The ringing in of a New Year is a wonderful time for reflection on the year past, and our hopes for the year to come. In the midst of a public health crisis and racial reckoning, our network of faithful stewards still managed to make significant contributions to clean water in the Chesapeake.

We’ve been inspired by YOU! 

Your willingness to take on challenging work, even during a global pandemic! Over the last 3 years, you held 397 outreach and educational programs!

Your financial investment in us -- our end of year campaign has raised $34,858 – a record for us!

Your promotion of our programming to folks in your community! Last year, 3 of our programs each had 350+ registrants! 

What we were able to accomplish in 2021 is thanks to the dedication of everyone who is involved with our work -- in big and small ways. We’d like to encourage you to take a look at our 2021 Annual Report which highlights some of the things we’ve achieved together.

Looking ahead to 2022, we will be starting on our 3-year grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to support the One Water Partnership (OWP) collaborative. The new funding will help IPC diversify its reach into new locations, expand existing partnerships, and leverage our ability to tap into innovative funding strategies. Over the grant period, the OWP will engage 150 new congregations, train 50 new green teams, and install 60-80 practices (27 acres of stormwater offset) to reduce urban stormwater pollution. We are humbled, and ever-appreciative of this validation of our collective work. 

We are also going to be kicking off our next 3-year strategic plan -- stay tuned for upcoming announcements and summaries of those goals. 

We hope you are well-rested and ready to go! You play a profound role in nurturing, healing, and loving God’s creation, and in doing so, one another. This is hard work, but it is sacred work. Has your congregation signed the Partner Congregation Pledge? If not -- maybe that’s your first green team activity for 2022?!? Thank you for being part of this enormous body of work with us. 

To deepen your involvement, check out our list of offerings for the next few months: 

Jan. 17 – Chesapeake Conversations: Baltimore's "Highway to Nowhere" with guest speakers Rev. Brenda White, Allen A.M.E. Church, Nneka Nnamdi, Fight Blight Bmore, Darin Crew, Blue Water Baltimore, and Rabbi Deborah Wechsler, Chizuk Amuno Congregation & Schools. Register Here.

Jan. 30 – Maryland Legislative Briefing: Speaking Out Faithfully for Our Common Home, with guest speakers to discuss 3 priority bills: Climate Solutions Now, Environmental Human Rights Amendment, and 30 x 30 Parity Bill (30% of Maryland Conserved by 2030). Register here. 

Feb. 3 (or pick a date at your convenience!) – Watch Party: Finding Your Green Team’s Vision. We're excited to launch a new way for you to engage your team and/or other members of your congregation by gathering for a watch party! Click here for guidance on how to host a watch party with your green team. Register here for access to the recording for your watch party.

Feb. 20, Feb 27, March 6 – 3-Part Session of Faithful Green Leaders Training. Get your team of 3 together and jump start your green team! Register your team here.

A happy New Year to you all! The team can’t wait to see you at our upcoming events.  Thank you for your commitment to our work, the Chesapeake Bay, and each other.