I heard Heaven today.
I spent part of my morning at Selah Community Garden. While I picked green beans, I heard birds singing and bees buzzing. I heard wind blowing in the leaves. I heard a pair of ladies in the next row chatting in Spanish. I heard a man with a thick southern accent conversing with a woman with a thick southeast Asian accent. I heard questions about squash, an update on a battle with cancer, an announcement of a new grandbaby, laughter, and a request for more buckets because there was just so much to be picked.
I heard Heaven today.
Jarrod S. Davis
Click on a content title link to go directly to the article or keep scrolling
-
Advocacy Actions – Increasing Our Impact
Our Advocacy Team and ICAN members are joining forces with other environmental action organizations to increase our impact. In June, members joined the NC Sierra Club’s Wednesdays on Jones Street program and Clean Water for North Carolina’s NC Data Center Grassroots Lobby Day..
-
Climate Change, Science, and the Bible: A Faith Response to Our Planetary Crisis
Drawing on what science reveals and on biblical teachings that speak to human responsibility for the living world, this online workshop with Steve Jurovics on July 21, 7:00 PM will explore how the effects of climate change are not merely ecological facts but moral ones — and how our faith traditions have always known this. It will also touch on the practice of deep ecumenism, the recognition that the great wisdom traditions share a commitment to the sanctity of creation.
-
Ready, Set, Midterms: From Awareness to Action
Come to Raleigh Brewing Company for Ready, Set, Midterms to join Wake County Indivisible, a non-partisan organization, and meet representatives of other experienced organizations leading voter education, voter outreach, and democracy protection efforts on Sunday afternoon, July 26. Learn about canvassing, text banking and phone banking (practice conversations with voters), registering voters, and writing letters and postcards to voters.
-
Season of Creation 2026: Living Water
It’s not too late to encourage your clergy and lay leaders to celebrate the Christian ecumenical Season of Creation (September 1st – October 4th) in your congregation’s worship and programs. Learn more about the Season of Creation and see resources to help with planning.
-
July Opportunities to Volunteer, Learn, and Earn with Partners for Environmental Justice
Partners for Environmental Justice is sponsoring three great opportunities in July for people 15+ years to learn about environmental protection of the Walnut Creek watershed and participate in outdoor service projects while earning a $50 gift card for each session. See how to learn more and sign up in the full article below.
(1) Advocacy Actions – Increasing Our Impact
In June, members of the ICCT Advocacy Team and ICAN joined the NC Sierra Club’s Wednesdays on Jones Street program and Clean Water for North Carolina’s NC Data Center Grassroots Lobby Day. Both events were inspiring, and we encourage you to learn more and take part in ICCT’s future advocacy efforts.
ICAN members Bobbi Mullins and Joe Burton participated in the NC Sierra Club’s Wednesdays on Jones Street program held on June 17, 2026, where they spoke with Senator Gale Adcock about Senate Bill 730, the Ratepayer Protection Act. We raised concerns about key provisions in the bill, which are outlined in our official ICCT position statement on SB 730. At this time, the bill has not advanced out of the Committee on Rules and Operations, and we hope it will not move forward in its current form.
ICCT also took part in Clean Water for North Carolina’s Data Center Grassroots Lobby Day on June 24, 2026. It was encouraging to see so many people from across the state meeting with legislators and urging support for House Bill 1189, the Datacenter Transparency Act. During the event, several participants shared powerful personal stories and concerns at a press conference we were able to watch.
We encourage you to watch and share the recording here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(2) Climate Change, Science, and the Bible: A Faith Response to Our Planetary Crisis
Tuesday, July 21
7:00-8:30 PM EDT
This online workshop is led by Steve Jurovics who is well-known to many in ICCT. Steve was an important influence and support to the founders of ICCT and served on the initial leadership team. Steve was one of ICCT’s first speakers in 2019.
This workshop invites people of faith to look honestly at what the science reveals — through graphs, ice cores, and atmospheric readings taken at Mauna Loa since 1958 — and then to ask: What does our tradition ask of us in response? Drawing on biblical teachings that speak to human responsibility for the living world, participants will explore how the effects of climate change are not merely ecological facts but moral ones — and how our faith traditions have always known this.
It will also touch on the practice of deep ecumenism, also called spiritual permeability, the recognition that the great wisdom traditions, in their deepest streams, share a commitment to the sanctity of creation. In a time of planetary emergency, that shared ground may be among our most urgent resources.
MEET THE PRESENTER: Stephen Jurovics, Ph.D.
Steve concluded his long engineering career with a 16-year stint as an EPA contractor working on various aspects of the climate crisis.
In the late 1980s, Steve began researching the environmental teachings in Torah; he later started giving talks at synagogues and churches and, finding those well received, began writing the book Hospitable Planet: Faith, Action, and Climate Change, in part to demonstrate that climate change is a biblical issue, as well as a scientific one.
Steve holds a B.S. and M.S. from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Southern California.
The workshop is sponsored by the Institute of Deep Ecumenism whose workshops are offered on a “pay what you will” basis with an $18 minimum.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(3) Ready, Set, Midterms: From Awareness to Action
It’s time to get off the sidelines, come together, and take action—not only to turn out the vote, but also to protect our democracy and the integrity of our elections.
You’re invited to join us on July 26, 1-4 pm at Raleigh Brewing Company for Ready, Set, Midterms, sponsored by Wake County Indivisible (WCI), a non-partisan organization committed to non-violent action. You’ll find Raleigh Brewing Company at 3709 Nell St. in Raleigh near Meredith College. [Pullen Memorial Baptist Church has partnered with WCI on voter registration repair and finds their events well-run, fun, and meaningful.]
It will be great to take some of the fear out of activities designed to get out the vote and further build a community dedicated to protecting democracy!
Ready to help but not sure where to start?
Join us and discover where you can make the biggest impact. Meet experienced organizations leading voter education, voter outreach, and democracy protection efforts, and find the volunteer role that’s right for you.
Whether you are a rookie or a hall-of-famer, there’s a place for you on the team! You’ll have the opportunity to learn how to:
– Canvass -Text bank and Phone bank – Practice Conversations with Voters – Register Voters – Literature Drop – Create ICE OUT Whistle Kits – Write letters and postcards to voters
You’ll also leave with a personalized action plan to help you make a difference in the midterm elections.
If anyone is interested in working at a station at the event as well – we’d welcome that!!
Democracy is not a spectator sport—it’s time to tag in!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Season of Creation 2026: Living Water
The Season of Creation, a Christian celebration, offers an excellent opportunity to weave inspirational Creation care messages into worship and education programs at your congregation. During any liturgical season, this can be a challenge for Creation care and justice teams seeking the ear of those who make the decisions. If you face that challenge, please consider studying and sharing these or other selected resources with your leadership teams, worship council, and clergy.
The Season of Creation is an annual celebration to pray and respond together to the cry of Creation. The ecumenical family around the world – including Catholics and Protestants – unites to listen and care for our common home. The Season begins September 1st on the Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends October 4th, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology and beloved by many Christian denominations.
The theme of this year’s Season is the Living Water and the Biblical text is Ezekiel 47: 9-12 that calls for transformation – that Christians would be immersed in the living water flowing from the throne of God – stepping in deeper and deeper, inspired by the Spirit of God, working together for the renewal of Creation.
The Season of Creation website offers these free resources with a video invitation, a prayer, and a Season of Creation guide including:
-
Season of Creation 2026 Theme and Symbol
-
Season of Creation 2026 Prayer
-
Ecumenical Prayer Service
-
Ideas for Celebrating the Season of Creation
and Ways to Live out the Symbol
-
Advocacy
-
About the Season of Creation
Happy planning for Season of Creation!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(5) July Opportunities to Volunteer, Learn, and Earn with Partners for Environmental Justice
Join Partners for Environmental Justice this month for three hands-on opportunities to learn, earn and help protect the Walnut Creek watershed. Here’s their schedule:
Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Warrior Service Project
July 16 | 9:00 AM–11:00 AM
Walnut Creek Wetland Center
Join PEJ and the City of Raleigh’s Parks Green Stormwater Infrastructure Crew for a hands-on stewardship project focused on planting, weeding, and maintaining green stormwater infrastructure.
You’ll learn how:
- Native plants support wildlife habitat
- Green infrastructure improves water quality
- Community stewardship strengthens local ecosystems
Ages 15+
Register: Click here to RSVP
Green Futures Water Quality Monitoring Workshop
July 22 | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Learn how scientists and community members monitor stream health and use environmental data to protect local waterways.
Participants will:
- Learn watershed science and stream health basics
- Use water quality monitoring equipment
- Collect and analyze environmental data
- Explore environmental career pathways
Free lunch provided
Ages 15+
$50 gift card for participation
Register: Click here to RSVP
Green Futures Habitat Restoration Workshop
July 24 | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Explore practical strategies for improving stream health and wildlife habitat through hands-on restoration activities.
Participants will:
- Learn about watershed restoration
- Build a burrito berm using natural materials
- Discover techniques that reduce erosion and runoff
- Explore the connection between streams, wildlife, and communities
Free lunch provided
Ages 15+
$50 gift card for participation
Register: Click here to RSVP
Attend either the Water Quality Monitoring Workshop or Habitat Restoration Workshop and receive a $50 gift card.
Attend both workshops and receive a $75 gift card.
The Green Futures workshops are part of PEJ’s Green Futures Workforce Development Pilot, supported by Groundwork USA and the Urban Waters Learning Network, which connects watershed restoration, environmental stewardship, and workforce development opportunities in Southeast Raleigh.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Copyright (C) 2026 Interfaith Creation Care of the Triangle. All rights reserved.
