We are blessed to be a large interfaith community of love in action in New Mexico. Every voice is important. As we are reminded as we enter into a Season of Creation,  we are all connected in our common home.  We joined the global community in a special month of  prayers, sermons, actions and gratitude and solidarity for caring for creation and communities and addressing climate realities.

We kicked off our campaign in New Mexico with a reflection from Emily Syal, young adult advisor to the NMIPL board.  Our second reflection came from Linda Sepulveda, who works at the Santa Maria de la Vid Norbertine Abbey and leads a community outreach program to engage young people in media literacy.  The third reflection in the series was offered by Larry Rasmussen, an author, earth ethicist and lecturer. He recorded this video on the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah. Our fourth and final reflection came from The Rev. Canon Cornelia Eaton, Canon to the Ordinary for Ministry & Program Director of Hozhó Wellness Center for Women for The Episcopal Church in Navajoland.

An Invitation to Repentance and Conversion

Blessings everyone,

Spiritual traditions teach that if one part of the body suffers the whole body suffers. Our traditions also invite us, in unique ways, into repentance and conversion. The Buddhist concept of repentance  is instructive in this moment as we face our part individually and systemically in racism.

Buddhism invites a sincere process of self-reflection, diligent self discipline, remorse and a radical change in future actions. Christian traditions invite a similar process called conversion and Jewish tradition speaks of teshevah.

As we soul search and engage on deep levels facing racism individually and systemically the invitations to transformation are filled with grace to do this hard and long work. And we must be creative in the journey and we must sing….https://amidonchoralmusic.com/product/im-gonna-lift-my-sister-up/.

Systems of racism and injustice underlie many of our struggles for justice, including climate justice. New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light supports the Movement for Black Lives and their demands for justice, as well as efforts to move out of a colonial past that causes injustice to our Indigenous brothers and sisters in New Mexico and beyond.

We invite our faith leaders, communities and all who are part of the NM IPL community around the state to pray, meditate, reflect, read, converse, learn, change, and act into a new way forward.

Peace and good,

Worker Bees: Sr. Joan Brown, Carlos Navaro, Clara Sims 

Board Members: Stephen Picha (Catholic); Tom Stark (Unitarian); Judy Smith (Jewish); Charlotte Smith (Bahai); Necip Orhan (Muslim); Ruth Striegel (UCC); Arcie Chapa (Catholic); Terry Sloan (Navajo, Hopi, Catholic); Todd Wynnward (Mennonite)

Advisors: Sr. Rose Marie Cecchini; Larry Rasmussen; and Rev. Anita Amstutz

Other Resources:

Statement fromIPL president and board of directors in response to the killing of George Floyd here.

Statements from IPL affiliates around the country.

Essayin Global Sisters Report (Sister Joan Brown)

Prayer Service sponsored by Archidiocese of Santa Fe, held on Wednesday evening June 3   Read Statement from Archbishop John Wester