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Faith Community and Environment
As the world confronts the urgent challenges posed by climate change, faith communities and spiritual leaders are stepping up to continue the conversation. Religious leaders are concerned over potential policy reversals but remain motivated through their dedication to justice and compassion. Groups like Interfaith Power & Light, the Catholic Climate Covenant, and the Evangelical Environmental Network emphasize a nonpartisan, collaborative approach to climate solutions, grounded in spiritual principles and concern for future generations. Faith-based leaders advocate for bridging divides and sustaining climate progress, despite political challenges, by fostering hope, shared values, and practical action.
During the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Cali, Colombia participants visited a native forest project near the Bahá’í House of Worship in the Norte del Cauca region, which integrates spiritual principles and environmental stewardship. The project originated in 2012 when consultations about the temple's construction inspired local communities to restore the region’s biodiversity. Through community efforts, over 1,500 trees, including 180 fruit and timber species, were planted.
At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Shaolin Temple delegation emphasized the importance of spiritual wisdom, cultural heritage, and interfaith collaboration in addressing climate change and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The delegation announced the Shaolin Mindfulness Retreat, a six-day program integrating Chan (Zen) philosophy, sustainability practices, and cultural preservation.
Design Awards
Architecture in Formation’s 37 Hillside Senior Apartment, at the Rocky Mount Baptist Church site, has won the prestigious “Best of Year” award by Interior Design in the category of Senior Living. The project was selected as the #1 senior building in the world for the year 2024 as a “trailblazing project pushing the industry forward.” Hillside Senior Living will bring 164 units of much-needed affordable senior housing to the Inwood neighborhood of Upper Manhattan. The new ground-up U-shaped development is carved into a steeply sloping site and draws much of its inspiration from seasonal changes experienced in the dramatic Fort Tryon Park nearby.
Historic Spaces and Real Estate
St. Francis Catholic Church, a 127-year-old landmark, is being sold by the Diocese of Santa Rosa, marking the end of its long-standing role in the community. Having remained closed since the pandemic, the church's sale extinguishes residents' hopes for its reopening and sparks concerns about the future of its treasured artifacts. While residents mourn the loss, a newly established Hopland Fund aims to preserve the church's legacy by benefiting the community.
The former St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, a historic 1873 structure in Mannheim, has been repurposed as the Wilmot Muslim Centre following its $650,000 sale in November. The new centre aims to foster spiritual growth, community connections, and unity through events and educational programs.
In the Bronx , Community Board 8’s land use subcommittee met to discuss the future of the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center and nearby properties slated for redevelopment by Innovative Development Corporation. The developer plans to build market-rate housing on the site, with part of the Jewish Center converted into a smaller sanctuary and multipurpose spaces. Some community members and congregants have raised concerns about the impact on affordability and services previously provided at the site, such as senior programs and daycare.
Serving the Community
SUNY New Paltz celebrated record-breaking success in two long-standing December traditions, the Winter Coat Drive and the Educational Opportunity Program’s holiday gift initiative. This year, 130 winter clothing items were collected for the Mid-Hudson Migrant Education Program, supporting unhoused individuals at Sharing Day at First Congregational Church in Poughkeepsie. 40 children in the New Paltz area will receive special holiday gifts through donations to the Agri-Business Child Development agency, which aids farm worker families.
The Minister of Music and Youth at Brooklet First Baptist Church in Georgia initiated a community garden on church property to provide free food and foster community connections. The garden was designed with raised beds and containers, making it accessible for people with physical limitations and showcasing techniques others can replicate at home. The garden currently features herbs, vegetables, flowers for pollinators, and various fruit trees, with plans to expand to a larger plot, add a greenhouse, and host educational events and canning classes.
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