April 29, 2022
The Honorable Deb Haaland
Secretary, Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20240
Dear Secretary Haaland:
As spiritual leaders from diverse traditions across the country, we are united in our support of increased protections for the Greater Chaco Landscape. We thank you for the proposal to withdraw future oil and gas drilling from the 10-mile area surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Chaco Canyon tells an ancient and powerful story of the rich history, culture, spirituality and resiliency of Indigenous communities throughout the American Southwest. Since time immemorial, these communities have had a deep and sacred connection to the land, water, and wildlife of this important area. It is our moral responsibility as a nation, and our sacred task as spiritual leaders to be responsible stewards of creation and work to protect places of such remarkable cultural, spiritual, historical and ecological significance.
Centuries ago, Chaco Canyon was a ceremonial, agricultural and thriving economic center where Native people built magnificent great houses, astronomical observation sites, and ceremonial kivas. These areas continue to be places of prayer, healing and pilgrimage for various Pueblo and Tribal communities today. Over the years, excessive oil and gas drilling around Chaco Canyon has damaged air and water quality and caused immense harm to the health of children, families and local communities. The proposed withdrawal will ensure that we safeguard thousands of archeological and sacred sites and protect clean air and water for the surrounding communities for generations to come.
The Chaco Culture National Historical Park and the surrounding area also provide critical wildlife habitat to a diverse array of species ranging from elk and mule deer to large predators like cougar, bobcats and badgers as well as a wide variety of birds and reptiles. However, development of oil and gas wells, roads, pipelines, and other infrastructure have severely impacted the area’s wildlife. The proposed withdrawal will ensure the protection of over 350,000 acres of key wildlife habitat as well as protect the area’s unique biodiversity.
The lands in the Greater Chaco region are spiritually, historically and ecologically significant to New Mexico’s Indigenous communities and deserve greater protection. Please approve the proposed administrative withdrawal on federal lands surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
With Gratitude,
| Reverend Andrew Black
EarthKeepers 360 & First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe Santa Fe, NM 87501
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Joseph Brophy Toledo
Flower Hill Institute Jemez Pueblo, NM 87024 |
| Sister Joan Brown, osf
Executive Director New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light Albuquerque, NM 87125 |
Rabbi Nahum Ward-Lev
Author: The Liberating Path of the Hebrew Prophets: Then and Now Santa Fe, NM 87505 |
| Reverend San Williams
First Presbyterian Church in Santa Fe Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507 |
Reverend. Joan Jiko Halifax
Upaya Zen Center Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
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| Reverend James D Brown
Member of Presbytery of Santa Fe Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508
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Sister Rose Marie Cecchini, MM
Office of Peace, Justice & Creation, Catholic Charities of Gallup Gallup, New Mexico 87301
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| Reverend Michael Sells
All Saints Episcopal Church Farmington, New Mexico 87499
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Reverend Larry Davis
Trinity Lutheran Church Farmington, New Mexico 87401
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| Reverend Thomas Smith OFM Conv.
Holy Cross Retreat Center Mesilla, Park New Mexico 88047
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Reverend B. Gail Joralemon
Southwest Conference United Church of Christ Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110
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| Reverend Dr. Harry Eberts
First Presbyterian Church Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
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Abbot Joel Garner
Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey Albuquerque, New Mexico 87121-6700
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| Member Linda Popelish
Morning Light Sangha Jamestown, New Mexico 87347
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Reverend Dr. Rich Holmes
Las Placitas Presbyterian Church Placitas, New Mexico 87043
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| Reverend Vincent Paul Chávez
Saint Therese of the Infant Jesus Catholic Parish Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107
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Reverend Lawrence Bernard, OFM
Chaplain to the Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe Roswell, New Mexico 88203-6141
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| Reverend James M. Collie
La Mesa Presbyterian Church, PCUSA Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110
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Reverend Dr. Holly Beaumont
Interfaith Worker Justice – New Mexico Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508-9476
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| Reverend Trey Hammond
Immanuel Presbyterian Church Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
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Reverend Dr. Georgia Ortiz
HR Presbyterian Church (USA) Chimayo, New Mexico 87522
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| Reverend Talitha J. Arnold
United Church of Santa Fe Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
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Reverend Lorelei Kay
PC(USA) & Fuller Theological Seminary Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
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| Pastor Tiago Arrais
Advent Life Church of Seventh-day Adventists Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
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Reverend Kathryn Westmoreland
Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87124
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| Reverend Richard J. Parker
New Life Presbyterian Church Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123
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Elder Margaret Coxwell
Westminster Presbyterian Church Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
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| Reverend John Guthrie
Presbytery of Santa Fe Santa Fe, New Mexico 87506
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Commissioner Roger Said
First Presbyterian Church Santa Fe Santa Fe, New Mexico 87506
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| Elder Susanna Cooper
Jemez Springs Community Presbyterian Church Jemez Springs, New Mexico 87025
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Reverend Drew Henry
Immanuel Presbyterian Church Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
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| Reverend Kathryn Palmer
First United Presbyterian Church Las Vegas, New Mexico 87701
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Reverend Victor Nelson
Retired Lutheran Minister Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
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| Reverend Judith Wellington
Dakota/Akimel O’otham Albuquerque, New Mexico 87111
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Mr. Luke Rembold
Presbytery of Santa Fe/YAV Proram Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
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| Pastor David Philips
Presbytery of Santa Fe Albuquerque, New Mexico 87111
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Reverend Richard Taylor
United Methodist Church Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87124
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| Reverend Catherine Robinson
St. Andrew Presbyterian Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110
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Reverend Jeffrey Finch
Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Jemez Springs, New Mexico 87025
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| Reverend Laura Niles Finch
Pastor JSCPC Presbyterian Church (USA) Jemez Springs, New Mexico 87025
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Reverend Philip L. Wickeri (ret.)
Former Advisor to Archibishop of Hong Kong Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
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| Reverend Trey Hammond
Immanuel Presbyterian Church Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110
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Deacon James Owens
Norbertine Community of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico 87121
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| Chaplain Elizabeth Montoya
Heart of David Worship Center Las Vegas, New Mexico 87701
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Ruling Elder Nelson Capitan
Dine’ & Presbyterian Ruling Elder Naschitti, New Mexico 87325
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| Reverend Kathryn Westmoreland
Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87124
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Reverend J. Shannon Webster
Jemez Springs Community Presbyterian Church Jemez Springs, New Mexico 87025
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| Reverend Pastor emeritus Howard C. Paul
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) Albuquerque, New Mexico 87111
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Reverend George R. Packard
United Methodist Church, Wisconsin Conference Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
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| Board Chair Carol Morrison
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Silver City, New Mexico 88062
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Reverend Dr. Kenneth Cuthbertson
Presbyterian (PCUSA) Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110
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| Rabbi Paul J. Citrin
Adult Education Teacher Congregation Albert Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102
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Reverend Dr. Robert Woodruff
Second Presbyterian Church Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102
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| Father Anne Tropeano, ARCWP
Father Anne Ministries Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102
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Fr. Eugene Gries
Norbertine community Albuquerque, New Mexico 87121
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| Reverend Bert Scott
Retired United Methodist Minister Albuquerque, New Mexico 87111
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Reverend Sue Joiner
1st Congregational United Church of Christ Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
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| Member Charlotte Smith
Baha’i of Albuquerque Albuquerque, New Mexico 87121
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James Williams
Westminster Presbyterian Church Santa Fe, New Mexico 87506
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| Dr. Kathleen O’Malley
Spiritual Director/Psycotherapist Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107
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Reverend Susan J. Quass
Presbytery of Santa Fe Albuquerque, New Mexico 87112
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| Vice President Tanya Barlow
New Mexico conference United Methodist Women Community United Methodist Church Ruidoso, New Mexico 88345
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Reverend Edward Barlow (ret.)
Community United Methodist Church Ruidoso, New Mexico 88345
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| Reverend Rachael Powell
St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108
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Sister Maria Isabel Galbe
Religious of the Assumption Chaparral, New Mexico 88081
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| Lay Leader Judy Traeger
St. John XXIII Catholic Community Albuquerque, New Mexico 87111
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Friar Charles J McCarthy, ofm conv (Franciscan)
Roman Catholic (Serving Pueblos of Acoma & Laguna) Laguna, New Mexico 87026-1000
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| Reverend Robert Aubrey (ret.)
CCDC Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
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Reverend Carolyn
Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande Datil, New Mexico 87821
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| Ruling Elder Conrad M. Rocha
Stated Clerk/ Executive Synod of the Southwest Presbyterian Church (USA) Albuquerque, NM 87109
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Reverend Sylvia Miller-Mutia
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
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| Reverend Sarah Tevis Townes
Church of the Good Shepherd, UCC Albuquerqeu, New Mexico 87122
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Reverend H. Blaine Wimberly
Mountainside Methodist Cedar Crest, New Mexico 87008
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| Reverend Erica Lea-Simka
Albuquerque Mennonite Church Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
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Dr. Christina Spahn
Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey Albuquerque, New Mexico 87121
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| Reverend Tiffany Curtis
The Open Circle: A Disciples of Christ Community Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
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President William Clark
Rio Arriba Concerned Citizens Cebolla, New Mexico 87518
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| Reverend Lynne Hinton
Conference of Churches Albuquerque, New Mexico 87125
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| Chaplain Joseph L Villegas, Sr.
Texas Band of Yaqui Indians Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
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Reverend Virginia Bairby
First Presbyterian Church of Taos Taos, New Mexico 87571
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| Sister Marlene Kochert
Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, IN Tohatchi, New Mexico 87325
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Reverend Roger Scott Powers
St. Andrew Presbyterian Church Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110
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| Reverend Gail Marriner
Unitarian Universalist Santa Fe Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508
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Reverend Maj-Britt Eagle
Unitarian Universalist Santa Fe Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
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| Reverend Victoria S Ubben
United Church of Santa Fe Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
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Reverend Anita Amstutz
Mennonite Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108
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| Reverend Robert Barnes
Practice Peace.net Pecos, New Mexico 87552
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Reverend Carolyn Pruitt
United Church of Christ Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
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| Dr. James Eagle
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Santa Fe Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
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Sister Marlene Perrotte, rsm
Sisters of Mercy Albuquerque, New Mexico 87125
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| Reverend David Whiteley
Santa Fe Presbytery Albuqueruqe, New Mexico 87120
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Reverend Thomas Hart
Sheppard of the Valley & Presbytery of Santa Fe Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107
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| Reverend Takako Terino
Chaplain, Santa Fe Presbytery Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123
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Reverend Benjamin Larzelere
ELCA (Retired) Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
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| Ms. Katherine Melhorn
First Presbyterian Church Santa Fe, New Mexico 87506
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Rulling Elder Malissa Haslam
First Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
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| Reverend Bill Humphreys
Santa Fe Presbytery Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
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Senior Teacher Don Handrick
Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
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| Reverend Seth Finch
Covenant Presbyterian Church (USA) Albuquerque, New Mexico 87112
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Reverend Mary Kuhns
First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
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| Reverend William Koch (ret.)
Presbyterian Church (USA) Los Lunas, New Mexico 87031
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Reverend David Preininger (ret.)
Laguna Presbyterian Church of NM Albuquerque, New Mexico 87112
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| Reverend Susan Haseltine
Rio Grande Presbyterian Church Albuquerque, New Mexico 87121
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Reverend Dr. David Wasserman (ret.)
Presbyterian Church (USA) Taos, New Mexico 87571
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| Reverend Dr. Christine B. Vogel
Embudo and Dixon Presbyterian Church Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
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Kyle Crider
Program and Policy Director Alabama Interfaith Power & Light Birmingham, Alabama 35214
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| Reverend Sue Westfall
Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsely Birmingham, Alabama 35216
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Sister Zoe Brenner
Sister of the Blessed Sacrament Saint Michaels, Arizona 86511
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| Sister Jean Ryan
Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament St. Michaels, Arizona 86511
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Reverend Dr. William M. Lyons
Southwest Conference United Church of Christ Phoenix, Arizona 85064
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| Reverend Dr. Gil Staffordd
The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona Goodyear, Arizona 85338
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Reverend Susan Valiquette
First Church UCC Phoenix Phoenix, Arizona 85004
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| Reverend Dr. Patricia StandTal Clarke
Red Road Medicine, Inc Phoenix, Arizona 85022
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Reverend Arnold Koriath
1st Church, Phoenix, United Church of Christ Phoenix, Arizona 85028
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| Lay Minister Victoria Begay
Catholic/Dine Saint Michaels, Arizona 86511
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Sister Catherine France
Daughters of Charity Tuba City, Arizona 86045
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| Reverend Dr. Donna Cavedon
Southwest Conference United Church of Christ Sedona, Arizona 86336
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Reverend Doug Bland
Arizona Interfaith Power & Light Tempe, Arizona 85281
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| Sister Theresa Chato
Our Lady of Fatima Church/Navajo Nation member Chinle, Arizona 86503
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Ms. Christine Rayner
Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish Fort Defiance, Arizona 86504
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| Reverend Bart Smith
St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church Tucson, Arizona 85711
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Reverend Dr. Eric Ledermann
University Presbyterian Church Tempe, Arizona 85282
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| Reverend Dr. Barbara Doerrer-Peacock
Southwest Conference United Church of Christ Phoenix, Arizona 85064
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Sr. Joleen Retzer CSA
Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes St. Michael Arizona 86511
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| Reverend Michael Lonergan
Church Of the Painted Hills Tucson, Arizona 85745
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Reverend Carol Rose
Shalom Mennonite Fellowship Tucson, Arizona 85711
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| Reverend Tina Schlabach
Shalom Mennonite Fellowship Tucson, Arizona 85716
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Reverend Alison Harrington
Southside Presbyterian Church Tucson, Arizona 85713-1541
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| Reverend David Ragan
United Church of Christ Phoenix, Arizona 85012
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Pastor Kega Nasios
Pastor Ktizo UCC Church Phoenix, Arizona 85019
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| Reverend Tom Martinez
Desert Palm UCC Tempe, Arizona 85283
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Reverend Steve Keplinger
Grace St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Tucson, Arizona 85719-4308
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| Reverend Shea Darian
Banner Del Webb Medical Center Sun City, Arizona 85351
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Ms. Carol Warren
St James Church Environmental Justice Davis, California 95616
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| Reverend Ken Wyant
United Church of Christ, retired Irvine, California 92620
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Reverend Elder Benita Ramsey
Unity Fellowship Church Riverside, California 92507
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| Chair Chuck Heath
Green Faith Team Irvine United Congregational Church Irvine, California 92604
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Reverend Marci Glass
Calvary Presbyterian Church San Francisco, California 94115
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| Reverend Teri Nilson Baird
First Congregational Church of Stockton Stockton, California 95219
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Reverend Dr. Wayne Hawkins
Organizing Pastor Hispanic Churches Valencia, California 91355
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| Sister Lisa Laguna
Daughters of Charity Los Angeles, California 90057
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Reverend Logan Bennett
La Foret Conference & Retreat Center Colorado Springs, Colorado 80908
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| Reverend Louise F Westfall
Central Presbyterian Church Denver, Colorado 80203
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Reverend Paul J Joncas
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Wellington, Colorado 80549
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