Main Conversation:

Rev. Dr. Andi Lloyd and Rev. Andy Nagy-Benson engage in a thoughtful dialogue about the ecological and theological definitions of self-interest versus the common good. Key discussion points include:

• Ecological interconnectedness and the relational essence of all life
• Complexities of defining "the common good" in environmental and theological contexts
• Reflections on human behavior, ethical reasoning, and moral responsibilities in environmental conservation
• Insights from theologians and ecologists on self-interest, self-love, and community solidarity
• Personal stories illustrating the tension between self-centered actions and caring for the common good

Next Steps:

• Participate in the Listener Survey: Share your feedback about the podcast and suggest future topics. Take the survey here.
• Engage with Reflection Questions: Consider your understanding of self-interest and the common good. Leave a voicemail or text your reflections to +1 207-200-6986.
• Explore The BTS Center's Resources: Visit thebtscenter.org to learn more about our programs.

Additional Resources:

• Book: Letters from the Ecotone: Ecology, Theology, and Climate Change by Rev. Dr. Andi Lloyd and Rev. Andy Nagy-Benson
• Book: Journey to the Common Good by Walter Brueggemann
• Westminster Catechism: Reflection on purpose and interconnectedness

Rev. Dr. Andrea (Andi) Lloyd is pastor of the Trinitarian Congregational Parish of Castine, United Church of Christ. She received her M.Div. from Yale Divinity in 2022. Prior to her career in ministry, Andi was an ecologist. She received a PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Arizona in 1996, and went on to serve as a professor of biology at Middlebury College from 1996 until 2020. She served as the Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Middlebury from 2012 through June 2019. In her work as an ecologist, she studied the effects of climate change on forests in Alaska and Siberia. She taught classes on plant ecology, evolution, and climate change, and authored/co-authored more than 30 articles and book chapters on climate change. Along with Rev. Andy Nagy-Benson, she is the author of Letters to the Ecotone: Ecology, Theology, and Climate Change (Resource Publications, 2022).

Rev. Andy Nagy-Benson is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. A graduate of Colby College and Yale Divinity School, Andy has served congregations in New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Vermont. He was a lecturer of homiletics at Yale Divinity School, and has recently co-taught courses at Middlebury College. Andy is the senior pastor of The Congregational Church of Middlebury (UCC) in Middlebury, VT, and an affiliate chaplain at Middlebury College. He is the co-founder and president of Table 21, a nonprofit that has issued nearly $1 million in grants to Addison County (VT) farms, restaurants, and small businesses since 2021. He is currently a Doctor of Ministry student in the Creative Writing and Public Theology cohort at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Andy and his family live in Weybridge, Vermont. Along with Rev. Dr. Andi Lloyd, he is the author of Letters to the Ecotone: Ecology, Theology, and Climate Change (Resource Publications, 2022).

From the publisher: “Letters from the Ecotone invites readers into an open-hearted dialogue between friends — a scientist and a pastor. In a series of letters written during the pandemic, Lloyd and Nagy-Benson explore the realities of climate change from the perspectives of ecology and Christian theology. The authors seek common ground, where science and religion meet and share a vision of flourishing life on earth. At a time when the climate crisis is quickly emerging as an existential threat, this book charts a journey imbued with the insights of ecological science and the wisdom of the Christian tradition.”