A Prayer/Blessing for Apache Stronghold at First Congregational UCC

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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.

Foraging for Salad at Los Poblanos Open Space

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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)

Earth Day Project in Albuquerque’s International District

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Twenty volunteers from Hope Evangelical Church and assorted community members cleared trash, planted trees, and spread mulch in Albuquerque’s International District on April 20. East Central Ministries has bought five lots at Chama and Domingo NE with plans to build low cost housing through a community land trust. The baby chokecherry and hackberry trees were Interplanted into existing stands of hardy elms to give them some shade and windbreak.

(Thank you to Donna Detweiler for supplying text and photos)