Earth Care Congregations

Earth Care Congregations is a PC(USA) certification for congregations that take the Earth Care Pledge, that:
  • Our worship and discipleship will celebrate God’s grace and glory in creation.
  • Our education will encourage and support each other in keeping and healing the creation.
  • Our facilities will be managed, maintained, and upgraded to respect and cherish all creation.
  • Our outreach will encourage community involvement and public policy to protect and restore the earth.
CPC earned Earth Care Congregation certification in 2025.
Aerial view of solar panels on sanctuary roof
Presentation from Towards Zero Waste
Our Earth Care Ministry sponsored a Lunch & Learn event in July 2026 featuring Megan Holler, co-director of Toward Zero Waste, and Dennis Carter, owner of Anything With a Plug Recycling. To reduce food waste, Toward Zero Waste promotes composting and sponsors the SHARE (Stop Hunger And Restore Health) program in many North Carolina Schools. The slides from Megan’s presentation are here. Anything With a Plug Recycling collects and recycles hard to process items like electronics and non-standard plastics. A complete list of items accepted and not accepted, and information about when and where to donate is available on Dennis’ website.

ACTIVITIES

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Providing sustainability information through handouts and a weekly ’Tip of the Week’ in the CPC email newsletter.
  • Maintaining a bulletin board for Earth Care happenings.
  • Creating tote bags and utensil kits from recycled lawn inflatables and pillowcases for the Alternative Gift Market. These are also available free.
  • Recycling food waste, and paper plates and napkins at church events.
  • Ensuring current books on the subject of creation care are available in our church library.
  • Converted to LED lighting.
  • Changed all our cleaning products to ‘green’ options.
  • Installed solar panels on the roof of our Sanctuary. See the impact on our solar energy production summary webpage.
  • On-going replacement of older HVAC units with new energy efficient models.
  • Thoughtful landscape design and plant selection.
  • Forest and wildlife preservation on our property.