Every year I make choices about the organizations I donate to. And every year, I choose Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake.

Ever since I was a child, I have felt something special, something deep, something comforting in the presence of nature.  Before I really knew what the word “spiritual” meant, I felt an energy from flowing streams, pounding surf, and the solitude of the forest - a sense of hope that I was part of something far bigger than myself.

Gandhi said, "a spiritual relationship is far more precious than a physical one. The physical divorced from spiritual is like body without soul." And from a different vantage point, Chief Sitting Bull said, “Every seed is awakened and so is all animal life. It is through this mysterious power that we too have our being.” Pope Francis wrote in his encyclical on the environment, “Concern for the environment needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings.” 

We have much work to do to repair the environment and the health of our communities.  The challenges are daunting and the brokenness around us is profound. However, the power of the faith community to effect change is greater than the challenges. Diverse cultures are uniting in stewardship of the natural world. I have found this to be a tremendous source of hope.

That hope is what excites me about the Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake and why I give generously to support their work. This giving season, and particularly on Giving Tuesday, November 27th, I invite you to do the same.

Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake works hard every day to ignite the power of the faith community to take action.  They are creating hubs of environmental action, cultivating champions and leaders, guiding congregations in on-the-ground restoration work, speaking out in defense of environmental justice, and supporting policies that care for the web of life.  With IPC’s help, congregations are uniting to address whole watershed challenges like stormwater, deforestation, and polluted communities. They are restoring the earth by changing hearts and forming faithful stewards.

Please join me in standing up for the important work of the Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake. Click here to donate on our website, and remember us on Giving Tuesday, November 27th.

Be as generous as you can.  Any amount will make a difference.

Thank you.

Al Todd

Vice-Chair of the Board for Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake