Join Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL) on Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at White Bluff Presbyterian Church in Savannah for a regional Green Team Summit.

This summit invites Green Teams, faith leaders, and environmental activists to dig deep and let justice grow on Georgia’s coast. When we nurture a movement grounded in equity, resilience, and healing, we create space for transformation. Together, we will explore how the wisdom of our faith traditions shapes our call to pursue justice. We will consider how to live into this call through practical climate solutions and how policy efforts can support thriving communities.

We will be joined by our keynote speaker, Janisse Ray, author of Ecology of a Cracker Childhood. Then, through a variety of workshops, attendees will gain tools to build and strengthen Green Teams, advance climate justice, and engage in advocacy from the ground up. Together, we will find practical ways to live out our shared call to care for our congregations, our communities, and our Common Home. (See below for more information about workshop offerings.)

General Admission is $25. Student tickets are $10. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Tickets will NOT be available at the door, so make sure you register early!

We're excited to be hosting a variety of workshops led by some of our partners in this work. Those workshops include:

Protecting Georgia's Waters through Advocacy and Action

Water is a sacred gift that sustains our communities, ecosystems, and shared future, yet many of Georgia's waters face increasing pressure from pollution, development, and growing demands on our natural resources. This workshop, taught by Ben Kirsch, an attorney for Ogeechee Riverkeeper, will explore some of the most pressing water challenges facing our state, including threats to the Georgia coast, the priority issues of the Georgia Water Coalition, and the rapidly expanding water and energy demands of data centers. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how these issues impact communities, ecosystems, and environmental justice while learning about opportunities for advocacy and faithful action.

Growing Tree Equity: Faith Communities Leading Local Greening Efforts

This workshop, taught by GIPL’s Senior Program Coordinator, Meagan Williams, will highlight GIPL’s ReWilding program that is designed to help congregations create more native, resilient green spaces on their property. This workshop will look specifically at our tree planting and adoption program and will explore why expanding native tree canopy—and incorporating fruit and nut trees—supports public health, climate resilience, and local food access. We’ll discuss the role congregations can play in planting trees and implementing other ReWilding solutions. 

The Seventh Generation: A Deep Time Ritual

Using our moral imagination, present and future beings will meet at a point outside of time. Sitting across from each other, people from the present will be interviewed by people who are in the role of a future being from the year 2225. They will ask questions to find out what life is like for you and how you managed to help create a life-sustaining society despite all the present-day challenges. The ritual is from Joanna Macy and The Work That Reconnects and the workshop will be led by GIPL’s Coastal Outreach and Resiliency Coordinator, Beth Remmes.

True Cost of Fossil Fuels Power-Trip Edition: State Advocacy Issues & Opportunities

Power both metaphorically and literally is a complicated thing. In this workshop, participants will learn about the pathways of power,  the entities that provide energy and those that regulate them, a variety of Environmental Justice issues affecting Georgians, as well as opportunities to explore how they can use their power as effective advocates. This is a great workshop for folks wanting to enter the Environmental Advocacy space and wanting a brief primer on issues and to explore ideas for taking action. Participants will be asked not only to commit to action to help their communities, but begin planning those actions with those in the room.

Solar, EVs, and Clean Energy for a Brighter Future 

As communities of faith increasingly step into leadership on climate action, clean energy offers a powerful opportunity to model stewardship, resilience, and long-term sustainability. This workshop, taught by GIPL’s Program Director, Hannah Shultz, will explore how congregations of all sizes can embrace solar energy and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure as practical, mission-aligned investments. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the environmental and financial benefits of solar installations and EV charging stations and we will walk through accessible pathways for congregations to plan, finance, and implement these projects.  Whether your congregation is just beginning to explore clean energy or ready to take the next step, this workshop will provide practical guidance, inspiration, and tools to help you turn faith into power—literally.

Communicating the Call: Using Social Media, Op-Eds, and Public Voice to Champion Climate Justice

Faith communities have long played a powerful role in shaping public consciousness and inspiring social change. In this interactive workshop led by GIPL Communications Manager, Rev. Jay Horton, we’ll explore how congregations can effectively use social media, op-eds, and other public platforms to share their values, inspire action, and shape the conversation around environmental justice. Through practical exercises and real-world examples, participants will learn strategies for narrative organizing, reaching diverse audiences, and strengthening their public witness. Whether you’re clergy, laity, or a congregational communicator, this workshop will equip you with tools to hone your voice and share a hopeful climate message with clarity and conviction.