Tonight kicks off IPC’s October Faithful Green Leaders Training. Over the next three weeks, faith leaders from across the Chesapeake Watershed will come together virtually to “break bread” and learn how they can organize to make a difference for Creation in their communities. As we kick off FGLT with a new class of Faithful Green Leaders, here at IPC, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the busy transition from summer to fall, and all that our Green Leaders have been able to accomplish over the past several months.

This past Sunday, the Beaverdam Green Team held their second Fall Green Fest on Beaver Run Lane in Cockeysville, MD. This event brought together local environmental organizations, like the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy and Blue Water Baltimore, alongside the Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church Green Team, Baltimore County Master Gardeners, and honey farm. Attendees were able to learn about each of these respective organizations and the work that they do, alongside Beaverdam Run. Throughout the day, we were grateful to be visited by local community members eager to get involved with stewarding the Earth. 

The Beaverdam Green Team began planning Fall Green Fest this past March, and met regularly throughout the planning process. Tonight, during Faithful Green Leaders Training, we’ll talk about building the foundations of a strong green team and growing it. Beaverdam Green Team, which is comprised of volunteers from different local congregations, has embodied the spirit of Green Team Training, as leaders are linking arms with congregations across the community to collaborate and create the largest impact they can.

Across the Bridge on the Eastern Shore, the Talbot Green Hands and Wicomico One Water groups have been taking the lessons they learned in Faithful Green Leaders training and putting them into action. In Easton, Green Hands organized a garden tour featuring local congregations and congregation-involved projects, as well as a composting demonstration. The tour started out at St. Mark’s Methodist Church, before heading to East End Community Association community garden, and then to Presbyterian Church of Easton. Attendees left inspired by the gardens at the various sites they visited, and took home valuable knowledge about the composting process. Talbot Green Hands formed in October 2023 during Faithful Green Leaders Training, and has been active since. This group is a wonderful example of how training at one congregation can spread the environmental message, and inspire others to join the fold. This past Sunday, they also attended a composting demonstration in Cordova, Maryland, with New Grounds Composting.

A short drive down I-50, Wicomico One Water is coming together to help spread Lower Shore Land Trust’s new “Yards for Creation” program. This new program, which Lower Shore Land Trust presented to the group in September, establishes meadows at congregations. Faith leaders who attend the Wicomico One Water meetings are able to take this information back to their communities to help spread the message. 

So, as we kick off this season's Faithful Green Leaders Training, we’re inspired by all that has been done by congregations across the watershed, and all that they’ll continue to do. The above congregations are wonderful examples of those who have embraced the “Going Forth” section of our Faithful Green Leaders Training (which you can look forward to in Session Three!) and took the message of caring for Creation deep into their communities, linking arms with the congregations around them to do so.

If you’re kicking off your Faithful Green Leaders journey tonight, know that IPC’s staff is so excited to be on this journey with you, and for all of the friendships to be forged.