Many of the places we call sacred have their roots in the past...

An old proverb says, "The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago.  The second-best time is now." There is something wonderful and hopeful about the word now. It is empowering that if we choose to decide now, we can move forward at this very moment.

At some of our Partner Congregations around the watershed, people before them did plant or care for trees over 20 years ago! Now they have trees on their grounds that are considered to be Champion Trees, the largest known of their particular species. In 2022, IPC held a Champion Tree Tour in Harford County to look at all of the efforts that previous generations made to leave a legacy. By becoming a Partner Congregation, these congregations made the commitment to continue working together to restore, honor, and protect the Chesapeake Bay. Signing the Partner Congregation pledge or taking action to care for Creation are just some of the examples of how we are all creating a legacy, together. A legacy of restoring creation, community, justice, and health.  This is a sacred legacy to which we are called, and a gift we leave for the next generation like those that have before us.

In IPC's October Faithful Green Leaders Training session, our Program & Outreach Assistant, Sarah Redden, led participants in a guided meditation; inspiring them to reflect on the type of legacy they want to leave for future generations. In this meditation, you are to picture a little girl playing in a river -- she is thanking you for all of the work that you have done to restore the waters of the Chesapeake for her. What is she thanking you for?  What actions are you or your congregation going to take to leave a sacred legacy?

There are so many ways to create this legacy and, with your help, we will have an ever greater positive impact in 2023:

With your help, we will continue to build this legacy. Our children are counting on us. Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake is counting on you. We share your dream for the future where everyone has access to clean water and air, a stable climate, a thriving ecosystem, a just system of laws that protect vulnerable people and voiceless creatures. This is our moral call to action as people of faith.

We're asking for your help and support today, so that tomorrow we can continue this good work. Leaving a sacred legacy takes time and resources -- we cannot succeed without your financial gift. Join the movement by supporting IPC and Partner Congregations in restoring our sacred waters, shared lands, and beloved communities by making a gift today.

Now is the best time to start taking action for the world that we want to see for future generations -- not only 20 years from now... but for all of eternity.