We are regional communities of Ruling and Teaching Elders joined together in Jesus Christ to encourage, challenge and equip our congregations to thrive spiritually and serve effectively as apostles of reconciliation
Ministry Groups in Action

June 2017
 
West Side Story 
Building Relations and Planning for Community-Based Programs

At our most recent meeting at Christ Memorial Church, members of West Side Story finalized the Ministry Group's 2018 budget and made plans for the rest the year. Over the summer we hope to host a dinner for pastors (date and location to be determined) and a breakfast for Elders on Jul. 22 (location to be determined).  We are also hosting the visit of author Robert P. Jones to the Presbytery, during which he will address some of the points made in his book "The End of White Christian America." This event will likely occur before the next Presbytery meeting to facilitate our denomination's ongoing discussion about race and justice.

During the meeting we invited members to make suggestions for the Ministry Group's 2018 program. These suggestions will be discussed at our next steering committee meeting. Any budget requests for funding need to be with the Steering Committee by Sept. 8 if they are to be considered as coming from this year's budget.

After the meeting, a number of our members helped congregants of Christ Memorial package 20,000 meals for the Rise Against Hunger effort. At the Ministry Group's next meeting on Saturday, Oct. 21, we will celebrate the many different projects we have  supported this year.

                              Co-Conveners: RE Guy Moody &
 TE Adrian Pratt



 
In The Loop   
Becoming Apostles and Disciples for Reconciliation 

In the Loop Ministry Group met on May 23 at Knox Presbyterian Church to consider a motion to merge the mission of In the Loop with the Apostles and Disciples of Reconciliation . The meeting enjoyed robust attendance as well as similarly robust conversation. At the conclusion of the meeting, a motion was made to merge the mission of In the Loop with Apostles and Disciples and to appoint a leadership group to flesh out what that would look like in terms of calendar and mission. The motion received a unanimous vote and we are excited about what the future holds.

Co-conveners: TE Rob Hoch & 
RE Jim Kidwell  

Susquehanna Parish
Congregations Engaged in Earth Care projects 

Susquehanna Parish Ministry Group is deep into earth care projects this year!  Our grant initiative is to empower our congregations to become more aware of God's creation and our responsibility to be good stewards of what God has given.  We're encouraging our congregations to take part in the PC(USA)'s programs around this subject, and we're providing grants of up to $2,000 to get congregations moving on their own work.  So far four congregations have received grants, and most are doing either projects which help handle rain and water flow around their property, or joint educational projects between their churches and their preschools.  It's exciting to see the energy generated!
 
We have many congregations in transition right now!  We're doing our very best to support and encourage each one, providing whatever we can to help.  Our Steering Team is visiting each Session so they know more about the Ministry Group and we know more about what's exciting in each church.  These meetings and feedback also allow us to tailor the Fall Leader Training Event we hold to the growth needs of each congregation.
 
As we head into summer we're exploring more partnerships that could enrich the lives of our members and congregations starting in the fall, and we're also planning for some fun fellowship time together.  We are so grateful for the ways in which the Ministry Group gives us new opportunities and God's grace in shared work together.

                   Convener: TE Kimberly Secrist Ashby
Uptown Metro  
McCabe Community
Summer Camp

Uptown Metro Ministry Group is wading deep the waters of summer camp planning. Along with the Woodbourne-McCabe Neighborhood Association and the Strong City Baltimore Community Organizer (funded with Ministry Group dollars) we have three weeks of summer camp planned in the neighborhood. Two congregations each will will provide volunteers and food for the camp. The Neighborhood Association using SDOP funds has hired a Camp Director and we are ready to roll. It will be epic!

                                   Convener: TE Tom Harris


BWBAD
Bay Area Disciples
New Fellowship with CEDEPCA

At their May meeting, members of the the Bay Area Disciples Ministry Group heard moving reports from participants of the Presbytery's trip to Guatemala in partnership with CEDEPCA. Our new worshiping community, Communidad Presbiteriana La Trinidad, is using CEDEPCA curriculum to start two new small groups to empower Hispanic women in Anne Arundel County.

Christ our Anchor invites all to "Tuesday Under the Trees: Outdoor Summer Worship," a casual service of reflection and service on Tuesday nights at 7 pm. Harundale Presbyterian Church will celebrate 30 years of their free lunch program on September 24 following worship. STAIR, a BAD supported literacy-tutoring program, will open a new site in the fall. And,  Ark and Dove will celebrate 25 years of ministry on October 22, 2017.                                   
                    Convener: TE Jonathan Nelson   


Wild, Wild West
Sharing Fellowship and Hope For A Thriving Future

On Mar. 28, four of our churches met at Barrelville Presbyterian Church for fellowship and a delicious meal catered by the Iron Rail restaurant in Mt. Savage.  Dr. Renee Mackey led the group in a spiritual moment by introducing the finger prayer labyrinth.  A labyrinth was sponsored by the Ministry Group from Mar. 26-Apr. 2 to walk at Covenant.  We thank Catonsville for loaning us the labyrinth.  Ten Prayer Stations were also set up and we offered communion.
 
The Rev. Jackie Taylor, the Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of Baltimore, shared some of her experiences with the Western Maryland region along with her dreams for the Presbytery.  In return, congregants from Barrelville shared ways that God is leading them to reach out to their community. They are starting a lunch box group.  At least two of them per day will join others to prepare lunches for elementary school children.  We prayed for the church and their community.
 
The Ministry Group approved funds to assist Covenant in their outreach to the disabled community, especially those who are unable to climb stairs.
 
Several of our churches are working together this summer or in an ecumenical coalition to provide Vacation Bible School opportunities for children, youth and adults.  Covenant and St. Andrew are combining their resources, Taneytown, Frostburg and Hancock will work with the ecumenical community, and Cumberland and Frederick will reach out to their respective communities.  Join with us and pray for these missional outreach opportunities.
 
Our next meeting will be a service opportunity at Martha's Table in Hancock this summer.  Martha's Table is an Interfaith Service Coalition project to feed hungry children in their community.
                                 
                    Convener: TE Renee Mackey   

Coaches' Commentary. . .

  MINISTRY GROUP COACHES
 
The Grace of God at Work . . .
 

On my way to work these springtime mornings, I've been watching the progress of this year's corn crop rising from the soil.  Over the past three weeks I've seen fields, formerly brown, becoming greener by the day.  Something is at work there, fierce and beautiful.  First the blade, then the ear.  Soon the full corn will appear.  Not tomorrow, and not next week, but in due time those fields will yield their increase because of what's at work there, fierce and beautiful, for sure. 

And is there not also something well at work within our Ministry Groups - auguring into the rich loam of our shared life in Christ, inspiring our congregations and developing in them new and deeper capacities for ministry - something causing those churches now to be seeding their communities with service and showing, in their corners of this vineyard, something of the grace of God at work... something, I would say, that's fierce and beautiful!   

Reflecting on the ways in which that grace was working in some of the congregations he had midwifed, Paul took care to point to what was key to their development: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth."  When I consider what I've witnessed happening in and through the Presbytery's Ministry Groups over the past five years, I cannot help but echo Paul and offer God my praise.  Certainly, I don't know all the ways in which God's work within these Ministry Groups will affect our churches and their communities in days to come, but I have reason to believe that God intends this corner of creation to become more lushly furnished with the fruit of Divine love.  As you work for that, I shall pray for that.
 
Bill Nickels
Associate General Presbyter  



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