January 5, 2022
Greetings From the General Presbyter
Happy New Year!!

I believe I speak for us all when we pray that 2022 will be a safer, healthier year.

As I bring you this greeting, I also bring some protocols we need to put in place for the next two months as we navigate the Omicron variant of COVID-19. These words come from Lisa Allgood, an Executive Presbyter in Ohio and an epidemiologist by profession. She writes,

“Friends – be safe. If you have virtual capacity, especially if you have had any exposure in the congregation, now is the time to consider going back to that. Choirs should be put on hold for a bit. Masks should be mandatory. Distancing should be mandatory. All the precautions you had in place at this time last year should be under consideration. As before, it is up to each Session.“

I agree – and as always, check your county regulations for the latest requirements. Our Presbytery office will be mostly virtual until further notice. I remain proud of each and every congregation in our Presbytery for walking the fine line of sharing the Gospel and keeping one another as safe as possible.

Meanwhile, I do not leave you without hope. We are in the season of Epiphany. Scholars say that it took three years for the wise ones to reach the house where Jesus and his parents were living. This means the star was guiding these individuals for that long. 

We trust that as we go into yet another year of COVID-19, we know that God is still guiding us through the twists, the decision fatigue, the isolation and the unknowns of this time. Look up and look ahead and claim this New Year as blessed.

- Rev. Dr. Jacqueline E. Taylor
Update From Our Partnership With the Presbyterian Church in Cuba
The Presbytery of Baltimore has actively partnered with El Centro Presbytery in Cuba since 2004 and nine of our churches have formed church-to-church partnerships. These relationships have been life changing for those of us who have traveled to Cuba, and Cuban pastors and elders who’ve traveled here. Together, we worship, study, share our common dreams and worries, and experience God’s grace. The pandemic has made travel impossible but we have remained in contact with our sisters and brothers in various ways:

  • We have continued to pray constantly for each other.
  • We have communicated using WhatsApp, Zoom, and Messenger.
  • We have supported the work of the Cuba Partners Network (CPN), the national organization of 130+ PC(USA) churches and presbyteries.
An exciting example of how the Presbytery supports the work of CPN is the effort to send much needed food, medicine, and household items to Cuba during the humanitarian crisis that began last year.

  • In the spring of 2021, CPN appealed to its partners in the US and raised money to fill a container of requested supplies including beans, rice, powered milk, coffee, soap, detergent and 28,000 syringes. After months of paperwork and hurricane delays, a ship arrived at the port in western Cuba on October 16th.
  • Pastors and church members arranged the distribution of these desperately needed items on the island and we received heartfelt videos and messages of thanks.
  • The Cuba Partnership Team of the PoB sent $3,000 toward this effort, and many of our churches sent contributions as well. It truly made a difference.
 
Thanks to all of you who have so faithfully supported the Cuba Partnership over the years. - Audrey Trapp
Congratulations Essie and Eric
 
We are pleased to share news of Pastor Elizabeth Koenig-Reinke’s new addition to the world, little Lucy Elizabeth! Her husband Eric, pastor of New Castle Presbyterian, and their dog Bentley couldn’t be more happy. We’d like to congratulate mom and dad and join them in welcoming their very first bundle of joy!
New Clergy Bible Study Dates
The Commission for Spiritual Leader Development is eager to start the year with a bi-monthly webinar “You don’t have to plan this one” Bible study. We shared news in our last issue of Tidings, but have adjusted the dates to give folks a chance to tune-in for the first of six sessions. The lunchtime Zoom meetings will take now take place on the second and fourth Monday of the month, through March. Visit our website to register, or for more information.
ITL’s Third Annual MLK Spoken Word Contest
Baltimore’s “In The Loop” Ministry group continues its tradition of hosting a spoken word contest in honor of Rev. Dr, Martin Luther King every January. This year, they have extended participation to adults, with three prizes in each of four age groups: 9-10, 11-13, 14-17, and 18+. For information on how to enter, or attend, visit our website.
The Ruth Gosnell Education Fund
Need an interest-free loan for the 2022-2023 academic year to complete your college Junior, Senior or Graduate School studies? The Ruth Gosnell Education Fund, directed by the Springfield Presbyterian Church, provides interest-free loans for those full-time student categories. Regardless of religion, all applicants will receive impartial consideration; and repayment of the loan does not start until 6 months after graduation. Loan applications will be evaluated on academic performance, financial need, and a short essay. Download the RGEF Form A, “Ruth Gosnell Education Fund Loan Application” at www.springfield-church.org, or call SPC at 410-795-6152. Completed applications must be received by March 1, 2022. E-mailed applications are acceptable (spc.office@verizon.net).
Attention Clerks of Session and Pastors
Remember that your annual statistical report deadline is February 10 at the
OGA Statistical Reporting Portal. It should be approved by your Session before submitting. Do not click “submit” until your session has approved the report. You cannot make changes after you “submit.”

New Standard Mileage Rates for 2022
Beginning on January 1, 2022, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups, or panel trucks) will be:
  • 58.5 cents per mile driven for business use, up 2.5 cents from 2021,
  • 18 cents per mile driven for medical, or moving purposes for qualified active-duty members of the Armed Forces, up 2 cents from 2021 and
  • 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations; unchanged from 2021.
Upcoming Events
Hybrid Ministry in a Post-Pandemic Church
January 6, 13, and 20 webinar - Featuring Ryan Panzer and an engaged learning cohort of faith leaders live and online, Three 2-hour sessions will break down the need for hybrid ministry and the ways to accomplish it. $$ Register
“You don’t have to plan this one” Bible study - Beginning Monday, January 10 and continuing every second Monday and fourth Thursday though March. The topic will be “Fresh Takes on Luke and Acts.” FREE - Visit our website for more information and registration.
Environmental Rights Stakeholder Rally - Friday, January 14th from 12 pm-1 pm. You and your members are invited to participate in our virtual rally to support Maryland's constitutional amendment: You can RSVP here. For more information, visit the Presbytery website.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Spoken Word Contest - January 17th. Sponsored by the In The Loop Ministry Group. Visit the Presbytery's website for more information and registration.
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