Join Georgia Interfaith Power and Light for a mini-Green Team Summit on September 30, 2023, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Columbus, Georgia. Green Team Summits are opportunities for faith leaders, Green Team members, and environmental activists to come together for a day of learning and fellowship. At this summit, we will talk about how faith calls us to care for and advocate on behalf of our Common Home.
In addition to a keynote address delivered by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Ayres (bio below), there will be a series of workshops to help equip congregations to build their green teams, combat climate change through practical climate solutions, and get involved locally and federally in climate advocacy. Lunch, coffee, and light snacks will be provided.
REGISTRATION CLOSED.
For more information or questions, contact GIPL Program Director, Hannah Shultz, at hannah@gipl.org.
AGENDA
9:30 - 10 a.m. | Registration and Refreshments Open
10 - 10:25 a.m. | Welcome + Announcements
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Workshops Round 1
11: 30 - 11:50 a.m. | Lunch
11: 50 a.m. - 12:40 p.m. | Keynote with Rev. Dr. Jennifer Ayres
12:45 - 1:45 p.m. | Workshops Round 2
1:45 - 2 p.m. | Closing
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
REV. DR. JENNIFER R. AYRES
Ayres is Associate Professor of Religious Education and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Her research interests include religious environmental education, social activism, religious identity, and faith formation in the context of popular culture, and feminist practical theology. She is the author of three books: Waiting for a Glacier to Move: Practicing Social Witness (Wipf and Stock, 2011), Good Food: Grounded Practical Theology (Baylor Univ. Press, 2013), and Inhabitance: Ecological Religious Education (Baylor Univ. Press, 2019). Her current research investigates the educational task of cultivating Christian faith deeply rooted in our ecological context, with attention to the kinds of religious leaders needed for this work. An ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., Ayres also serves on the advisory board of the Green Seminaries Initiative.
WORKSHOPS ROUND 1
CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVERKEEPER (CRK)
In this workshop, participants will learn more about the work of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. CRK’s Deputy Director, Henry Jacobs, will share a general update about the state of the river and CRK’s efforts to ensure there’s enough clean water in the river now and for future generations. He’ll also provide opportunities for group involvement including volunteer cleanups, community water monitoring, and guided lake outings on the floating classroom.
GREEN TEAM 101
Taught by Hannah Shultz, GIPL’s Program Director, this workshop offers strategies for building green teams, organizing and mobilizing community members, and engaging congregations in sustainable initiatives. Participants receive access to exclusive Green Team resources, learn about GIPL’s practical climate solution programs, and coaching opportunities. This workshop is great for new green teams or green teams who are relaunching.
WORKSHOPS - ROUND 2
FUNDING & RESOURCES
Practical climate solutions, such as solar, EV charging stations, and energy efficiency retrofits, often come with a high price tag and the expense can be a barrier for many congregations. During this workshop, participants will learn about various resources and funding opportunities, including new Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) benefits available for faith communities. This workshops will also be led by Hannah Shultz.
COLUMBUS CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Taught by Kristin Youngquist, an Earth System Science PhD graduate student in the UrbanPRISM research group at Auburn University and part-time professor at Columbus State University, this workshop will present some potential climate mitigative and adaptive solutions specific to congregations in West Georgia. This workshop is sponsored by Clean Energy Columbus.
