Maryland Presbyterian Church was certified as an Earth Care Congregation by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Environmental Ministries on July 1, 2010. To become an Earth Care Congregation, Maryland Presbyterian Church affirmed the Earth Care Pledge to integrate environmental practices and thinking into all facets of its church life and completed projects and activities in the fields of worship, education, facilities, and outreach. The Earth Care Congregations program was started in 2010 by PC(USA) Environmental Ministries to inspire churches to care for God’s earth in a holistic way, through integrating earth care into all of their church life. The Earth Care Congregation certification honors churches that make that commitment and encourages others to follow their example. For more information on the Earth Care Congregations program go to www.pcusa.org/environment.
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We believe ...
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that from it's opening verses the Bible emphasizes the wonder and beauty of Creation and the role and responsibility of humankind to cherish and protect "the land." We love and appreciate the beauty of the world around us, but are aware that our 21st century Western lifestyles are ultimately unsustainable. We join other people of faith in providing leadership in this journey towards a healthier, more harmonious future for Earth and its people.
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Through consciousness raising and practical projects we protect the Earth and promote the wise use of its resources for the benefit of people everywhere, rather than greedy consumption of more than our share.
To seal our commitment to caring for God's Creation, on Earth Day Sunday, 2008, members of the congregation signed a Covenant to Enjoy and Care for Earth Community.
Worship and Celebration of Creation
Each April we celebrate Earth Sunday with a special worship service incorporating music and dance and sounds of nature. We give thanks for the richness of the created world and pledge ourselves to protect and nurture it. We reflect with humility on the selfishness with which we in the affluent countries of the world exploit its natural resources and pollute its air and water. We pledge ourselves to use natural resources more wisely and to advocate for more sensitive and responsible public policies. The service is followed by a hands-on activity such as stream-side tree planting.
Restoring our own Woodland
Maryland Presbyterian Church sits on four acres of suburban Oak and Tulip Poplar woodland. Like all similar woodland tracts in Baltimore County it has suffered the ravages of invasion by alien plant species and over-grazing by deer. Its structure and ecological integrity has been destroyed. We have started on a long-term process to restore this woodland, by removing alien invasive plants, such as Garlic Mustard, Wineberry, English Ivy, Devil’s Tear-thumb, Tree of Heaven, Oriental Bittersweet and Pachysandra. We look forward to introducing native species, more appropriate for this environment.
Work parties of church members and friends share this work on the last Sunday of each month. Please join us!
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Environmental Education
We continue to offer forums and discussion among our members, visiting speakers and films, plus articles in our newsletter that focus on preserving creation.
Environmental Ethics in Everyday Life
Preserving and restoring God’s creation requires not only major shifts in public policy, but countless daily decisions to do things differently. In our church activities and in our personal lives we endeavor to be environmentally sensitive by promoting:
● Using recycled and recyclable materials
● Conserving water
● Improving thermal insulation in home and church
● Using energy-efficient appliances
● Minimizing use of toxic substances
● Reducing runoff into storm drains
● Using fuel-efficient transportation
●Supporting environmental advocacy and education organizations
● Supporting public officials who protect the environment
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