We care…
The Creation Care program was created in 2007 as a ministry of the church to create a God-centered response to the environmental crisis. The purpose of the program is to inspire a transformation of consciousness and to promote living responsibly for the healing of and care for the earth. First Presbyterian Church became an Earth Care Congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2014 and continues that association in 2017.
Currently, our church supports the work of Pastor Andrew in the EarthKeepers 360 program, which he hopes to turn into its own nonprofit at some point in the future. EarthKeepers 360 is a movement focused on equipping spiritual leaders with the tools needed to effectively engage modern environmental issues. Through on the ground educational opportunities, community organizing and strategic civic engagement, Earth Keepers unites spiritual leaders from various traditions in shaping and embodying a new earth ethic.
Our “green” initiatives have included:
- Creating a church-wide composting program
- Expanding our recycling program
- Maintaining the Rooftop Garden
- Participating in Earth Day activities
- Contributing to Santa Fe Community Farm
- Sponsoring seminars and workshops about “green “ topics, including climate change, water resources, household energy use, and gardening.
- Supporting:
- Interfaith Power and Light, Albuquerque—An educational and advocacy non-profit dealing with many aspects of protecting the environment.
- CAVU- Santa Fe—A non-profit focused on climate education, mitigation, and adaptation efforts across NM and the Rocky Mountain region.
- Flower-Hill Institute, Jemez Pueblo—A native-run non-profit dedicated to preserving cultural resources, developing leadership among Native youth, and improving climate change resiliency
- Nuestra Tierra, Las Cruces—Their goals are to ensure that marginalized communities have access to the outdoors, and that the history and values of the people are authentically reflected in public land management.
- NM Wildlife Federation, Tribal Partnership Program, Santa Fe—They work to ensure that Native youth, have the opportunity to experience the outdoors in culturally appropriate ways.
To learn about our recent Earth Care activities, see our Earth Care News blog.
Please contact Pastor Andrew if you would like to work on environmental activities.