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Dear Joan,
We are approaching the summer solstice, a time to honor the light, the long days, and the abundance of life. It is a time to reflect on our relationships with the more-than-human world and find ways to more honestly align ourselves with Creation. In the spirit of this season, we invite you to join us in Albuquerque for our Summer Solstice Celebration "Illumination & Grace" (see below) on June 20th. Please see below for report-backs on recent events and ways to engage this month.
At this spring's Earth Day festival, we received prayer requests from grandparents, parents, and caregivers, asking us to pray on behalf of the important young people in their lives, calling for wisdom in our climate warming world. We uplift the following names, and invite you to pray alongside us in your tradition: Nene, Varonica, Adie, Patrick, Kristi, Felicia, Ana, Billy, Amy, Julie and Annabel, Penelope, Eleanor, Pradyumna, Jude, Jake, Bill, Tom Chris, Mary, Ned, Aliya, Fina, Isa, Luis, Frankie, Celestine, Mikey, Samie, Luca, and Daniella.
Please reach out if there are ways we can support you and your communities in this collective work. And thank you for your continued faith in action!
Many blessings,
The IPL team
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You're Invited
IPL-New Mexico/El Paso's
Summer Solstice Celebration
"Illumination & Grace"
Thurs, June 20th, 6:00-7:30 pm
1004 Major Ave. NW
In this holy time of sun and water and growth, join us for an evening of interactive rituals with music, prayer, poetry, storytelling and dance. Stay for a social afterwards with special homemade ice cream!
For those at a distance, we have a simple liturgy you can use wherever you are - to receive it please contact Clara. RSVP at clara@nm-ipl.org.
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IPL-NM/EP Visits Washington, DC
IPL-NM/EP Assistant Executive Director Rev. Clara Sims (middle) and Board Member Cynthia Gonzalez (left) traveled to Washington, D.C. in early May for Interfaith Power and Light's annual meeting and a Lobby Day on Capitol Hill. They met with four Congressional offices: Senator Ben Ray Lujan, Senator Martin Heinrich, Representatives Gabe Vasquez and Theresa Ledger Fernandez. They wrote, "Since [our elected officials] are champions on the issues of climate and environmental justice, we asked for their support on specific bills and initiatives and shared with them about our ongoing work with communities of faith and conscience."
Read more about their visit and lobbying asks here.
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Our Foraging Excursion
On May 18, in the sweetened spring morning air, members, friends, and supporters of NM Interfaith Power and Light gathered to forage the hidden cracks and crevices of the beautiful middle Rio Grande. Led by IPL-NM/EP board member Rev. Ryan Tate, participants explored New Mexico native plants and invasives alike near the Los Poblanos Open Space Fields in Albuquerque.
This was a fundraising event, where participants gave a donation to take part in the experience. If you would like to support our continuing efforts to advocate for and raise awareness about climate justice, please consider a donation.
Read Ryan's Blog Here.
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More Upcoming Events
Celebrate World Environment Day and Ecosystem Restoration: An Inner and Outer Journey in UN Frameworks with Catholic Climate Covenant
Wednesday, June 6 at 11 MDT
To commemorate World Environment Day, and to be part of #Generation Restoration, you are invited to join Catholic Climate Covenant in a conversation with Gopal Patel and Amy Echeverria (two internationally recognized faith-based environmental leaders), on Wednesday, June 6 at 11 p.m. (MDT). Distinguished panelists will go on an inner and outer journey of exploring the theme of “Restoration.” In the context of UN processes on land restoration, biodiversity, climate change, and more, they will weave together a holistic tapestry of spirituality and advocacy in action. Register Here.
New Mexico Peace Choir Concert
Sunday, June 16, 2024 3pm MDT
To Walk in Beauty- Lessons From the Earth
Join this beautiful concert in-person and live streamed.
Central United Methodist Church
Albuquerque, NM
Get Tickets Here
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Earth & Spirit Sharing
Wednesday, June 26 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.
East Central Ministries Community Meeting
June 29th at 6:00 pm (123 Vermont St., NE)
East Central Ministries is non-profit working in the International District in Albuquerque on wonderful projects of relationship building and resilience through food, housing, and more. Join us as IPL learns about how we might support this good work!
Check out their website and projects HERE.
Ghost Ranch Weekend Workshops
Two friends of IPL are hosting weekend workshops at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, NM. Visit Ghost Ranch's site to register.
Retreat: Sabbath as Life Abundant at Ghost Ranch
June 24 - June 29
with Rev. Anita Amstutz, author of Soul Tending: Journey into the Heart of Sabbath
Earth My Body, Water My Blood at Ghost Ranch
July 14 - July 20
Singing and Drumming Our Connections
with David Poole and Cliff Berrien
Save the Date
July 13 - Annual Churchrock Uranium Spill Commemoration
October 16 - NM IPL's Annual Fall Gathering "Persevering in Beauty"
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Faithful Advocacy Action
Go to a New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (NMISC) Open House
The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (NMISC) is hosting a series of statewide open houses throughout the summer to listen and learn from communities across New Mexico. Open houses will take place in all 16 of New Mexico’s existing water regions. New Mexico, which is already among the driest states in the nation, is facing increased aridification due to climate change. Now is the time to put our collective knowledge into action, reducing use and planning ahead. Learn more with amigosbravos.org/ and MainStreamNM.org
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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More Resources
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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New Film to Screen: “Cooked: Survival by Zip Code”
This summer IPL is partnering with Bullfrog Films to bring the documentary film, “Cooked: Survival by Zip Code”, to your attention for your summer film screenings.
Cooked: Survival by Zip Code 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.
Bullfrog Films is offering a 50% discount for IPL congregations to screen the film between June 15 - July 15, 2024. The license valued at $100, is available for IPL congregations for this limited time for only $50.
Purchase your license to screen the film with Bullfrog Films.
This film screening license allows you to charge admission! If you decide to charge admission, consider sharing some of the funds you raise with Interfaith Power & Light so we can continue negotiating quality film screening deals for you
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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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