This rain garden at Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church in Easton, MD was installed by the congregation of the church and funded by the Chesapeake Bay Trust. Rain gardens are one way that people of faith can also be faithful stewards of our rivers.
River-Friendly Congregations
River-Friendly Yards aren’t restricted to just private homes. We know that congregations of all faiths and denominations are the cornerstones of our communities. Establishing a River-Friendly Congregation doesn’t mean simply putting plants in the ground; it involves sharing our ideas on how to care for our environment, sharing the work it takes to realize that, and also sharing in the joy of experiencing creation.
What we can do for your congregation
Restoring our waterways doesn’t start or stop with shovel-in-the-ground projects. We are all a part of a larger community, and we want to partner with you to share in the work of creation care. Check out the list below for some different ways we can partner!
A conversation with your local Riverkeeper— Riverkeepers love to hear from our community members, and a conversation with the Riverkeepers is a great way to discuss environmental issues in your community and learn more as a community.
Engaging with nature— We are happy to lead a nature walk for your congregation, or support another activity like a litter pickup or a downstream paddle, to help congregants connect with their watersheds.
Trees for Sacred Spaces— If you see an opportunity for trees to take root at your place of worship, we can connect your congregation with our tree stewards program.
If you want to partner with us, we would love some background on your congregation!
Project Gallery
Partner parishes: St. Luke’s United Methodist Church (Cambridge); St. Mark’s United Methodist Church (Easton); Grace Lutheran Church (Easton); Waugh Chapel United Methodist Church (Cambridge); St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Centreville).
INTERFAITH PARTNERS FOR THE CHESAPEAKE
Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire and equip people of faith to honor, protect, and restore our shared watershed. ShoreRivers partners with IPC to delve into the deep connection between our environment and the faiths we follow. Where ShoreRivers can offer expertise on our communities and the technical side of projects, Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake serves as a spiritual lead, connecting these works with all of the faiths in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
One Water Partnership
Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake offers many services and opportunities for congregations to connect. Some of their programs include:
Faithful Green Leaders Training, which empowers people of faith to act as environmental leaders in their congregations and larger communities.
Creation Care Resources, including their menus of action, linked here.
The One Water Partnership, a growing network of faith communities who collaborate to protect and preserve our waterways.
ShoreRivers River-Friendly Congregations have been funded by the Chesapeake Bay Trust and Queen Anne’s County.
