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Spirit of Ministry

The Spirit of Ministry feature celebrates the Ministry Renewal Program aimed at refreshing affiliates in their current ministry or stretching them to embark on new ones. This is the fifth story in the series, focused on ministries related to the immigrant population in the United States. The affiliates tell their stories in their own words.

Franciscan values lead to a life of living true to the land

by Mary Ellen Dunford

As an affiliate and employee of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, my life is motivated by Franciscan values, specifically the need to live simply and to care for creation. My appreciation for nature began as a child. I grew up in Clinton, Iowa, a small town along the Mississippi River. Working and playing outdoors were part of everyday life.

Finding the FSPAs at Prairiewoods later in my life was a wonderful gift. I was drawn to their vision and philosophy that is so evident in the planning and development of Prairiewoods. My passion is to live as ecologically responsible as possible. My husband Bob and I are committed to using less of the Earth’s resources, purchasing locally-grown and organic goods, and using environmentally safe practices for our lawn and household products.

Mary Ellen Dunford

As an affiliate and member of the staff at Prairiewoods, I am blessed with endless opportunities to grow and learn about Franciscan values and ecospirituality. The sisters at Prairiewoods provide invaluable knowledge, insights, resources and support to staff ideas and endeavors.

For the past five years I have facilitated the Simple Living Group at Prairiewoods. This is a group of like-minded people who are interested in finding ways to simplify and support each other in lifestyles that are less demanding on the environment. The group reads and discusses books, sponsors speakers for Earth Day events, and is involved in various community service projects.

In the fall of 2006 Prairiewoods provided my husband Bob and me with the opportunity to complete a certification course that qualifies us to be IOWATER Level I Citizen Monitors. This is a volunteer program offered by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Bob has degrees in chemistry and engineering and I have an extensive science background, so together we make a good team as IOWATER volunteers. We are monitoring Dry Creek, a small stream that meanders through the Prairiewoods property. We conduct tests on the water from the creek as part of a study promoted by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The purpose of the study is to develop a chemical, biological and habitat analysis of Iowa’s waterways. Each month from March through October, we measure the concentrations of chlorides, nitrites, nitrates, phosphates and dissolved oxygen in the water of Dry Creek, plus its pH level. This information is used to assess the amount and composition of the water runoff in the watershed that Dry Creek is a part of. The biological monitoring of Dry Creek includes finding and identifying benthic macroinvertebrates. These creatures are large bottom-dwelling animals without backbones. These include aquatic insects, clams, crustaceans, leeches, snails and worms. The Prairiewoods area of Dry Creek is home to dragonfly larvae, bloodworms, clams, water striders, giant water bugs and backswimmers. The habitat assessment includes a yearly photographic documentation of the stream bed, microhabitants, banks, canopy cover, riparian zone and land usage. Dry Creek flows into Indian Creek. A record of Dry Creek’s health is important for a larger study that may place Indian Creek on a listing of Iowa’s impaired waterways. In 2008 Bob and I would like to expand our testing to the two ponds located on Prairiewoods property.

This past year I was asked as an employee of Prairiewoods to represent Linn County on the Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development Board (RC & D). The RC & D is a unique program that helps people protect and develop their economic, natural and social resources in ways that help improve their area’s economy, environment and quality of life.

One project driven by the RC & D is the Iowa Valley Regional Food Initiative (I-Food). Both Emy Sautter, the Prairiewoods ecospirituality coordinator, and I are involved in this grassroots effort to promote local food production and consumption. I-Food formed due to urging from individuals, farmers, food producers and food consumers to form a coalition to strengthen and coordinate local food efforts. The past year our efforts were involved in researching the strengths, weaknesses, obstacles and opportunities for a local food system. The research will be used to develop a strategic plan to develop a local food system in Linn County. This project is a huge step toward building a sustainable community.

The work we do at Prairiewoods has a significant impact on the environment and the continued revelation of the universe story. It feeds my spirit to be part of the mission and vision of Prairiewoods and to live and share Franciscan values with others.

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