from military to hospitals and universities. Initially focused on Christian spiritual care, they now address diverse needs as society becomes more multicultural. The Association of Professional Chaplains lists 29 core competencies, which include understanding and supporting individuals of varying faith backgrounds.

One emerging area within chaplaincy is eco-chaplaincy, a term introduced by Sarah Vekasi to describe chaplains who concentrate on the emotional impacts of climate change. This focus is vital, especially as more people experience climate grief—the sorrow linked to the loss of the environment.

For instance, the Chaplaincy Institute of Maine has ordained over 220 interfaith ministers since its inception in 2006. The Rev. Lisa Steele-Maley, director of the institute, explains that many students bring their life experiences into discussions about the climate, making it a part of their spiritual exploration.

Circe Moss MacDonald, an eco-chaplain at the Portland New Church Center for the Sacred Arts, incorporates climate grief into her monthly ceremonies. These gatherings focus on participants’ connections to Earth and help them address their feelings regarding climate issues. “This helps people reconnect with nature and their emotions,” she says.

Similarly, the Rev. Gabe Burford works as a community chaplain, helping climate activists process their emotions around environmental advocacy. He emphasizes the importance of shifting from fatalism to finding agency in taking action.

Environmental lawyer Gus Speth once remarked that the true obstacles to environmental progress are not scientific but rather rooted in selfishness and apathy. Spiritual leaders like the Rev. Allen Ewing-Merrill at the BTS Center in Portland see this as a call to become more involved in climate issues. He believes that while science can show the facts, it’s the spiritual community that needs to guide people through ethical and emotional dimensions of these crises.

Under Ewing-Merrill’s leadership, the BTS Center has developed a climate-conscious chaplaincy program. This initiative aims to equip spiritual leaders with the tools to address how climate change affects their communities. The Rev. Alison Cornish, who joined the center in 2021, emphasizes that faith leaders must adapt their roles in a world increasingly affected by climate challenges.

In conclusion, as climate change continues to impact the world, spiritual leaders are stepping up to meet the emotional and ethical challenges it presents. By opening up discussions on grief and agency, they are helping individuals find purpose and connection in a rapidly changing landscape. For more insights on climate change and its societal effects, you can refer to this comprehensive report from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication.



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climate change, Thomas Kircher, spiritual needs, faith leaders, Kircher, chaplain