For over two years, Ascension Lutheran Church envisioned greening their campus, a journey marked by unexpected detours and delays. Last fall, sheet mulching began, and by spring, the plan started to take shape. A dedicated group of volunteers from the congregation, together with Waxwing Ecoworks Co. and a Stroud Water Research Center environmental scientist, came together to plant trees and shrubs and install a riparian buffer. After two days of hard work, the congregation finally witnessed the tangible results of their commitment and prayers: a new riparian buffer stretching along the stream and shrubs around the parking lot to support future native gardens and meadows.

After a long, hot summer, congregants and community members returned to assess the progress and complete unfinished work. Leafy shoots emerged from tree tubes, and the Chokeberries around the parking lot bent under the weight of their shiny red berries. The morning continued with planting sedges, grasses, and native wildflowers in prepared swales and around the shrubs, promising even more vibrant growth in the next season.

The experience at Ascension Lutheran Church is a testament to the dedication needed for projects like rain gardens, meadows, or riparian buffers. This requires the congregation’s time and effort; leaders like Rhonda Miller and other committed members dedicated years of work before any planting began. However, support from community organizations, local governments, and volunteers is crucial for funding, planning, logistics, and ongoing maintenance.

This dedication and collaboration highlight not just the physical transformation of the landscape, but the deeper journey of connection and learning that emerges along the way.

Rhonda shared with IPC that she "truly had no idea of the faith community's environmental involvement until being introduced to IPC. Living in Lancaster County and being raised on a farm I have always been "outside" and as an adult, appreciate the efforts needed to keep it a focused part of those coming after us. The words of encouragement and guidance helped this retired medical imager through so many things I knew little or nothing about, but certainly needed to be a better steward of the land we possess at Ascension. What a joy to work beside new friends from not only my congregation, but our contractor and so many others. The riparian buffer and Eagle Scout birdhouse projects which became part of our landscape were just icing on the cake, Excited for 'What's Next'?"

What’s next for many congregations like Ascension Lutheran would not be possible without the shared dedication and support of people like you. Through Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC), faith communities are coming together to protect the environment and serve as stewards of Creation — just like Green Team leader Rhonda Miller at Ascension. Her story reminds us of how far we’ve come and the incredible potential ahead.

That’s why we feel so strongly about the work that we do at IPC and why our participation in the ExtraGive again this year is so vital. On November 22nd, join us to help ensure that congregations like Ascension and countless others can keep building green teams, planting native species, and restoring waterways. Many congregations first find us when they need help starting a Green Team or want to deepen their community’s connection to the watershed. But for congregations that are at other points in their journey towards faithful stewardship, we can also be that critical part of the puzzle piece connecting them to funders and technical providers. Through the ExtraGive we can expand our reach and this movement, inspiring even more communities to lead by example and create lasting, local impact!

Thank you in advance for your support. We can't wait to celebrate 2024 ExtraGive with you!