Reflection: Changing My World in 40 days

As the season of Lent approaches, I and many others are contemplating ways to make it a meaningful season of reflection and renewal. The purpose of Lent is to prepare for Holy Week and Easter through, among other things, prayer, doing penance, and self-denial.

There are many ways that our work to be good stewards of the environment fits in very well with any actions that believers can take during the 40 days of Lent.  For example, last year I gave up the use of plastic straws. I was shocked to learn that over 500,000,000 plastic straws are used each day around the country. A good number of these straws find their way into our oceans and can be very destructive.  Likewise, other single-use items like styrofoam products or K-cups for coffee can also be detrimental to our environment. When I think about the negative effects these items can have on God’s creatures in our local watershed and beyond, I find it difficult to justify their use.

I am also typically very diligent about bringing my own reusable water bottle whenever I go out or travel. However, sometimes, in a rush to leave the house, I forget it and then have to decide whether or not to turn to bottled water. I always feel guilty about it, but it gives me the opportunity to seriously consider how best to avoid a similar situation in the future. For years now, I have made a pledge to remain mostly bottled water-free, a habit that I am particularly diligent about during Lent. Again the numbers around bottled water use and its impact on our waterways is astounding. Despite the fact that good-quality water flows virtually free from most of our taps, Americans buy more than half a billion bottles of water every week. That’s enough plastic bottles to circle the globe more than five times! The majority of the bottles end up in our landfills, waterways, or are incinerated—releasing toxic byproducts. I’d like to try and help by being part of the solution rather than the problem.

I know I am not alone. People of faith all around Maryland and beyond are joining their brothers and sisters in taking steps to help heal the Earth. There are many resources available to help us navigate this challenge. Here are a few additional ideas that I’ve considered:

• Set a five-minute timer for showers
• Avoid wasting energy by unplugging electronic devices when they are not in use
• Reduce use of aluminum foil
• Wash laundry in cold water
• Eat more vegetarian meals
• Get more involved with “green” activities at my church

One of the best things for me is that once I give up a habit for 40 days I rarely go back to it.

There are many more ideas to share. IPC is working with our partners to develop a “Green Lenten Calendar” that will be available in February. Keep an eye out for it.

Sign the Petition!

Thou Shall Not Steal Trees from the next generation. Maryland lost 14,488 acres of forest to development over the past eight years (according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources), despite a state policy that says we should be dramatically increasing our tree canopy. Our Forest Conservation Act is 24 years old and needs updating to truly protect Maryland's forests. 

Sign our petition in support of Amendments to the Forest Conservation Act. Read all about this bill HERE, to learn why this is important for protecting God's Creation. 

Help us reach our goal of 350 signatures -- sign the petition today!

Faithful Advocates Conference Call Briefing

Join in a conference call to hear about environmental legislation that will be proposed in the Maryland General Assembly and actions you can take to support them. Learn about the Maryland Clean Jobs Initiative, Forest Conservation Act Amendments, Ban on Foam Products, and more. 

• Thursday, January 25, 7:30-9:00PM
• RSVP HERE to receive call-in details
• Free and open to all

One Water Partnership Leaders Gather to Learn How to Inspire Others!