April has come and gone, and with it, the flurry of Earth Month events that took place across the Chesapeake.
As the dust settles and we reflect on the incredible impact of these events, it's important to remember that our efforts to protect the planet shouldn't be limited to just one month out of the year. In fact, let's make every month Earth Month!
IPC is challenging you to become a monthly donor and help us reach our goal of adding 15 new monthly donors to contribute $10 a month by May 31st! Our work with congregations and green teams during Earth Month and beyond is fueled by sustaining support from donors like you. Throughout May, we want to highlight some of the interfaith events that took place across Maryland, Pennsylvania, and D.C. during Earth Month. This will give you a glimpse into the impact of your support and how it helps us achieve our mission.
Beyond Earth Month, there are exciting initiatives lined up to support you and your congregation in your efforts towards environmental sustainability. In early 2024, we are planning to hold our first-ever Green Team Summit, while later this year, IPC is also looking forward to hosting a Chesapeake Interfaith Prayer Breakfast. Support these events by becoming a sustaining donor of IPC and "Make Every Month Earth Month." We need just 15 donors to sign up to give $5-$20 monthly to reach our goal!
As always, we are deeply humbled by your support. We simply couldn't do it without you.
Earth Month is only one example of how you make a difference in your community – Check out the activity across the Chesapeake!
Let’s celebrate what we achieved together this Earth Month. Please enjoy a brief recap of these 30+ interfaith Earth Day celebrations; each hosted by an IPC Partner Congregation or participant of IPC’s Faithful Green Leaders Training!
Virtual Event:
If you missed it! We celebrated Earth Day virtually with RiverKeepers from across the Chesapeake Bay. Come learn from them, and see how you can make a difference, be an advocate, and help tackle environmental challenges in your own backyard!
Chesapeake Conversations - What’s in Your Water??!
Click HERE to watch!
Maryland Events:
Anne Arundel County:
Earth Day and the Arts Festival @ St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Eastport -
Around 300 people came out in support of the congregation, hearing live music, and fun activities for all ages - including planting natives, tours of the restoration, art, and more.
Earth Day Celebration @ Empowering Believers Church -
A day of service and celebration. Congregation members and beyond worked together to prepare the gardens and stormwater installations for summer growth!
Good Seed Sunday @ St. Margaret's Episcopal Church -
A lively event, including a IPC Pledge Signing Ceremony! Music, food, art, learning, and celebrations of the earth abounded at St. Margaret’s Earth Day celebration.
Green Sunday @ Christ Our Anchor Church -
A special Earth Month themed service. Afterwards, participants were invited to join for the unveiling of the new Discovery Trail! Possible thanks to months of invasive species removal.
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St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Eastport |
Empowering Believers Church |
St. Margaret's Episcopal Church |
Christ Our Anchor |
Baltimore Region:
City Nature Challenge @ Stillmeadow Community Fellowship -
100+ people planted a garden meadow, kids frolicked in the woods and everyone was blessed by a visit with Mr. Hoots from Rodney’s Raptors.
Native Plant Sale @ Church of the Redeemer -
About 100 people stopped by to browse through a wonderful selection of native plants.
Blessing of a Waterway @ Dickey Memorial Presbyterian Church -
a beautiful event which, included some folks from another congregation, a neighborhood historian and singer/guitarist blessed a portion of the Gwynn Falls watershed that is within walking distance from Dickey Memorial
Electronics Recycling Drive @ Stony Run Meeting House -
People helped the earth by properly disposing of their electronics. They even had a four legged friend to help!
EcoFest @ Faith Presbyterian Church -
A stage with constant music and dancing entertained the crowd who enjoyed a tree give-away, crafts, information tables and great food truck food. What a great way to celebrate their newly planted trees!
Tree Give Away - Beaverdam Green Team @ Sherwood Episcopal Church -
A nice turnout of Cockeysville folks came to pick up some native trees.
Earth Day Garden Celebration @ Nepali American Cultural Center Hindu Buddhist Temple -
60+ members turned out to celebrate the earth and the beginning of their 40 new community garden beds
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Stillmeadow Community Fellowship |
Church of the Redeemer |
Dickey Memorial Presbyterian Church |
Stony Run Meeting House |
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Faith Presbyterian Church |
Sherwood Episcopal Church |
Nepali American Cultural Center Hindu Buddhist Temple |
Howard County:
“The Letter” - Film Screening @ Wilde Lake Interfaith Center (in both English and Spanish) -
A group of 50+ people from multiple congregations came together to watch this impactful film and then discuss what can be done by individuals, families and congregations to have a positive impact to help restore our common home
Seedling Swap @ First Lutheran Church -
Garden enthusiasts from around Ellicott City gathered to share seedlings including native plants, herbs and vegetables.
"Current Revolution" - Film Screening @ Oakland Mills Interfaith Center -
about 30 folks gathered to watch the films together and heard from a panel discussion about the move to “Electrify Everything”
2nd Annual Garden Swap @ First Presbyterian Church of Howard County -
Folks came to swap with the various garden tomatoes being a hit as were the native plants and house plants. The invasive plants-bad plants/good people plant talk was very popular too.
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Wilde Lake Interfaith Center |
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Oakland Mills Interfaith Center |
Lower Eastern Shore:
Spring Cleanup @ Delmarva Free School -
Volunteers helped create new sacred spaces and build trails in the Delmarva Free School woods. These spaces will provide a quiet place for reflection and forest bathing!
Community Composting and Zero Waste Workshop @ Third Haven Friends Meeting -
Folks came out and learned about composting from New Grounds Composting, with an active 3-bin unit. Their learning will translate into at-home actions that benefit the Chesapeake Bay!
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Delmarva Free School |
Montgomery County:
Community Electronic Waste Drop-off Event @ Islamic Community Center of Potomac -
The green team from ICCP hosted a Community Electronic Waste Drop-off Event.
Fairhaven UMC Earth Day @ Fairhaven UMC -
Fairhaven’s green team hosted an event with 20+ congregation members all about gardening resources and tips, including activities and workshops for all ages!
Earth Day Festival @ Christ Congregational Church Silver Spring -
Organized a Plant Giveaway, hosted for members entered for service. Educational tables offered information on pollinators, water quality, composting, and regional volunteer opportunities. Including fun giveaways!
Divine Springtime - Baha’is of Montgomery County -
Spiritual Unity Feast focused on the theme “Renewal of Faith and Love for God’s Creation of Nature: Community Restoration of Native Trees and Forests of the Chesapeake Watershed”
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Fairhaven UMC |
Baha'is of Montgomery County |
Prince George's County:
Repair Café @ Adelphi Friends Meeting -
Held a resource table to occupy and inspire visitors as they wait their turn. For that event they planned on a native plant sale, combined with a mini-Repair Café focused on repair and maintenance of garden tools.
Environmental Justice Ministry Launch @ Reid Temple AME -
The newly launched Environmental Justice Ministry planted 14 trees in partnership with IPC & the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.
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Adelphi Friends Meeting |
Reid Temple AME |
Washington D.C. Events:
Earth Day Lessons & Carols @ Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle -
St. Matthew's Creation Care Green Team co-organized their first Earth Day Lessons and Carols, celebrated in the Cathedral with Msgr. Jameson, Cathedral Rector, presiding, and featuring the Cathedral Schola Cantorum. Through carols, chants and choral music, coupled with meditative readings of poetry and scripture, the congregation called to mind the gifts of creation and explored the current threats to the fragile health of the earth.
Green Ministry Fair @ Holy Trinity Catholic Church -
Showcasing several environmental groups and green businesses, fun for all ages!
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Cathedral of Saint Mathew the Apostle |
Cathedral of Saint Mathew the Apostle @ local Stream Clean-up! |
Holy Trinity Catholic Church |
Pennsylvania Events:
Lancaster County:
Climate Summit-Lancaster County @ Multiple Locations -
Thanks to Stephanie Lower and The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd for representing IPC at the Summit! Environmental celebrations, speakers, and more!
Earth 2 E-Town - Annual Earth Day Festival @ Elizabethtown Fair Grounds -
Information tabling, learning opportunities, film-screenings, stormwater management demonstrations, and more! Thanks to IPC Board Members Laura Cattel Noll who helped at the information table and Pastor Stever Verkow for presenting on behalf of IPC.
We Signed the Pledge for Creation!
These above host congregations share in a deep love for creation! Each has taken a step above-and-beyond by forming a Green Team, and taking a definitive stance on the environment by signing IPC's Partner Congregation Pledge. Together, they are locking arms, as people of faith, committed towards caring for creation.
If you are interested in starting a Green Team of your own, or in what it means to be an IPC Partner Congregation, reach out to your regional IPC coordinator to learn more about us, our programs, and how we might be able to support you!
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