Heroes

The state of things in our world is a little overwhelming right now. In Maryland in particular, things didn’t go quite as planned this legislative session. The ban on foam food packaging products was not even brought up for a vote in the House Environment subcommittee, and the Forest Conservation amendments were put on hold, pending more studies of forest loss. (Be sure you know how your elected representative voted on these bills, and hold them accountable if they are not working for you. To find out, sign up for our advocacy emails.)

Where is the hope? It’s out there, alive and well.

Here are a handful of heroeswho are fighting the good fight and keeping hope alive. We wanted to highlight them to share their hope with you. Maybe they’ll inspire you in some way, or reassure you that you’re not working on your own. Collectively, we are making progress.

• The Rev. Diana Caroll of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church of Eastport testified at the House hearing on February 21st in support of the Forest Conservation Act amendments. She arrived at 12 noon and didn't leave until well after 8PM. She did this after returning the day before from a 3-day retreat, and wrote her testimony in one night. 
• The Rev. Sue Lowcock-Harris of First Presbyterian Church of Howard County had this letter-to-the-editor "Thou Shall Not Steal Trees"published in the Bay Weekly about the moral duty to protect forests. She wrote it and re-wrote it 3 times because other publications were not printing it. She never gave up.
• The Rev. Franklin Lance of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church and director of the Central Maryland Ecumenical Council secured a letter signed by the leaders of 6 major denominations (United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Maryland-Delaware Synod, Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, Archdiocese of Baltimore, and Presbytery of Baltimore-PCUSA). He tracked down agreements from bishops and conference leaders right after the holidays, long before anyone was even thinking about the forest bill.
• Molly Hauck, Jim Laurenson, and Nanci Wilkinson of Montgomery County spoke with state delegate Kumar Barve about the importance of forest protection. Some of them took time from their day-jobs to accommodate Del. Barve’s schedule.
• Martha Ruffin and Jim Truby of Baltimore met with their state representatives about a multitude of issues on Episcopal Advocacy Day. In fact, they work tirelessly all year long to lead efforts at their congregations and throughout the Episcopal Diocese.
• 36 congregations signed a letter reporting to their state delegates that they had already stopped using foam food products and thus a statewide ban was not a crazy idea! Behind each one of these congregations is a person like Bill Curtis, Rosanne Skirble, Lou Rimbach, and Bernadette Bailey who took the time to confirm with their congregation that in fact they have stopped using Styrofoam, and added their names to the list. 
• 262 faithful signed this petition supporting amendments to strengthen the Forest Conservation Act – the signatures were submitted as written testimony to state officials. Many forwarded it to friends and family and posted on social media about it.

And, children in Baltimore fought for a city-wide policy to phase out foam packaging in their schools – and won.

Hope abounds. We may be far from reaching our goals, but we are never alone. Neighbors, spiritual leaders, fellow congregants – we’re all walking together. These friends are the face of God in our midst. The Spirit never abandons us – not even in our most trying times. Look around you -- that's where the Spirit of Hope is.

Jodi Rose, Executive Director

P.S. If you have not heard, Bonnie in our office suffered a fall recently, and broke both of her wrists. Please keep her in your prayers over her 8 weeks of recovery!

One More Time-Inspirational Bus Tour onApril 29th in Jones Falls for One Water Partnership 

Sacred Grounds Workshops in Prince George's County

Sign up for one of our Sacred Grounds Workshops this spring. Choose one date and come join us either Tuesday, April 10th, Saturday, June 10th, or Sunday, July 29th. You will learn the simple steps that your congregation can take to help your local environment and improve the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Three participants will receive a $250 GIFT CARD to start their garden! 

For more information CLICK HERE. Or contact Bonnie Sorak at [email protected] or 443-799-0349 for more details.

Download the flyer HERE