Global Water Dance 2019 - San Antonio

Dancing for Safe Water Everywhere 

June 15, 7:30 pm 

San Pedro Creek, 

Culture Park 

For the third year URBAN-15 Dance Company and Sister Martha Ann Kirk of the UIW Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability and the Incarnate Word Sisters Justice, Peace, and Creation Committee, invite all to participate in this ecological and artistic movement! Recently ECCLS worked with Women's Global Connection in Peru in light of critical water challenges.  WGC both taught about clean water and provided water filters for families.  

Global Water Dances uses the international languages of dance and film to promote awareness and a behavioral shift toward solutions for water preservation and conservation through community engagement. Our dance which will be live-streamed  at San Pedro Creek Culture Park is one of over 170 throughout the world.  San Antonio River Authority co-hosts GWD this year.

Read of the Global Water Dance at the Headwaters of the San Antonio River last year and the on-going partnership with Women’s Global Connection to promote safe water HERE.  

For more information contact: 

(210)736-1500
urban15@dcci.com
www.urban15.org

Celebrate the Season of Creation in St. Louis

Download the PDF HERE

Relationship Building with Sr. Dr. Eva Lumas

Sr. Dr. Eva Lumas, SSS

On April 26, 2018 the Incarnate Word Foundation as part of their "Recon" programming and initiative sponsored an evening with Sr. Dr. Eva Lumas, SSS at St. Alphonsus "Rock" Church.  She spoke about the power and importance of building strong, diverse relationships.  Sr. Lumas is a Sister of Social Service who has taught at the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, CA since 1994 and is currently serving as the Interim Co-Director of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies in Louisiana.  She has taught and lectured throughout the country on topics of faith and culture, interculturation, catechesis and Black spirituality.  She has also served as the Coordinator of Catechetical Programs for the National Black Sisters' Conference. 

North City Deanery Choir

The program was also sponsored by the North City Deanery (NCD) Interracial Relations Committee and the Peace & Justice Commission of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.  The NCD Interracial Relations Committee brings together predominantly white and predominantly black Catholic Churches within North City to build relationships across racial lines. 

Sr. Helena Monahan, CCVI

The program began with praise and worship music led by the North City Deanery Choir.  Then there was an initial welcome by a member of the Interracial Relations Committee and opening prayer by the pastor of St. Alphonsus, Fr. Rick Potts.  Sr. Helena Monahan, CCVI was present representing the Incarnate Word Foundation and offered a Scripture reading from 1 Corinthians 10:1-4, 12:12-13. 

Sr. Lumas then offered the keynote presentation on her reflections and own personal stories of building relationships with those who are different from you.  She shared six important characteristics of relationship building: 1) Acknowledge there is always more to learn.  2) Learn what we don't know.  We only know the world as we see it.  How do others see it?  3) It is so important to show up.  When you show up in new spaces, be open to change.  4) You might have to wait, but keep showing up.  Just because you are present doesn't mean that you will be welcomed right away.  Be persistent.  5) Be willing to open yourself up.  Don't make those in the present pay for the sins of the past.  Believe that this time, this relationship could be different.  6) Find mentors in this work.  It is important to process and spend time with others. 

In a world that is so divided today, it is important work to build close relationships with those who come from a different cultural background than you.  This is also important peace building work.  It is much harder to hate or cause harm to someone you know personally and care about, so diversifying one's friendships and communities is an important part of building a culture of peace and nonviolence.  The work to end racism and the work of nonviolence go hand in hand. 

An Evening with John Dear in St. Louis

The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, along with other member Congregations of the St. Louis Intercommunity Ecological Council are pleased to sponsor an evening with renowned author and peace activist John Dear. 

Join us for an evening of reading, reflection and book signing with internationally acclaimed voice for peace and nonviolence, long time activist, popular lecturer, and movement organizer John Dear, sharing about his new book: They Will Inherit the Earth. 

In his landmark work, They Will Inherit the Earth, John Dear shows us why we need to build the global grassroots movement of nonviolence if we are to protect creation.

Dear notes how Jesus connected nonviolence with oneness with creation; how he practiced nonviolence and lived at one with creation, and how we need to do the same.

Books will be available for purchase and signing! 

Attendance is FREE but seating is limited, so please register at the ticket link: http://www.franciscansisters-olph.org/events

Dialogue and Friendship Dinner at UIW

The Annual Dialogue and Friendship Dinners are organized to contribute to the progress of intercultural-interfaith dialog and peace. With the participation of esteemed guests and people from different faiths, cultures, and ethnicities these gatherings have come to symbolize our desire to achieve a genuine cross-cultural understanding and cooperation.

Dialogue Institute cordially invites you to the 13th Annual Dialogue and Friendship Dinner

Theme: "Teaching Compassion and Making a Difference"
Keynote Speaker: Sonya Romero, Teacher Hero Teacher Sonya Romero at The Ellen Show

Sonya Romero, more commonly know as The Hero Teacher featured on Ellen in March of 2015. Her Ellen interview has more than 11 million views and climbing. Sonya has won several awards for her humanitarian efforts including a Congressional Award. Before Sonya entered the classroom she began her university studies in journalism and communications but went back to obtain a second bachelors in education. In 2004 she completed her masters and is currently working on her PHD. Sonya is Executive Vice President of Albuquerque Federation of Teachers and helps create content for the professional development courses they provide. You can find Sonya in her kindergarten classroom most weekdays at Lee Wallace Elementary in Albuquerque, New Mexico where her mission is to make every child feel safe.

Date & Time: Tuesday, March 6, 2017, 6:00 pm

Venue: UIW Rosenberg Skyroom

847 E.Hildebrand, San Antonio, TX 78212

Charitable Partner: ( Proceeds of the dinner will be shared with our charitable partner)

Dialogue Institute Friendship Award: Shokare Nakpodia, Founder of DreamWeek San Antonio

Dialogue Institute Education Award: SA Youth

Dialogue Institute Communication Award: Molly Cox , President & CEO SA2020

Dialogue Institute Community Service Award: El Bari Community Health Center

Co-sponsors: UIW Liturgical Outreach and Raindrop Foundation

Standing with the Paris Climate Agreement

Standing with the Paris Climate Agreement: 

Celebrating and Dancing with Creation 

June 24, 2017, 7:00 pm
  

The Blue Hole at Headwaters Sanctuary 
by the George Brackenridge Villa, 

Incarnate Word Campus 
4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209

The University of the Incarnate Word Office of Sustainability and the Headwaters at Incarnate Word join with the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word who have issued a statement in support of the Paris Climate Agreement and invite all to a gathering to affirm our united efforts for environmental justice though words, music, and dance.  

The Urban-15 Group, famous for their dance contributions to Fiesta, under the artistic direction of Catherine Cisneros with the assistance of her musician husband George Cisneros, is joining the movement called Global Water Dances  in which people on six continents will dance on June 24 to raise awareness of global water issues.  Creativity is urgently needed, locally and globally, in the face of environmental destruction.

The gathering is by the Blue Hole, source of the San Antonio River, the heart of the Headwaters Sanctuary preserved by the Incarnate Word Sisters.  Headwaters at Incarnate Word promotes science, sustainability, and sanctuary for all.  This 53 acre sanctuary offers a space for reflection and environmental education for people of all ages and may be explored at any time.

Bring a picnic to enjoy on the hill below the Brackenridge Villa.  

For more information, contact Sister Martha Ann Kirk, Chair of the Incarnate Word Sisters International Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Committee.  Kirk@uiwtx.edu   210-883-5934

Tips for Planning a Sustainable Event

The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word have set a goal to ensure that by 2018 at least 50% of all materials and refreshments used in events are environmentally friendly.  Check out some of the event planning tips put together by Iowa State University to help you in the planning stages of your event to make it as sustainable as possible!

Pre-event: Green Your Vision 
The successful greening of your event starts in your mind, in the brainstorming and planning. Consider designating a sustainability chair or director to your planning committee.

Green Your Shopping List
Avoid buying new things.

1.  Reuse old items. 
2.  Reach out to your social networks and groups you have worked with in the past and build a relationship of reciprocity. 
• Borrow their equipment and resources with the expectation that you will, in return, support them in the future. 
3.  Reach out to groups that you haven’t worked with yet and begin a relationship of reciprocity. 
• Just because you may not be involved with the same activities doesn’t mean partnering opportunities do not exists. 

Green Your Vendor List 
Look for vendors who have had experience with green products and services or are willing to work with you.

1. Ask them about sustainable options. 
2. If they do not have any ideas, ask them to find and provide them—be persistent: the more demand they receive, the more they will provide options to future customers. 

If you are just buying a few products and not working through a vendor, look for green certified products.

If you have to go with disposables for an event, look to make sure they are compostable, not just biodegradable.

1. Biodegradable products break down through the action of a naturally occurring microorganism, such as bacteria, fungi etc. However, when dumped in landfills, it can create methane or contain toxins. 
2. Compostable is pretty close to biodegradable plastic but it is able to break down into carbon dioxide, water and biomass at the same rate as paper, should not produce any toxic material, and should be able to support plant life. 
3. For more information: http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/197/1/Degradable-Biodegradable-Compostable.html 
• TIP: Check out New American Dream’s Conscious Consumer Marketplace for great leads on sustainable vendors and products! Go to www.newdream.org 

Green Your Food Options 
Look for local food options! To increase social sustainability, look to partner with other groups on campus who can provide alternative dishes such as ethnic, vegetarian or vegan options; consider sampling organic products as well.


Full document HERE

A Time to Break the Silence - MLK Events at University of the Incarnate Word

“A Time to Break Silence” for Dr. King 50 years ago and for us now

Feb. 1, Wed., 7 pm, 

UIW International Conference Center Auditorium, 847 E. Hildebrand, SA 78212

Feb. 9, Thurs., 12:00pm 

UIW Mabee Library Special Collections, 4301 Broadway, SA (Bring your lunch.)

Presenters: Jovanni Reyes, a veteran; Sister Addie Lorraine Walker, OST Director of the Sankofa Institute for African American Pastoral Leadership: Dr. Roger Barnes, UIW Sociology; Dr. Trey Guinn, UIW Communication Arts; Dr. Doshie P. Piper, UIW Criminal Justice Department, Holy Redeemer Community, and others

In the 50^th anniversary year of Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech at Riverside Church in which he felt compelled to “Break Silence” and speak of the united triplets of racism, militarism and extreme materialism fueling the Vietnam war and ruining US democracy--- 

Please join us for a gathering considering the on-going challenges of these triplets and our call to be citizens building what Dr. King has called “the beloved community.” “The dream” cannot be a reality if we refuse to face the obstacles.                                                                               

Listen to the speech

Co-sponsors: Ettling Center for Civic Leadership, the Dialogue Institute of the Southwest, Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Leadership Conference of Women Religious - Region 12, San Antonio peaceCENTER, San Antonio Pax Christi, and others. 

For More Information: Sister Martha Ann Kirk kirk@uiwtx.edu  Phone:  210-829-3854