Presbyterian Hunger Program Celebrates
50 Years of Service!
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by Rebecca Barnes,
Coordinator for Presbyterian Hunger Program
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Fifty is a significant number. Particularly for those of us whose holy scriptures include the book of Leviticus, fifty is a time to reevaluate, celebrate, and free people, land, and even animals from systems that have bound them. While biblical scholars aren’t clear if the jubilee was ever observed, it is a message that calls God’s people to justice and liberation. We are reminded to rely on God’s grace and the earth’s bounty—rather than extracting from and consuming the land.
For 50 years, Presbyterians have worked to alleviate hunger and to address its underlying causes. Having declared hunger a major mission priority of the church in 1969, Presbyterians continue to be engaged in fighting hunger. We take seriously the original charge that recognizes “the enormity of the task to which we are committing ourselves,” and we “have no easy illusion of easy success in this undertaking. But we dare to act because we dare to hope.”
We don’t celebrate 50 because the task is any less enormous now than it was in 1969. We celebrate because we are called to mark the time’s passing and to use it to reflect on how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go. We celebrate our roots and learn from them. We celebrate because the jubilee reminds us to reclaim liberty for all.
We celebrate because we have tried to be faithful. We have listened for God’s call and followed the best we can in caring for all God’s people and creation. We have shaped our own individual lives with awareness and action. We have helped shape our denomination to be an outward, active agent in the larger world. We have created myriad organizations, partnerships, and networks that continue to alleviate hunger. We have funded amazing community work focused on food access, sustainable development, advocacy in the public square, personal lifestyle consumption choices, and economic and environmental justice.
Most of all, we are grateful that what was declared decades ago by Presbyterians continues to be true for us today:
- That God our Creator has made the world for everyone, and desires that all shall have daily bread.
- That God has been at work through history… to liberate the poor and oppressed that they may serve and glorify their Maker with their whole life.
- That Jesus Christ our Savior identified with the world’s poor and came to announce good news to them.
- That the Holy Spirit is at work in the church, calling us to embody our Savior’s compassion and struggle for justice on the earth.
This article was adapted from the 2019 Spring edition of PHP Post, A Hunger Justice Journal
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Meetings
All meetings are held at the Presbytery of Baltimore's office unless a different location is indicated.
- Baltimore Dakota Partnership meets at 7pm on Tuesday, May 14
- Cuba Partnership meets at 7pm on May 15 at FPC of Howard Co.
- Dismantling Racism Training will be held 8:30am on May 20 at Chestnut Grove PC
- Steering Cabinet meets at 1pm on Wednesday May 22
- Commission on Reconciliation meets at 6:30pm on May 22
- Ministry Group Conveners meet 11:30am on Thursday, May 23
- The Center Steering Committee meets at 12:30pm at Dickey Memorial PC
- New Clergy Orientation will be held 10am Tuesday, May 28
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The
2019-2020 Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) Planning Calendars
are now available for purchase. The Presbytery of Baltimore will arrange a bulk order at a discounted price of $9 per planning calendar for member churches. The Presbytery's rate includes shipping and handling. The deadline to place an order is
Monday, June 28
. Orders are non-refundable.
To place your order as part of the Presbytery’s bulk order,
follow this link to the order
form
, print and complete the form, then return it by mail with the amount due to the Presbytery. Please make checks payable to the Presbytery
of Baltimore and mail it to the attention of: Planning Calendar Orders, 5400 Loch Raven Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21239
. To pay by credit card, follow
this link to Planning Calendar
on
the Presbytery’s payment page under Miscellaneous. Churches will be contacted for pick up when the calendars arrive.
Churches may also visit
PCUSA’s online church store
to place their own order for planning calendars at a cost of $14.95 each or $8.50 each for 50 or more books. Shipping and taxes are included separately in PCUSA's online price.
Be advised that planning calendars will not be available for shipment until August 2019.
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Confirmed Dates for the Dismantling Racism Training in 2019
Monday, May 20, 2019 at Chestnut Grove PC
(3701 Sweet Air Road, Phoenix, MD 21131), 8:30am to 5pm.
Morning refreshments and Lunch are provided
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Each year we look forward to the annual meetings for Clerks of Session for training and to review Session Records. The following is a list of meetings for the Baltimore metropolitan area.
- Saturday, May 18, 2019, 10 am, Hancock PC, Jack Carlson
- Sunday, May 19, 2pm, Harundale PC, Jack Carlson
- Wednesday, May 29, 7pm, 1st PC of Howard County, Mary Gaut
- Saturday, June 8, 10am, Govans PC, Mary Gaut
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Catonsville Concerts at 3
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Catonsville Concerts at 3 features pianist Katie Mahan in concert at 3pm on Sunday, May 19 at the church.
Katie has captured the attention of audiences throughout the world for her innovative musical personality, poetic interpretations, and graceful and charming stage presence. She is at home in a broad repertoire ranging from Bach to Poulenc, and is particularly distinguished as an interpreter of the music of George Gershwin and Claude Debussy.
This free concert is presented with special funding from the Maryland State Arts Council, the Baltimore County Commission on Arts & Sciences & the Catonsville Women's Giving Circle.
Full Poster
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Hunting Ridge Strawberry Festival
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Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church will host its annual Community Strawberry Festival from 5pm-8pm on Saturday, June 1.
Festivities include shortcake, games, entertainment, pony rides, face painting, pickle ball and a food trucks offering a variety of delicious meals for purchase.
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Vacancy: Part-time Director for Community Assistance Program
A Part time Director is wanted for the 40 West Assistance & Referral Center, a 501(c)3 ecumenical nonprofit charitable organization located at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 4711 Edmondson Ave., Balto. MD 21229. The program is supported by a number of area churches, including Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church. The Director is responsible for overall operation and management of the Center. The position currently requires an average of 20 hours per week. The Director must be able to provide a welcoming atmosphere for clients and possess the education, skills, knowledge, qualities and experience in business, nonprofit operational and financial management or related areas. For full job description and further information, please contact Mrs. Glorius M. Sullivan, Chairman of the Board at
chgl@verizon.net
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Jacqueline E. Taylor
General Presbyter
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John "Jack" Carlson
Stated Clerk
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Mary Gaut
Deputy Stated Clerk
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Debbie Ingram Schmidt
Associate, Spiritual Leader Development
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Susan Krehbiel
Director of Congregational Advocacy
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Wanda Morgan
Office Administrator
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Deborah Greene
Director of Communications
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Chuck Brawner
Administrator of Finances
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McKenna Lewellen
Coordinator, The Center
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Kate Foster Connors
Director, The Center
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Presbytery of Baltimore | (t) 410.433.2012 | (f) 410.433.2066| office@baltimorepresbytery.org |
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