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Blessings as we celebrate Earth month and move into Earth week. NMIPL has been busy working and celebrating!!

First, we want to congratulate Congregation Albert, Albuquerque that just won first prize in the Planning category in the national IPL Cool Congregation Contest. They will receive $1,000 in prize money. Judy Smith, who serves on the NMIPL board can be contacted if other faith communities would like them to share their plan and how they won!!!! 

NMIPL celebrates United Church of Santa Fe, which won two honorable mentions in the national IPL Cool Congregation annual contest. They won in the categories of Sacred Grounds and Renewable Energy and will receive special prizes as well.  Here is a photo of their recently installed solar panels, which in recent months have been supply 100% of their energy needs.


Congregation Albert's Green Team with NM IPL Executive Director, Joan Brown.

Special thanks for all you do and especially to the more than 80 faith leaders who signed a letter supporting Bureau of Land Management guidelines to address methane waste in the oil and gas industry.

A second thank you to the more than 75 interfaith leaders who signed a letter addressing concerns for low income households and solar users who could be adversely affected by the proposed PNM rate case before the Public Regulatory Commission. 

So much more is happening. Continue reading to catch events around New Mexico during IPL Week of Faith and Climate Action and to learn about a new way to finance solar!! 

Much peace and good,
Joan Brown,osf

An easy and new PPA and LLC way to finance solar!!!
NMIPL recently joined California IPL for a webinar with Collective Sun, the only company in the US that works solely with Faith Communities and Non-profits to help them finance solar through an LLC, PPA, where they can take advantage of tax credits.  View the webinar at: https://youtu.be/6u8bt9wtU6M
 Contact Collective Sun through Lee Barken,cell - (619) 723-4583;  lbarken@collectivesun.com
Todd Bluechel, cell - (858) 480-9342; tbluechel@collectivesun.com


Faith Climate Actions around New Mexico
(Actually it is two months of faith and action and it is not to late to sign up and get resources:  http://www.faithclimateactionweek.org/)

Earth Web Earth Fair
Sunday, April 17, after services
First Unitarian (3701 Carlilse NE, ABQ)
Nature/Habitat tour through the Habitat garden, plants for sale, worm composting and worm factories, a Master Composter, solar-baked cookies and more!   All Welcome.                      

Santa Fe: Rally to stop fossil fuel lease sales on federal land
Wednesday, April 20, 2016, 8:30-10
Court yard Marriott (3347 Cerrillos Rd., Santa Fe, NM)
Two days before the signing of UN International Climate Agreement New Mexicans will gather to say we need to look at new alternatives to energy and we need to support BLM and EPA methane pollution rules. In light of Climate Change we need to care for our Earth and begin to keep fossil fuels in the ground. Flyer

Taos: Special Report from COP21 Paris
Thursday, April 21, 5-6:00
El Pueblito Methodist Church
Sr. Joan reports on her time at COP21 UN Climate meeting 
on this historic day of signing the agreement in NY.

Taos: Spirit Beckons, Earth Calls: How Then Shall We Live?
Thursday, April 21, 6-7
El Pueblito Methodist Church
Panel with Lyla Johnson, a Dine poet and organizer: Mirabai Starr, teacher, counselor and writer: Joan Brown,osf, NM Interfaith Power and Light: Todd Wynward, wilderness guide, educator and Mennonite minister for watershed discipleship.  Both events FREE.

Invitation that anyone can do for Earth Day
Join the national IPL Climate Prayer Cirlce. Sign up here.
If you have not Signed the Paris Pledge and Beyond to reduce your energy

Film: We Know Not What We Do---Special Earth Day Showing
Friday, April 22, 6:00 pm
South Broadway Cultural Center, 1025 Broadway Blvd. SE, ABQ
This film on climate change and faith is a labor of love by Aaron Taylor who is from Rio Rancho.  70 minutes. Purchase tickets at: 

Film: Love Thy Nature
Friday, April 22, 7-8:45 (film followed by
panel and actions to care for Earth)
Unity Spiritual Center, 9800 Candelaria, NE, ABQ
EarthCare Ministry invites you to this FREE showing.  www.tugg/events/95852 to reserve a seat. 

La Montanita Earth Fiesta in Santa Fe on Friday, April 22 from 10-1 at the Co-op and in Albuquerque at Nob Hill location Sunday, April 24, 10-4:00.  NMIPL will be there stop by or let 

Panel Discussion on Laudado Si: On Care of Our Common Home
Thursday, May 26, 7-9:00
John the Twenty-third Catholic Community, (4831 Tramway Ridge Dr NE. ABQ)
Panel will address the encyclical and also practical applications. Panel includes:Father Christopher McLaren, St. Mark's Episcopal Church; Rev. Arkad Biczak, pastor at St. John XXIII Catholic Community; Joan Brown,osf, Exec. Dir. NM Interfaith Power and Light.


Don't miss the Climate Justice Retreat at Ghost Ranch.
Friends of NMIPL get a 15% discount.
Scholarships for the Senior High week (Flyer here)
This week could change your life and is a great opportunity for adults and senior high youth!!!


Resources and Advocacy:

New IPL Faith Voter Guide

More resources on Laudato Si in English and Spanish from Incarnate Word Sisters
VIDEO:
- Espaņol -   https://youtu.be/PIURJNCzA8M
SLIDE Show with facts and pictures:
- English -  http://bit.do/bTDss
-  Espaņol -   http://bit.do/bTzQF  
PRAYER:
- English -  http://bit.do/bTzQq
- Espaņol -  http://bit.do/bTzQN

New Government report on the effects of health from Climate Change.

Very interesting research from Yale on faith, climate and the effects of the Papal Encyclical Laudato Si in the US.
ELCA Advocacy
METHANE STANDARDS: ELCA Advocacy announced support for a proposed methane standard. This long anticipated plan would help reduce natural gas waste on tribal and publicly owned lands. The proposal, created by the U.S. Department of the Interior, is expected to be approved by the end of this administration. If passed, the safer standard will help stop the frequency of dangerous methane leaks, which pollute communities, and will lessen our contributions to climate change. The proposal is open for public comments until Earth Day, April 22.   
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