NMIPL IN THE NEWS

Faith-Based Engagement at COP 27

/in , , , /by

This excerpt teprinted from UN Environment Programme Faith-based engagement site.

Faith Advocacy at the UNFCCC COP: From Glasgow to Sharm el-Sheikh

Ahead of COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland Faiths demonstrated the potential to engage in robust climate-related dialogue, opening world’s eyes to the potential of faith leaders and their institutions to bridge the gap between faith and science resulting in The Appeal.

This year, ahead of COP27 the UN called for inclusive spaces for civil society:

“They underscored the essential role civil society plays in advancing climate action and urged Egypt to ensure safe and meaningful participation at the conference, including for independent groups”.

– UN News, Egypt urged to ensure civil society’s full participation in COP27 climate summit

In spite of the presented challenges, faiths have ensured that their voices are heard by organising 40+ side events, meditations, interventions, and actions to raise ambition and raise awareness for our common home.

Have a look at the faith-related events listed here. To add an event or update its details, please email azmaira.alibhai@un.org. Have you seen the latest Faith for Earth Newsletter?

COP 27, Laudato Si and Advent

A delegation of the Laudato Si’ Movement will be present in Sharm el Sheikh and supported by the efforts of its members and partners, will focus on NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) and mitigation. They will also present the film The Letter.

Advent begins on November 27 and this year we will celebrate it with the theme “Preparing for the Good News”, with a weekly reflection that will be published on the Hozana platform, a community to unite in prayer as a Church. Join Hozana to pray together this Advent.

 

Jardin de Milagros in Anthony Helps Address Food Insecurity in El Paso

/in , , /by
By Odile Coirier, fmm, New Mexico-El Paso Interfaith Power & Light field organizer

In March 2020, the COVID pandemic hit my home city of El Paso badly. At that time, I decided to volunteer at the Kelly Center for Hunger Relief (located at Trinity United Methodist Church in downtown El Paso) to deliver food to the most vulnerable people in the city. During one of my volunteer visits,  I noticed healthy fresh vegetables delivered in large boxes. 

Photo: Jardin de Milagros website

At the same time, I got to know more and more about the center’s operations, its  goals to address hunger and food insecurity through direct services to the communities, education programs and advocacy (particularly steamlining SNAP access ). 

This network led me to Jardin de Milagros , or Garden of Miracles, in Anthony (a community that straddles Texas and New Mexico). This is a 3-acre farm operated by Jerry and Susie Hobson since 2010. The garden provides food to Kelly Center, thanks to a collaboration that began with discussions between the Hobsons and Rev. John Schwarti

Photo: Jardin de Milagros website

The Farm depends on volunteers to assist with preparing the fields, transplanting slips and harvesting the produce.

To volunteer, please contact Susie Hobson at (915) 867-3371 or Suzanne.H.Hobson@gmail.com.

The Farm is located at 496 Wallace Road, Anthony, NM, 88021.

Below are a few more photos from the farm.

 

 

 

 

Fall preparations

Post-harvest

The growing season

Susie Hobson

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos: Odile Coirier, Jardin de Milagros website

Larry Rasmussen’s Climate Letters to his Grandchildren

/in , , /by

Renown theologian and Christian environmental ethicist Larry Rasmussen–a resident of Santa Fe and a member of the New Mexico El Paso-IPL advisory committee–has mentored a generation of Christians in eco-theology and green religion. “He rooted his courses and scholarship at Union Theological Seminary in the practice of environmental justice with communities and community leaders. He has published numerous books, including two landmark, award-winning volumes, Earth Community, Earth Ethics and Earth-honoring Faith: Religious Ethics in a New Key.  Read a longer bio

Rasmussen’s latest work, entitled The Planet You Inherit: Letters to My Grandchildren when Uncertainty’s a Sure Thing, is set for publication on November 29.

Here is a short description from the publisher’

Our children’s and grandchildren’s generation will face a different world, one affected by climate instability, mass uncertainty, and breathtaking extinction. In fact, the next generation will face the reality that human activity is changing the planet from one geological epoch to another.

From this vantage point—two generations across two geological epochs facing a fundamentally changing planet—Larry Rasmussen writes to his grandchildren. As a grandfather invested in a green earth and climate justice as well as a scholar of faith-based earth ethics, Rasmussen bridges this gap between generations to write to the future about climate change, global citizenship, democracy, and legacy. In topics ranging from “A Viable Way of Life” and “Democracy” to “Where We’ve Come From” and “Who We Are Now,” Rasmussen explores the large questions of justice, meaning, and faith, encouraging us to speak to and look to the future generation and their future world.

You can purchase the book at a handful of independent bookstores in New Mexico.

Bookworks in Albuquerque upon publication on Nov. 29 or Pre-order here

Page 1 Books in Albuquerque  Pre-Order Here

Collected Works in Santa Fe

COAS Books in Las Cruces Pre-order here

Literaty Book Shop in El Paso, TX  Pre-order here

You can also pre-order the book from national book sellers  Option 1   Option 2

Carlsbad Current Argus. Sep. 3, 2020 New Mexico finalizes oil and gas wastewater regulations, lawmakers hear testimony (Rev. Nick King Quoted)

Las Cruces Sun-News,  Aug. 19, 2020, Report on solving climate crisis brings hope (Co-authored by Michael Sells, Clara Sims and Edith Yanez)

Santa Fe New Mexican, Aug. 15, 2020 Vote your values this November  (Commentary by Larry Rasmussen and Tabitha Arnold)