| Scott Hardin-Nieri is a partner, dad, spiritual director, pastor, and sojourner. He serves as Co-Minister of Green Chalice (Christian Church, Disciples of Christ) and Director/Minister of Bethany Congregations. Previously, he directed the Creation Care Alliance of Western North Carolina and served in congregational ministry for nearly 20 years. He co-founded Eco Grief Circles, supports a climate-informed spiritual direction group, and works to build resilience through gratitude, grief, discernment, and action. His notions of a changing climate and the strength of beloved community were challenged and deepened during and after Hurricane Helene struck Western North Carolina. He continues to learn. Scott’s practice of accompanying others in nature took root through his work with Nancy Wiens on sacred quests. He began as an intern/apprentice accompanying students from the University of Redlands and questing in the Anza-Borrego Desert of Southern California, the oak forests of Central California, and among the redwood trees. He has since supported Day Walks in the foothills of Colorado and in Monteverde, Costa Rica, and continues to be a deep listener in nature and of the human spirit. Scott holds a Business Management degree from Texas A&M, and an M.Div. and Diploma in Spiritual Direction from San Francisco Theological Seminary. He also holds a Facilitator Certification in Community Storytelling through The Hearth, equipping him to lead workshops, trainings, and retreats grounded in The Hearth’s practices for using personal storytelling to heal and strengthen community. Prior to living in North Carolina, Scott and his family served in the vulnerable cloud forest of Monteverde, Costa Rica, where he learned to how to climb Fig Strangler trees, spot Two-toed Sloths, call like a Mot Mot, and listen to people and nature in a new way. It is in Monteverde that Scott had his climate conversion experience, recognizing that climate change was impacting all people and creatures, particularly the most vulnerable communities globally and nationally. He works to help people and communities grow justice, love neighbors, and innovate in a climate-changed world. He seeks to foster curiosity, deep listening, and active hope amid all kinds of challenges. |
