It took over four years and multiple attempts, but Stillmeadow Community Fellowship’s (SCF) parking lot bioretention project has finally been blessed and planted! This milestone marks a major victory for a congregation that has remained steadfast in its commitment to healing both its community and the land.

After the catastrophic flooding in 2018—when more than 200 homes in this West Baltimore neighborhood were devastated by yet another severe flood—SCF knew they had to take action. Their sprawling asphalt parking lot was a big contributor to the stormwater runoff that overwhelmed local waterways. Recognizing the role they could play in mitigating future flooding, the church joined the One Water Partnership and began working with partners to explore green infrastructure solutions.

It wasn’t easy. The journey took time, faith, and perseverance. But with support from our dedicated One Water Partnership collaborator, Blue Water Baltimore, a sustainable and impactful design finally came together. Thanks to generous funding from the France–Merrick Foundation, that design was brought to life.

On Saturday, April 17th, over 100 volunteers gathered to install 1,300 native plants in the new bioretention area—transforming what was once a problem space into a thriving green solution. Volunteers worked so efficiently that many were finished and heading home before lunch was even served. The planting event was a true community effort, with support from members of at least six other congregations. It was a powerful testament to the strength and unity of the faith community when it comes together in service of creation.

This is just one chapter in SCF’s growing environmental journey. You can watch the 2-minute video below to see how they’ve baptized members in Maiden’s Choice Run—a stream that flows through their PeacePark—and learn more about the church’s inspiring commitment to restoration and renewal.

On a sunny spring morning, IPC gathered with supporters, partners, and friends for a Partners in Progress tour at Sherwood Episcopal Church in Cockeysville, MD on May 2nd. This special event offered guests an up-close look at the church’s remarkable stormwater restoration project—a living example of faith in action and the power of community-driven environmental change. Designed and implemented in partnership with Underwood & Associates, the site now features beautifully integrated nature-based solutions that not only manage runoff but also restore habitat and invite reflection on our shared responsibility to care for Creation.

Attendees walked the landscape, heard directly from the restoration team, and learned how support from people like them—donors, board members, and community champions—makes projects like this possible. Many shared how meaningful it was to witness firsthand the impact of their giving, and the morning sparked excitement for future site visits and deeper engagement across our network. Events like these remind us that progress is never made alone—it’s built together, step by step, rooted in hope, faith, and collective action.

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