Stewards of the Chesapeake Bay

Stewards of the Bay:

An Affirmation for Eco-Justice

Churches for the Chesapeake—Water Action Toolkit
National CounciL of Curche s USA
Ec o-J ustice Working group

Stewards of the bay n
1

Healing and Defending God’s Creation
God created the Earth and all that is in it and declared it good. Learning and Teaching
God’s Creation in the Bay is marked by wondrous complex- We will seek opportunities for ourselves and our children to
ity, interdependence, and beauty. Human beings are called learn more about the wonders of Creation, the threats posed
by God to the task of stewardship—taking care of the Earth by human beings to the survival of Creation and the possibili-
respectfully for its own sake and so that present and future ties of our participating in God’s redemption and justice.
generations may live on it and enjoy its fruits. The gifts of Cre-
ation and the responsibility of stewardship were given to all of Worship
humanity, so that all might have enough. No one should have In worship, we will celebrate God’s grace and glory in Cre-
more than is needed while others go without so that God’s ation and will declare that God calls us to participate in the
justice can prevail. redemption of the world by cherishing, protecting, and restor-
Yet, despite our call for stewardship of Creation, God’s ing Creation.
Earth has not been well cared for. In our human pride and
brokenness, we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory Lifestyle
of God. We pollute God’s water, air, and land with poisons Our individual and congregational lifestyles will respect and
which hurt people and all Creation. Many species of animals cherish Creation. We will form habits of consuming, conserv-
and plants are endangered by the behavior of human beings. ing, and sharing that serve to protect and restore God’s envi-
Some have even become extinct. ronment.
We also do not share the fruits of Creation justly. Some
people live in luxury, taking more than they need, while oth- Community, National and Global
ers live in poverty. But because God, through the life, death, Involvement
and resurrection of Jesus Christ, reconciles humanity and all In our community, the nation and the world, our congrega-
of Creation to God, we are able to heal ourselves and God’s tion will witness to and participate in God’s redemption of
Earth. We are able to become new creations. Creation by supporting public efforts and policies that sup-
God calls on the Church to participate in the redemption of port vulnerable people and protect and restore the degraded
individuals, all of humanity, and Creation. Therefore, minis- Earth.
tries of environmental stewardship and environmental justice Each year we will review our previous year’s work on eco-
are significant in the mission of our congregations and judi- justice and consider other ways we can participate in God’s
catories. Our congregation affirms the importance of healing redemption of Creation.
and defending Creation in our mission. We promise to become
engaged in or to continue our engagement in this ministry to
heal God’s great Creation.

Signed by the pastor:

S I G N A T U R E DATE

Signed by an officer of the congregation:

S I G N A T U R E DATE

(Please keep this in the official minutes of the governing body of your congregation.)

2

Stewards of the Bay: Steps of Affirmation
Water Stewardship
Congratulations to your congregation for affirming the Worship
Eco-justice principles and for making a commitment to • Express thankfulness and concern for God’s
live as Stewards of the Bay. Your congregation can begin Creation in the worship life of the congregation by
to take steps that will reflect this commitment. Use incorporating the themes of water and eco-justice
this resource to help you determine where to begin into prayers, liturgy, children’s sermons, and
and to keep track of the progress you are mak- A good first hymns in weekly services.
ing. Below is a sample of some of the activities step is to form • Conduct at least two worship services each
your congregation can commit to as you strive a Creation Care year focused on themes of God’s Creation.
to answer God’s call to stewardship. You can Group dedicated Many congregations choose to hold special
choose to do any or all of the actions listed in to the water stewardship services on Earth Day Sunday in the spring
this form and the energy stewardship form. of God’s Creation and and St. Francis Day in the fall.
You can also use this form as a template meet regularly. Membership • Provide at least one opportunity
for tracking other stewardship activities of the group should include each year for congregants to worship
like recycling. motivated members with God outdoors. For example, hold a
diverse interests including streamside service to reflect on water as
Learning and Teaching finances, mission, building a symbol of Creation and resurrection
• Offer at least one water or eco-justice and grounds, worship, and renewal.
themed class each year for adults and and Christian
children (See Sacred Waters: pg 24 of the education. Lifestyle: Action
Stewards of the Bay Toolkit). • Conserve water by fixing leaks
• Host a sustainable potluck dinner each year to be followed • Harvest rainwater with rain barrels
by a program about stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay or • Develop and implement a storm water management plan
local eco-justice issues. Invite a speaker to talk about the for the church grounds
impacts of pollution on the Bay’s fisheries and how these • Seek out a partnership with a local watershed group
impacts affect not only the integrity of God’s Creation, • Reduce pesticide use on the grounds through Integrated
but the watermen communities that depend on healthy Pest Management practices or organic gardening in order
fisheries for their livelihoods to decrease the amount of pollutants in stormwater
• Put on an annual intergenerational event to connect • Use non-toxic products such as soaps and detergents to
members to each other and to God’s Creation. For avoid contributing additional stormwater pollutants in the
example hike along a stream or go canoeing. Bay
• Arrange one briefing every year or two to our governing • Invest in low-flow toilets and or waterless urinals that
board or session to educate them on the call to care for conserve water and keep excess nitrogen out of the water
Creation in the Chesapeake Bay and how the congregation cycle, so that it doesn’t end up in the Chesapeake Bay or
is fulfilling this call. its tributaries where it can lead to algal blooms

Activity Tracking Form: Water Stewards of the bay n
3

Learning and Teaching Making Progress* Results
Who: When:
Offer an eco-justice or water themed adult
When: Highlights:
education class (see the curriculum)
Needs:
Who: When:
Offer an eco-justice, Creation care, or water
When: Highlights:
themed children’s education class
Needs:
Host a sustainable potluck dinner, with local and Who: When:
organic foods: Include eco-justice programming,
When: Highlights:
such as , inviting a speaker to talk about the im-
pacts of pollution on the Bay’s fisheries and the Needs:
watermen communities that depend on healthy
fisheries for their livelihoods
Intergenerational event to connect members to Who: When:
God, each other, and Creation such as hiking
When: Highlights:
along a stream or canoeing (include your own
ideas below) Needs:
________________________________

_________________________________

Who: When:
Other When: Highlights:
Needs:
Worship Making Progress* Results
Express thankfulness and concern for God’s Who: When:
Creation in the worship life of the congregation
When: Highlights:
by incorporating the themes of water and eco-
justice into weekly services. Needs:
Who: When:
Conduct two worship services with a Creation
When: Highlights:
care theme
Needs:
Who: When:
Needs:
*Who = point person for project; When = date by which the event/action has happened. (The point person responsible for setting dates and meeting deadlines) and
Needs = people, funding, etc. that point person needs to complete project.

Eco-Tip Water (to be included in your church bulletin or newsletter)
Lawns demand water, which is becoming increasingly scarce in many places. In addition, much of the $8.4 billion
we spend annually on our lawns goes to douse them with fertilizers and pesticides that find their way into streams
and rivers. Find ways to reduce the amount of lawn on your property. Flower beds and shrubberies especially
when planted with native species are ecologically superior to lawns and much less costly to maintain, in terms of
dollar cost as well as cost to God’s Earth. Better still, you could grow fruit and vegetables that would enhance the
diet of your family and friends. Submitted by Maryland Presbyterian Church, Towson, Maryland.

Activity Tracking Form: Water Stewards of the bay n
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Action Making Progress* Results
Who: When:
Install low-flow devices and/or waterless urinals When: Highlights:
Needs:
Use Integrated Pest Management or organic Who: When:
gardening techniques (Try to avoid chemical
When: Highlights:
based pesticides and herbicides)
(Stewards of the Bay pg 13) Needs:
Who: When:
Reach out to a local watershed group When: Highlights:
Needs:
Who: When:
Install rain barrels When: Highlights:
Needs:
Who: When:
Install rain garden When: Highlights:
Needs:
Who: When:
Install green roof When: Highlights:
Needs:
Who: When:
Install permeable pavement When: Highlights:
Needs:
Who: When:
Needs:
Community, National
Making Progress* Results
and Global Involvement
Write one letter to your state or federal Mem- Who: When:
ber of Congress and senators, or to your local
When: Highlights:
elected officials telling them what you are doing
for your community and the Bay. Needs:
Who: When:
Participate in or organize a Bay Cleanup Day When: Highlights:
Needs:
Who: When:
Needs:


5

Sample reporting sheet for your Governing Lifestyle/Action:
Board, and NCC • We reached out to (local watershed group) who came to
our church on (date) and helped us to envision a workable
Major Accomplishments: stormwater management plan for our congregation. They
suggested _____________________________________.
Learning and Teaching:
• A group of ______ adults participated in the Sacred • We did ____________________________ on _______
Waters five-week adult Christian education course. In
reflecting on the course participants observed: • We did ____________________________ on _______
A _____________________________________________
• We are currently raising money for __________________
B _____________________________________________ _______________________________________________

C _____________________________________________ • In addition, we have installed low-flow devices on all sinks
• Because of these actions our congregation was featured in
• In July a group of ______ youth and adults enjoyed each the local newspaper. (see attached clipping)
other’s fellowship on a ______ trip on the ______ River
• This Thanksgiving our congregation celebrated with a
sustainable potluck. Members provided mostly locally-
harvested / organic dishes. The meal was followed by
a presentation from Maryland Department of Natural Eco Tip: Water and Energy
Resources teaching us about the things we can do in our Doing the Laundry is an energy intensive chore
homes to prevent polluted runoff in to the streams and and harmful chemicals found in many detergents
waterways. can have a negative impact on the Bay. Take
these simple steps to make each load more
Worship: energy efficient and Creation friendly.
• Since _____ our congregation has included prayers for • Wash your clothes with cold water. It takes less

God’s Creation into our regular worship services. Our energy to heat up water, so the less you use,
bulletin also contains tips on how to conserve water and the better.
reduce energy in your home, helping members to practice • Use Biodegradable laundry detergent and avoid

stewardship everyday of the week. (see attached bulletin) bleach whenever possible
• This Earth Day we celebrated using the National Council • Line dry your clothes. Utilize free solar and

of Churches Earth Day Sunday resource, Sacred Spaces and wind power to dry your clothes. You can bright-
an Abundant Life: worship spaces as stewardship and as a en and disinfect your whites without bleach by
congregation reaffirmed our calling to stewardship of the hanging them in direct sunlight.
bay and the entirety of God’s Creation. (See the attached
Earth Day Sermon by Rev. _______________________)

6

Stewards of the Bay: Steps of Affirmation
Energy Stewardship
Congratulations to your congregation for affirming the Eco- Worship
justice principles and for making a commitment to live • Express thankfulness and concern for God’s
as Stewards of the Bay. Your congregation can begin Creation in the worship life of the congregation by
to take steps that will reflect this commitment. Use incorporating the themes of water and eco-justice
this resource to help you determine where to begin into prayers, liturgy, children’s sermons, and
and to keep track of the progress you are mak- hymns in weekly services.
ing. Below is a sample of some of the activities A good first • Conduct at least two worship services each
your congregation can commit to as you strive step is to form a year focused on themes of God’s Creation and
to answer God’s call to stewardship. You can Creation Care Group our calling, as people of faith to stewardship.
choose to do any or all of the actions listed in dedicated to the Many congregations choose to hold special
this form and the water stewardship form. stewardship of God’s services on Earth Day Sunday in the
You can also use this form as a template Creation and meet regularly. spring and St. Francis Day in the fall.
for tracking other stewardship activities Membership of the group • Provide at least one opportunity each
like recycling. should include motivated year for congregants to worship God
members with diverse interests outdoors.
Learning and Teaching including finances, mission,
• Offer at least one eco-justice themed building and grounds, worship, Lifestyle: Action
class each year for adults and children and Christian education. • Calculate our carbon footprint
(See Sacred Waters: pg 24 of the Stewards • Get an energy audit and implement the
of the Bay Toolkit). auditor’s suggestions
• Host a sustainable potluck dinner each year to • et short and long term goals for energy reduction and
S
be followed by a program about stewardship of the create a budget and seek out funding for our energy
Chesapeake Bay or local eco-justice issues. Invite a reduction efforts
speaker to talk about the impacts of air pollution on the • Investigate the sources of energy to heat and light the
Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Discuss ways to reduce congregation and the impacts these sources have on
energy use at home and at church. Creation and local communities around the energy
• Put on an annual intergenerational event to connect facilities
members to each other and to God’s Creation. For • Install CFLs, LED exit signs and Occupancy Sensors
example hike along a stream or go canoeing. • Continue to seek out ways to improve energy efficiency
• Arrange one briefing every year or two to our governing and reduce our impact on the Bay, such as, installing
board or session to educate them on the call to care for energy efficient lighting technologies, making all new
Creation in the Chesapeake Bay and how our congregation appliances energy efficient, investing in clean energy
is fulfilling this call. technologies like wind solar and geothermal, and
supporting the use of clean energy in Maryland

Activity Tracking Form: Energy Stewards of the bay n
7

Learning and Teaching Making Progress* Results
Who: When:
Offer an Eco-Justice themed adult education
When: Highlights:
class
Needs:
Who: When:
Offer an eco-justice/ Creation care themed
When: Highlights:
children’s education class
Needs:
Host a sustainable potluck dinner: Include eco- Who: When:
justice programming such as Inviting a speaker
When: Highlights:
to talk about the impacts of air pollution on
the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and Needs:
discussing ways to reduce energy use at home
and at church
Intergenerational event to connect members to Who: When:
God, each other, and Creation such as hiking
When: Highlights:
along a stream or canoeing (include your own
ideas below) Needs:
________________________________

_________________________________

Who: When:
Needs:
Worship Making Progress* Results
Express thankfulness and concern for God’s Who: When:
Creation in the worship life of the congregation
When: Highlights:
by incorporating the themes of water and
eco-justice into weekly services. Needs:
Who: When:
Conduct two worship services with a Creation
When: Highlights:
care theme
Needs:
Who: When:
Needs:

Eco Tip: Energy (to be included in your church bulletin or newsletter)
Lighting accounts for around 20 percent of the electricity consumed in the United States. Turning lights off
when they are not needed is a low-cost technique that reduces energy consumption and saves money, and
avoids the negative impacts on God’s Creation of producing electricity. Submitted by Maryland Presbyterian
Church, Towson, Maryland

8

Lifestyle : Action Estimated Cost Savings Making Progress* Results
Who: When:
Calculate your Carbon Footprint N/A When: Highlights:
Needs:
Who: When:
Utility cost current month: _______
Energy audit and implementation Cost for this month pervious year: _______ When: Highlights:
Difference: _________
Needs:
Who: When:
Install Occupancy Sensors Cost for this month pervious year: _______ When: Highlights:
Needs:
Who: When:
Weatherize the Buildings Cost for this month pervious year: _______ When: Highlights:
Needs:
Who: When:
Install energy efficient lighting: CFLs
Cost for this month pervious year: _______ When: Highlights:
and LEDs
Needs:
Who: When:
Commit to making all new appliance
N/A When: Highlights:
purchases energy efficient
Needs:
Who: When:
Make a fundraising plan for clean
N/A When: Highlights:
power
Needs:
Who: When:
Utility cost current month: ____
Install solar panels, wind turbines, or
Cost for this month pervious year: ____ When: Highlights:
other forms of clean power
Needs:
Who: When:
Utility cost current month: ____
Invest in clean energy for MD Cost for this month pervious year: ____ When: Highlights:
Needs:
Utility cost current month: ____ Who: When:
Cost for this month pervious year: ____
Needs:


9

Community, National
Making Progress* Results
and Global Involvement
Write one letter to your state or federal member Who: When:
of Congress and senators, or to your local
When: Highlights:
elected officials telling them what you are doing
for your community and the Bay. Needs:
Who: When:
Do a CFL drive for a low income community When: Highlights:
Needs:
Who: When:
Needs:

needs = people, funding, etc. that point person needs to complete project

EcoTip: Energy
Heat and cool your home efficiently. As much as half of the energy we use in our homes is used for heating
and cooling. In fact, the average single family home emits nearly 13,000 pounds of carbon dioxide in the
process of heating and cooling, costing over $600 each year. Carbon dioxide is a green house gas and a
major factor contributing to climate change.

By making minor adjustments to our thermostats, most of us can significantly reduce our individual carbon
emissions while remaining comfortable. Adjusting the thermostat by just three degrees (down in the winter
and up in the summer) can prevent the emission of close to 1,100 pounds of CO2 each year! Heating and
cooling efficiently will also reduce your energy costs too. In fact, for every degree you raise the thermostat
in the summer, and lower it in the winter, you’ll save 3-5% of your cooling costs.

Follow these tips to heat and cool your home efficiently.
1. nspect your filter. You should check your filter every month during heavy use and replace it when needed
I
(at least every three months). Maintaining a clean filter can save 350 pounds of carbon annually.
2. lean your unit annually. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
C
3. et a tune up. Having a specialist tune up and clean the coils for your central air system every 3 years
G
can result in energy savings of 10 - 20 percent. For more information go to www.energystar.gov/index.
cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_hvac” Energy Star webpage.
4. nstall a programmable thermostat. This device will help you to regulate the temperature of your home.
I
Using in properly can help you save close to $180 annually.
5. Turn it off. In the summer, turn your A.C. unit off when you are away from home for more than one hour.

For more information check out the NCC Carbon Reduction Campaign for individuals at
www.nccecojustice.org/carbonreduction

10

Sample reporting Sheet for your Governing • This Earth Day we celebrated using the National Council
Board and the National Council of of Churches Earth Day Sunday resource, Sacred Spaces
Churches and an Abundant Life: Worship Spaces as Stewardship. As
a congregation, we reaffirmed our calling to stewardship
Major Accomplishments: of the Bay and the entirety of God’s Creation. (See the
attached Earth Day Sermon by Rev. ________________)
Learning and Teaching:
• A group of ______ adults participated in the Sacred Lifestyle/Action:
Waters five-week adult Christian education course. In • Our church began with a carbon footprint of _________.
reflecting on the course participants observed: On (date) we got an energy audit from (auditor) who
A _____________________________________________ suggested that we ______________________________.

B _____________________________________________ • We did ____________________________ on _______

C _____________________________________________ • We did ____________________________ on _______

• In July a group of ______ youth and adults enjoyed each • We are currently raising money for __________________
other’s fellowship on a _____ trip down the ______ River _______________________________________________
• This Thanksgiving our congregation celebrated with a
sustainable potluck. Members provided mostly locally- • In addition, we have replaced all incandescent bulbs with
harvested / organic dishes. The meal was followed by a compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).
presentation from __________teaching us about the • Now our carbon footprint is ______ and our utility bills
connections between climate change and poverty. have decreased ________dollars compared to this month
last year.
Worship: • Because of these actions our congregation was featured in
• Since _________ our congregation has included prayers the local newspaper. (see attached clipping)
for God’s Creation into our regular worship services. Our
bulletin also contains tips on how to conserve water and
reduce energy in the home, helping members to practice
stewardship every day of the week. (see attached bulletin)

Energy Stewardship as Financial Stewardship
Most congregations can cut energy costs by up to 30 percent by taking low-cost measures and invest-
ing strategically in efficient equipment, facility upgrades and maintenance.1 Maryland residents can
also practice stewardship of Creation and their finances by taking low cost measures to reduce energy
consumption. Individuals can save over $150 in annual utility costs simply by replacing their incandes-
cent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) and installing low flow shower heads.2
1
“
Congregations: An Overview of Energy Use and Energy Efficiency Opportunities.” Energy Star for Congregations. 12/3/2009 HYPER-
LINK “http://www.energystar.gov/congregations”www.energystar.gov/congregations
2
“
EmPower Maryland.” Energy Facts and Programs. Maryland Energy Administration 12/9/2009. http://energy.maryland.gov/facts/
empower/index.asp

11

Sample Newsletter Article Sample Press Release
{Church name} to become a Stewards of the Bay Caring for Creation, {Church Name} is {Project
Congregation your church is doing} in an Effort to Become
We are blessed to live in a region with a unique and precious “Stewards of the Bay”
ecosystem, the Chesapeake Bay. Unfortunately, we have not {City, State, DATE }—In an effort to lessen the congrega-
always been good stewards of this great gift. But now, {church tion’s impacts on the Chesapeake Bay and improve the health
name} is beginning to change that. As a congregation, we are of the watershed and their community, members of {Church
committed to living lifestyles dedicated to stewardship, rec- name} installed {your church’s stormwater management proj-
ognizing that every decision we make has an impact on God’s ect} on the church grounds, limiting rainwater runoff from
Creation and our neighbors. This is particularly true of the the roof and parking lots.
energy we consume, which results in air and water pollution {Quote from member who participated in the project.}
and contributes to global climate change. The church signed an Affirmation for Eco-Justice, becom-
For these reasons, {Church Name and committees involved} ing a Stewards of the Bay congregation through a program
decided to join the National Council of Churches Stewards of of the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program.
the Bay Program. As part of this program, we will answer God’s By signing the affirmation, members of {Church name}have
call to care for Creation through education, worship, lifestyle/ made a commitment to healing and defending God’s Creation
action, and community involvement. Our first step will be to through learning and teaching, worship, lifestyle/action, and
look at how our congregation uses energy and water in the community, national, and global involvement.
church facilities, which have an impact on the health of the According to the pastor, Rev. {your pastor’s name}, {quote
Chesapeake Bay In addition, in the coming weeks, our Sunday from your pastor about why you are doing these projects}
school classes and worship services will reflect upon our inter- {Day of project}’s {event} was just one of many projects the
action with God’s Creation. To help congregants take action at church has planned. According to {member organizing the
home look for eco-tips to be included in weekly bulletins. stewardship events} {quote about future projects}.
Though these activities may seem small, they will plant the Volunteers from {Church Name} will be working side
seeds for our future work as a Stewards of the Bay congre- by side at {church name} on {date of upcoming project} to
gation. Through these programs we will explore simple and {Upcoming project} to help restore the health of the Chesa-
affordable ways that we can reduce our energy use, saving the peake Bay and {local tributary}.
congregation money, and reduce rainwater runoff improving Contact {contact person for your congregation} at {contact
the health of the Bay. Please join us by seeking out ways to be email and/or phone} to find out more about Creation care
better stewards of God’s Creation in your home. Together let efforts at {Church name}.
us respond to God’s call to be Stewards of the Bay, and work
toward realizing the vision God gave the prophet Ezekiel,
“Wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will
live, and there will be very many fish, once the rivers reach there.
[The water] will become fresh; and everything will live where the
river goes.” (Ezekiel 47: 8-9).

EcoTip: Energy and Water (to be included in your church bulletin or newsletter)
Help save water and prevent climate change pollu- • aves 3 cubic yards of landfill space (methane gas source)
S
tion by buying recycled paper products. Recycling • aves 7,000 gallons of fresh water
S
and buying recycled content products can put a dent • eeps 60 pounds of pollution out of the air
K
in the production of green-house gasses and save • aves 4,000 kilowatt hours of energy
S
the trees that absorb them. In Fact, the production • aves 17 trees from being cut
S
of just one ton of recycled paper lightens the load
on the planet in many profound and exciting ways. Submitted by Maryland Presbyterian Church,
Every Ton of Recycled paper used: Towson, Maryland

Stewards of the Chesapeake Bay

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