We have worked with more than 70 local congregations to organize and/or host the following events and initiatives:

• Through a grant from the Asheville Merchants Fund and collaboration with Duke/Lime Energy supported the LED Light Renewal Project in six congregations changing 1296 bulbs, saving $14,000 annually and 207,276 kWh.  Learn more. 
• Offered Clergy Retreats in collaboration with Wake Forest School of Divinity Food Faith and Ecological Wellness program hosting conversations and sabbath-keeping with Dr. Bill Brown and Dr. Norman Wirzba.
• In collaboration with the Wild Goose Festival provided hospitality for musicians and speakers through local transportation and offered workshops for congregations discerning next steps in creation care using the Guide for Cultivating Creation Care as well as Climate and Faith Panels with distinguished guests, Rabbi Justin Goldstein, Rev. Amanda Hendler Voss, Tyrone Greenlee, Susannah Tuttle, Rev. Dr. Leah Schade, Rev. Tommy Bratton, Marian Arledge, Professor Mallory McDuff and Scientist Deke Arndt.
• Offered Sacred Earth, Sacred Trust gathering at Swannanoa Friends Meeting house in June 2016. This was one of 130 global events commemorating the Paris Climate Accords.
• Hosted Rev. Jim Antal, United Church of Christ Massachusetts Conference Minister, for Faithful Climate Action workshop in collaboration with First Congregational Church of Asheville in June 2016.
• Hosted scientist and Evangelical Dr. Katharine Hayhoe for several events in April 2016 including:
  • Faith Leader’s Breakfast at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church,
  • Collaborative Community Reception at Lenoir Rhyne Univ., and
  • Faith and Science keynote at First Baptist Church.
• CCA clergy testified at the Cliffside Coal Pond Department of Environmental Quality Hearing in Rutherfordton in March 2016.
• Clergy and CCA steering team members spoke in favor of lower SO2 permitted limits from the coal plant at the Air Quality Board Hearing in April 2015.
• Representatives from CCA traveled to Raleigh to advocate for clean energy with North Carolina State Legislators in 2015 and 2016.
• Twenty-seven churches signed a 2012 ad in the Asheville Citizen-Times asking elected officials to be faithful stewards of our air, water, and land.
• A dozen local faith leaders led three “Care of Creation” Earth Day Vigils in April 2013, 2014, and 2015 attended by hundreds at Pritchard Park and All Souls Cathedral.
• Six faith leaders gave public testimony at EPA environmental hearings in 2013 and 2014 on climate and carbon rules, and at a county commission meeting in 2013 regarding countywide carbon reduction goals.
• Two clergy members delivered a letter signed by 73 local clergy to CEO Lynn Good calling on Duke Energy to retire the Asheville coal plant on May 1, 2014. The letter was printed as an opinion editorial in the Asheville Citizen-Times.
• Two additional opinion editorials authored by local clergy regarding the EPA carbon rules were placed in the local newspaper.
• Twelve faith leaders attended meetings on climate and coal ash issues with elected officials, Senator Hagan, Rep. Meadows, and NCGA Rep. Ramsey.
• Over 50 pastors and faith leaders attended a 2013 Creation Care pastors’ luncheon and 150 area congregants attended an evening forum with Dr. Matthew Sleeth of Blessed Earth on September 8, 2013.
• Fifty area clergy attended a Climate Prayer Breakfast with Rev. Peter Illyn of Restoring Eden (a national creation care ministry) on March 31, 2014.
• One hundred clergy and lay leaders were trained and equipped to become climate change advocates at a “Climate and Faith Forum” on June 16, 2014.