VIDEOS. The Creator calls us, as individuals and communities, to be responsible stewards and keepers of the Earth. But what does this really mean? This summer’s Adult Education explores this very question. See the following schedule and videos of classes.

We delve into topics ranging from Climate Change and how to be a climate smart congregation to what we can do in our homes to care for the earth and how we can become more aware of environmental injustices across the nation. This dynamic series will bring in provocative speakers and provide helpful information on topics ranging from climate change, land, water and wildlife to how we can we be can be better stewards of the gift of the earth from an individual and church perspective.

• June 11—Why Care? The State of God’s Creation & Overview of Our Earth Summer Series.
• June 25—Water & Santa Fe’s Development. Led by Allen Hook, Water Resources Coordinator at City of Santa Fe Water Division.
• July 9—Compost Happens. Reunity Resource.
• July 16—Environmental Justice & American Politics. Led by Professor Tony Arnold.
• July 23—Being a Climate Smart Church. Led by Pastor Andrew and Rob Lochner, Church of the Servant.
• July 30—Sustainable Living at Home. Led by Jen Milnes. 
• August 6—No class. One service at 10 am.
• August 13—Going Solar. Positive Energy.
• August 20—Early Childhood Healthy Outdoors Program. National Wildlife Federation
• August 27—Environmental and Sustainable Living Fair. Pope Hall, 9:00-12:00.

 

Videos of Past Classes

June 11—Why Care? The State of God’s Creation & Overview of Our Earth Summer Series. Led by Pastor Harry and Jen Black.  In this opening course, we explore the latest science regarding climate change, the wildlife crisis and what this all has to do with being faithful Christians. Through a dynamic and interactive presentation, we re-examine our role and responsibility in caring for God’s creation, explore mental blocks to making real environmental change and discuss how during these times First Presbyterian Church must be a transformative agent in our world. (The video of this class did not turn out so Pastor Andrew and Jen Black are redoing it. Watch this space.)

 

June 25—Water & Santa Fe’s Development. Allen Hook, Water Resources Coordinator at City of Santa Fe Water Division updates us on issues surrounding water conservation, development, fire and water sources for the Santa Fe area. View the video to see his informative slides and comprehensive presentation.

 

 

July 9—Compost Happens. Led by Juliana Ciano, Reunity Resources, explores the serious need for composting, explains the composting process, and provides a number of helpful resources for organizations and individuals. Video to come.

 

 

 

July 16—Do Environmental Justice. Professor Tony Arnold explores what it means for Christians to actively seek environmental justice. A modern-day parable has 3 congregations seeking to understand how to do justice, love their neighbors, and care for God’s creation. This parable introduces several key insights that can help us to live these bold spiritual and moral imperatives in the world’s messy social, political, and environmental realities. The insights are connected to several different environmental-justice examples and studies, including lessons learned from the University of Louisville Resilience Justice Project. Download the class handout: Do (Environmental) Justice.

 

July 23—A Climate Smart Church. Churches can reduce their energy and water use, move toward renewable energy, recyce, compost, and reduce waste. Reverend Andrew Black presents on our church’s energy audit and how end times texts call for us to care for the one earth we’ve been given. Rob Lochner of Lutheran Church of the Servant and Construction Director Habitat for Humanity talks about the amazing climate smart changes his church has made this past year as well as Habitat’s Net Zero building that is leading the country.

 

July 30—Sustainable Living at Home. Jen Milnes, Leadership Coach and Change Management Expert, helped us reflect on how we can live more sustainably at home, with helpful tips on reducing waste, changing to more eco-friendly products, and reusing packaging items. View video to see these ideas and those from the attendees.

 

August 13—Going Solar. Genevieve Clayton from Positive Energy Solar provided a wealth of information on residential solar and associated tax credits. Positive Energy Solar has more than 25 years of experience and has done over 5,000 solar installations.

 

 

August 20—NWF Outdoors Programs. National Wildlife Federation (NWF) staff Andrew Black (also Associate Pastor of FPC Santa Fe), Liz Houston, and Manja Holland share information on NWF’s Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO) Program and their Sacred Grounds Program. ECHO facilitates the creation of outdoor nature-based play settings that improve the physical health and social-emotional development of young children, especially those in families living with low-incomes and in marginalized communities. The Sacred Grounds Program supports houses of worship in achieving their visions around a wide range of interests and needs such as community building, increasing access to safe outdoor spaces for all, improving water quality, and creating new wildlife habitat.

 

August 27—Environmental and Sustainable Living Fair. Larry Rasmussen, the country’s premier eco-theologian and scholar, signed books at our Environmental and Sustainable Living Fair, held on Sunday August 27 as we closed our Earth Summer series. Multiple vendors answered homeowners’ questions, and there was fun for the kids. Vendors include Positive Energy Solar, Santa Fe Master Gardeners, Native Plant Society, Habitat For Humanity, EarthKeepers 360, the Green Chamber and Partnership for Responsible Business. See photos of the Fair.