It’s Too Hot
A few years ago, my work within the United Methodist Church led me to help congregations prepare for high heat resiliency. Many faith communities have disaster response ministries in place, but they don’t always recognize high heat as a disaster. What about your faith community?
As we go through yet another unprecedented season made dangerous by climate change, I want to encourage you to be prepared. Be prepared to protect yourself in this high heat, but also to provide for your neighbors. While government buildings often open up as “cooling centers” when the temperatures get too high, research has shown that people are much more inclined to turn to faith communities. Can yours open their doors as a cooling center? Simple hospitality- offering people a comfortable, air conditioned place to rest and a cold glass of water- can literally save lives. And don’t forget to check in on those in your neighborhood who are most vulnerable- not only those with underlying medical conditions, but outdoor workers as well.
The climate has changed, but the need to take care of others has not. Take a little initiative, learn more about how to offer your facilities as a cooling center, and join in this important task of caring for neighbors and strangers alike.
Jarrod S. Davis
Newsletter for June 15, 2026
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Contents
(1) Meet ICCT’s New Leader: Susan Kane, President Elect
Throughout her career as a healthcare professional and a community advocate, Susan Kane, BSN, RN, saw clearly how the lack of clean natural resources directly correlates with poor health outcomes. In retirement, she’s focused on defending marginalized populations disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards, pollution, and systemic environmental racism.
(2) Introducing Our New Advocacy Actions Newsletter Column
Welcome to our new Advocacy Actions column where each month we’ll share what the ICCT Advocacy Team is learning and how you, too, can speak up for our sacred, shared home. Today’s focus is the exciting progress our Interfaith Climate Advocates Network (ICAN) is making. Please consider joining us!
(3) Save The Date – Tour Timbermill Wind Farm with ICCT This Fall!
Tour the Timbermill Wind Farm with ICCT on Friday, September 25, at 1:00 PM in Chowan County. Details below.
(1) Meet ICCT’s New Leader: Susan Kane, President Elect
We’re thrilled to introduce Susan Kane to the Triangle’s Creation care community. In May, Susan took the role of president-elect and on January 1st she will become president. She’s the perfect leader to bring vision, inspiration and organization to ICCT’s work supporting Creation care at the 115 faith communities in our network. Welcome, Susan!
Susan has a deep passion for Creation care. During her career as a nursing professional in regulatory compliance and quality assurance, she developed a profound understanding of how the lack of clean natural resources directly correlates with poor health outcomes in low-income communities. This insight fueled her strong commitment to environmental justice.
In retirement, Susan’s focus is directed toward volunteer leadership roles that actively defend marginalized populations disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards, pollution, and systemic environmental racism.
Susan is a member of Hayes Barton United Methodist Church where she is currently co-leader of the Creation Care Committee. Previously, she served there as Secretary of the Board of Trustees, chair of the Administrative Board, chair of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee, and president of the United Methodist Women.
In the community Susan served on the Board of Directors of Meals on Wheels, led fundraising efforts for the Methodist Home for Children, and led volunteer teams with the Appalachia Service Project to repair and rehabilitate homes for residents across rural Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Susan is blessed with a daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren who live in Raleigh. She enjoys walks in the woods with her golden retriever, Sam, as well as sharing a cold glass of white wine with her friends on a hot summer day.
Susan has the heart and the qualifications to lead ICCT into the future as we increase our encouragement and support of faith communities in developing and strengthening their Creation care mission.
— Lynn Lyle, ICCT President
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(2) Introducing Our New Advocacy Actions Newsletter Column
Advocacy’s newly formed Interfaith Climate Advocates Network (or ICAN) 25 advocates in 6 small ICAN teams based on NC voting districts. They are now meeting with their state representatives during the short legislative session that began on April 21st. In the process, we’ve learned how the short session works, how to schedule and conduct effective meetings, and how to follow the flurry of bills and actions that are filed during the short session. It’s been enlightening, challenging and fun to do together!
We’re always happy to bring in new advocates. Members of ICAN come from as far west as Chapel Hill and as far east as Knightdale, although we’d love to expand into all areas of the Triangle and surrounding counties. We are currently represented by three US Representatives, eight NC Senators, and thirteen NC Representatives.
Generally speaking, we have found our legislators to be very open and appreciative of our ideas and efforts. We have had informative discussions on the difficulties of passing environmental bills, the power that Duke Energy holds over many in the NCGA, and the need for more advocates to speak out. Having a rapid response team ready to show up at the General Assembly for breaking environmental legislation and attending press conferences were recommended by one of our legislators.
We will continue to meet with state legislators over the summer and perhaps in the fall, although most will be busy campaigning for the midterm elections. Did you know that ALL of our NC Senators and Representatives have 2 year terms? That means they have to spend a lot of time campaigning. We’re planning to meet with our U.S. Congressional representatives in the fall.
We also want to approach more local officials like city council members, county commissioners, utilities commissions, zoning boards, and more. Please contact advocacy.icctriangle@gmail.com if you want more information about joining an ICAN group. Let’s make a difference together!
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(3) Save the Date: Tour Timbermill Wind Farm with ICCT this Fall!
ICCT is hosting a wind farm tour at the Timbermill Wind Farm in Chowan County this Fall. Both students and interested adults can tour the wind farm and learn more about the economic opportunities that hosting a wind farm provides to a local community.
This ICCT Youth Engagement educational event will discuss both economical and STEM related topics concerning wind mill farms in North Carolina. Plan to attend Friday, Sept.25th from 1 pm to 2:30 pm. You will need to provide your own transportation to Chowan County NC. Don’t miss this unique and educational event! Sign up via email to Carina Doyle at ICCTriangle@gmail.com.
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