March 23, 2021
Care of Creation as part of the Church’s Mission
As most Presbyterians know, the Book of Order is the set of core documents that serves as the definitive “rule book” for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) But did you know that in 2016 the General Assembly amended it to include creation care as an example of ministry by its members? It reads: “Membership in the Church of Jesus Christ is a joy and a privilege. It is also a commitment to participate in Christ’s mission. A faithful member bears witness to God’s love and grace and promises to be involved responsibly in the ministry of Christ’s Church.” It goes on to list many familiar examples of ministry, such as “proclaiming the good news in word and deed;” “giving of money, time and talents; “service to others” and more. And since 2016, the list includes “caring for God’s creation.”
The Directory for Worship expands on this understanding of the environmental stewardship as part of the Christian Life, lifting up the various ways that we can express our care of creation through worship by:

  • giving thanks for God’s creative power and sustaining care;
  • acknowledging God’s call to stewardship of the earth and confessing our failure to care for creation . . .;
  • rejoicing in God’s redemption and renewal . . . ;
  • offering our lives and resources in service to the creator of all; and
  • committing ourselves to live as good stewards of creation until the day when God will make all things new.”
(For Presby-nerds you can refer to sections G-1.0304 and W-5.0305 for complete text)
 
So whether or not your congregation has made a pledge to be an Earth Care Congregation, we are all called to be good steward’s of God’s creation. If you are inspired by the stories of what churches in our Presbytery are doing, you can find more information and ideas on our website.
Environmental initiatives in our Presbytery


  • Churchville Presbyterian Church has been an Earth Care Congregation, PC(USA) since February 2015. This January, the church was awarded a $500 “seeding” grant from Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake. Part of this grant money has gone to buy milkweed4Monarchs seeds for the children to plant during their spring gardening unit.

  • Catonsville Presbyterian Church’s Envision Fund awarded a grant to Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake last year to develop an online user-interactive map displaying the locations of all congregations involved in the Interfaith Creation Care Network (CPC is a member) with details of each congregation’s activities with a point and click. Check it out here.
Addressing anti-Asian racism
To the Presbytery of Baltimore:

We, the Dismantling Racism Team of the Baltimore Presbytery, are grieving the
shootings last week in Atlanta, Georgia that killed eight innocent people, including six Asian women. We condemn these acts of violence and the increasing anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) racism in the United States. We cannot remain silent and complicit over the verbal harassment, physical assault, shunning, shaming, threats, and other forms of violence that are fueled by white supremacy.
We stand in solidarity against anti-AAPI racism. We are committed to speak out and fight against racism and hatred that target different racial and ethnic groups. We acknowledge the intersectionality of race/ethnicity, gender, and class, that we witness in the Atlanta killing and other violent acts targeting Asian women (see Stop AAPI Hate). As people of faith, we are reminded by 1 John 3:15-16 (NSRV): “All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them. We know love by this, that [Jesus] laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.”
 
Our identity in Christ demands that we offer a prophetic voice and bear witness to social and racial injustice. Our team has been charged with providing resources and anti-racist professional development opportunities for our presbytery’s staff, cabinet, pastors, and other leaders. We would love to hear your suggestions on how we can better support and serve our Asian American and Pacific Islander brothers and sisters. Contact Susan Krehbiel (Presbytery staff) at skrehbiel@baltimorepresbytery.org or Guy Moody (DRT chair) at moodys@comcast.net.

Yours in Christ,

The Dismantling Racism Team
Phyllis Felton
Lea Gilmore
Tom Harris
Ken Kovacs
Jessie Lowry
Guy Moody
Charese Jordan Moore
Jacob Snowden
Annette Snyder
Maria Wong
Susan Krehbiel
José López-Chapa
Community Engagement Grants now available
Do you have a new project you would like help funding? Maybe an initiative can expand or continue with some added support? The Presbytery’s Enduring Witness Fund is once again providing Community Engagement Grants, and we would like to encourage you to apply. 2021 Applications are now available on the Presbytery’s website.
 
The deadline for this year’s application is April 14th We are excited to hear from you and to see how God continues to bless the work you are doing in the community! An informational online meeting is scheduled for March 30th. If you are interested in joining, or have any questions or concerns, please contact José López-Chapa at jlopez@baltimorepresbytery.org.
Rise Against Hunger report
Carroll Fitzgerald writes that February 27, 2021 was a day of service for the Susquehanna Parish of the Baltimore Presbytery. Partnering with Rise Against Hunger, the day was spent packaging meals for the hungry around the world. These meals will eventually be sent to mostly Rise Against Hunger partner schools in Africa and other underprivileged people around the world.

The meals consist of rice, soy, and dried vegetable products. Eight of the eleven churches in the Susquehanna parish took part in this effort, sending donations from church bodies and individual members. A total of $4,480 was raised to fund the meal preparation. Through the efforts of the 67 volunteers, 13,176 meals were packaged for shipment.

From all accounts, this was a wonderful experience for all involved. It served to
show how the Holy Spirit is working throughout the Susquehanna Parish churches!
Saving lives with each stitch
Lifting Labels is a Baltimore company https://www.liftinglabels.org/ that was recently featured in the Baltimore Sun. It has been creating jobs for ex-offenders by creating robes and vestments. They are creating them for judges, academia, and pastors. Read more about this terrific resource:

Upcoming Events
Worship and Music Conferences in Montreat
This year, the conference theme is Gathered in My Name, and fitting with the name, The Presbyterian Association of Musicians are pleased to offer both in-person and online options for attending. They have assembled a stellar conference faculty that will be offering classes for all interests: musicians, pastors, educators, and church members - anyone interested in collaborative worship. Everyone is invited to visit their website to learn more about the plans for this summer.
In-Person Conference Dates:
Week 1: June 20 - 25, 2021
Week 2: June 27 - July 2, 2021
Online Conference Dates:
June 27 - July 2, 2021
March 27 - Join The Center on the final Saturday of March for a free mission pop up day to support the work of their partners! They will provide safe, socially-distant, outdoor opportunities for you to serve alongside some of their farm and food partners.This week, they will be visiting Stillmeadow. Register here.
March 30 from 7- 8 pm - Border Calling: A Conversation with AIJN Allies on the US Southern Border. Speakers include Jodi Goodwin, a well-known immigration attorney located at the Mexican border in Texas, and Sergio Cordova, one of the founders of Team Brownsville, a non-profit that provides life-saving support and services to asylum seekers in Matamoros, Mexico. Both have dedicated their lives to serving those in need. Join them to learn about how changes in immigration policy are impacting the border and ways we can support our neighbors and immigration advocates in the south. Email your questions or comments or Click for Zoom link (Passcode 988395)
April 1 - Community Engagement Conversations - Center staff gather on Zoom to facilitate a conversation about your congregation’s efforts to engage with the local community. Bring success stories, frustrations, questions, or places you are stuck, and we will brainstorm together. Register here.
April 7 - 9 Compassion Peace and Justice Training Days - Join to learn, organize and advocate around environmental justice! These sessions offer an opportunity to support this global movement centered on and led by the people and communities most vulnerable to climate impacts due to historic racial and colonial inequities. More information and registration
April 10 - Spring Gathering of Presbyterian Women at 1 pm. All are welcome to join the women's second virtual conference on Saturday afternoon. Download flyer for registration link and details.
April 12 at 11:30 am - You are invited to join the Board of Lady Managers (virtual) spring meeting. Contact Anne Perry for more information, or follow BOLM on Facebook.
Storytelling Masterclass: Becoming a Better Communicator. Tuesdays, April 13, 20, & 27, 10:00 - 11:30 am Online Workshop, 3-part series, led by: Christen Kinard, and sponsored by Union Presbyterian Seminary. More information

Ecumenical Advocacy Days: April 18 - 21 - Join the larger faith community for Ecumenical Advocacy Days. This is a gathering of Christian advocates and activists to worship, delve deeply into the pressing issues of the day and lift our voices by speaking truth to power on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit advocacydays.org.
The Circle of Life - The Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network features Rev. Fern Cloud, pastor of Pejuhutazizi Presbyterian Church on the Upper Sioux Dakota Community, Granite Falls, MN. In our culture we view life’s journey as a circle. There are four stages in our life’s journey, as there are four seasons, four directions. The circle of life is referred to as medicine wheel, in that are many teaching for a good long life. Register here.
Help Wanted
Christ Our Anchor Presbyterian Church, 1281 Green Holly Drive Annapolis, MD 21409, seeks an individual to oversee all aspects of their childcare program. Read the full job description at link above for more information.

Havenwood Presbyterian Church is seeking a part-time Church Office Administrator with strong organizational skills to provide administrative and secretarial assistance to the pastor, staff, clerk, elders, and committee chairpersons to facilitate the day to day operations of the church. Applicants should send cover letters and resumes to havenwoodptp@gmail.com.

Second Presbyterian Church is seeking a Consulting Pastor to work together with the Congregation, the Associate Pastor, and administrative staff. This is a full-time position, reporting to Session. They would provide for the spiritual growth and the ongoing mission and work of the church, prepare the congregation to receive a new installed pastor, using the interim time to assess the future journey of the congregation. They would focus on what might need to be changed, and to lead and support the congregation in fulfilling the interim period developmental tasks and goals. All interested candidates can email their PIF/Resume to SPCministersearch@secondpresby.org

The Center is looking for individuals to help their in-person, distanced, outdoor mission sites for day trip participants; online teaching of their mission curriculum for groups that are too far from our partner site for day trips; and community organizing training for young people.

The Presbytery offices are closed for visits or appointments until further notice, but staff and commissions continue to meet regularly online.


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