Congregations in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
New and News
- Sign up to have a Presentation at your church. The NCC will be giving presentations to Maryland congregations interested in becoming Stewards of the Bay congregations. Learn practical ways your congregation can care for Creation in the Chesapeake by installing rain gardens or rain barrels, improving the energy efficiency of your church buildings, or conserving water. Contact Lizzie at elizabeth@nccecojustice.org if you would like to have a presentation at your church.
Faith and the Chesapeake Bay
Many congregations in the Chesapeake Bay watershed take seriously God's call to be stewards of Creation, particularly the Chesapeake Bay. From actions such as conservation landscaping and energy efficiency practices, congregations are taking action to protect God's creation in the Bay.
Faith Resources
- Stewards of the Bay: A Toolkit for Congregations in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
This toolkit includes information about why people of faith should care about protecting the Bay, a guide for hosting a regional training event and worship resources. - Stewards of the Bay: Lifestyles of Stewardship
This addition to the original toolkit empowers congregations to take action to care for Creation in the Chesapeake Bay. Learn how to install rain barrels and rain gardens. Discover ways to improve the energy efficiency of your buildings. Explore alternative energy options for your congregation. Learn how to find funding and technical support to help implement your congregation's projects.
- Stewards of the Bay: An Affirmation for Eco-Justice
Use this resource as a guide as your congregation makes a commitment to healing and defending God's Creation. Track your progress, and access tools to enable you to communicate your efforts to members of the congregation, the community and your judicatory. This resource includes an affirmation to be signed by church leaders, and outreach materials including bulletin eco-tips, a sample press release, and a sample newsletter. - Stewards of the Bay: Sacred Waters
A 5-week adult Christian education session by Beth Norcross
Learn More 
- Energy and the Bay
- Bay Friendly Buildings and Grounds
- Funding and Partnerships
- Worship and Fellowship
- Protecting Underwater Grasses
People of Faith Take Action
- Submit Success Stories and Eco-tips. Share the steps your congregation is taking to care of God's Creation in the Bay. Email your stories to elizabeth@nccecojustice.org.
- Success Stories and Eco Tips: learn how churches throughout the watershed are conserving water and energy and using their sacred spaces in bay friendly ways. Click here.
- PLANT and BE COUNTED is a call to Marylanders to plant trees and register them online. This State program offers a $25 coupon to purchase any native tree costing $50 or more from participating nurseries throughout the state. There is no limit on how many coupons can be used and they can be printed directly from the web site. This site also has guidance for selecting and planting trees for your location as well as a tool to calculate the benefit of the trees planted. Once you've planted your tree register it online at www.trees.maryland.gov. The goal is to have Marylanders plant and register 50,000 trees a year to help with improving air and water quality. Click here for more information.
Other Resources
To get more information about conservation practices or the health of the Chesapeake
Bay, click here