Creation Care Alliance of Western North Carolina
A Time to Wait and a Time to Act: COP24 and the Season of Advent
My children will both go back to school today after three and a half days off for snow-related cancellations and delays. During this time there was sled run building, movie watching, hot chocolate, fort creating, reading, knitting and anticipation. You see, Christmas is just around the corner, and for practicing Christians, this is the season of Advent. It is a time of worship, practice, and intentionally slowing down as we anticipate the coming of God revealed in Jesus. It is when we look forward to the coming Light even while naming the brokenness and darkness in the world.
It is a time of waiting.
The church hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel reveals this season well.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
And this year, Advent coincides with the UN Climate talks in Katowice, Poland – also known as COP24 –where close to 200 nations are trying to map out a path to implement the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015. Read More
Webinar: From Climate Reports to Moral Imperatives
Rabbi offers Hanukkah wisdom for Climate Change
Today will mark the 6th night of Hanukkah and as we face the predictions of darkened skies for an upcoming snowstorm in Western North Carolina our awareness of our need for Light at this time is deepened. Rabbi Arthur Waskow shares wisdom from the Jewish faith tradition as we seek light not only in snow storms or dark times in our history but also during this unique era of climate change.
“The first night of Hanukkah comes three days after the Northern Hemisphere’s winter solstice, when the sun is at its darkest and the night at its longest. It is during this time of darkness that we kindle a growing array of lights. Likewise, as we face the darkness of the current environmental crisis on our planet, it’s also the time to bring the power of our light to bear.” Rabbi Arthur Waskow
Read more about his work and invitation to address climate here.
http://www.coejl.org/resources/hanukkah-8-days-of-action/
Photo by Gil Dekel
Solar 101 for Faith Communities/CCA Gathering
Solar 101 for Faith Communities. Learn from experts, congregational leaders, Susannah Tuttle, the Director of NC Interfaith Power and Light, and community leaders as we explore ways for faith communities to unleash the power of the sun. We will be coming together to share compassion and ideas and learn about creation care work. We will share about CCA and community events and work. If you are connected to a faith community, a green team or creation care team member, clergy, or are interested in learning more about creation care in Western North Carolina this meeting is for you! We are grateful to have representatives from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville and First Christian in Black Mountain join us as well to share their solar stories.
Before the Flood Film in Morganton
Before the Flood Documentary Viewing
Narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio
November 11, 2:30pm
Morganton Public Library
204 S King St, Morganton, NC 28655
Free Admission
Hosted by Grace Episcopal Church and Burke County Public Library
STRAWS MOVIE DOCUMENTARY ABOUT SINGLE-USE PLASTICS TO SHOW IN ASHEVILLE
STRAWS DOCUMENTARY ABOUT SINGLE-USE PLASTICS TO SHOW IN ASHEVILLE
7:30 PM on Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 789 Merrimon Ave
ASHEVILLE, NC – With colorful straw history animation narrated by Oscar winner Tim Robbins, STRAWS (30 minutes) leaves audiences with a clear understanding of the problems caused by plastic pollution and empowers individuals to be part of the solution. Read More
Faith in (climate) crisis: Why Asheville should vote yes on renewable energy/ OPINION
CCA Director, Scott Hardin-Nieri, offered a Guest Editorial with the Citizen-Times on the eve of the City Council Vote on the 100% Renewable Energy Resolution.
“And just as I know it is necessary for faith communities to take bold, lasting steps to create a legacy of love for future generations, it is necessary for City Council to demonstrate bold leadership to avert climate chaos. That’s why I encourage Asheville City Council to vote yes on a resolution to transition city municipal operations to 100 percent renewable energy by 2030.”
Fast and Prayer for Climate Nov. 12-21
Posted on by Karim Olaechea
Rev. Laura Collins offered prayers on Monday to support Dr. Steve Norris in his Thanksgiving fast for people and creation as we face climate change. He plans to fast for 10 days and will be present at Vance Monument from about 7:30 am to sundown each day. Please consider joining him for conversation and/or to offer solidarity. You may also plan to fast or pray from where you are and let him know you are with him. Each day at noon there will be a blessing read or prayer offered.
You can see News coverage of the first day as reported by WLOS
“Gandhi fasted when he became desperate about what happened in India. I feel desperate about climate change,” Organizer Dr. Steve Norris said of the reasons behind the fasting and prayers.
Norris said his concerns have been growing as he watches natural disasters worsening.
You can learn more by contacting Steve at earthsun2@gmail.com
Category: CCA in the News, Educational Resources, Prayers & Meditation Practices, Public Comments & Testimony, Uncategorized Tags: 100% renewable, activism, Church, climate activism, climate change, climate science, Creation Care, faith, fasting, gratitude, inspiration, meditation, social justice, spirit, Spirituality, Thanksgiving