Across our region, many grassroots groups are working alongside Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVA) to engage people of faith in environmental efforts in specific denominations or communities, and others are working with people of faith specifically on watershed stewardship and sustainable food systems.

See below to connect with initiatives in your own faith community or neighborhood, or on topics of particular interest.

Green Initiatives within Religious and Denominational Groups:

Catholic:
Washington-Area Care for Creation Committee
– To join listserv, send a blank email to dmv-catholic-care-for-creation+subscribe@googlegroups.com
Contact: Regina Carelli

Care for Creation Committee for Parishes in Archdiocese of Baltimore
– To join listserv, send a blank email to care-for-creation-committee-ArchBalt+subscribe@googlegroups.com

Christian Ecumenical:
Central Maryland Ecumenical Council’s Ecumenical Leaders Group – Restoring Creation
– A gathering of Christian ecumenical leaders in Central Maryland that is working to foster environmentalism in Christian communities. Monthly e-newsletter, Voyager, covers issues of the environment, peace and Justice.
– Contact: Gary Gillespie

Christian African-American:
Green the Church IPL-DMV
– A gathering of African-American Christian clergy and religious leaders to amplify green theology, promote sustainable practices, and build power for change
– To join the Facebook group, email Robin Lewis

Episcopal:
Maryland Episcopal Environmental Partners
– Connect on Facebook
– Contact: Jim Truby

Episcopal Diocese of Washington Environmental Network
– Connect on Facebook
– Contact: Carol Janus

Jewish:
Jewish Green Council of Greater Washington
– Meets generally on third Mondays of the month at 7:30 at alternating venues throughout the region
– To join listserv, send a blank email to jewish-green-council-gw+subscribe@googlegroups.com
– Contact: Michele Lieban Levine

Pearlstone Center’s Sustainability Coalition
– Represents the Baltimore Jewish community’s pursuit of the Jewish value of preserving the earth’s resources for future generations
– Contact: Joan Plisko

Lutheran:
Delaware-Maryland Synod ELCA Creation Care Team
– Network of Lutherans working on environmental stewardship in their congregations
– Monthly meetings or conference calls
– Contact: Laura Heller

Muslim:
Green Muslims
– A network of Muslims living the environmental spirit of Islam
– Join the listserv to connect with the Green Muslims network
– Connect on Facebook or Twitter
– Contact: contact@greenmuslims.org

Orthodox Christian:
Orthodox Environmental Committee DC Metro
– Contact: Athan Manuel

Presbyterian:
National Capital Presbytery Earth Care Committee
– Meets once a quarter on Saturdays from 10-noon at a local church. See website for date, time, and location.
– Join the listserv by sending a blank email to ncp-earthcare-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
– Connect on Facebook
– Contact: David Kepley

Presbytery of Baltimore Creation Care Group
– Contact: Bill Blair

Unitarian Universalist:
Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, Environmental Subgroup
– Meets quarterly at DC-area Unitarian Universalist congregations
– Join the listserv
– Connect on Facebook and Twitter
– Contact: info@uusj.org

Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Maryland
– Meets annually in mid-January in Annapolis
– Sign up to receive emails
– Connect on Facebook and Twitter
– Contact: info@uulmmd.org

Regional Interfaith Environmental Groups:

Annapolis:
Climate Stewards of Greater Annapolis
– A grassroots organization of Anne Arundel residents working to end the burning of fossil fuels through education, outreach, and advocacy
– Meets generally on fourth Thursdays of the month at Annapolis Friends Meeting
– Contact csgannapolis@gmail.com for more info

Chesapeake Interfaith Environmental Group
– Organizes environmental events in the Annapolis region, including an annual “Earth, Water, and Faith Festival” around Earth Day

Northern Virginia:
Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions
– Works to promote energy efficiency and other climate solutions in Fairfax County
– Meets bi-monthly, generally on second and fourth Wednesdays from 7-9 pm at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax
– Organizes monthly environmental film screenings, generally first Fridays at 7:30 pm, also at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax.
– Sign up to receive emails
– Connect on Facebook and Twitter
– Contact: faithclimatesolutions@gmail.com

Greenbelt/Prince George’s County Faith Group (forming):
– Contact: Jane Young

Faith-based Initiatives on Specific Environmental Issues:

Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake
– Organizes, supports, and empowers the faith community to Care for Creation through the lens of water. Offers implementation programs, speakers, facilitation support, online resources/tools, and legislative advocacy opportunities.
– Sign up to receive emails
– Contact: jodi@interfaithchesapeake.org

Baltimore Food & Faith Project
– Works with Baltimore-area faith communities to promote a just, healthy, and trustworthy food system
– Connect on Facebook and Twitter