Suggested Reading
Beth Norcross Publications
Curriculum and Guides
And God Saw That It Was Good is a four-week Christian study guide to the Ken Burns’ film, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” (published by Earth Ministry and WETA). This well-received curriculum uses stunning clips from the film to explore the Biblical roots of God’s presence in the natural world. Beth also developed a one-week interfaith guide to the film: Awakening the Spirit.
Stewards of the Bay: Sacred Waters (published by the National Council of Churches) is a five-week adult Christian education course, designed to study God’s gift of water, as expressed by the significant role that water plays in Scripture, as well as its ecological importance. Prepared as part of a larger publication by the National Council of Churches, each session covers a specific aspect of the sacred gift of water.
By the Waters, (published by Earth Ministry and American Rivers) is a comprehensive congregational guide to understanding and appreciating water as a life-giving gift from God, to be used for God’s creative and life-giving purposes. Beth wrote the introductory theological and ecological imperatives for protecting water, sermon concepts to aid preaching on the subject of water, and three Sunday school curricula for children, youth and adults.
Building a Firm Foundation: A Creation-Friendly Building Guide for Churches (published by the National Council of Churches) is a comprehensive congregational guide to using environmentally friendly and sustainable building practices on new building projects, renovations or repairs.
Books and Articles
Norcross, Beth. "Contributing Voices." In: Hopkins, Denise. Wisdom Commentary, Psalms, Books 2-3. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2016.
Norcross, Beth. “Eye on the Sparrow.” Sojourners Magazine, August 2012, pp. 32-35.
Norcross, Beth. “Journey of the Universe and Methodism.” In Living Cosmology: Christian Response to Journey of the Universe, edited by Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim, 273-280. Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2016.
Norcross, Beth. “Public Lands: Preserving Our Spiritual Geography.” EARTHletter, Winter 2013-2014, cover story.
Norcross, Beth. Use Your Fingers, Use Your Toes: A Step-by-Step Guide to All Your Everyday Math Problems. Sterling, VA: Capitol Books, 2004.
Kearns, Laurel with Beth Norcross. “Greening Our Seminaries.” In Love God, Heal Earth: 21 Leading Voices Speak Out on Our Sacred Duty to Protect the Environment, edited by The Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham, 167-180. Pittsburgh: St. Lynn’s Press, 2009.
Teaching Aids
-
The ABCs of Ecology: An Educator's Guide to Learning Outside (Ferry Beach Ecology School)
-
And God Saw That it Was Good (Beth Norcross). A four week Christian study guide to Ken Burns’ film, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea"
-
Awakening the Spirit: An interfaith guide accompanying the PBS film The National Parks: America's Best Idea (Beth Norcross)
-
By the Waters (Beth Norcross)
-
Celebrating earth holy days : a resource guide for faith communities (Susan J Clark)
-
The Circle of Life: The Heart’s Journey Through the Seasons (Joyce Rupp)
-
Earth Education: A New Beginning (Steve Van Matre and Jan Muir)
-
Forest Forensics: a field guide to reading the forested landscape (Tom Wessels)
-
Nature: Our First Way of Knowing God (Beth Norcross)
-
Outdoor Ministries: Handle with Care (New Earth Publishers)
-
Into the Field: A Guide to Locally Focused Teaching (Walker Leslie, Clare, John Tallmadge, and Tom Wessels)
-
Know Your Neighbors Mid-Atlantic Region Quiz (Beth Norcross) (View Answer Key)
-
The Lost Art of Reading Nature's Signs: Use Outdoor Clues to Find Your Way, Predict the Weather, Locate Water, Track Animals―and Other Forgotten Skills (Tristan Gooley)
-
Sharing Nature with Children I and II (Joseph Cornell)
-
SPLENDOR: Spiritual Life, Ethics and Nature, Deepening Our Reverence (GreenFaith). An interfaith adult education curriculum that introduces participants to the relationship between religion and the earth
-
Stewards of the Bay: Sacred Waters (Beth Norcross)
-
Work That Reconnects (Joanna Macy)
* Full bibliographic information can be found in our Suggested Reading List.