Last week, on October 4, many around the world celebrated the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology in the Catholic tradition. Saint Francis' deep reverence for all living beings—preaching to birds, embracing the poor, and calling the sun and moon his kin—reminds us of the sacred interconnectedness of life and our moral responsibility to protect it. His example is not only deeply Catholic, but resonates across many faiths, which all hold at their core a profound respect for creation and a call to care for the Earth.

At Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake, this sacred call to steward the Earth is what unites us in our mission. Across denominations and traditions—Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Sikh, Hindu, Indigenous, and more—there is a shared ethic: to live in harmony with nature, to protect the vulnerable, and to ensure that our actions today do not cause harm to future generations. Indigenous spiritualities, in particular, offer a powerful lens into creation care as a reciprocal relationship with the land and waters that sustain all life.

Our watershed—the beloved Chesapeake Bay—is home to a vast web of life. Clean water is essential not just for human health, but for the well-being of countless creatures that depend on it. By protecting streams, rivers, and land, we affirm our spiritual responsibility to care for “the least of these”—from the smallest pollinator, to the people most impacted by pollution and climate change.

One of the most powerful ways we help communities live this calling is through our Faithful Green Leaders Training program, which equips congregations to build green teams and take meaningful environmental action rooted in their faith. It is a space where hope grows—and real change begins. Learn more about the program here.

The Beaverdam Green Team, along with three other partner congregations, previously held a fall festival at Sherwood Episcopal Church in Baltimore County and illustrated the spirit of this celebration perfectly, and welcomed many pets, large and small, including stuffed animal friends, for their Blessing of the Animals! 

May the spirit of Saint Francis continue to inspire us to walk gently, act boldly, and love deeply—all for the sake of our shared home.