Parishioners won't find Styrofoam at Towson Presbyterian Church, but they will notice shade-grown coffee, an ink-cartridge-for-paper exchange and a recycling program led by the nursery school.
This weekend, the church will focus on God's creation for "Earth Day Sunday," a service that many churches now celebrate in conjunction with Earth Day.
Earth Day Sunday is just one part of a faith-based green movement gathering steam in Maryland and churches nationwide, in which churches try to dispel the idea that environmental protection is a liberal activity antithetical to Christian ideology.
The environment historically has taken a back seat to more common faith initiatives, such as the fight against poverty or hunger, said local church leaders and experts. But now, congregations increasingly see a connection between care for God's creations and social issues.
At Towson Presbyterian, environmental stewardship permeates worship and activities throughout the year, said Charles Conklin, chairman of the church's Earth Corps Advocacy Team.
"Almost everything we have in our hymnals refers to water - it refers to creation," Conklin said.
Environmentalism remains in the background at many Protestant churches, but the concepts are beginning to take hold, said George Fisher, a professor emeritus of geology at the Johns Hopkins University.
"Somewhat to my surprise, it's happening in the evangelical churches as well," he said. "I think it's an absolutely wonderful thing."
Evangelical churches - defined as Protestant churches focused on expressing the Gospels and being "born again" in faith - are generally viewed as more conservative and less likely to advocate environmental issues. Presbyterian or Episcopal churches like the one in Towson are leading the way, Fisher said.
Today, children at Towson Presbyterian will go on an environmental "plus and minus" scavenger hunt in the church. They'll see positives, such as signs reminding people to turn off lights when they leave, and negatives, such as windows that need to be replaced, Conklin said. In addition, volunteers will shed their Sunday best and don work clothes to spruce up the church's Chesapeake Bay-friendly garden.
A nascent coalition known as the Churches for the Chesapeake is further evidence that the religious eco-movement is blossoming in Maryland. The group held two gatherings in Annapolis this year to raise awareness on bay-friendly landscaping, energy efficiency in church buildings and other actions.
