July 28, 2022
Baltimore Guns to Gardens
At this summer's General Assembly, an overture from the Santa Fe Presbytery was affirmed, asking churches to consider participating in the Guns to Gardens project:
1. Give thanks for, pray for, and commend the congregations and organizations that have initiated the Guns to Gardens project as a way to responsibly dispose of unwanted firearms, turning them into garden tools rather than returning them to the gun market.

2. Recommend to the churches and presbyteries of the PC(USA) that they learn about the Guns to Gardens project and prayerfully consider if it is a ministry to which they are called, as part of the PC(USA) witness to prevent gun violence, save lives, and provide healing for a nation traumatized by violence.”
Did you know what we already have a church in Baltimore involved in Guns to Gardens? First and Franklin Presbyterian Church is hosting a Gun Buy-back on Saturday, September 17th. Anyone with an unwanted gun in their home can bring it (unloaded) to First and Franklin that Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm. Volunteers will assist in taking the guns from cars and walking donors to the site of a chop saw which will dismantle the gun. The metal from the gun will then be refashioned by a blacksmith into a garden tool, reminding us of the prophecy that swords will be turned into pruning-hooks.
The goal of Guns to Gardens is not to convince criminals to give up their weapons, but to provide a way to remove unwanted guns from homes. Guns left in homes can be used in suicides, in domestic conflicts, and in accidental discharges by children. They can also be stolen and used in future crimes. The safest choice is to have no guns in the home.

Donors of unwanted guns will be given gift cards ranging from $100 for handguns to $250 for automatic weapons. The Peacemaking Committee of First and Franklin is currently raising funds for these gift cards and other lesser expenses for the program. The Baltimore Presbytery has already approved a Community Engagement Grant for this project, and the committee is seeking grants from corporations and businesses as well as donations from individuals.
Other congregations may want to share in the purchase of gift cards. From other projects around the country, we learned that donors prefer Walmart and Amazon cards which can be used for a variety of needs. The committee would also welcome gift cards from local groceries but prefer not to use Visa cards which might be used for unhealthy products. Cards should be in $50 or $100 denominations. Cash donations to the project are also welcome. Checks can be mailed to 210 W Madison St, 20201, or there is a PayPal link on the church web site.

Other congregations may want to help in future buy-back programs with First and Franklin or start their own program in their area. Training is available from the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, and the Peacemaking Committee of F&F looks forward to sharing its results.
Cleoda Walker Way
Earlier this summer, the Cherry Hill Community had a “Surprise Street Naming Ceremony” for one of their Commissioned Pastors, Cleoda R. Walker. Cleo is a member of Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church and has been a Commissioned Pastor there for over 10 years with a special emphasis on social concerns.

She has dedicated herself to community service: Working to get drug dealers out of her apartment complex; Leading the Cherry Hill Coalition of community organizations; Serving on the Civilian Police Review Board; Working with Safe Streets Anti Violence Task Force; Is a Chaplain with the Southern District Police Station and has held various city appointed positions.

Well-deserved congratulations and big thanks to Cherry Hill Community Presbyterian Church's Commissioned Pastor Cleoda R. Walker!
Afghan Alliance Reports
The Afghan Alliance of Maryland recently released its 6-month Program Impact Report, detailing the challenges and multi-tiered assistance provided to refugees locally by the partnership.

Among those acknowledged are Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church and Dr. Barbara Cook, a member there who has been leading their Afghan accompaniment. We are proud and fortunate to have such caring examples in our presbytery. Their results and successes are well documented, and an inspiration to all, as they have endeavored to welcome out newest neighbors. View the full report presentation
Fall Courses at St. Mary's
St. Mary’s Ecumenical Institute in Baltimore is offering an exciting range of graduate-level courses this fall, including the Moral & Spiritual Vision of Wendell Berry on Monday evenings, and a Jewish-Christian Studies Course on Creation on Thursday evenings, co-taught by Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin and Dr. Rebecca Hancock. http://www.stmarys.edu/ei for more information.
Upcoming Events
Save the Date

The Presbytery of Baltimore is hosting its 896th Gathering on Thursday morning of September 8th at Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church, in Columbia, MD. This will be a hybrid meeting, so attendees will be able to participate online or in-person. There will be lots to share, so stay tuned...
August 3-5 - Festival Gathering of the Network of Biblical Storytellers, International “Patterns, Pathways and Play: The primacy of story for life, growth, and community,” with keynote speaker Dr. Tracy Radosevic. After two years of meeting online, this year’s event will be held in person, and nearby at the Maritime Conference Center in Linthicum. Register at www.nbsint.org
Sunday, August 14 - Springfield Presbyterian Church is pleased to present The Satyr Hill Band for their next free concert at 3 pm on Sunday, August 14 at 7300 Spout Hill Road in Sykesville. Although primarily a bluegrass band, they play a variety of music and styles which include bluegrass, new grass (as in Revival), progressive, acoustic country and rock & roll, as well as innovative originals.
The group has worked together for many years and is comprised of 5 members, 4 of whom are lead singers. Instrumentation for the group is banjo, fiddle, guitar, bass and mandolin, giving a wonderfully full sound to the band.
We welcome the public to all of our concerts. No tickets are sold, but there will be an offering during the concert. It will be followed by an ice cream social with delicious homemade ice cream. Masking is highly recommend due to the prevalence of the newest COVID variant in our community. More info
Help Wanted
Mission Coordinator
Catonsville Presbyterian Church is looking for a part-time Mission Coordinator starting this Fall.  The Mission Coordinator will help the congregation to ask good questions about where the needs are, what partners are effective to work with, and which churches and other non-profits we can work with to build a solid network in the community. Position description

Administrative Assistant
Maryland Presbyterian Church is seeking an Administrative Assistant to provide support to the Pastor and lay leadership of the congregation in coordinating the work of the church office, and performing other duties as assigned. The Administrative Assistant is supervised and accountable to the Pastor. Job description and email for more information.

Temporary Supply Pastor
Mount Hebron Presbyterian Church in Ellicott City is seeking an individual with strong leadership skills that can enthusiastically reinvigorate our ministry during a three-year period. The church will commit all of its resources into finding sustainable paths for ministry during that time, and will seek COM’s permission each year to renew the contract of the Temporary Supply Pastor. Job description. Please email candidates PIF’s with cover letters as well as any questions to: susanmergenthaler@mthebronpc.org
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