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May 2, 2023

Blessings the time of Beltane, May Day, Worker's Day and Spring plantings and blessings!

We are so grateful for so many Earth Month celebrations around New Mexico and in El Paso. In the photo here you see the work of volunteers who attended a Soil workshop with Joyce and James Skeet of Covenant Pathways near Gallup on April 15. Compost bins were created at East Central Ministries in Albuquerque. A video of the workshop can be viewed at Earth Month 2023 – New Mexico Interfaith Power and LightThank you Skeets, crew and everyone!!!

Thank you First Congregational Church for co-sponsoring with IPL a wonderful concert with Emma's Revolution connecting immigration and climate justice and raising funds for their immigration ministry.

Thank you to Congregation Albert, ABQ; St. Luke's parish, El Paso; Holy Cross Retreat Center, Las Cruces; Las Placitas Presbyterian, Placitas; Columban Center, El Paso; and sooooooo many more faith communities for their events and work.

As we continue to reflect with the recent UN IPCC climate report, we know we have so much loving work to do. Please read on and also check out our website. We need to work together as loving community for Our Common Home. Please invite others to join our list to receive information and updates for engagement. [email protected].

Peace and good,

Sr. Joan Brown, Executive Director

What's Happening:

Sunday, May 7, 2023, 1-4 pm

285h Annual Spring Colloquium

NM Interfaith Dialogue

Living Compassion in Community

Speakers: Imam Abdur Rauf Raul Campos-Marquetti, Peublo of Santa Ana's Dept. of Natural Resources and VP and General Secretary of the Islamic Center of NM and member of ABQ Muslim community; Chandra Doran, board president and director of Trinity House Catholic Worker; Mona Reszaei, Communications Specialist for Nusenda Credit Union and student at M.T.O Shahmaghsoudi School of Islamic Sufism; Mike Leppala, Board Chair of Family Promis, ABQ and moderator Rev. Lynne Hinton, Director of NM Conference of Churches. Please register at [email protected]m by May 5 Columban Center Earth Day, El Paso

with name and contact to receive zoom link.

May 7-10

National IPL Meeting and Lobbying, DC

Sr. Joan Brown and Clara Simms attending

Thursday, May 11, 5:30 pm

PFA's Fracking and Forever Chemical

On-line presentation

Dusty Horwitt from Physicians for Social Responsibility will offer an overview of a recent report from PSR. Sponsored by Citizens Caring for the Future and Interfaith Power and Light NM & El Paso. Free event, register https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qfuGtpz4oHdKgB2YVzgx3sxDq9nD19TWe

Saturday, May 13, 10 am (gather at Casa de Salud, 1608 Isleta Blvd SW, ABQ.)

San Ysidro y Santa Maria de la Cabeza--South Valley Celebration

Annual celebration of the feast to bless the waters, plants and fields. Meet at Casa de Salud and process to Sanchez Farms. For more information contact Sayrah Namaste at [email protected].

Tuesday, May 16, 6:30 pm on zoom

Middle Rio Grande Water Advocates Legislative overview

https://mrgwateradvocates.org/ to register

Middle Rio Grande Water Advocates will give a presentation on the 2023 NM Legislature Funding for Water Management and Planning. Speakers: Hannah Risely-White, Deputy Director of the NM Interstate Stream Commission and Norm Gaume, President, Middle Rio Grande Water Advocates and NM Water Ambassador. Register for the free event.

Friday, May 19, 7 pm-Sunday May 21 (concluding with lunch)

Laudato Si Retreat

Holy Cross Retreat Center, Las Cruces and on-line

See attached flyer. For information call 575-524-3688 or [email protected].

May 22-25

Delivery of letters to BLM offices around New Mexico regarding on-line lease sale.



Wednesday, May 24, 6 pm, zoom

Earth and Spirit: Monthly Reflection and Sharing

As we work on climate justice and hold so many needs in our world, it is important to take a pause, meditate, reflect and share in community. Lisa Leahigh, a Buddhist practitioner working on a degree in Eco-chaplaincy leads these monthly sessions. The next one focuses upon thoughts of Joanna Macy. All are welcome. Hyperlink to receive Zoom link. https://actionnetwork.org/events/monthly-earth-spirit-sharing/. If you have difficulties contact [email protected].

June 1-4--in person and on line

Planting Life: Sowing and Preserving Native Seeds of Antiquity

Sponsored by Upaya Zen Center

With Roshi Joan Halifax, Roxanne Swentzell, Sensei Wendy Johnson, Keido Troy Fernandez, Porter Swentzell, Melissa K. Nelson, PhD, Alonso Méndez. Upaya Zen Center has convened a unique weekend teaching program grounded in the fields of environmental activism, engaged spiritual practice, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge. In-person registration: https://www.upaya.org/program/planting-life-in-person-2023/?id=2507. On-line registration: https://www.upaya.org/program/planting-life-online-2023/?id=2552.

Policy Advocacy Updates:

Federal:

Submit your comment to the EPA urging them to finalize the strongest possible protections from mercury and other toxic air pollution to adequately protect our health and environment.  



Resources:

Houses of Worship Efficiency and Solar---The Cool Congregation Committee of IPL works with Houses of Worship to address energy efficiency/solar. Soon their will be regulations and information regarding direct payback for solar and maybe somethings for energy efficiency through the IRA. IPL will keep you posted.

Enjoy reading the mid Rio Grande Times newsletter 27 coordinated by some of our Mennonite friends https://midriograndetimes.org/.

Land Back Movement: The recording of the Creation Justice Webinar on the Land Back Movement is now available on YouTube. Because guidance on land acknowledgments has been a request in the past, we additionally created a short video and resource page devoted specifically to this matter.

Check Out IPL website for latest news and actions.