Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes one of Lancaster County’s most inspiring annual traditions—Lancaster Water Week! This week-long celebration unites communities and organizations to honor and explore the more than 1,400 miles of streams, creeks, and rivers that flow through the beautiful Lancaster County! Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC) is excited to come back and be one of the many partners participating in this year’s festivities. We invite you to join us during Water Week to connect your spirit with stewardship and your faith with action.

One of the most special ways you can participate is by joining us for a Sacred Habitat Nature Walk at a few of our partner congregations! Church of the Apostles UUC, Ascension Lutheran Church and Hope Episcopal Church will provide a guided walk that offers a unique opportunity to explore native plants, local wildlife, and the sacred connection between creation and caretaking—all on the very grounds of a church deeply committed to environmental stewardship.

During the walk at Hope Episcopal church, you’ll be able to see their newly installed rain garden, a living testament to faith in action. Last month, this beautiful garden—designed to filter runoff and protect nearby Shearer’s Creek—was blessed in a moving interfaith ceremony led by the Episcopal Bishop. Community members and faith leaders from the Bahá’í, Mennonite, and other traditions came together in celebration of clean water and sacred land.

Built with support from the Center for Watershed Protection, the rain garden now stands as both a functional green solution and a symbol of shared hope for a healthier watershed.

In addition to the Sacred Habitat Walk, IPC will host a Lunch & Learn during Water Week where you can hear more about our work in Lancaster County. From past project successes to exciting goals ahead, this session is a great way to connect with others and discover how your congregation or community can get involved.

Explore the Full Week of Events

Many of our One Water Partnership allies are also offering inspiring events throughout the week, including the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and Lancaster Conservancy. We encourage you to explore their offerings and join the collective celebration of clean water, community, and conservation.

Let’s come together this summer to celebrate the waters that sustain us—and to reaffirm our shared responsibility to protect them. We hope to see you at Hope Episcopal Church and beyond during Lancaster Water Week!