If you have been on the grounds of our Nazareth campus lately, chances are that you have seen our AmeriCorps member, Julia Gerwe, busily working with any of our wonderful grounds crew or ecological sustainability team. Or perhaps you’ve seen her enjoying the beautiful fall weather on her off time, walking or biking the trails. Every week has been a new adventure for Julia and from her words, “I’m loving everything I’m learning and there are so many more projects brewing that will come to fruition in the next serval months”! Here are some of her favorite projects so far:
- Tree planting— it was so exciting to learn more about trees and then actually take part in the full fall tree planting on Nazareth’s campus! It was fun learning how to operate the auger, mulch the trees, and care for them past initial planting. Trees are so important to our environment!
- Taking part in the biological surveys happening through the Office of Ecological Sustainability around campus — it’s been so interesting to work with our herpetologist and botanist to learn more about our Nazareth campus and the critters and plants that call this place home.
- I’ve loved researching and writing articles to share to our SCN community in the Newsline (monthly “Sustainabytes”), Campus Services Newsletter, and (next month) the SCNA newsletter. I’ve learned about various topics – from how amphibians prepare for cold weather to how the SCNs have been mitigating climate change around the world – through these articles. It’s been a great opportunity to get more engaged and educate others about the work we do and sustainability topics!
- Finally, I’m loving the work I’m doing with Carolyn Cromer, Director of Ecological Sustainability, on our Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculations Campaign to calculate GHG emissions across the Congregation. It’s been a lot of behind-the-scenes work to prepare, but we’re starting to get the ball rolling and it is so fulfilling to be contributing to this effort as we seek to give the SCNs a better idea of what their emissions look like, in order to reach zero emissions!
Thank you Julia for the wonderful energy, enthusiasm and dedication you have brought to Nazareth in the first quarter of your year of service with us. Keep up the great work!
I’m happy to see Julia, loving the earth so passionately and so very close to God.
Thank you, Sr. Amrita! It’s been great to meet you recently. Thanks for your kindness 🙂
Thank you Julia for all you’re doing and learning at Naz. Your cheerful spirit fills the air!
Thank you, Rita! This is so sweet. I am so blessed to be at Nazareth!
Thanks Julia for vibrant energy you have brought to Nazareth. It was wonderful to meet you on zoom the other day. Blessings upon you and your care-efforts for the earth.
Thank you, Amelia! You as well. Blessings!
Earth is our Common Home. Thank you, Julia, for sustaining it.
I couldn’t agree more, Ann! Thank you for contributing — and for the kind words!
These projects are important and so interesting! Thank you for your contributions! Look forward to reading your article in the SCNA newsletter.
Thank you, Eugenie! They are important — I feel so fortunate to be learning and participating here at Nazareth. Thanks for this comment, and I do hope you enjoy the SCNA newsletter article. I’m glad I was able to contribute!
Thank you Julia for all you are doing here at Nazareth and for being a virtual ESL instructor in the evenings for Doors to Hope.
I want some of your energy😀
Hi, Sr. Brenda! Thanks so much for this sweet comment. You know that i’m loving my time here, and it’s been such a gift to be able to volunteer with Doors to Hope too! Thanks for all of your support and encouragement 🙂
What a beautiful way to spend your time and learn..
Amen, Patsy! It has been so enlightening and wonderful!
Dear Julia, I am so pleased that your are pleased with your experiences at Nazareth. Keep up the good work and I hope to meet up with you on campus now and again. Thanks for being a part of our efforts to bless and care for the earth. Sister Janet
Hi, Sr. Janet! Thanks for this kind comment. It’s been great to get to know you; thank you for the endless support and prayers! I am definitely so pleased with my experiences at Nazareth thus far and am looking forward to many more this year!
I love having you on campus! You bring life and enthusiasm wherever you are. Thanks for sharing all your accomplishments!
Love,
Sister Luke
Somewhere under the hat, in the boots, with the gloves there is Julia close to the earth—so simple, so gracious! Our thanks!
Awh, love this comment, Srs. Marilyn and Marlene. Thanks for taking such great care of me here at Nazareth. You both never fail to brighten my days 🙂 My thanks to you!
Thank you always, Sr. Luke! You and the SCN community inspire me always. I’m happy to be sharing my time and talents with the community!
We are so blessed that you chose us for your year of service! So excited to see all that you will accomplish!
Thank you so much, Ellen! Thanks for sharing my highlights here and for being such an exemplary mentor. I’M so blessed to be working with you and the SCNs this year 🙂