July 14, 2022
Our 225th General Assembly Highlights
As this year's General Assembly wrapped up in Louisville, we wanted to spotlight the roles and activities undertaken by Baltimore's commissioners.

Keith Reagan and Barbara Renton were on-hand for the election of co-moderators. Keith convened with the Polity Committee while Barbara focused on the Mid Councils Committee from Group 1.

Billy Kluttz was our Environmental Justice representative for Group 2.
Audrey Trapp participated in the for Way Forward/VIsion Committees,
and Gayelle Sama joined the GA Mission Coordination Committee. Gayelle was also featured in this terrific video from Young Adult Advisory Delegates.
The General Assembly website has additional information about all the actions undertaken, including a video collection, and full news articles.
We look forward to hearing reports from the commissioners during our next
Gathering of Presbytery: Thursday, September 8, at 10 am.
Save the date!
Apology Accepted
Baltimore also played a large part in the overture “On Offering an Apology to African Americans for the Sin of Slavery and Its Legacy.” 

On June 24th, the General Assembly Committee on Race & Gender Justice (RGJ) heard the case for recommending the Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery overture to the General Assembly for approval. In April, the Presbytery of Baltimore overwhelmingly approved the concurrence and our Presbytery’s Dismantling Racism Team designated Annette Snyder to represent the views of the Baltimore Presbytery during the proceedings of the RGJ Committee. The Committee unanimously approved the Overture, and moved it forward for a vote by the entire General Assembly.

The plenary ended with votes overwhelmingly approving this item.
ISO Young Adult Volunteers

Your connections aged 19 to 35 are invited to consider serving as Young Adult Volunteers during the virtual year.

There is no cost to participate. This year's focus will be on social and racial justice through the lens of Presbyterian Mission’s Matthew 25 bold vision and invitation to dismantle structural racism. Virtual YAVs will have the opportunity to work directly with Presbyterian Mission Agency leaders to learn how to do mission in partnership, engage in vocational discernment, and take part in leadership development training. August 15th is the deadline to apply for a 'virtual' YAV year in 2022–23. Student loan repayment assistance is available during the YAV service year as well.

Learn more about the YAV Program at pcusa.org/yav and encourage your youth contacts to apply today. Please contact Destini Hodges at Destini.Hodges@pcusa.org with any questions you may have.
Bad Karaoke
From the General Presbyter

On my recent vacation to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, I reserved an oceanfront condo located within a resort. From my balcony, I could hear children playing in the swimming pool, people laughing while dining outdoors and… bad karaoke!
Okay, there were a few people with good voices but for the most part, these folks offered less than stellar renditions of their favorite songs, some off key, some off beat, some completely missing the mark. At one point, my daughter, who is very nonjudgmental, raised her eyebrows and stifled a laugh.

But you know what? I had to check my opinions at the door because I realized a few things. First, these folks were brave enough to get up in front of strangers and sing. Perhaps they have done it before, or it was their first time. Either way, they did it. Second, the dinner crowd was cheering them on, regardless of how they sounded. At the very least, this person was contributing to the festivities of a beach vacation. Third, the DJ concluded each number with a cheerful “give it up for Bob!!!! (or Sandra or whoever). And you know what? I “gave it up” from the balcony.

These past years may have felt like bad karaoke. We may still feel off key or off beat. We may feel like we are missing it altogether when folks do not return to regular in person worship. But we keep trying new things, improving on last year’s initiatives, cheering each other on and cheering ourselves on. The joy is in serving God and being together wherever we may be. The joy is in the singing of the liberating Gospel and “giving it up” to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit that is still very much present! Sing on!

– Jackie
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
July 15-17 - Synod of the Mid-Atlantic Men’s Conference For the first time in two years the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic Presbyterian Men will be meeting in person at Massanetta Springs. The weekend will begin focused on worship and fellowship as we reunite and continue with speakers and small groups to encourage our growth in faith. More information
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
Help Wanted
Deputy Director
The Center is searching for a Deputy Director to focus on providing relational mission experiences that enable participants to see new ways to engage with their own communities. This position has primary responsibility for recruiting participating groups, and assuring that participants have a quality mission experience. Additionally, the Deputy Director has primary responsibility for cultivating participants as continuing participants and supporters of The Center. Job description
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