New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light
In This Issue
Rev. Sally Bingham Keystone Pipeline Statement
Solar Possibility Meeting
Keeping the Earth Fall Retreat
Events and Resources
Quick Links
More About Us and
Donate Now

Shop IPL
for energy efficient products, specialty lighting and much more....
September E-Notes, 2011
Greetings! Joan Brown,osf

Blessings this fall day. So much has been happening locally and nationally over the past month.

**I was please to offer a workshop for the Las Cruces Diocesan Conference recently and NMIPL would love to help with other events in Southern New Mexico.

**We are busy organizing a solar installation through Power to Purchase Agreement informational evening in Albuquerque with a great deal of interest from faith communities. We hope to work with other areas of the state in the future.

**Our Cool Congregation Challenge continues. It would be great to recognize what your faith communities are doing and you can win prizes.

**NMIPL along with many others testified to protect creation and health during EPA hearings around San Juan Coal Fire Power Plant earlier this year. Testimonies and letters helped to increase standards on the plant. EPA' s discussion of the rule's basis states: "The federal plan will require the San Juan Generating Station, to cut emissions to improve scenic views at 16 of our most treasured parks including the Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde and Bandelier National Monument. Pollution from this power plant impacts four states including Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. Improved air quality also results in public health benefits. The thirty-year old San Juan Generation Station power plant is one of the largest sources of NOx pollution in the United States."

**We have read and watched with gratitude the witness of many in DC, including people of faith, who have been drawing attention to the Keystone Pipeline concern. Read Rev. Sally Bingham's statement.

There is so much to share of Hope in bud and bloom amidst the challenges we face. I hope you find hope as you read these e-notes. Thank you for all you do and for the hope you are each day. If you are not involved and would like to be...let us know.

Much peace and good,
Joan Brown,osf
Executive Director, New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light
Solar Possibilities for Houses of Worship/Schools
Come find out about Power to Purchase Agreements for Solar
Meeting for Faith Communities
unitarian solar panels

Solar panels on First Unitarian facilities, Albuquerque.


Tuesday, September 20, 7 pm
St. Therese School, 311 Shrophsire Place NW 

 Consolidated Solar Technologies will offer information, technical input and explain how through a bundling process houses of worship in PNM distribution areas might get solar panels with no up front cost. Time is limited due to increasing electric costs and decreasing of rebates.
*Bring 12 months of electric bills front and back
*Bring knowledge of structural load bearing strength
*Bring several people who will be involved in the decision making process

Please RSVP to info@nm-ipl.org and you will be sent a one page explanation of Power to Purchase Agreements.
camp stoney sunset
Camp Stoney sunset
Keeping the Earth Fall Retreat
October 14-16, 2011, 6pm Fri.- noon Sun. Camp Stoney (7855 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe) 
"All Creation is a symphony of praise to God."

Take a fall break, enjoy solitude, input and conversation with wonderful people of various faith traditions. Come to Episcopal Camp Stoney for time away. Retreat includes meals, lodging, prayers, program and fun.

Donation: $140 retreat house lodging or $115 cabin lodging
Visit our website www.nm-ipl.org for more details or  contact us    
cool congregations
Cool Congregation Challenge

Take the Cool Congregation Challenge and Possibly Win $$$$$
Summer is a great time for congregations to prepare an entry for the Cool Congregations Challenge. It's a fall contest with prizes that recognize congregations that are becoming energy efficient and sustainable role models. Top cash prizes of $1,000 plus additional prizes will go to winning contestants in four categories: energy efficiency, renewable energy, grounds and water conservation, and helping congregants lower household energy use. All faiths are welcome to participate. Projects of any size completed in the last year from October 20, 2010 through October 20, 2011 qualify.

 

Contest is free to enter. Cool Congregations Challenge is sponsored by Interfaith Power & Light. New Mexico InterFaith Power and Light is based in Albuquerque but works throughout New Mexico.


Visit http://interfaithpowerandlight.org/challenge2011 for more info.

Events and more......
 

Candlelight Interfaith Prayer of Remembrance

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Bataan Memorial Park,Lomas and Carlisle NE, Albuquerque
5:30pm  Bring a picnic dinner.
7pm Release of peace doves and vigil with Fr. Richard Rohr of CAC, Hillary Hyle of Rainbow Buddhist Sangha, Liz McMaster of the Unitarian Church, Imam Shafi of the
Islamic Center, and Rabbi Deborah Brin from Nhalat Shalom.

 

Perspectives on Climate Change (Fulbright Association NM Chapter) 

3 pm, Sunday, October 16, 2011

Jewish Community Center, 5520 Wyoming Blvd, Albuquerque

 

*The scientific evidence that growing carbon dioxide levels and global warming are largely of human origin; Professor David Gutzler, UNM

*Predicted climate changes caused by global warming and their likely consequences; Dr. Mark Boslough, Sandia National Laboratory

*Obstaclews standing in the way of addressing global warming-a business community perspective; Mr. Jeff Sterba, CEO (retired) PNM

* Moderator: Mr. John Fleck; Science writer, The Albuquerque Journal

 

Episcopal Regional Meeting, Clovis

October 19-21, 2011

NMIPL will have a table and we also want to bring CFL light bulbs for those congregations of various faith traditions to utilize in their homes.  Contact us if you are interested and in PNM utility area, info@nm-ipl.org  

 

Open Space Alliance presents 'Burque Bioneers 2011

October 21-22, 2011

National Hispanic Cultural Center, nhccnm.org

A local, self-organized event broadcasting practrical environmental solutions and innovative social strategies to restore Earth's imperiled ecosystems from 9 am to 4 pm daily. Video's of keynote speakers from 22nd annual Bioneers Conference and local workshops, including workshop and table with NMIPL.  Tickets are $25 for both days, $15 for one day, on sale at nhccnm.org. Visit blog at bbabq.wordpress.com for full schedule and details. Tickets are limited.

 

NM Conference of Churches Statewide Meeting

Saturday, October 29, 2011, 9-3:30 

Holy Rosary Church, Albuquerque

* Keynote speaker: Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary National Conference of Churches,

* Many workshops

*Turquoise Chalice Lunch honoring Bishop Ricardo Ramirez of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces

   $25 Registration at discount rate by October 1 at www.nmchurches.org


NMIPL Fall Feast and Meet

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1100 Indian School NE

Bring a potluck dish made from local ingredients, share a recipe, win prizes for best dish, lowest carbon footprint dish, most unique dish and more. Celebrate this years SEED award recipient (a faith community who is celebrating food at the local level), see clips from some great resource films and hear about upcoming NMIPL activities and have FUN.  Contact info@nm-ipl.org for questions or to RSVP. Watch for more details. 

 

Resources:

 

NMIPL has numerous resources on our website and in our office. If you are looking for a film, book, speakers on creation care and climate change contact us info@nm-ipl.org. 

 

Recycling Electronics Goodwill accepts donations of used computers, computer equipment and other electronics year-round at a store near you anywhere in New Mexico. http://www.goodwillit.org/donate/what-where.htm

 

Looking for recyclable plates, cups, more for events?  

Some houses of worship have found everything they were looking for and more at Southwest Green Building Center, Albuquerque, www.swgreenbuildingcenter.com

 

Worship in the Wilderness offers wonderful reflective hikes and opportunities for prayer with nature. Check them out witwabq.webs.com/  

 

Webinar on Hydrofracking, Sept. 21  

The Franciscan Action Network will host a webinar on horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing for shale gas with Professor Robert Jackson, PhD of Duke University and Sr. Caryn Crook, osf will apply St. Francis' "Canticle of Creatures" to hydrofracking. 

Register online 

 

The Catholic Climate Coalition for Climate Change can help celebrate the Feast of St. Francis, October 4.  

Resources are ready for use as you work with others in your community (parish, school, office) to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis by promoting the St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor.  

Parish and School Planning Guide to Take the St. Francis Pledge

Friending Planet Earth: Helping Youth Understand Solidarity & Sustainability in Light of Climate Change