By Bill Robinson
The 19 rows of Campo Dorado Chiles, planted in Field#2 at the Crazy Chile Farm, are thriving. Last Wednesday however, we had the opportunity to help some of the people who helped us plant Field#2 back in February: the youth group from the Yoeme Semalulukut Community Garden at the Pascua Yaqui Reservation in Guadalupe. Their garden not only helps feed the tribal community with healthy food, it provides training for the next generation of Yoeme farmers in the traditional methods of native agriculture. This project is supported by both the Council for Native American Ministry and the Council for Creation Care because both Councils deal with supporting sustainable agriculture and the restoration of ancient indigenous crops for small farmers and Native Americans.
It is no surprise that the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona has two Councils that deal with our State’s indigenous peoples. 300,000 Native Americans live in Arizona. 22 Federal Native American Reservations occupy a third of Arizona’s land—more land than all our urban areas combined. The Council for Native American Ministry, lead by the Rev. Cn Debbie Royals, and the Council for Creation Care headed by Bill Robinson both deal with native issues: the destruction of native farming and food supplies, destruction of native culture, the inequitable distribution of water on reservation land, 23 years of drought, the draining of tribal aquafers, denial of tribal sovereignty by the US Courts, climate change, increases in the severity and duration of wildfires, inadequate garbage and trash disposal, little or no recycling, etcetera ad infinitum. Each issue, by itself, is huge and therein lies the rub: Programming of meetings, workshops, and events that give the Diocese an opportunity to effectively deal with any of these issues requires people. And, right now, the Council for Creation Care needs an infusion of people power. Retirements, clergy transfers, and “personnel departures,” have reduced Creation Care membership. We need folks PDQ.
Membership in both Councils is open. If you want to join a Council, simply send an email to either of the Council Chairs:
Debbie Royalls debbie@azdiocese.org
Bill Robinson dwbrobinson@gmail.com
Both Councils meet quarterly in different parishes or missions around the State. Creation Care also has an interactive simulcast on Google Meets.
Clergy: Please announce these openings to your parishioners and encourage any interested parties to contact us.
The next meeting of the Arizona Diocese Creation Care Council is scheduled for April 26, 2025 from 10 AM until 2PM in Flagstaff. Since Epiphany Church is hosting another Diocesan gathering that day, our Creation Care Council will meet at the NAU campus ministry site “LCMCanterbury” located at 319 South San Francisco St. Both in-person and virtual attendance will be offered. On that date, there will be two opportunities for interaction: Epiphany’s Creation Care Ministry members can attend the Diocese CCC meeting; and the Dioscese CCC members can tour Epiphany’s sustainability efforts (Rooftop PV, rain water harvesting, composting, battery/bulb/glass recycling )
Please RSVP to Bill. Lunch is provided, and we want to make sure we have enough! Also, we need to send you the link for Google Meets