When people use the words "creation care," they might not often be thinking of visits to Capitol Hill. Yet, that is exactly what members of the Towson Presbyterian Church Earth Corps do, on a regular basis, as a way to care for God's creation.

Starting in 1991, individual members of Towson made trips to their representatives in Congress with the Presbytery of Baltimore's public policy advocacy team. More recently, Charlie Conklin, Chair of the Earth Corps, has been actively promoting and encouraging committee and church members to join these Presbytery-wide trips to Washington as a central part of caring for God's creation. They meet with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Washington office staff on the second Tuesday of each month, attending briefings on various public policy issues, including environmental concerns. Conklin explains, "The purpose of the Towson advocacy group is to address current legislation, with members of Congress, that affects the well-being of all of God's creation, as well as other social justice issues that advance Presbyterian policies."

The Earth Corps encourages participation in the advocacy team and the monthly briefings, so that church members might be able to put their faith into action. Articles are written for the church newsletter promoting the advocacy trips, with most recent plans made for September 2004 after a visit to Towson from Carolynn Race, Presbyterian Associate for Domestic Poverty and Environmental Issues. Another church-wide trip is planned for April 2005. Issues addressed have varied from the Clean Air Act, lead poisoning, water and air pollution, to drilling in ANWR (Artic National Wildlife Refuge). "This advocacy work is consistent with the original Earth Corps commitment to 'make Peace with the earth and involve the congregation in efforts to protect and restore the environment,'" says Conklin.

Currently, Towson P. C. is using the Micah 6:8 theme -- "What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" -- which inspires Earth Corps members to seek justice for the earth and its inhabitants, to be in loving relationship with all beings, and to seek guidance through prayer and scripture in all efforts to restore creation.

As seriously as they take their right to have a voice in policy, this congregation takes seriously their care for the Earth. In 1989, the church session adopted a statement of working toward a cleaner, safer environment and signed onto the Presbyterian Peacemaking Commitment to "make peace with the earth." In 1993, Towson Presbyterian Church agreed to be an Environmental Justice Covenant Congregation, protecting and restoring Creation through worship, teaching, encouraging sustainable lifestyles, and supporting public efforts. Currently, the Earth Corps at TCP has converted the church to reusable and recycled products, fair trade coffee, and recycling.

The Towson Presbyterian Church Earth Corps Advocacy Team