Spirit-filled and practical action based on deeply held conviction
“There is a need to make a transition to a sustainable development model that reduces greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, setting the goal of climate neutrality. Mankind has the technological means to deal with this environmental transformation and its pernicious ethical, social, economic and political consequences, and, among these, solar energy plays a key role.” ~~ Pope Francis in Fratello Sole, an Apostolic Letter, June 28, 2024
[You have an open invitation to submit Creation care-centered quotes, reflection guides and resources for worship, holidays and holy days in your faith tradition. You are also invited to submit information about Creation care activities at your faith community here.]
Today’s edition of the newsletter remembers Pope Francis as the Pope who loved and moved the hearts of people across the world – people of all faiths and no faith. Only after his death did I learn something from a tribute by Bill McKibben that I didn’t know about the Pope. It’s something I especially love because it exemplifies spirit-filled and practical action taken on a deeply held conviction.
After reminding everyone In his letter Fratello Sole that the climate crisis is powered by fossil fuel, the pope ordered the Vatican to begin construction of a field of solar panels on land it owned near Rome—an agrivoltaic project that would produce not just food but enough solar power to entirely power the city-state that is the Vatican. It is designed, in his words, to provide “the complete energy sustenance of Vatican City State.” That is to say, this will soon be the first nation powered entirely by the sun. Watch a fascinating 1-minute video about it here.
My heart is filled with gratitude for the extraordinary life and papacy of Pope Francis.It is our aim at ICCT to support you and your congregation with encouragement to engage in spirit-filled and practical actions to care for Creation, actions like these.
Table of Contents
- ICCT Steering Committee Meeting
Join this ICCT Steering Committee Zoom meeting to hear a young climate activist in the Durham chapter of the Sunrise Movement lay out their new campaign – Utility Fairness Now – working for a fair and affordable energy system. Then meet the new ICCT board members and learn about our exciting new Action Team projects, Thursday, May 22. 6:00-7:30pm. - Enjoy a stroll in the JC Raulston Arboretum
Enjoy a stroll in the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh with Erin Salibury and Rev. Christian McIvor from ICCT’s Multi-Faith Team as we focus on the wisdom of different faith traditions in their approach to Creation, Sunday, June 1, 2:00-3:00pm. - Recycling 101 For Homes and Congregations
If you missed the ICCT Webinar: Recycling 101 For Homes and Congregations on April 29th, watch the recording and get the slides, the links to the recycling pages of Triangle communities’ websites, the entire 16-minute NPR film and more. Seventy-eight people joined live with ten of them meeting in person at a watch party at St. Francis of Assisi to see presenter John Wilson – an energizing and informed advocate for recycling. - Help Save LIHEAP
Money for heating and cooling assistance for those in need is on the line after the Trump administration fired program staff of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Take Action with the Coalition on Human Needs by quickly and automatically sending a letter to your Congressional reps to save LIHEAP. - Hayes Barton UMC at the Rally to Stop Climate Deception
It was great to see the group from Hayes Barton United Methodist Church on April 26th at the Rally to Stop Climate Deception. They were urging Gov. Stein to de-pollute Duke Energy. See a great photo below.
1. ICCT Steering Committee Meeting
Join this ICCT Steering Committee Zoom meeting to hear a young climate activist in the Durham chapter of the Sunrise Movement lay out their new campaign – Utility Fairness Now – working for a fair and affordable energy system. Then meet the new ICCT board members and learn about our exciting new Action Team projects, Thursday, May 22. 6:00-7:30pm.
This informational session with Nick Trobetta from the Durham Chapter of the Sunrise Movement will tell us their campaign. It’s certainly impressive that they’ve already gotten three bills related to the campaign filed in the NC General Assembly.
This is our chance to learn more about the local young people in the Sunrise Movement and their work. The Durham chapter is spearheading this campaign and other NC Sunrise hubs are joining the effort. They are seeking collaboration with organizations across the state and would value ICCT’s participation. ICCT is learning more as we decide if we’ll endorse and support their campaign.
This campaign is directed towards advocating for energy market reforms and asking legislators to refuse to take political contributions from Duke Energy (No Toxic Pledge Website). The focus is for a fair and affordable energy system that serves the people – not corporate interests.
The position of Sunrise is that currently Duke Energy holds a government-protected monopoly that results in unnecessarily high energy bills, limits energy choices, and stifles free market competition and innovation. But there are actionable solutions we can champion to foster competition, lower costs, and increase accountability in our energy system.
Nick will also share advocacy approaches useful for this campaign that can be adapted for other campaigns as well. The session will address how to:
Advocate for fair competition in the energy market, including three pieces of legislation they are filing this session (see bills below) Push back against corporate influence in government Support consumer protections that stop Duke from charging ratepayers for political lobbying Have productive, persuasive conversations with your state legislators
~~ Submitted by Cesanne Berry and Bobbi Mullins, co-chairs, ICCT Advocacy Team
2. Enjoy a stroll in the JC Raulston Arboretum
Enjoy a stroll in the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh with Erin Salibury and Rev. Christian McIvor from ICCT’s Multi-Faith Team as we focus on the wisdom of different faith traditions in their approach to Creation, Sunday, June 1, 2:00-3:00pm.
The Multi-Faith team is inviting you to an afternoon at the JC Raulston Arboretum. Come on June 1st as we walk around and take in the scenery. We will be deepening our spirituality through meditation while we enjoy time at the arboretum. You are invited to bring a quote from your faith tradition that you think exemplifies your tradition’s approach to creation; we will also bring some quotes to read. We hope to take a lot of photos, so please bring a camera as well! We’ll meet at the Gathering Lawn at 2:00 pm. Snacks will be provided. Please bring your own water bottle. You’re welcome to stay longer if you’d like to explore more.
~~ Submitted by Erin Salisbury and Rev. Christian McIvor, co-chairs of the Multi-Faith Team.
3. Recycling 101 for Homes and Congregations
If you missed the ICCT Webinar: Recycling 101 For Homes and Congregations on April 29th, watch the recording and get the slides, the links to the recycling pages of Triangle communities’ websites, the entire 16-minute NPR film and more. Seventy-eight people joined live with ten of them meeting in person at a watch party at St. Francis of Assisi to see presenter John Wilson – an energizing and informed advocate for recycling.
Confused about what you can recycle? Wondering if recycling is still “worth it” these days? Frustrated with all the plastics in your life? Hear the latest about the City of Raleigh, Wake, Orange and Durham Counties and other recycling programs, as well as an exciting new way to increase recycling of plastic bags and film, the NexTrex Challenge!
To find the answers and learn how to recycle more effectively, you can see John’s slide presentation here and you can watch the recording on ICCT’s YouTube channel:
John is a documentary filmmaker and conservationist from Chapel Hill. He’s a member of University Presbyterian Church’s Earth Care Team where he and his wife share the importance of recycling. He is chairman of the North Carolina Land and Water Fund board of trustees and a former board member of the Conservation Trust for North Carolina, Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation and N.C. Botanical Garden Foundation. He has produced several documentaries for PBS North Carolina and edited the video series, “Climate Stories NC.” Wilson has taught at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media, Dept. of Communication, and Curriculum in Environment & Ecology.
The webinar was hosted by Interfaith Creation Care of the Triangle and its Earth Friendly Practices Team and cosponsored by Orange-Chatham Interfaith Care for Creation.
4. Help Save LIHEAP
Money for heating and cooling assistance for those in need is on the line after the Trump administration fired program staff of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. Take Action with the Coalition on Human Needs by quickly and automatically sending a letter to your Congressional reps to save LIHEAP.
As part of the cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services, the Trump administration reportedly fired the staff that runs LIHEAP. Congress already approved funds for the program but with the staff gone, the allocated money is frozen.
Many faith communities offer utility financial assistance to people in need. Learning their stories breaks our hearts open. But the assistance from congregations is not enough. Help from LIHEAP is critically important.
Please contact your Congressional reps through the Coalition on Human Needs to help save LIHEAP.
Learn more – listen to or read the transcript of this April 24th PBS Newshour interview with Logan Atkinson Burke with the Alliance for Affordable Energy.
5. Hayes Barton UMC at the rally to stop Climate Deception
It was great to see the group from Hayes Barton United Methodist Church on April 26th at the Rally to Stop Climate Deception in Raleigh at the Governor’s Mansion. They were urging Gov. Stein to de-pollute Duke Energy.
