Self Development of People Awards

January 30, 2017

Inside this Edition

PC(USA) Stated Clerk Denounces Order Banning Refugees' Entry in U.S.

Planning for 2020 PC(USA General Assembly

874th Gathering: A Vision for Everyone. . .

Book of Order Amendments
Meal Registration

The Center:

Program Coordinator Vacancy
Search for new Building Facility
Summer Camp

Chestnut Grove 175th Anniversary Events

Catonsville Concerts at 3

Making Your Gardens and Vegetables Bay-Wise at Towson PC

Legislative Discussion at Woods PC on Human Trafficking

Woods Mem'l PC Seeks a Director of Contemporary Music and a Director of Youth

Earth Action Weekend

Synod Men's Conference

Spanish Language & Culture Spring Schedule

Meetings

Committee and Commission meetings will be held at the Presbytery's office (unless noted otherwise.)

Nominating Committee will meet Monday, Jan. 30. at 7:30pm

Committee on Spiritual Leader Development will meet at 1pm on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

In the Loop Ministry Group will next meet at 6pm on T uesday, Feb. 28 at Light Street PC

Praise & Prayer

Please pray for the care and safety of the 28 members of the Presbytery of Baltimore who are traveling to Sancti Spiritus, Cuba Feb. 10-17 to attend the Cuban Encuentro.

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Please pray for the Rev. Alison Halsey (interim at Christ Our King Presbyterian Church, Bel Air) and her family as they mourn the death of her brother, Hugh Halsey III, 61. Mr. Halsey died following a lengthy illness on Jan. 17. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, Feb.4 at the East Stroudsburg Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania.

Barbara Yancey; Rev. Karen Brown (National SDOP Committee Member); Selma Jackson (SDOP Team Trainer); Rev. Phyllis Felton; Sylvia Usher (Chair); Lisa Beacham; Nzinga Snyder; and, Rev. Jenn DiFrancesco (not pictured).

by Deb Milcarek,

Associate for Reconciliation

Every year at Easter the congregations of the Presbytery of Baltimore take part in One Great Hour of Sharing. This offering is distributed in three very important ways - The Presbyterian Hunger Program, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, and Self-Development of People. A portion of the SDOP money is returned to the Presbyteries to be used for projects in the local area. Our local SDOP committee solicits grant applications through Oct. 1 of the current year .

Self-Development of People is a very specific mission of PC(USA). Founded in 1970, SDOP reflects the Presbyterian belief in self-determination. Funded projects must be conceived of and run by the people that will benefit from them. This year we received seven requests for funds; four of these requests met the criteria for SDOP monies and we are pleased to award 2016 funds to the following organizations:

Jubilee Arts is a well-known organization in W est Baltimore. Youth In Business is a project that SDOP funded in the past, and we are honored to be able to fund their project in 2016 to expand their products. The Presbytery awarded them $1,000.

Glenwood Life Recovery Garden is a community garden in the Woodbourne-McCabe neighborhood. Several congregations have worked with them to establish the garden and now they wish to hire a part-time Youth Works manager (from the community) and begin selling produce at the Farmer's Market. The Presbytery awarded them $3,000.

Baltimore Youth Organizing Project has also been funded by SDOP in year's past. The goal of BYOP is to develop and organize the collective voice of young people in Baltimore City. They partner with another past recipient, No Boundaries Coalition and work closely with Jubilee Arts. The Presbytery awarded them $1,000.

Youth Empowerment Summer Camp is another exciting project in Woodbourne-McCabe. Various congregations as well as The Center partner with this neighborhood association to provide a three week summer camp experience for their young folks. The Presbytery awarded them $3,000.

Look for more information on these groups and their accomplishments in the future. To learn more about the presbytery of Baltimore's Self Development in People program, click SDOP.

taff Directory

Take Note/Act Now

Presbytery and Churchwide

Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II

PC(USA) Stated Clerk opposes order banning refugees' entry into U.S.

Nelson says executive order is a 'miscarriage of justice'

Click here to read article

Still four years away -- the 2020 PC(USA) General Assembly's Committee on Local Arrangements (COLA) has begun strategic planning for the event which will be hosted by the Presbytery Baltimore. This prestigious event will draw thousands of Presbyterians from across the nation and world; and provide us with the unique opportunity to showcase our wonderful churches and ministries.

Your talents, time, treasures -- and, connections -- are needed to make this event a success. In particular, are you or do you know anyone in your church who is connected to the travel/tourism industry in Baltimore who could help in our planning? COLA is also seeking to fill vacancies on various committees. Please review the committee descriptions and email Carrie Burris-Finch to express your interest in serving.

Further details will be available at a later date on the Presbytery's website.

The Presbytery of Baltimore will vote on amendments to the Book of Order at the 874th Gathering of the Presbytery of Baltimore entitled "A Vision for Everyone. . .," to be held Thursday, Feb. 9 at Ark & Dove Presbyterian Church in Odenton. Click Amendments to review a booklet containing the proposal.

In addition, those planning to attend the 874th Gathering of The Presbytery of Baltimore are encouraged to register early for a Gathering Meal. Click Gathering Meal to register now.

Guatemala Partnership Spring 2017 Workshop in Guatemala: Evangelism and Discipleship to Marginalized Communities. Click here to learn more.

The Center is looking for a Program Coordinator. This is a full-time position with benefits. For a full description and instructions for how to apply, click here.
The Center is seeking a new building to house its dormitory facility. Requirements: +/- 5,000 square feet, with minimum 12-15 overnight parking spaces, in Baltimore city. Email Kate Foster Connors.
Is your congregation involved in a neighborhood ministry that offers summer camp for children in your neighborhood? The Center invites you to gather with other congregations who run summer camps as a part of their local mission, to share lunch, tips and ideas on Thursday, Mar. 2 from 12-2 pm at Faith Presbyterian Church. Please RSVP Wanda Morgan. Lunch will be provided.

Churches


	Look for details on events and activities later this week on the Presbytery's website and in next week's Tidings.

Chestnut Grove Presbyterian Church kicks off its year-long 175th Anniversary celebration with a First Friday Dinner and Worship Service at 6:30pm on Feb. 3. Guest speaker Laura Wexler of WYPR will share life stories and others are encouraged to share, as well. Additionally, all are invited to a concert by the Chorus of the Chesapeake at 4pm on Sunday, Mar. 12; and another concert by The Deer Creek Chorale at 3pm on Sunday, Apr. 2. Admission is free for these family events.

Catonsville Concerts at 3 presents an afternoon of mainstream jazz by the Ambassadors Jazztet of the United States Army Field Band at 3pm on Sunday, Feb. 12 at Catonsville Presbyterian Church. The event is free and open to the public. For more info, call 410.747.6180.

FREE Workshop - How to Make Your Yard and Vegetable Gardens - Bay-Wise! Saturday from 10am-noon on Feb. 25 at Towson Presbyterian Church Master Gardeners will explain the Bay-Wise certification program. Learn ways to make the landscaping around your home not only beautiful, but "bay-friendly". Discussion of similar bay-friendly strategies for your VEGETABLE garden too. RSVP or for more info. Call 410.823.6500 or email [email protected].

Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church invites you to attend an address by State Delegate Meagan C. Simonaire at 7:30pm on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Ms. Simonaire will talk about legislation to safeguard victims of sexual trafficking.

Also, Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church seeks a vibrant and dynamic Director of Contemporary Music to work with the church's praise band, which performs at the 11am Sunday service and participates in weekly practice sessions. For details, click Woods. The church also seeks a Director of Youth and Their Families. Click here for the job description.

Seeking a Choir Director. Churchville Presbyterian Church seeks a musically-talented person with experience leading choirs in religious music. If interested, please contact Dr. Stephen R. Melton at 410.734.7344 or email [email protected].

Other

The Synod Men's Conference -- entitled "What Does the Lord Require" -- will be held July 14-16 at the Massasnetta Springs Conference Center in Harrisonburg, VA. To register on-line visit : www.midatlanticmen.org .

Spanish Language and Culture Spring 2017 Class Schedule.