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On Holy Ground: Our Ballot & Cherishing Creation
September 26 @ 6:00 pm - 8:15 pm
Cross in the Desert Methodist Church welcomes participation from the interfaith community at their “Dinner and Dialogue” evening.
This free event includes a delicious dinner and a thought-provoking presentation calling us to consider our ballot as Holy Ground from top to bottom, and exploring the impacts on creation at home and around the planet.
As we gather to share a meal, we’ll have time to hear the presenters’ journeys into climate advocacy and to reflect on how we want our own votes to care for creation. This event is an excellent opportunity to engage with fellow community members, share perspectives, and gain deeper insights into the importance of civic responsibility.
SPEAKERS are from Arizona Interfaith Power and Light (AZIPL)
Melanie Beikman (she/her) is the Director of Arizona Interfaith Power & Light (AZIPL). AZIPL is a spiritual response to the climate crisis, mobilizing people of faith and conscience to care for our common home and work for climate justice. The work encompasses everything from advocacy to energy efficiency, in collaboration with S.A.G.E. Teams (or Earth Care teams or Green Teams) at congregations across Arizona. Melanie started adult life as a biologist, but as life does, new doors opened, and she has spent the past decade in community organizing with faith communities. She has worked alongside other people of faith on issues such as education, immigration, affordable housing and homelessness. Her current work is focused on energy equity and climate justice.
Gretchen Reinhardt (she/they) is AZIPL’s Program Coordinator for Faith Votes, a role that invites each of us to reflect on how our spiritual roots manifest in supporting democracy with our vote. Gretchen’s life-long Quaker quest to “live in that Life and Power that takes away the occasion for war” led her to graduate work in conflict resolution. A week-long climate workshop in 2006 connected the spiritual, scientific and humanitarian dots, and Gretchen has been advocating for peace, justice and effective, non-partisan climate action ever since. Gretchen finds joy and relaxation in wild spaces, gardens, dancing and with her husband and two adult children. Gretchen holds degrees in Conflict Analysis & Resolution (MS) and Politics (BA).