St. John’s United Methodist Church, Camino de Vida Faith Community Receive National Recognition
Interfaith Power and Light Announces ‘Cool Congregations Challenge’ Winners as
Faith Communities Prioritize Energy Efficiency, Renewables, and Sustainability
Albuquerque, February, 2022 — St. John’s United Methodist Church in Albuquerque is one of the six top national Interfaith Power & Light (IPL) 2022 Cool Congregations Challenge winners. The annual contest accepts applications from religious congregations around the United States who are working to address global warming by reducing their carbon footprint as they create models of sustainability within their communities.
St. John’s United Methodist Church won the Sacred Grounds Steward award for $1,500 for their newly constructed food gardens that feed over 500 food-insecure adults and children each month, and their educational outreach to their neighborhood. Inspired by the belief that gardening is “tending the soil, and tending the soul,” volunteers at St. John’s transformed the church property into a huge food garden with hoop houses and raised beds to feed the hungry through various food programs in their community. They also are reaching out to teach about gardening and healthy eating to their members and neighbors, including an elementary school across the street through projects in the garden.
“St. John’s is so honored to receive this award for our garden. What started as a dusty, underutilized corner of our property has blossomed into a beautiful witness of how God’s creation works to support and sustain life and community if it’s paid just a little bit of attention. We hope that others will see this and pay attention to the land and its potential in their communities as well,” said Rev. Dr. Randall W. Partin, Senior Pastor of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Albuquerque.
“I accept this award on behalf of all the people at St. John’s on Garden Ministry Team and the Food Ministry Team who have all put in so much time, labor and money to help us build our garden that feeds the food-insecure, educates the community and reduces our carbon footprint,” said Tim Nuzum, director of the Food and Garden Ministry’s at St. John’s United Methodist Church.
Additionally, Camino de Vida in Albuquerque received one of the twelve national Interfaith Power & Light (IPL) runner up awards of $500. The congregation was recognized in the Cool Planners category. The youth and adults have begun on their ambitious plan to restore the 3 acre property that was gifted to them by another congregation with a community garden that will provide fresh produce for neighbors in need, a food orchard, a space for outdoor bilingual worship, gatherings, and experiencing God in nature. The congregation is committed to making this green space a reality.
“Estamos agradecidos - we are grateful. Thank you to Interfaith Power and Light for recognizing and supporting our efforts to increase the green space and create sacred natural space in the South Valley. Thank you for helping us begin to grow food for our neighbors, working and worshiping in God’s abundant and beautiful creation,” said Rev. Carmen Retzlaff, Pastor of Nature Ministry at Camino de Vida, a joint ministry of the PCUSA and the ELCA.
“We at New Mexico & El Paso Region Interfaith Power and Light are so proud of the work of these communities and so many others who are doing amazing and inspirational work in our region. Love for communities and Sacred Creation are made visible in community and creation care projects for grounds, food, solar, energy efficiency, tree planting and more,” said Sister Joan Brown, osf, executive director of New Mexico El Paso Region Interfaith Power & Light.
