A Prayer/Blessing for Apache Stronghold at First Congregational UCC

Albuquerque was one of the stops for Apache Stronghold on its journey to the Supreme Court in Washington to stop the shattering of human existence and to protect Mother Earth. The prayer journey began in the Lummi Nation, north of Seattle, in July, and it will conclude on September 11, 2024 when the Apache Stronghold files their appeal at the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, with stops along the way visiting tribes and supporters for prayer and ceremony.

Sister Joan Brown, Rev. Ryan Tate

The local event, held on Monday, Aug. 20, at First Congregational UCC, featured prayers and blessings from three IPL New Mexico-El Paso leaders: executive director Joan Brown osf, board member Rev. Ryan Tate and assistant executive director Clara Sims.

The Apache Stronghold delegation then traveled to  Pueblo, Co.

Watch: Interview with Sister Joan on KNME’s New Mexico in Focus

Watch Sister Joan Brown on Friday, July 12, 7pm on New Mexico in Focus (KNME-TV NM PBS). Laura Paskus, a friend of Interfaith Power & Light New Mexico & El Paso, conducted the interview.

Here is the text that accompanied KNME-TV’s posting online.

7.12.24 –In 2015, Pope Francis issued an encyclical letter focused on the Earth, the economy and social justice, called “On Care for Our Common Home, Laudato Si.” In conversation with Our Land’s Laura Paskus, Sister Joan Brown, executive director of New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power and Light, talks about what has changed (and what hasn’t) since that encyclical letter. The two also talk about the value of interfaith work in building community and adapting to climate change in New Mexico.

Correspondent: Laura Paskus

Guest: Sister Joan Brown, Executive Director, New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power and Light

For More Information: Watch the entire, hour-long special, “Loving Our Changing Homelands.”

 

Foraging for Salad at Los Poblanos Open Space

On Saturday morning, May 18, in the sweetened spring morning air, members, friends and supporters of  Interfaith Power and Light New Mexico and El Paso gathered to forage the hidden cracks and crevices of the beautiful middle Rio Grande.

Led by IPL-NM/EP board member Reverend Ryan Tate, participants explored New Mexico native plants and invasives alike near the Los Poblanos open space.

Spring greens like Lambs quarter, curly dock, dandelion and plantain were harvested, while more medicinal plants were identified such as; Globemallow, wild licorice, Goldenrod, Wood roses, and several varieties of native mint.

After harvesting, we made a wild salad together , and enjoyed the fruits of Mother Earth in community.

A fundraiser

This was a fundraising event, where participants gave a donation to take part in the experience.  If you were not able to attend and would like to support our continuing efforts to advocate for and raise awarness about climate justice, you can donate in two ways:

* Paypal (make an online donation of $10 or more with a note “Foraging for Fun(ds),

* Mail a check. Make it out to IPL New Mexico El Paso and send it to   P.O. Box 2716,

(Photos courtesy of Haley Hathaway.  Text courtsey of Rev. Ryan Tate)