Saint Anthony Catholic High School Reports on Compost and Garden

Saint Anthony Catholic High School is the recipient of the Gardening class package from Gardopia as the school's award sponsored by Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) in collaboration with University of Incarnate Word's Brainpower Schools during the Season of Creation of 2025.  SACHS won the raffle in the artworks that was displayed in Padre Margil World Heritage Center.  JPIC through Sister Marylou invited Climate Reality Project of San Antonio through Ms. Darshana Gupte to get the composting project a reality for the Catholic school.  In turn with the help of the Eco Centro Collaborative network of resources from Climate Reality, JPIC, and San Antonio Composting, the composting was offered and SACHS was glad to be the first to implement among the Catholic schools in San Antonio for this endeavor.  The Climate Reality Project opened the door for the San Antonio Composting to make resources available for the school with the support of the City of San Antonio and the training of the students provided by the San Antonio Composting and Gardopia.  SACHS has the Earth Angels enthusiastic to get this system working especially supported by Mrs. Jacqulyne Esteves as the adviser/project leader.  JPIC is grateful to all these non-profit organizations working together to make this project a community oriented and collaborative project for the care of our common home and particularly making our youth a big part of this project.

Now, that the Composting project and Gardening Classes have been completed, Earth Angels through SACHS Principal Ms. Patricia Ramirez is happy to share their report on composting.  Through this report, we can also celebrate the biggest global program on the advocacy on composting, which is May 3 - 9 as the International Compost Awareness Week.  This year's theme is "Compost: Feed the Soil that Feed Us."

Article by Earth Angels 

Introduction

St. Anthony Catholic High School Earth Angels Environmental Club has partnered with Climate Reality Corps, San Antonio Composting Project, and Gardopia Gardens to create our high school's first compost beds and a school garden. The club is sponsored by Mrs. Jacqulyne Esteves (lead) and Ms. Ava Liebentritt who are both full time teachers at the St. Anthony High School Campus. We are proud to announce that as of March 2026, the garden and compost are fully functional and are integrated into our school lives. Service is a core mission here at St. Anthony, and students are encouraged to give back to their community every single day. The mission of service is at the center of our club and guides each project we decide to take part in.

According to the Environmental Protections Agency, it is estimated that of the U.S methane emissions, 17% of the emissions come directly from landfill waste.1 While our students cannot reform all carbon emissions from buildings nor automobiles, we felt that eliminating landfill waste could be a direct initiative for our community. Based on our projected data we can save almost 800lbs of waste each school year from the landfill. 1 ton of dry waste roughy produces 143 Lbs of methane. This initiative will not only halt methane emissions from our school but will educate students on how to compost. This The compost project was granted to us through Darshana Gupte, Chair of the San Antonio Climate Reality Chapter, and we were assisted by Christiana Rodgers from the San Antonio Composting Project. In December, students assembled four outdoor composting beds near the school garden. The leadership members of the club then performed a wasted audit to gauge the knowledge of composting among current students. 

See results below:

Students are now composting after each lunch and composting the waste that the cafeteria staff would normally throw away. On average, the cafeteria staff is composting 20 lbs a week of unused products.

We hope to use the compost in our school garden for future crops. This closed loop cycle will ensure the future of our garden, the health of students, and a growing connection with nature.

Financial Gain

Composting at our school can provide us with many financial benefits, including providing source of fertile soil that leads to less trash being thrown out, reducing the number of dumpsters that we need and in turn the cost of STA’s facilities. To elaborate, having fertile soil is necessary for the overall health of our garden. This leads to healthier foods that we can use in school lunches, decreasing the costs of purchasing ingredients, which is the main goal of this garden. Additionally, composting allows us to dispose of food scraps other than in our dumpsters. Without the several pounds of food each day, we may be able to rent fewer dumpsters, which would save us a lot of money. Also, besides the many positive environmental aspects, having a garden is also something that would attract many people to our school, which would subsequently increase our enrollment and our financial gain.

The Garden

The growth of the garden will bring a green atmosphere to SACHS. We could have a cooler and more beautiful area instead of a blank space just with grass. By growing the garden, we brought an experience about a sustainable non-profit business from SACHS to everybody. We apply what we learn in real life. This project is a symbol of environmental sustainability in the STA community.

Having a garden adds to the St. Anthony Catholic High School experience, allowing us to be better stewards of the Earth. It ensures that we can give back to the environment in the way that it gives to us. By giving us easy ways to waste and reuse food scraps, we can be more efficient with the resources that we use. This wouldn’t be possible without our generous donors, Climate Reality Project, and Gardopia Gardens. As a Catholic high school, we believe that God’s creation is to be protected. Therefore, it is our duty to do the most we can to ensure that our environment is being cared for. Our solution is to develop a bountiful garden that continues the longevity of our mission as a catholic community.

Educational advantages

One of the more common things that some schools lack is teaching valuable life skills. St. Anthony Catholic High School is able to provide at least three of these through our garden. The first educational value aligns with one of our core values. Service. The SACHS garden was brought into reality by our own students. We have put our time and effort into this garden, just as our school teaches us to always do. Another educational advantage has to do with our students having an interest in the environment they live in. If our students are more educated about the environment, they will be able to inform their peers. An educated student body is a more active student body who will want to create change in their community. The final educational  advantage that our garden supplies us with is the beauty of nature. As a Catholic school, we want our students to recognize the beauty of God’s creations and this garden is a prime example of that. Our SACHS garden provides us with so many benefits as shown in this report which is why it means so much to us, our students, and those we work with.

Saint Anthony Catholic High School has been featured in Telemundo: https://www.telemundosanantonio.com/video/noticias/local/pequenas-lombrices-una-gran-mision-jovenes-transforman-residuos-en-vida/2493433/

1 https://www.epa.gov/lmop/basic-information-about-landfill-gas

Read More:

The Compost Story (Full Video) by Kiss The Ground
Composting Council on Education
Composting Policy Resource Hub

Climate Reality Globally and Locally in San Antonio, Planting a "Compassion Tree" as a symbol of commitment

Overlooking the Headwaters of the San Antonio River, Mayor Ron Nirenberg, UIW President Dr. Thomas Evans, and others symbolically planted a "Compassion Tree" https://saccvi.blogspot.com/2019/11/compassion-tree-planting-san-antonio.html  as part of the city Compassion movement. See https://saccvi.blogspot.com/2019/07/compassion-lab-about-global-and-local.html  They united with the global  Climate Reality Day,  October 10, 2020.  See and listen to the local ceremony in a film created by Alejandro DeHoyos. 

See and learn from the Countdown Global Launch, a call to action on climate change and the first-ever free TED conference, Oct. 10. Presented by TED and Future Stewards. https://www.ted.com/series/countdown  Concerned people from many countries were speaking including Pope Francis.  He has given an urgent invitation to all people to unite in care of creation in the face of climate change. His writing is call "Laudato Si"  http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html      

Dr. Thomas Evans and Mayor Ron Nirenberg with their shovels for the planting. 

Dr. Thomas Evans, the president of the University of the Incarnate Word, said: “I would like to thank the City of San Antonio, Mayor Nirenberg, and every organization here today for making this moment possible. At the University of the Incarnate Word, we are guided by a Mission to educate concerned and enlightened citizens within a global community. Here, young people, with boundless potential, discover some of the world’s most pressing needs and how they can contribute to their resolution. Stewardship of the Earth has long been a treasured value at UIW. Catholic Social Teaching tells us that we have a responsibility to love and protect creation. By doing so, we hold sacred that which God has given us and preserve it for future generations. Upholding and serving future generations is at the core of all we do and at the root of who we are.  We at UIW are blessed to work, live and learn closely with other ministries of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. From my office in the Student Engagement Center, I can look out onto the Chapel of the Incarnate Word, the Village at Incarnate Word, the Headwaters, and Brackenridge Villa. Every day, students walk these historic grounds – our Incarnate Word campus – and see the work and effort made by each ministry to live our shared values, to value nature, and today, to plant a compassion tree. What better way to teach sustainability than to model it? I am proud to have shared the stage today with leaders of so many organizations striving to do the same. I always say that though we at the University of the Incarnate Word are many parts, we are One Word. Today, we have shown that while each of us here come from many different organizations with many different goals, we are truly One in our love for our city, our Earth and those who do and will inhabit it. Thank you all for being here with us today. May the planting of this tree at the Headwaters be a symbol of our dedication to the care of creation and our commitment to instilling this value in every student of the University of the Incarnate Word.”  

Ruben Garza, Oscar Guerra, and Pedro Garza, of the UIW Grounds Department, not only do such a fine job taking care of the university trees, flowers, and landscaping on a daily basis, they assisted with this tree in the area of the Headwaters. 

Darshana Gupte, a Climate Reality Leader and a Chairwoman of San Antonio Chapter, said: " The Climate Reality Project was founded by former Vice President Al Gore in 2006. Since then, he has trained over 31,000 Climate leaders in more than 170 countries worldwide. Today is a very special day for us, as it begins, 24 Hours of Reality: Countdown to the Future! A Day of Action! For 24 straight hours, Vice President Gore and his trained Leaders will lead Digital Presentations and Discussions across the planet.  They will explore the historic connection of Climate Change, COVID-19, and Systemic Racism that touch our lives. They will highlight, what we can do, to face these challenges and build the better future together? It is a Massive community event intended to foster an urgency to act and push through actions NOW. With the world asking what comes next, this year, we are partnering with the outstanding team of TED for Countdown- Turning Ideas into Action. Also, this year, Climate Reality Project will Plant a tree, around the globe, on behalf of each attendee of the Presentation at North American Branch-California; Africa Branch-Ghana; Canada Branch- British Columbia; Japan, china and Amazon Rainforest. Forests are not just trees; they provide food, water, livelihoods, and employment opportunities while capturing the Carbon from the air. They are imperative to the global ECO system. Locally, our SA chapter is partnering with Compassionate Tree Project to fulfill our Act of leadership & commitment to making San Antonio Green. So far, my team has already planted 239 trees and we are committed to do more. Finally, what do trees, bees, butterflies, and Climate Reality have in common? Well, they are all Nature’s Essential Workers!! So, in addition to this Ceremonial tree planting today, as climate conscious citizens of the world, let us vow to plant as many trees as possible in our lifetime and encourage our friends and family.  My special thanks to Ann Helmke for arranging such a wonderful event. Our host University of Incarnate word (UIW), President, faculty, ground staff and Sr. Martha her relentless work. Last but not least, Mayor Ron Nirenberg for his support and presence at this special event on October 10, 2020" 

Steve Lucke, a UIW graduate and leader of Gardopia Gardens, Dr. Chris Pierce, UIW Biology faculty, Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, IW Sisters Justice, Peace, Creation Committee, James Riggin, a leader in the UIW Pre-dental Club which will care for the new "Compassion Tree"

Dr. Sally Said, secretary of the board of directors for Headwaters at Incarnate Word https://www.headwaters-iw.org/  explained that it is a non-profit Earth care ministry of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. "It is responsible for a nature sanctuary of 53 acres adjacent to the UIW campus, including the Blue Hole Spring.  The Blue Hole because of its free-flowing spring, was the site of native encampments beginning twelve thousand years ago, according to archeological evidence, and Native groups continue to visit the spring, which they consider sacred, to this day.  During Spanish colonization from the early 18^th century, acequias, stone-lined ditches, carried water from the Blue Hole and San Pedro Springs to the civilian community, the presidio, and the missions. After the Texas War of Secession from Mexico, ownership of the headwaters passed to the City of San Antonio, which sold the springs to city alderman J. R. Sweet.  Sweet sold the springs and adjacent land to George W. Brackenridge in 1869.  After the drilling of artesian wells made spring ownership less critical, Brackenridge sold some 283 acres, his Head of the River Estate, to the Incarnate Word Sisters in 1897. Today the Sisters retain about 155 acres, including the campus of UIW; the retirement community; land surrounding the Sister’s offices, chapel, and Brackenridge Villa; and the Headwaters Sanctuary. On July 22, 2020, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word and Headwaters at Incarnate Word signed a conservation easement agreement with Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas.  The easement will preserve in perpetuity a 50-acre natural area encompassing the Headwaters of the San Antonio River and guaranteeing the continued existence of the only nature sanctuary in the urban core of San Antonio.  The tree planted today overlooks the Blue Hole, included in this easement."

Previously at Incarnate Word, the president Dr. Thomas Evans and his family had planted a "compassion tree" as a way of inviting all families and individuals to actively participate in the movement to re-green the earth. 

Get Ready for the People's Climate March April 29

(From our friends at Franciscan Action Network)

In 2014, we stormed the streets of New York City for the largest climate march in history. 50 days from now, we'll take that message to the streets of Washington, D.C. Join us in our nation's capitol on April 29th for the People's Climate March as we gather together to make our voices heard. Sign up here to attend!

If you are not able to make it to Washington for the March, you can still be part of the action by participating in one of many sister marches taking place across the country. Visit the People's Climate March website to find a march near you.

Additionally,  the weeks leading up to April 29 will be full of faith events sponsored by the Franciscan Action Network and partner organizations.

• We're kicking off things off with Global Catholic Climate Movement's #Mercy2Earth Initiative (Register Here). A webinar on March 15 will introduce viewers to the initiative, leading into a Lenten Fast for Climate Justice on World Water Day, March 22.  For additional events and more information, please contact Christina Leano.
• Franciscan Action Network, Climate Reality Project, and Interfaith Power and Light will sponsor a Catholics of Color Climate Justice Training on March 25 at Shrine of the Sacred Heart Church in Washington, D.C. (Register Here). For more information, please contact Chiara Klein.
• If you are traveling to Washington D.C., we strongly encourage you to make the most of your time by meeting with your Senators and Representative on Friday, April 28th.  For those interested, Catholic Climate Covenant will offer anadvocacy training session on Friday morning, April 28th (Register Here). Even if you can't make the training in person, register using the link and you will be sent a recording.
• To get your energy up for lots of walking and chanting, come out to thePeople's Climate March Potluck on Friday evening before the march, April 28at the Stuart Center, in Washington, D.C. Bring your friends, bring a dish, and meet some fellow marchers. For more information and to RSVP, please contactJason Miller.
• There will be a mass on Saturday morning, April 29 at 9am, at St. Dominic Church, in Washington, D.C. Come pray with us for the transformation of hearts and minds as we prepare to demonstrate peaceful resistance.

When the oppressors come for any of us, all of us will rise up in solidarity because all of our fights - from refugee rights to Indigenous sovereignty to climate justice - are connected. 50 days from now, join us as we take this message back to the streets of DC.

We will see you on the streets of DC at noon on April 29th for the People's Climate March!

JPIC Engagement Report

From January to May 2025, the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) ministry engaged in a series of collaborative initiatives aimed at advancing the values of ecological justice, human dignity, and integral community participation. Guided by the principles of Laudato Si’ and in alignment with the seven goals of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform (LSAP), our efforts spanned education, advocacy, public witness, and sustainability. We worked alongside partners in faith, education, and civic engagement to respond to the urgent cries of the Earth and the poor, especially those most affected by war, climate displacement, and systemic neglect. This report offers an overview of our key projects and events during the first trimester of 2025, reflecting the JPIC commitment to fostering hope, healing, and ecological conversion across our communities.

Silent Garden: Healing through Nature

JPIC has partnered with Towne Twin, a housing initiative for under-resourced residents in San Antonio, to support the creation of the Silent Garden. This contemplative space is designed to offer restorative experiences through connection with nature, reflecting the belief that ecological beauty is integral to human healing. The garden is expected to be completed by mid-2025 and will serve as a symbol of the transformative power of community and creation.

“The Garden is taking shape as a place for residents, staff, and visitors to enjoy fresh air, quiet reflection, and a sense of community.” - Marylou Rodriguez, CCVI.

Hatred as a Contagious Disease: A Compassionate San Antonio Collaboration

In February, JPIC partnered with Compassionate San Antonio to host the Hatred as a Contagious Disease event series (February 17–19). The events invited participants to explore hatred through the lens of pathology; examining how it manifests and spreads similarly to a disease, drawing on analogies from medical diagnostics. In addition to community dialogues, the initiative supported educational opportunities for Middle Eastern women through a scholarship fund for university study. A central element of the event was a communal reflection on I Shall Not Hate, the powerful memoir of Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, whose advocacy for justice and peace emerged despite the tragic loss of his three daughters in the 2009 Israel–Gaza conflict. The theme "I Shall Not Hate" served as a call to radical compassion and to love one’s neighbor, aligning with the Laudato Si’ Action Platform’s (LSAP) emphasis on human dignity, equality, and solidarity with migrants and refugees affected by war and climate displacement.

Digital Art Collaboration: Youth Voices on Nature

In January, JPIC collaborated with the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Public Health students to digitize artwork from UIW Brainpower schools under the theme of “Nature.” This digital artbook, titled Artistic Bridges: Connecting Worlds Through Young Eyes, is now available alongside similar projects by children around the globe, fostering international solidarity through creative expression and ecological awareness. See here

Solidarity and Advocacy through Public Witness

As part of its commitment to advocacy and presence, JPIC joined several statewide and regional initiatives during the first half of 2025. These included:

• Texas Impact Conference (Austin, January 26)

• Texas Catholic Bishops Conference (Austin, April 1)

• GreenFaith’s March for the Future (March 9)

• Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation with Fr. John Suenram (May 24)

Through these gatherings, JPIC demonstrated solidarity with communities vulnerable to environmental degradation, economic injustice, and systemic exclusion, particularly youth, Indigenous peoples, and historically impacted populations.

Laudato Si’ Stations of the Cross: Lenten Reflections in Context

During Lent, JPIC facilitated a Laudato Si’ Stations of the Cross for Sisters and lay participants, inviting reflection, ethical discernment, and action. The meditations addressed the intersection of social, economic, and ecological challenges in the U.S., with particular emphasis on their manifestations in Texas.

Sustainability in Action: UIW Brainpower School Projects

The UIW Brainpower Connection Schools have advanced their sustainability initiatives, continuing the momentum from the prior year. Working through teachers and student leadership, each school developed and implemented tailored climate action projects. These include:

• Rainwater harvesting system (elementary school)

• Outdoor learning space (preschool)

• Recycling infrastructure (St. Anthony Catholic School)

• Low-flow water fixtures (St. Anthony High School)

• Garden restoration (Blessed Sacrament Catholic School)

As of May 2025, four of the five projects have been completed, with the final one expected to conclude by the end of the month. A comprehensive report on these initiatives is available here: Sustainability Project Report.

Reflection and Awareness: Permian Basin Immersion Retreat

In late March, JPIC collaborated with Citizens Caring for the Future (CCF), the Laudato Si’ Movement, Franciscan Sisters, Sisters of Mercy, Oilfield Witness, and New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light to host an Immersion Retreat in the Permian Basin (March 27–30). The retreat offered a space for prayer, critical reflection, and ecological discernment, grounded in the lived experience of environmental exploitation in oil-producing regions. A multimedia resource (featuring reflections, analysis, and photographs) is being developed and will be published by the end of May to raise awareness of the ecological and moral implications of extractive economies.

Climate Narratives: Storytelling for Change

In collaboration with the Climate Reality Project (San Antonio), JPIC is currently developing a narrative framework to document and share the UIW Brainpower schools’ sustainability work. This collaborative story will highlight Earth Day tree-gifting ceremonies and broader carbon capture efforts, serving as an educational tool and advocacy resource for the UIW Brainpower Schools Conference scheduled for August 2025. The objective is to inspire more schools to engage in sustainability projects and to demonstrate that all communities can play a role in ecological transformation.

Looking Ahead: 

• UIW Brainpower Schools Conference (August)
  Theme: Greening of Schools (in collaboration with Climate Reality and JPIC)

• Year 2 of Sustainability Projects
  Additional support for new school-based climate action projects.

• Gardening Class Initiative
  A new program for UIW Brainpower students with incentives to encourage active participation and learning.

• Laudato Si’ Action Platform Review
  A review process aimed at reinvigorating LSAP commitments among Sisters, Associates, and partner ministries, ensuring continued alignment with JPIC values and the call to integral ecology.

God's Creatures and Care of Creation, Presentations to Invite the World to "Climate Reality"

                                                  Evelyn Mantalvo and Sadie

In preparation for October 10, 2020, Climate Reality Day, University of the Incarnate Word  students shared an educational and prayerful program on October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.  Read about Climate Reality day http://saccvi.blogspot.com/search/label/Environment internationally and in San Antonio, Texas. 

On or near October 4, since the mid-1970’s, at Incarnate Word College (now the University of the Incarnate Word), community members have gathered near the Headwaters to remember St. Francis of Assisi (1182 - 1226), patron saint of ecology, and to have a blessing of animals.  The pandemic kept people from gathering outside, but online connections made it possible for one of the founders of the tradition at Incarnate Word to virtually attend, Kim Brinster.  She now lives in New Zealand and shared stories of roosters on their island. This 2020 celebration in front of screens included guinea pigs, cats, dogs, and about 50 two legged creatures.  Students, families, friends, and retired faculty from New Mexico and around the San Antonio area came.   Yesenia Caloca and Alyssa Kennedy shared prayers. Sr. Martha Ann Kirk noted that while people were killing each other during the Crusades, Francis bravely went to the Muslim ruler to talk about stopping the violence. All  watched images and listened to song by her friends Jesse Manibusan and Bro. Rufino Zaragoza ofm. She had been invited to help them find pictures of peace makers.  "The Spirit of Assisi: We come only armed with love" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyWZhk4ZDFo  Can I learn to “come only armed with love”?    Am I willing to take down “the walls of hate and fear”?  To live with mercy and compassion so that peace can come? 

Kassandra Luna, a sophomore, majoring in Security Systems, said,  “The Blessing of the Animals and Celebration of Creation event brought me a few tears of joys. I am an animal lover, more towards dogs because they match my crazy energy. I loved seeing everybody's animals on screen, I honestly wanted to hug them because they were so cute.  I loved the way everyone was so proud to show off their animals as if they were their own children. The best part was when they acknowledged that were not perfect and that is what loved them even more.  I enjoyed the second part of the event because we were covering plastic pollution. We know that plastic pollution is a main contributing factor to the the destruction of our green planet so to see this organization bring awareness to the topics and give us the sources in order to participate in making a 180 is very inspiring.”

Louis P. Lubbering (1944-2020), beloved art teacher at IWHS and UIW, compassionately cared for God's creatures

Lauren Chavez, Sophomore, Nursing Major, noted that this was “such an inspiring event to attend. It was so nice to see every animal owner show off their beloved pet. You could really see in each owner’s eyes how much they loved and cared for their pet and how proud they were to show them off. Being able to pray and bless all of these animals was very special and I know it meant a lot to all the owners.  During the second half of the event, we were all able to share and learn about issues that are happening on our Earth. This was very eye-opening and gave everyone an opportunity bring awareness to these topics as well as learn about what we could do to help try and resolve these issues.”

Madison Tulaba, Junior, Theatre Arts Major, wrote,  “Getting to see so many animals grace my computer screen and their owners smiling faces was incredible. Hearing the stories and prayers shared at this event really meant a lot to me.  I learned a lot from this event. Being able to work with such a great team and learn more about plastic pollution was incredible. To be honest, I did not have much knowledge on plastic pollution beforehand so being able to do research on such an important topic helped me learn a lot more on how not only myself but others can help the earth. Hearing my fellow classmates presentations taught me a lot as well. I was excited to see what everyone had worked so hard on and learn more about sustainability.”

Maia Smith, a Sophomore, Nursing Major, wrote that the gathering “was a wonderful opportunity to spread love, educate each other, and do our part to protect our precious Earth. Seeing everybody's animals during the first half of the event brought a smile to my face during these uncertain times. It's hard not to feel joy when you see a happy animal being loved and cared for by a happy owner!  The second half of the event was very informative. I learned a lot about my group's topic, plastic pollution, through my research and the contributions of my teammates. Issues addressed by other groups included greenhouse gasses, energy conservation, and the declining polar bear population. It gave me hope to see so many people coming together to create a more sustainable future for all.” 

 

                                     Victoria Velasquez and her animal friend

Victoria Velazquez, a Junior Sociology Major, said, “The Blessing of the Animals and Celebration of Creation event was an incredible experience. I learned of the beauty there is in coming together in celebration and unity that left a lasting impact on me. This event was beautifully enriched with diverse forms of life and creation. There was a great deal to be appreciated. Within my group and others, there was an excellent conversational exchange to the various critical concerns impacting our Earth. Personally, the preparation involved in working with my group created an immense care and concern toward promoting sustainability for all creation. Having the opportunity to share on the topic of Earth justice related to plastic pollution cultivated a united effort. Specifically, it advocated for the sanctity of creation that could be achieved individually, locally, and globally. Additionally, the St. Francis of Assisi prayer was inspirational to reflect on each significant word that we so desperately need to embody in this critical time. It is essential to discover the ways we may work together toward a sustainable future.”

Evelynn Montalvo, a Sophomore who is majoring in Nursing Major, wrote, “I appreciated the opportunity as I got to see so many animals in loving homes, as well as the people that loved them. Getting to view the value people give to their pets made it more apparent that life is something we should treasure and celebrate. I enjoyed first being able to see the community connect with one another over the things we love, then getting to put all of that into perspective during the second half of the event when everyone got a chance to hear about global crises affecting all of us. It was nice to see that so many people showed up to the event. The large group that gathered with us on October 4th showed me that people still care and are willing to listen and educate themselves. There was a great sense of unity, and unity is something we will certainly need as we tackle to issues discussed during the second half of the event.”

Alyssa Kennedy had spoken of and shown her dog Gabbi who had medical challenges and could barely use her legs.  The gathering ended with an inspiring film of Gabbi’s friends and how people love and care for dogs who are differently abled   https://youtu.be/6b2GjD9YcHo

Brittany Edwards explained their group's presentation, “The Earth is continuously warming and with this, marine life is dying, pollution is rising, and only so much is being done to address this advancement. The Cypress Creation Community focused our initiative on Greenhouse gas emissions, their impact on the atmosphere in local and global aspects, and what can be done to improve the quality of the air that we breathe. Climate equity is an ever-present topic in our communities, and it is a primary area of concern in our city's climate action plan and efforts to positively impact our environment will cultivate a healthier future for generations to come.”

Safietou Dorsey noted, “Our presentation was about ocean conservation. Our oceans sustain life and it is our duty as people to preserve them. Currently, with climate change and global warming as a direct result of pollution, we have seen a drastic change in Ocean life. It is important to promote ocean sustainability and eliminate the problems that are negatively affecting our oceans.” Their group recommends  https://oceana.org/blog/overfishing-and-pollution-have-trashed-mediterranean    and   https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/ocean_plastics/#:~:text=Thousands%20of%20seabirds%20and%20sea,get%20caught%20in%20plastic%20litter  and   https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/sustainable-fishing/

Maia Smith said, “We researched plastic pollution, specifically single-use plastics. We emphasized the issues of mass production and wasteful packaging and stressed the importance of government action in addition to individual choices. We explained the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act and encouraged individuals to contact their representatives.” The recommend: Summary of the 2020 Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act: https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/break-free-from-plastic-pollution-act-summary.  Letter of Support: https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/letter-of-support-plastic-pollution-act    Single Use Plastics: www.nrdc.org/stories/single-use-plastics-101.  

Evan Rey Santos said, "The Willow group had the honor of sharing the seriousness of energy conservation, especially in the United States. Not only does saving energy save money, but it also protects the environment we all live in. We exposed how our main sources of energy aren’t renewable and how we, the human race, should consider the needs of future generations. Our team’s presentation brought to light several easy ways we can be energy efficient, either at home or on the road. The website below offers reasons homeowners should look at energy efficiency. https://www.energysage.com/energy-efficiency/why-conserve-energy/ If you still need some more convincing on why conserving energy is crucial to sustainability then this is the source for you. https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/energyconservetips.php

Upcoming: Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2020

The conference will explore the intersection of climate change and economic justice. It will be held from April 24 to 27, 2020 in Washington, D.C. 

Ecumenical Advocacy Days is a movement of the ecumenical Christian community, and its recognized partners and allies, grounded in biblical witness and our shared traditions of justice, peace and the integrity of creation. Our goal, through worship, theological reflection and opportunities for learning and witness, is to strengthen our Christian voice and to mobilize for advocacy on a wide variety of U.S. domestic and international policy issues.

Imagine! God’s Earth and People Restored

Around the world, the most marginalized communities disproportionately affected by hunger, poverty, and the structural history of colonialism and racism are experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis most profoundly. Women and children in these communities suffer the most.

Earth and its people are groaning and calling for us to respond in hope. We are all affected. Temperatures are rising dramatically and dangerously everywhere, disrupting ecological systems and every type of human activity. The generations of tomorrow depend on what we do today.

EAD 2020 will explore the intersection of climate change and economic injustice. This will galvanize our advocacy on behalf of policies and programs to chip away at the systems of oppression that keep people in poverty and push all life on earth to the brink of destruction.

In his encyclical, Laudato Si, Pope Francis recognized the double injustice of climate change and poverty. He is part of a growing chorus of various faith leaders who are raising their voices. The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its last report issued a call for urgent, scaled up, global and local action.

Churches continue to actively respond to the climate crisis with disaster relief to support low-income communities and ecosystems most impacted by climate-related disasters. They are also working to build resilient and sustainable communities and economies that can create jobs and prevent future disasters. Churches are partnering with youth, indigenous communities, civil and human rights organizations, the international community, and others to address inequality and strengthen the movement for climate justice.

2020 will be a pivotal year for the United States, and the world, with a U.S. general election that will set the course for many years ahead. As people of faith, we see the political reality of this time. Yet we also hold hope for a time yet to come when all people, regardless of race, gender, economic status, ability, or age will realize the full vision of God’s desire for a just community and a flourishing Earth.

To advance this vision, we are called to speak out for justice – climate justice and economic justice. Join us at EAD 2020 to imagine and advocate for an Earth and its people restored.

“This territory is not ours, it’s not mine, it’s not yours. It belongs to the generation yet to come.” ~ Maritza Naforo, Huitoto indigenous leader, Colombia

“We look for — and speed the coming of — the new heavens and a new earth, where justice is at home” (2 Pet. 3:12,13).

Find more information here. https://advocacydays.org/…/future-…/2020-national-gathering/