Earth Day Sunday: Tilling and Keeping God's Garden
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The Bible is full of beautiful language and theology for celebrating God's Creation. Yet sometimes, in the rhythm of the liturgical year, it can be challenging to find a specific time to focus as a church community on the theme of creation. T
his year's Earth Day Sunday, celebrated on April 28 by most congregations,
is themed
“The Next Generation Rises".
The theme draws upon creation justice issues plaguing today's world; and, the choices we must make now to determine the kind of world we will leave to those who come after us.
Observance of Earth Day/Earth Sunday began in 1970, after Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson witnessed a horrifying oil spill in Santa Barbara, Calif., and realized environmental protection was not on the national political agenda. Sen. Nelson announced a “national teach-in on the environment” which brought conservationists and earth care enthusiasts together on Apr. 22 for 85 environmental education events across the United States. That day, 20 million people engaged in public demonstrations in support of a healthy environment; and, groups that may not have communicated before found common cause, as the gatherings helped them to connect in a moment of rare political alignment. Since then, Earth Day celebrations have spread to 184 countries and been observed by millions of people.
Earth Care Congregations
In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), part of our observance of that momentous day includes
recognizing congregations that demonstrate a great commitment to caring for God’s earth. This year, Govans Presbyterian Church, part of the newly-named North Baltimore Presbyterians Ministry Group, was certified as a PC(U.S.A) Earth Care Congregation. Govans joins 231 congregations across the denomination who have already received this distinguished honor, including: Catonsville Presbyterian Church (2015), Light Street Presbyterian Church (2010), Churchville Presbyterian Church (2016), First Presbyterian Church of Howard County (2010), Prince of Peace Presbyterian Church (2018), Maryland Presbyterian Church (2010) and Towson Presbyterian Church (2011).
Awarded by the PC(U.S.A.)'s Presbyterian Hunger Program, the Earth Care Congregation certification is designed to recognize churches that make the commitment to take seriously God’s charge to “till and keep” the garden. The program was initiated in 2010 by PC(U.S.A.) Environmental Ministries to inspire churches to care for God’s earth in a holistic way, through integrating earth care into all aspects of their church life. The Earth Care Congregation certification honors churches that make that commitment and encourages others to follow their example.
To become an Earth Care Congregation, these congregation
affirmed an Earth Care Pledge to integrate environmental practices and thinking into all facets of church life and completed projects and activities in the fields of worship, education, facilities and outreach. For more information on the Earth Care Congregations program visit
www.pcusa.org/earthcarecongregations
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Meetings
All meetings are held at the Presbytery of Baltimore's office unless a different location is indicated.
- Steering Cabinet meets 1pm on Wednesday, Apr. 24
- Commission on Reconciliation meets 6:30pm on Wednesday, Apr. 24
- Commission on Spiritual leader Development meets at 1pm on Wednesday, May 1
- Committee on Ministry meet at 2pm Wednesday, May 1 at Hebron House
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2019 Clergy Retreat
As you put the finishing touches on your Easter sermon and move through the busy days of Holy Week, wouldn't it be nice to know that you would have an opportunity to get some time away in just a few weeks -- time to catch your breath, time to talk and laugh with colleagues in ministry, time to be with God in a beautiful, natural setting? Take a minute to sign up for the Clergy Retreat at
Bon Secours Conference Center
on
May 15-16, noon to noon
. The cost is o
nly $75
and scholarships are available.
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"A Generation that
Sees Beyond the Limits"
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883rd Gathering of the Presbytery of Baltimore
Join us for spectacular worship, fellowship, a bit of business and a good ole' fashioned outdoor barbeque as we gather for the 883rd meeting of the Presbytery of Baltimore on Thursday, May 9 from 4-8 pm at Chestnut Grove Presbyterian Church, Phoenix, MD (21131). We'll also take time during this gathering to commission our youth as they plan to attend the 2019 Presbyterian Youth Triennium this summer at Purdue University, I
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Confirmed Dates for the Dismantling Racism Training in 2019
Monday, May 20, 2019 at Chestnut Grove PC
(3701 Sweet Air Road, Phoenix, MD 21131), 8:30am to 5pm.
Morning refreshments and Lunch are provided
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Each year we look forward to the annual meetings for Clerks of Session for training and to review Session Records. The following is a list of meetings for the Baltimore metropolitan area.
- Saturday, Apr. 27, 10am, 1st PC of Bel Air, Jack Carlson
- Saturday, May 18, 2019, 10 am, Hancock PC, Jack Carlson
- Sunday, May 19, 2pm, Harundale PC, Jack Carlson
- Wednesday, May 29, 7pm, 1st PC of Howard County, Mary Gaut
- Saturday, June 8, 10am, Govans PC, Mary Gaut
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The Spirituality Center at Fallston Presbyterian Church presents
“Eyes on the Cross: Lenten Spirituality through Art”
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Earth Forum of Howard County
The last Earth Forum of this season will be on Sunday, April 28 -- the 4th Sunday of the month instead of the 3rd Sunday. We will be celebrating our 10th Anniversary with special speakers and presentations and, of course, celebratory food. The program will start at 2 pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Howard County. The program is open to all interested persons, is free, and childcare is provided for infants and toddlers by calling the church office (410.730.3545).
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Book Sale at Prince of Peace Presbyterian Church.
Prince of Peace in Crofton seeks donations for its annual Used Book & Media sale, to be held the last weekend of April. Donations of books, CDs, DVDs, computer games, and audio books can be dropped off on the church's front walkway at any time (1657 Crofton Parkway).
the sale itself will be held on April 26 (5 - 9 pm) and 27 (8 am - 4 pm) at the church. On Saturday, the church also hosts a yard sale, bake sale, and pit beef sandwich sale. Just next door is Crofton's Festival on the Green.
Please call the church office, 410.721.2313, with any questions.
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Jacqueline E. Taylor
General Presbyter
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John "Jack" Carlson
Stated Clerk
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Mary Gaut
Deputy Stated Clerk
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Debbie Ingram Schmidt
Associate, Spiritual Leader Development
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Susan Krehbiel
Director of Congregational Advocacy
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Wanda Morgan
Office Administrator
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Deborah Greene
Director of Communications
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Chuck Brawner
Administrator of Finances
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McKenna Lewellen
Coordinator, The Center
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Kate Foster Connors
Director, The Center
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Presbytery of Baltimore | (t) 410.433.2012 | (f) 410.433.2066| office@baltimorepresbytery.org |
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