Dear Friends in the Presbytery of Baltimore,
Most of you have heard that a whole bunch of Presbyterians are coming to town in just a few weeks. It is really wonderful to hear of all the ways that different congregations and individuals are preparing to welcome these brothers and sisters in faith from around the country. The last I heard we are expecting about 700 people in attendance at the Big Tent, August 1st - 3rd and 80 local volunteers!
On Friday evening, Aug. 2
,
2019
there is a special focus on connecting Big Tent participants with Presbyterian Mission in the City.
Thank you in advance to Strength to Love Farm II, Light Street , The Center, Grace and Knox Presbyterian churches for hosting groups
. And there is still more . . .
If you are looking for a way to be a part of it all, there are 3 different FREE events on August 2nd for you to consider. You do not have to be registered for Big Tent to attend.
5:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. (ish)
Local churches and residents have invited Big Tent participants to participate in a prayer walk as part of the grassroots Baltimore Ceasefire Weekend. We will gather across the street from the Crowne Plaza and Radisson hotels (there will be greeters to direct you) to pray together, to walk together and to hear from Erricka Bridgeford, the founder of Baltimore CeaseFire, and the PC (USA) stated clerk, the Rev. J. Herbert Nelson II. We will follow a 1 mile route through the downtown, stopping at three different locations for prayer, remembering the names of those who died and those shining a light to cast out the darkness.
Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes. A water station will be set up.
Thank you to Hunting Ridge and First & Franklin churches for organizing.
7:30 – 9:00 pm
Lord Baltimore Hotel, Calvert Ballroom Salon C
Twenty percent of all firearm homicides in the U.S. occur in the country’s 25 largest cities, even though they contain just over one-tenth of the U.S. population. The PCUSA-produced documentary
Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence
examines the ripple effect that one shooting has on a survivor, family, community, and society. Following the screening, there will be a discussion featuring a panel of Baltimore area residents including clergy, police officers, and activists working to address the gun violence in the city they call home.
Panelists include Rev. Cleoda Walker (Baltimore Pastor and clergy to Safe Streets Violence Interrupters)
, Major Monique Brown (Commander of the Southern District, Baltimore City Police) and Amy Cress (Director of Community Engagement, Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence). The discussion is part of a larger webinar-style series, “Standing Our Holy Ground” hosted by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, which investigates gun violence and what the faith community can do about it.
7:30 – 9:00 pm
Lord Baltimore Hotel, Baltimore Theater
Despite a decrease in migration across the southern border of the United States since 2000, the numbers of family units seeking asylum in the United States jumped in 2014. In 2018 and 2019, those numbers continue to rise.
The Genesis of Exodus
was produced by the Office of the General Assembly, and highlights the root causes of migration from Central America to the United States told in the voices of those affected and by country experts studying the issues. As we experience another rise, this film gives light to the challenging decisions families make seeking safety in another place. Join us to learn more about the issue and how you can be involved in the response. Following the film there will be Q&A with Amanda Craft, manager of Advocacy for the Office of Immigration Issues, OGA.
Join us and let your light shine Baltimore Presbytery!
For more information, contact Susan Krehbiel, skrehbiel@baltimorepresbytery.org.
