*See photos of our   Eco-Parties

Environmental Stewardship

Stewardship of the Natural Environment

The God whom we serve is the God who created the world we live in. 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.

 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!*

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.

 Wider Involvement

Maryland Presbyterian Church has signed the Environmental Stewardship Covenant of the National Council of Churches

 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 

Environmental Education

We continue to offer courses and discussion among our members plus articles in our newsletter which focus on preserving creation.