Three Reasons to Take ECO

What is ECO?

At Starr King, ECO stands for Educating to Counter Oppressions and Create Just and Sustainable Communities.

As a theological school educating in a world blessed with resources of beauty, grace, resistance, and transformation and marked by intersecting forms of violence and injustice, we have made ECO a priority for over 25 years. In our work we strive to embody what we hope to see in the world — a just, loving humanity and community in which people are free to be themselves fully and without fear; a community where no one is exiled, silenced or exploited because of gender, gender expression, race, color, ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual/affectional orientation, age, class, physical character or disability.

Read more about our commitment to Educating to Counter Oppressions and Create Just and Sustainable Communities.

What is the ECO Core Course?

Offered each Spring and Fall, the ECO Core course helps students form a framework for counter-oppressive spiritual leadership by asking: how can spirituality, ministry, and religious activism respond to the multiple and intersecting realities of injustice, suffering, and oppression in our lives and our world? What models of justice and sustainable community invite our commitment?

Drawing on Unitarian Universalist and multi-religious sources, students in ECO explore how – in the midst of a world marked by tragedy, sorrow, and injustice – there remain abiding resources of beauty and grace that nourish resistance, offer healing and call us to accountability and community building. Read more.

Three Reasons to Take ECO

1. It’s a Fantastic Introduction to Starr King

2. It’s a Pre-Requisite for Many Courses

3. It’s One of the Few Required Courses

Student Testimonials

I’ve done a lot of reading, writing, discussing, and so much learning in the past few months, and I’ve just begun to scratch the surface of it. My reactions to what I’ve read and learned ranged from joy to sadness to incandescent rage to absolute resolve to make the world a more beautiful, more just place for all people.

My classmates in my ECO Core class were on that journey with me from day one, and on their own journeys as well, which made the whole class richer with every moment that passed, and every word that was spoken and shared among us.

I thought I was loud about my values and who I was before I started at Starr King in September. But things I’ve learned this semester have started to actually bring out the person I thought I was: someone who speaks out, someone who believes in myself and in the people around me; someone who loves fiercely, and will do everything I can to help everyone I can. My calling to the ministry is about so much more than being a Unitarian Universalist minister or chaplain; it’s about becoming the person who talks as I walk, teaches as I fight, and learns as I lead.” – Sarah Grant

ECO has emboldened my approach to addressing oppression, deepening my understanding of how my ministry can serve as a vehicle for healing and liberation. Through this course, I’ve gained valuable tools to recognize and confront the intersectional nature of injustice and suffering in our global community. It has empowered me to design programs that educate, build resilience, and foster justice-centered, inclusive communities, while also advocating for meaningful social change.” – Tanja Turner Bell

The ECO course and ECO orientation of Starr King was why I chose to attend this seminary. As an organizer, some of the materials in ECO were familiar to me already and others were new. Engaging with both while discussing in depth with other seminarians has already born fruit in my work for trans liberation, migrant justice and human rights. No matter where you are in your justice journey, ECO will support your growth and help us all get closer to the beloved community.” – Heather Vickery