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Dear Joan,
As we move into the heart of summer we face many collective challenges and anxieties as extreme heat and fires intensify for us here and around the world. Even amidst such challenge, there are also moments when the profound beauty, wisdom, and perserverence of the earth and all her creatures breaks into our hearts, reminding us we are never alone in this Great Work of repair, transformation, justice, joy and love to which we are all uniquely called.
In a month that holds many complexities of histories and places, may we embrace awareness not so much of our independence but our interdependence with one another and all life. As Robin Wall Kimmerer says so well, may we hold equally sacred our "bill of responsibilities" alongside our "bill of rights."
In that spirit, New Mexico & El Paso IPL's offerings and partnerships in these coming weeks uplift solidarity with communities impacted by nuclear and extractive industries, protecting our sacred local waterways, responsibilities to our neighbors amidst the dangers of heat, stories of creaturely inspiration, and more.
For all offerings and timely updates, please see the "events" page of our website.
Peace and blessings to all,
Your IPL Team
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You're Invited
ANNUAL CHURCHROCK URANIUM SPILL COMMEMORATION
Saturday, July 13, 7am to 4pm, Churchrock
MASE (Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment) is hosting their annual commemoration for the uranium spill at Red Water Pond which is the second largest in our country's history. The day will include: Blessing, Walk, Discussion, Lunch, and Closing Prayer. Bring your own chairs and umbrellas.
12 miles north of Red Rock State Park on Highway 566 from Churchrock, NM
Contact Edith Hood with questions:
(505) 728-9530
Flier and more info here.
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A WORLD WITHOUT NUCLEAR WEAPONS
From Reflection to Action
Sunday, July 14, doors open at 2pm.
An Interfaith Remembrance of the Tinity Test in June of 1945.
All Are Welcomed
Free: Reservations are highly recommended
For reservations: Event Invitation
St JOHN XXIII CATHOLIC COMMUNITY: 4831 TRAMWAY RIDGE DR NE, ALBUQUERQUE
Event is organized by:
The Archdiocese of Santa Fe,
New Mexico Conference of Churches,
Interfaith Power & Light, NM-EP,
Nuclear Watch New Mexico,
Soka Gakkai International-USA &
Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium
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...“Abandoned and orphaned oil and gas wells or those not properly dealt with accelerate climate change, threaten health, harm future generations and lay a burden upon ordinary people. Stronger bonding in the oil and gas field in New Mexico is an ethical action and helps industry with their moral responsibility of clean-up,” said Sister Joan Brown, executive director of Interfaith Power and Light-New Mexico and El Paso Region. “Are we not we all called to care for our neighbor and this sacred land, water and air that is a gift?”
Hear more from Kaley Shoup and CCFF through the full press release HERE.
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Our IPL Team in the News
Oil and Gas Bonding Campaign
Press Release
"Today [June 24], advocates across New Mexico petitioned the Oil Conservation Commission to modernize woefully outdated laws governing oil and gas cleanup, financial assurance and operator transfers. New Mexico’s oil and gas industry is inadequately bonded to the tune of $8.18 billion according to a study commissioned by the New Mexico State Land Office and conducted by the Center for Applied Research. This is a huge financial burden which risks falling on the shoulders of taxpayers. Bonding is essentially “insurance” that would cover the cleanup of well sites in the event that oil and gas companies walk away from their responsibilities, and is legally required prior to drilling. Petitioners include the Western Environmental Law Center, Citizens Caring for the Future, Conservation Voters New Mexico Education Fund, Diné C.A.R.E., Earthworks, Naeva, New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light, San Juan Citizens Alliance, and Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter. The Western Environmental Law Center represents the coalition....
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More Upcoming Events
Quintessence Summer Festival
"The Lost Birds: An Extinction Elegy"
Festival schdule runs from July 21st through July 28th, with workshops thoughout the week.
Final Performance: Sunday, June 28th, 3pm. See their website for more details and workshop content.
Film Screening of "Cooked"
Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 6:00 pm (ABQ Mennonite Church)
All are invited to a haystack (taco variation) buffet and screening of the award-winning film "Cooked: Survival by Zipcode." The film delves into the story of the worst heat disaster in U.S. history in 1995 in Chicago, when 739 residents—mostly elderly and black—died over the course of one week. The film links the deadly heat wave's devastation back to the manmade disaster of structural racism, shining a light on the issues of poverty, race, class, and education that underlie how natural disasters take lives.
Hosted at ABQ Mennonite Church (1300 Girard Blvd NE) in partnership with Central United Methodist Church, First Congregational UCC, New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power and Light, and more friends!
Agua es Vida: Do Your Part!
Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 6:30 pm
Join MIddle Rio Grande Water Advocates for a discussion with Nat Chakeres, OSE General Counsel, and Tanya Trujillo, Deputy State Engineer, to discuss how the OSE is managing Rio Grande Compact compliance in the Middle Rio Grande and below Elephant Butte Dam in the Lower Rio Grande. Learn about incentives and motivators that the OSE can use to ensure that New Mexico complies with its legal water sharing mandates. Register HERE.
Middle Rio Grande Region Water Planning Open House
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 3-7pm MDT
The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission has been hosting regional water planning meetings all summer. If you live in the middle rio grande, please consider attending with your insight and concen for our sacred waters. Doors open at 3pm. Drop in anytime between 3-7pm to share your perspectives on water planning. Registration is encouraged but entirely optional.
Location coming soon, see NMISC website.
Please see talking points from Amigos Bravos HERE.
"Rio Unidos"
Saturday, August 24, 2024, 8:30 - 10:30 am (La Ramada Hiking Trail, ABQ)
Rev. Ryan Tate is organizing a wonderful day to celebrate the Rio Grande and all southwestern waterways. We all know our local waterways have been deeply impacted by federal rulings regarding weltands and waterways, with all of our rivers being named endangered this year. Centering indigenous voices and perespectives, join us for activities, rituals, and prayers celebrating our connectedness and unity to the sweet waters which give us life.
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Earth & Spirit Sharing
Wednesday, July 24 at 6 - 7 PM
Register Here
Join our monthly online Earth & Spirit Sharing gathering. Sacred grounding and sharing are so important for the long-haul as we endeavor to bring joy and love into our work. Participants have shared how restorative and connecting this time feels, even over Zoom! Hope to see you there.
Save the Date
Apache Stronghold makes thier way to D.C...
As many have followed developments with Apache Stronghold's fight against copper mining on their sacred lands in Oak Flat, please stay tuned for an opportunity to gather with them in solidarity. Apache Stronghold will be making their way in a convoy from Seattle, WA to Washington D.C. this July and August as they prepare to file their case with the Supreme Court.
As they make their way, First Congregational UCC ABQ will be collaborating with other faith communities to host them on their journey sometime after July 22nd. Please reach out to Clara Sims (clara@nm-ipl.org) and John Maddaus (john.maddaus@gmail.com) if you would like to be a part of extending hospitality on their journey.
NM IPL's Annual Fall Gathering "Persevering in Beauty"
Wednesday, October 16, 2024 (First Unitarian Church)
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Faithful Advocacy Education & Action
"Minimizing Mining Impacts on Road to Net-Zero Transport"
Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 3:00 pm MT
Join for launch of the report "Minimizing Mining Impacts on the Road to Net-Zero Transport." Elsa Dominish, lead report author from The Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology, Sydney will present on the report and answer audience questions. The report documents case studies from across the globe that show we can transition from fossil fuels, while decreasing our mineral demand and upholding the rights of mining frontline communities. Register HERE.
Extreme Heat, Health and Resiliency Summit (free)
Thursday, July 11, 2024
Healthy Climate New Mexico (formerly NM Health Professionals for Climate Action) is hosting a summit on zoom from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm MT with a variety of sponsors, from NM hospitals, health professionals, public educators and more. You can register HERE.
Water Reuse (Produced Water) Rulemaking Hearing Continued...
Monday, August 5, 2024, 9 am - 5:30 pm
The Water Quality Control Commission will continue its hearing on NMED's proposed water reuse rules. There will be public comment opportunities both in-person and virtually. Find those the details HERE. Thank you to everyone who gave public comment earlier in this rule-making, this is a rather complicated, "in the weeds" issue and if you would like some talking points please email Joan (joan@nm-ipl.org). It's important that the commission continue to hear from folks of faith and conscience!
New Mexico's Climate Adaptation & Resilience Plan - Community Conversations
Add your voice to this blueprint for resilience in New Mexico on areas of concern including, but not limited to: community & culture, ecosystems & natural resources, human health & wellness, water systems, infrastructure & built environment, and local economies. Our Energy, Management, and Conservation Division is hosting these conversations across the state over the next few months. Upcoming meeting dates and locations can be found on their website - dinner is provided!
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A Special Story from Our Friend Rose Marie Cecchini
"Love on Buttefly Wings"
When three friends from New Mexico, Sr. Joan Brown, Sr. Marlene Perrotte and Pat Sheely, came to visit me in Monrovia, CA, in March, our anticipated in-person reunion not only renewed our longtime friendship, but, surprisingly, opened us up to a new kind of relationship we could never have
imagined.
Since their visit coincided closely with my 90th birthday, my generous friends decided to mark the occasion with a gift of plants for a recently re-wilded 20,000 square foot area of native trees and plants. The meadow is located on seven acres of Maryknoll Sisters land, being transformed into an EARTH Commons, for the healing of Earth and human-creation relations. At a local plant nursery, Joan, Marlene and Pat made their selections, including four milkweed plants. And one of them unexpectedly carried a small Monarch caterpillar in residence, who came back with us to the meadow....
Read the full story of Clara and Clarence here.
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More Resources
Orion Magazine: Daniel Coe's Astonishing River Cartography - River histories visualized as entangled, intricate textures. Checkout these beautiful, inspiring images!
From Creation Justice Ministries:
Faithful Resilience Collection, a six-part Story Map series that promotes place-based awareness for communities of faith. As climate change illuminates our interdependency with Creation, it compels us to prioritize the healing of our imbalanced relationships with Earth and one another. We are called to actions of resilient care for human and non-human communities, actions that recognize Creation for its inherent dignity and honor our own belonging in the web of life.
The Film "Common Ground" now available to non-profits for FREE
This phenomenal film from makers of "Kiss The Ground" brings to light the extraordinary power of the soil to heal our planetary systems and human health. If your faith community or non-profit organization would like to show the film, the screening rights are now free. IPL's faith climate action page takes you through the simple licensing steps.
2024 Faith Votes Campaign & Voter Reflection Guide
Interfaith Power & Light's national office has created a faithful voter reflection guide for their 2024 Faith Votes campaign. This reflection guide is intended to spur discussion and discernment. Whether you use it at a kitchen table, in a house of worship, at a community forum, or at an event with policymakers and political candidates, we hope it helps you navigate the urgent moral questions raised by this election.
Learn more about New Mexico Community Solar through these resources.
Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth Community Worship Resources
This group offers free monthly worship and small group ministry resources focused on Earth care and climate justice: and bonus materials: Spiritual Care for Climate Distress, Anxiety and Grief.
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Energy Audits for Houses of Worship
Does your house of worship need an energy audit? Is your house of worship in the Albuquerque area? Our Cool Congregations volunteer team of engineers wants to help you get your building more efficient. To get added to our list of future projects, get in contact with us. The first step is to collect two to three years of gas and electric bills and designate a contact person. Email clara@nm-ipl.org for more.
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Money For Your House of Worship or Your Own House
Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, you can get a 30% rebate on your house of worship's solar project, Ground Source Heat Pump, and EV charging station.
Here's how it works: Fact Sheet for Houses of Worship
Additional resources that might be helpful:
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