Our Work
Explore what we do and can do for your church, our projects and success stories, and get some inspiration from our beloved faith leaders.
Grow An EJ/Green Ministry
Growing environmental justice ministries or green ministries within our faith communities is a way to reach many like-minded people. Beloved DMV is a grassroots group dedicated to tackling the climate crisis together and helping your congregation form environmental justice ministries." Environmental Justice Ministries helps congregations focus on:
-
Stewarding the earth - planting trees and native plants
-
Growing food, connecting with farmers, hosting farmers' markets
-
Sustainable practices within the church - recycling, composting, waste reduction
-
Using Renewable Energy – community and rooftop solar, geothermal, etc.
-
Advocating for clean air and water for the community
-
Promoting clean water and stormwater management practices
Want to start an environmental justice or green ministry?
​
​
What We've Done
Reid Temple AME Church
Reid Temple began their environmental justice ministry in 2022 along with other AME churches in the second district. Since then, they have become a leader in legislative advocacy, participated our Sacred Grounds native plant garden program, planted trees on their grounds and prioritized stormwater management.
Go Solar
Solar energy is the most abundant green energy source available, and we have assisted numerous congregations in switching to solar. While installing solar panels on your congregational building may seem daunting, there are financial support and guidance programs that can help your congregation create the best solar system for your building. Whether your congregation opts for rooftop solar or community solar, embracing renewable energy is the most effective way to help mitigate the impact of harmful fossil fuels on the environment while reducing energy costs. We can guide the process so your faith-building can become a beacon for your community and members.
​
There has never been a better time to for your congregation to go solar as the federal tax credits are now set to expire over the coming year. If you have ever considered going solar reach out to our parent organization IPL-DMV to explore what's possible and make sacred haste.​​​​​​​​​​​​
The Rev. Margaret Brack, Former Rector of the St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Salisbury, MD.
Go Green
Among other efforts, Beloved DMV through our parent organization IPL-DMV, co-leads Sacred Grounds, a congregational native plant program with the National Wildlife Federation and Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake. Through this program your congregation can educate your members about our profound interdependence with our ecosystems and all creation, and can give members life-giving native plants to tend at home as well as native plant gardens to welcome guests of many species to your congregation’s grounds.
Right now, congregations in DC, Prince George's or Montgomery Counties can join our "Growing Joy" program to receive free native plants for your members and/or support getting a native plant garden on your grounds.
Is your congregation in DC, Prince George's or Montgomery Counties and interested in a FREE native plant giveaways and/or garden at your congregation?​
Speak Out on Environmental Justice
In order for our communities to respond to the climate crisis, we have to hold the largest polluters accountable. We can use our communities and connections built on faith and God’s purpose to make changes. We provide many different resources within D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia.
Clean energy laws are being passed with input from faith-based voices. Beloved DMV will keep working to ensure equitable environmental legislation that meets the needs of often overlooked communities, especially Black, brown, and low-income communities. Our work is ongoing, and we collaborate with many local grassroots organizations to ensure environmental justice is achieved in the communities we serve. We believe in prioritizing those most affected by environmental harm and ensuring they are the first to benefit from environmental legislation!
Climate Resilience
Climate change puts all our watersheds at risk for damage and harm. As sea levels rise, the coastlines will continue to erode and move inward, destroying ecosystems and displacing millions of people.​​ Many Black, Brown, and poor communities live near waterways, so watershed issues impact them more severely. The Union of Concerned Scientists says climate resilience is about successfully coping with and managing the impacts of climate change while preventing those impacts from growing worse. A climate-resilient society would be low-carbon and equipped to deal with the realities of a warmer world. We know congregations are perfect for developing climate resilience because most are already a resilience hub, providing resources for their members and the surrounding neighborhoods​.
- What We're Doing -
The Climate Resiliency Project | Wicomico County, MD
Beloved DMV, IPL-DMV and Creation Justice Ministries are currently leading the NOAA-funded Climate Resiliency Project in Wicomico County, MD. This project aims to empower predominantly Black, Indigenous, and other faith communities of color with the knowledge and tools to address climate change realities and become centers of resilience for their communities. We have 14 organizational co-sponsors and over 50 BIPOC faith leaders so far have attended our events.
-
Phase I: Shared major concerns about the impact of sea level rise
-
Phase II: Collaborate on solutions with other stakeholders
-
Phase III: Develop restorative plans with resource providers​
​
VA IPL and NC IPL are also facilitating this program in their own communities of Mathews County, VA and in Beaufort and Pamlico Counties, NC respectively.
