In the last year, Lancaster's One Water Partnership has accomplished the following:

  • Sent 6 teams to IPC's Faithful Green Leaders Training (FGLT)
  • Held 10 events across the region
  • Conducted 12 site visits to assess the potential for projects
  • Installed 5 healing projects
  • Applied for over $700,000 in grant funding

A unique aspect of of our work in Lancaster is the Lancaster Task Force. This group of committed volunteers (made up of clergy, laypersons, and experts) meets monthly over Zoom to discuss the One Water Partnership, share ideas for future events or education needs, and promote cross-collaboration between congregations. Our goal is to eventually have a representative of each of IPC's Partner Congregations participate in our meetings. On September 8th the Task Force met in person, helped remove invasives from a local congregation, and enjoyed a cookout together! (Interested in joining the task force? Email [email protected].)

Congregations are mobilized throughout the region, hosting events, considering projects, and expanding interfaith partnerships. We are also connected with many partners in the region.  IPC presented at the PA Watershed Forum, the American Rivers PA Stormwater Network, and Lancaster Clean Water Partners Quarterly meetings. We collaborated with the University of Pennsylvania on an educational program and housed an intern with Franklin & Marshall College.

Want to help us continue to grow in this critical part of the Chesapeake? Consider a gift on November 18th during the Lancaster ExtraGive!

So what is next for Lancaster's One Water Partnership?

The Lancaster One Water Partnership received a grant from the Lancaster Clean Water Fund to continue to expand our mission in the region. This grant will help us increase our outreach capacity and support existing congregational green teams, with a focus on deepening relationships with environmental justice communities.

In partnership with our supporter Brady Stroh and Coastal Anthology, the Lancaster One Water Partnership hosted an exploratory educational experience on the Susquehanna River where it meets the Chesapeake Bay. The boat trip gave participants a glimpse of the downstream impacts of Pennsylvanian communities.

On Friday, November 18th, IPC will be participating in Lancaster's largest day of giving, the ExtraGive! The ExtraGive is a community celebration of giving that inspires thousands of donations and shinning a light on the work of Lancaster community benefit organizations, such as IPC. Please join our campaign and help us reach our goal of $3,000 for congregational support within the Lancaster community. We have seen firsthand the amazing things that can happen when our community comes together to give back. Check out this video of Pastor Steve Verkouw at Grace Lutheran Church explaining how IPC’s support helped them kickstart their green team.

We’re counting down the days to ExtraGive and need your help to make our campaign a success. We’ve included a few easy ways that you can support us:

  • Make your gift on Nov. 18th and be part of the movement! 
  • Become a fundraising champion. Everyone loves a champion, including us. We would love to have fundraising champions to help raise $500 each and drive people to our ExtraGive profile on November 18th. Contact Natalie for more information on how to become a fundraising champion.
  • Spread the word to your family and friends. Our success depends on you telling others to support us!
  • Help us grow our network by sending our emails about the event to your network and ask your friends to do the same.
  • Be socially (media) active. Use your social media networks: post on Facebook, tweet about ExtraGive, and share your love for IPC's mission.

Thank you in advance for your support!