Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Organizations Advocate for Food, Nutrition, Environmental Initatives at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe

A number of  worthy organizations are making their voices heard at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe, bringing a variety of important issues to State Legislature.

New Mexico Food and Farm Day
Today (Wednesday, January 29)  is New Mexico Food and Farm Day,  organized by Farm to Table and the New Mexico Food and Agriculture Policy Council (NMFAPC). The centerpiece of the day's activity centers on the hearing by the House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee for HB 81: New Mexico Grown Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for School Meals. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. APPROPRIATION.--One million four hundred forty thousand dollars ($1,440,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the public education department for expenditure in fiscal year 2015 and subsequent fiscal years for the public education department to distribute to school districts and charter schools for the purchase of New Mexico grown fresh fruits and vegetables for school meal programs.
New Mexico School Nutrition Day
This initiative will require action by both the House and the Senate.  On Monday, February 3, wbich is designated as New Mexico School Nutrition Day, the NMFAPC and Farm to Table will attend the hearing of the bill in the Senate Education committee.  For more information, contact info@farmtotablenm.org

People of Faith Caring for Water, Air, Land Community

That same Monday also happens to be the Legislative Day for People of Faith Caring for Water, Air, Land and Community. The event is cosponsored by the New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light and the Office of Creation, Peace, Justice and Creation Stewardship of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup.

The Conservation Voters New Mexico will brief participants about important environmental legislation. The briefing will be followed by visits to several legislative offices.  For more information contact,  For more information, contact joan@nm-ipl.org or officelpjcs@catholiccharitiesgallup.org

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

ELCA Super Bowl Challenge. Rocky Mountain Synod Broncos versus the Northwest Synod Seahawks


The Super Bowl is not the same unless the mayors of the two cities competing in this iconic contest place a wager on the game. True to tradition, Mayors Michael Hancock of Denver and Ed Murray of Seattle announced their wager on Monday, January 27.. If the Seattle Seahawks win, Hancock will have to turn over a  a tasty sampling of Denver's  green chile and a pair of handmade skis from Icelantic Skis. If the Denver Broncos are victorious, then Murray has to provide Hancock with salmon, dungeness crab and a bike from Rodriguez Bicycles. Read more in The Denver Post blog.

The outside activities and competitions related to the Super Bowl are not limited to politicians. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is also using the big game to promote an important campaign: Super Bowl Challenge for ELCA World Hunger. And it involves the two synods that cover the regions of the two teams playing in the Super Bowl.  The Rocky Mountain Synod and the Northwest Washington Synod are challenging each other to raise the most gifts for ELCA World Hunger.  You do not have to belong to one of the synods to participate online.

Click on this link to access a donation page for the Rocky Mountain Synod and this link for the Northwest Synod. You can either pay with a credit card or via Paypal.

So who is winning?  As of Sunday, January 26, at 9:30 a.m., Peyton Manning's prolific offense had the Rocky Mountain Synod Broncos far ahead.  But there is still a week left, and maybe Russell Wilson will engineer a historic comeback for the of the Northwest Synod Seahawks.  Remember, you can participate through the end of the Super Bowl.

$5,507.01
$2,647.00

Sunday, January 26, 2014

What are Bono and U2 Doing on Super Bowl Sunday?



This YouTube video is just a tease. This is a short promo of the cover for U2's new track Invisible, which will be available on February 2 for a free download via iTunes. The free download is a fundraiser for (RED) (a global campaign to stop the transmission of AIDS from mothers to babies), Every time the track is downloaded, anywhere in the world, a $1 donation will be made to (RED) by Bank of America - up to a total of $2 million. All the funds will go to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

But please note that the free download is available for just 24 hours on February 2.  That date happens to be Super Bowl Sunday, and a commercial during the game  will feature the band performing the track, from a forthcoming video directed by Mark Romanek.

Click here for more information

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Rethink Church: Responsibility, Righteousness, and Justice

The United Methodist Book of Resolutions says that, "The Bible reveals that, from the earliest times, God’s faithful community has been concerned about hunger and poverty. Helping those in need was not simply a matter of charity, but of responsibility, righteousness, and justice (Isaiah 58:6-8; Jeremiah 22:3; Matthew 25:31-46)." 

The United Methodist Church has developed a unique way of  bringing the issues of hunger and poverty to the pews--and bringing those who sit in the pews to the streets, food pantries, rural communities in poor countries and legislative arenas.  This is accomplished through the UMC's  program of study, service, direct giving, and advocacy called Rethink Church.

There are great resources on the Rethink Church Web site, including a good overview of hunger and poverty (along with a link to the UMC's Bread and Justice  Web site), a description of the work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief -UMCOR (along with a link to the site Dealing with disaster Web site) and a piece about John Wesley's philosophy of social holiness.

There many, many other resources, such as a piece and video on partnering against poverty,  great reflective pieces (such as Sacred Space-Our Sanctuary Within and Six Sure Signs You're Surving), a wide variety of opportunities for alternative giving, listings of volunteer opportunities around the country and overseas, and much more.  I urge you to check out this wonderful resource, whether or not you belong to a United Methodist congregation.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Art Street Invites You to 'Recycled Heart' Exhibit

Harwood Art Center and Art Street, a project of Albuquerque HealthCare for the Homeless, are celebrating Valentine's Day for most of the month of February with an exhibit entitled Recycled Heart.

"Through a community effort, Art Street artists create an installation that reflects the diversity of styles, ideas and individuals that make up the Art Street community. In the spirit of togetherness and Valentine's Day, artists combine themes of love and objects--both lost and found," say the organizers.

You are invited to visit this unique exhibit on February 7-27 at the Harwood Art Center, 1114 Seventh St. NW, Albuquerque


Thursday, January 23, 2014

You Are Invited to 'Hunger 101' Forum in Albuquerque on February 23

Image from ELCA
The Interfaith Coalition to End Hunger in New Mexico invites you to Hunger 101, a forum and discussion about hunger in our state, on Sunday, February 23, 2:00-4:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 215 Locust St. NE, Albuquerque.  

Featured presenters include
Following the presentations, participants will break into small groups to discuss the following question:
Based on what you’ve heard, what two specific issues should our new coalition focus on during the next year?
(Note: The Interfaith Coalition on Ending Hunger in New Mexico is still in the formation process.  Among those working to build the coalition are representatives of Episcopal, Jewish (Reform and Conservative) Lutheran (ELCA),  Mennonite, Muslim, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and United Methodist congregations and organizations, as well as the New Mexico Conference of Churches).

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

United Methodist Youth to Spend Sunday Afternoon in Service to Homeless Community in Albuquerque

On Sunday, January 26, hundreds of youth from across New Mexico will come together to help feed and clothe the people of Albuquerque experiencing homelessness. Feed the Need will take place from 2 to 4pm at three locations: First United Methodist Church (downtown), Central United Methodist Church (in the UNM area), and Christ United Methodist Church (near the Albuquerque Sunport).

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

The Millennium Development Goals and a Prayer for Christian Unity

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Murphy-Dye
(These intercessory prayers were part of the Christian unity service at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Albuquerque on Monday, January 20. The same service, prepared by Christian churches in Canada, was used by faith communities around the world). 

Leader: As today we remember and celebrate the commitment of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., let us unite ourselves with our brothers and sisters throughout the world and prayerfully reflect on the United Nations’ Eight Millennium Goals.

Leader: We pray for all people who suffer day to day in poverty and hunger. Their precarious state often causes divisions; may Christ’s love restore justice and peace. Gracious God, hear our prayer,

Congregation: And in your love, answer.

Leader: We pray for all those striving for universal education. May their thirst for knowledge build bridges between our churches and restore respect in our differences. Gracious God, hear our prayer,

Congregation: And in your love, answer.

Leader: We pray for those striving for equal dignity and rights of men and women. May the image of God be honored in all women and men. We remember especially the need for equal access to jobs, goods, and services. As we become one in Christ Jesus, may we fully receive the gifts of both men and women. Gracious God, hear our prayer,

Congregation: And in your love, answer.

Rev. Donna McNiel & Rev. Greg Henneman
Leader: We pray for the young who are sick and those who seek to improve child health. As we take care of children, may we welcome Jesus himself. Gracious God, hear our prayer,

Congregation: And in your love, answer.

Leader: We pray for women who bear children and for their maternal health. May we take care of these mothers who carry new life and whose love for their children reminds us of God’s uniting love for us. Gracious God, hear our prayer,

Congregation: And in your love, answer.

Leader: We pray for those who combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. May we hear the voices of those denied a life of dignity and work to create a world in which all people are respected and cared for, and where no one is excluded. Gracious God, hear our prayer,

Congregation: And in your love, answer.

Leader: We pray for all who suffer the consequences of the poor stewardship of creation and for all endangered species. Guide us to environmental sustainability, so we can be reconciled with creation. Gracious God, hear our prayer,

Congregation: And in your love, answer.

Denominational symbols (plus Bread for the World)
Leader: We pray for those who practice international solidarity and global partnership. As we favor a fair trade of goods and we cancel debt in the poorest countries, may we also strive for justice. Gracious God, hear our prayer,

Congregation: And in your love, answer.

Leader: And finally we pray, using the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

...In spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident – that all people are created equal.”

This is our hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discord of our nation into a beautiful symphony of sisterhood and brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, and to struggle together...

Gracious God, hear our prayer.

Congregation: And in your love, answer.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Albuquerque Offering of Letters Workshop on March 15

Photo from Bread for the World
The time has arrived to start thinking about the 2014 Offering of Letters workshop, and to help you plan your letter-writing Sunday (or weekend), we have scheduled our usual workshop in March at a familiar location.

St. Andrew Presbyterian Church
(conference room)
5301 Ponderosa Ave NE
Saturday, March 15,
9:30 until about Noon

We are proud to say that 18 churches participated in our Offering of Letters in 2013, generating more than 1,200 letters. We hope to at least mach, if not surpass, those numbers in 2014.

This year's Offering of Letters will center on reforming food aid, a concept that has strong bipartisan support. (There is a description below). Many partner organizations will be joining us in this effort, including CARE, Oxfam America and The ONE Campaign. Because of that, we have invited Jasmine McBeath and Kathy Chavez from  New Mexico Oxfam Action Corps to join us at the Offering of Letters workshop to tell us how their organization is approaching food aid (and some other of their local initiatives). There is also the possibility that a representative from CARE Action Network will also join us. 

About this Year's Offering of Letters
For many decades, the United States has been a global leader economically, diplomatically, and militarily. The same is true in the humanitarian arena. Our federal government often sends assistance in the form of food aid. Now there is an opportunity to reform the federal government's food-aid programs so that funds are used more effectively and efficiently.

It is time to update the government's 1950s practices to enable it to respond more flexibly and faster in a 21st century, globalized world. Changes to the food-aid programs would allow food aid to benefit 17 million more people each year — at no additional cost to U.S. taxpayers.
This year's Offering of Letters focuses on much-needed reform to U.S. food aid. Learn about the United States' role in global aid, and why reform is so critical. Then, write to your members of Congress and urge them to enact much needed reforms to our global food aid programs.

Together we can change policy and ensure continued, improved assistance to millions of hungry people around the world.

There will soon be much more information in the 2014 Offering of Letters site

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Documentary 'Food Stamped' to Show at Guild Cinema in Albuquerque on Sunday

Before A Place at the Table made its debut in 2013, there was another documentary that took a serious look at  food stamps and nutrition.  Food Stamped., described as "an informative and humorous documentary film,"  follows a couple as they attempt to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet on a food stamp budget. "Through their adventures they consult with members of U.S. Congress, food justice organizations, nutrition experts, and people living on food stamps to take a deep look at America’s broken food system," said the Food Stamped official site.

Food Stamped, produced in 2011, has won acclaim at the San Francisco Independent Film Festival and  the Lighthouse International Film Festival.  The documentary will be shown at The Guild Cinema in Albuquerque on Sunday, January 19, at Noon. The screening, sponsored by Food and Water Watch-New Mexico, is free but seating is limited.

If you can't get to The Guild tomorrow, or if you do not reside in Albuquerque,  the DVD of Food Stamped  is also available for rental on Netflix.


Incidentally, Marion Nestle, one of the experts who appears in A Place at the Table, wholeheartedly endorses the documentary.“Food Stamped is a warm, delightful, and entertaining film with a serious message: it’s really difficult to eat healthfully on food stamp (SNAP) benefits even if you are educated, savvy, live near a decent grocery store or farmers’ market, have plenty of time and energy, and are a great cook," said Nestle, a professor of nutrition and public health at New York University.  "Everyone should see this film, especially those who complain about how low-income people use their benefits.” 

Bread Among '101 Organizations to Watch in 2014'

What does Bread for the World have in commom with the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance, the Africa Rice Center, EcoAgriculture Partners, Global Crop Diversity Trust and La Via Campesina? These are all listed in the Food Tank's 101 Organizations to Watch in 2014. The listing is the Bread for the World Institute (and the link is too), but the description is more for Bread for the World.

The listing was published in the Global Food for Thought blog, sponsored by the Chicago Council of Global Affairs. There's no shortage of organizations around the world who are working to create a more sustainable, more just food system. Food Tank is honored to highlight many of these groups every week, showing the world that solutions to alleviating hunger, poverty, obesity, food waste, and environmental degradation not only exist, but have huge potential to be replicated and scaled-up.

The list is by no means exclusive, also including Oxfam but leaving out other worthy groups like CARE. Anyway, here the Full List

Friday, January 17, 2014

SNAP, Pablo Neruda and the Justice of Eating

As I was reading the most recent headlines in the God's Politics blog (Sojourners),  one theme jumped at me right away.  The headline was very simple: The Justice of Eating.

And when I clicked on the link, I happily discovered that this was a piece written by LaVida Davis, Bread for the World's director of  grassroots organizing and capacity building, to illustrate why food stamps were essential to keep many of our neighbors from going hungry. LaVida wrote this piece in light of the de facto cuts that were enacted in November when Congress allowed funding for the economic stimulus package to expire. The situmulus included $11 billion in funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
 "Forty-nine million Americans live at risk of hunger," said LaVida. "Any policies that create additional poverty among the working poor are reprehensible. It is unacceptable for lawmakers to take vital food stamp benefits away from millions of Americans struggling to recover from the ongoing impacts of the recession." 

What I love about this piece is that it appeals not only to our intellectual understanding but also to our  artistic emotions. LaVida starts with excerpts from Chilean poet Pablo Neruda's work entitled El gran mantel (The Great Tablecloth).  Read Full Post

Below is the original excerpt in Spanish, followed by the English translation that was used in the God's Politics blog.

Tener hambre es como tenazas,
es como muerden los cangrejos,
quema, quema y no tiene fuego:
el hambre es un incendio frío.
Sentémonos pronto a comer
con todos los que no han comido,
pongamos los largos maneles,
la sal en los lagos del mundo,
panaderías planetarias,
mesas con fresas en la nieve,
y un plato como la luna
en donde todos almorcemos.

Por ahora no pido más
que la justicia del almuerzo.

—Algunos versos del poema de Pablo Neruda, El gran mantel

(“… Hunger feels like pincers,
like the bite of crabs;
it burns, burns, and has no fire.
Hunger is a cold fire.
Let us sit down soon to eat
with all those who haven't eaten;
let us spread great tablecloths,
put salt in the lakes of the world,
set up planetary bakeries,
tables with strawberries in snow,
and a plate like the moon itself
from which we can all eat
For now I ask no more
than the justice of eating.”

—Excerpt from “The Great Tablecloth,” by Pablo Neruda

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Prayer of Six Directions to Set the Tone for Christian Unity Service

Representatives of several Christian faith communities in Albuquerque will gather at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church on Monday, January 20, at 7:00 p.m. to celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The gathering at Holy Rosary is one of two opportunities in Albuquerque for Christians of all denominations to join in common prayer and worship. Rev. Donna McNiel, executive director of the New Mexico Conference of Churches, will will deliver the sermon at the Monday service, while Rev. John Hill, Pastor of Grant Chapel African Episcopal Methodist Church, will be the homilist at the Friday service at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church at 7:00 p.m.

The service at Holy Rosary will begin with a procession, a song and greeting from the pastor at the host church, followed by an adaptation of the Prayer of Six Directions. 

Pastor: The indigenous peoples of North America honor an ancient ritual of praying while facing in different directions. With them, let us unite in prayer, facing each of the directions as indicated.

Facing East
Leader: From the east, the direction of the rising sun, we receive peace and light and wisdom and knowledge.
Congregation: We are grateful for these gifts, O God.

Facing South
Leader: From the South comes the rain, purifying waters to sustain all living things.
Congregation: We are grateful for these gifts, O God.

Facing West
Leader: From the West come warmth, guidance, and the beginning and end of life.
Congregation: We are grateful for these gifts, O God.

Facing North
Leader: From the North come the cold and mighty wind and the white snows, giving us strength and endurance.
Congregation:We are grateful for these gifts, O God.

Turning towards the congregation and facing upward
Leader: From the heavens we receive darkness and light and the air of your breath.
Congregation:We are grateful for these gifts, O God.

Facing downward
Leader: From the earth we come and to the earth we will return.
Congregation: We are grateful, O God, for your good creation, our earthly home.

Leader: May we walk good paths, blessed God, living on this earth as brothers and sisters should: rejoicing in one another’s blessings, sympathizing in one another’s sorrows, and, together with you, in the name of Jesus and with the Spirit’s awakening breath, renewing the face of the earth.
Congregation: Amen.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Immigration Documentary 'A Second Cooler' to Show in Albuquerque on Feb. 14-15


The New Mexico Faith Coalition for Immigrant Justice invites you to the Albuquerque premiere of of The Second Cooler, a documentary about immigration that has received national and international recognition. On Friday, February 14, the film will be shown at The Guild Cinema at 6:15 p.m.  The screening on Saturday, February 15, will take place at St. Pius X High School Performing Arts Center at 1:00 p.m. The director, Rev. Dr. Ellin Jimmerson will be on hand for a Q&A after each showing. Child care and transportation from various parts of the city are available for Saturday's performance. There will also be a reception on Saturday.  For more information contact Justin Remer-Thaemert.


The Second Cooler Official Trailer-Vimeo Upload 720p from Ellin Jimmerson on Vimeo.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Video: Join CARE in Supporting 21st Century Food Aid Reform

Bread for the World's 2014 Offering of Letters wil center on food aid reform. The campaign will urge Congress to protect overall funding, while also pushing for reforms such as greater flexibility within the program and improving nutrition quality. More details will be available very soon. In the meantime, one of our partners in this effort, CARE, has posted a great video that explains what food-aid reform is all about.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

The Justice Prayer for Immigrants

Come, O Holy Spirit!
Come, open us to the wonder, beauty, and dignity of the diversity found
in each culture, 
in each face, and in each experience we have of the other among us.
Come, fill us with generosity
as we are challenged to let go and allow others to share with us
the goods and beauty of earth.
 Come, heal the divisions
that keep us from seeing the face of
Christ in all men, women, and children.

Come, free us to stand with and for those
who must leave their own lands
in order to find work, security, and welcome in a new land,
one that has enough to share.
Come, bring us understanding,
inspiration, wisdom, and
the courage needed to embrace change and stay on the journey.
Come, O Holy Spirit,
show us the way.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Justice for Immigrants Campaign

Saturday, January 11, 2014

College Students in Southwest are Invited to Regional Food Summit in Santa Fe on Feb. 27-March 2


Santa Fe is one of eleven communities around the country that will host a Winter Strategy Retreat weekend sponsored by the Real Food Challenge (RFC) campaign. At each of these regional strategy retreats, about 20-40 students and veteran organizers will come together for a powerful weekend of strategizing and community-building, workshops, cooking, skill-shares and storytelling. These retreats are geared for students who want to take on (or are in the midst of) real food campaign on their campus--and are ready to dive into RFC's regional and national efforts.

The Santa Fe retreat will be held from Thursday, February 27, through Sunday, March 2

The weekend  will include workshops and open time to explore:
~ issues & opportunities with corporate food service
~ the Real Food Calculator food procurement assessment tool
~ power & privilege in the food system
~ strategic campaign-planning
~ good group structures & facilitation
~ resource-sharing and planning among all participating student leaders and groups

(From the RFC Web site)
 "The retreat is a fantastic opportunity to build community with other student leaders from around the region, share & learn about the food system, and develop leadership and organizing skills for projects and campaigns to further support local, sustainable, fair food efforts on-campus," said Southwest Regional organizer Jeff Ethan Green.

 The full registration cost for housing, meals, and programming is just $35, and RFC can provide fundraising support.

For more information click on this link or contact Southwest Regional Field Organizers Jeff Ethan Green (jeff@realfoodchallenge.org) or Kelly Kusumoto (kelly@realfoodchallenge.org)  Please visit the Facebook Event that Jeff created for this Southwest Regional Summit.

Friday, January 10, 2014

A Workshop on Making Your Voice Heard in Santa Fe

Are you a person who cares about people, community and creation and are looking for a way to make your voice heard in Santa Fe? There two great opportunities on Tuesday, January 14, to learn the nuts and bolts of advocacy from three great experts: Rev. Holly Beaumont (Interfaith Worker Justice), Ruth Hoffman, (Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-New Mexico) and Sr. Joan Brown, osf,(New Mexico Interfaith Power andLight)
 

 Here are more details on the training on how to put  faith into action that makes a difference.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014 
Two Sessions-2:30-4:30 
and 5:30-7:30 (light supper for evening session) 
Location: First Unitarian Church (corner of Carlisle & Comanche)

Learn about and get engaged in issues that matter at New Mexico Legislative Session and beyond. Topics covered:
  • Why Advocacy is important for people of faith 
  • How does the New Mexico Legislature work 
  • What makes an effective advocate 
  •  Briefing of issues on health, education, human services, labor and environment that may come up in 2014 session 
  • How to keep engaged throughout the year
Please RSVP to: joan@nm-ipl.org, hbeaumont@iwj.org, or ruth@lutheranadvocacynm.org

Monday, January 06, 2014

A Reflection on Epiphany


Child's drawing, San José de Anapra Anglican Church in Anapra, Mexico
Our hope is found in the promise that God speaks, “Let there be light,” in those seemingly dark, dead, and chaotic spaces of our lives. Our hope is found in witnessing the power of the spirit continually hovering over and healing the deep wells of our tears

Gail Song Bantum

Sunday, January 05, 2014

The 'Voiceless'


 "There's really no such thing as the 'voiceless.' There are only the deliberately silenced, or the preferably unheard." 

- Arundhati Roy

Saturday, January 04, 2014

Organic Farming Conference Coming to Albuquerque in February

The Santa Fe-based organization Farm to Table, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, and the New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service have scheduled their annual organic farming conference for February 14-15 in Albuquerque.

The Friday-Saturday conference will provide producers, researchers and other interested individuals from around the Southwest an opportunity to share their experiences and expertise on organic practices and methods.

The conference will also feature a keynote address by Dr. Margaret Hiza Redsteer, a research scientist on the United States Geological Survey. Dr. Redster's address will address the question, Is It Drought, or Is This the New Normal?

Dr. Redster will bring years of observation and study along with the best and latest science to bear on what we can expect to see in the future and how it will affect farmers and ranchers in the southwest.

The conference, which will be held at the Mariott Pyramid hotel in Albuquerque, also includes dozens of workshops.  Here are a few examples:
  • Bring in the Bees, Is It Organic?,  
  • Looking at Inputs for Organic Production
  • Small-scale Organic Egg Production
  • Farming in Drought: Managing Soil Salinity
  • Nature’s Bounty: Cultivating Native Crops
Click here for more details, including registration information (scroll down to page 31). Registration is $65 for a single day (Friday or Saturday) or $100 for the entire weekend. You can register by printing out page 31 or online via this link on the Farm to Table web site. Lunch on Saturday is included for the first 500 registrants.

Thursday, January 02, 2014

Church World Service Video: Maria's Breakfast Recipe

For Maria to prepare breakfast she must collect firewood and chop it, raise water from a well and carry it home, plant and care for maize and beans, harvest them, clean them, look after hens, and then the cooking can begin. CWS (the organization that sponsors the CROP Walk) helps Maria and many others build wells and have clean drinking water for their families, to build energy efficient and smokeless stoves to cook on, to improve their harvests using sustainable organic techniques, and to improve the nutrition of their families and communities.

Wednesday, January 01, 2014

Join us for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally celebrated between January 18 and  25. This is the period  between the feasts of St. Peter and the Conversion of St. Paul,. Congregations and parishes around the world join in celebrating this wonderful event by exchanging pulpits with pastors from another denomination and by holding special ecumenical celebrations and prayer services. The theme for for 2014 comes from 1 Corinthians 1:1-17: Has Christ been divided?

There are two opportunities to come together to pray and share fellowship in Albuquerque this year. See details below.