Presbytery of Baltimore Establishes Mandatory Training to Dismantle Racism

December 10, 2018

Presbytery of Baltimore Establishes Mandatory Dismantling Racism Training

In the aftermath of the 2015 uprising, the Presbytery of Baltimore embarked on an effort to address racial injustices in our congregations and communities. As people of faith, we knew that we had to act if we were going to fulfill Jesus’ command to care for the least of His children, according to a rationale for the new policy. While there has been some progress in increasing awareness of individual racial bias in the past three years among some congregations, we have become more comfortable in talking about race, we have yet to take meaningful action to dismantle the more systemic forms of racism in our churches and Presbytery, church leaders contend.

During the 2018 September Gathering – the Presbytery of Baltimore unanimously approved policies and procedures that make Dismantling Racism training mandatory for active Teaching Elders, Commissioned Lay Pastors and Ruling Elders elected to serve on Committee on ministry and the committee on Preparation for Ministry. In addition, candidates for ministry are required to attend a Dismantling Racism training. Honorably retired Teaching Elders, Ruling Elders serving in leadership roles in the Presbytery, Session members and other congregational leaders are encouraged to participate as well.

The training is a requirement for clergy Terms of Call and its completion – once every three years -- will be noted in permanent files. Clergy who fail to fulfill the requirement within the specified time may incur unpaid administrative leave until the training is completed. The training is conducted in accordance with policies established by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Furthermore, the Presbytery made the commitment to offer, resource and publicize educational opportunities that focus on Dismantling Racism within our church institutions (Presbytery and congregations) and the communities we serve. Administered by the Commission for Reconciliation, the proposed training will be both didactic and experiential to incorporate the following elements and concepts:

A theological grounding in our call to a Beloved Community;
Our local Maryland and Baltimore history, including Presbyterian church history;
Core concepts of institutionalized racism and its manifestation at the individual level;
A new awareness of the impact of church policies and decisions on people of color; and,
Tools and strategies to develop anti-racist behavior and culture within our church life.

Multiple training opportunities will be offered during the next two years to ensure adequate time to meet this new requirement. Current members of the Presbytery and Presbytery staff are required to complete their first training by the end of 2020.

Click here to read the Presbytery of Baltimore’s Dismantling Racism policy in its entirety

MEETINGS

All meetings held at the Presbytery of Baltimore's Office unless a different location is indicated

Trustees will meet at 9am on Tuesday, Dec. 11
Cuba Partnership will meet at 7pm on Wednesday, Dec. 19 at FPC of Howard Co.
The Presbytery of Baltimor's office will be closed Dec. 24 through Dec. 26 in observance of the Christmas Holiday.

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Presbytery & Church-wide

CHRISTMAS IN THE PRESBYTERY OF BALTIMORE

SEND IMAGES OF CHRISTMAS AND ADVENT AT YOUR CHURCH TO BE INCLUDED IN A FESTIVE VIDEO STREAM SPONSORED BY THE PRESBYTERY. EMAIL PICTURES IN .JPEG OR .PNG FORMAT TO DGREENE@BALTIMOREPRESBYTERY.ORG.

< Gen. Presbyter Jacqueline Taylor decorates Presbytery Christmas tree

TAKE NOTE: All 2018 Remittances , Contributions and Check Requests must be received by the Presbytery's Finance Office by Friday, Jan. 11, 2019.

Per Capita: $35.73

Presbytery.......................................$25.93

Synod/Mid-Atlantic.........................$ .85

General Assembly............................$ 8.95

Churches

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BLUE CHRISTMAS

Join members of Maryland Presbyterian Church for a special Blue Christmas service of worship designed to seek hope and light during the Advent season. Rev. Beth Scibienski, pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church, will lead us in worship. Blue Christmas

Live Nativity Scene

Granite Presbyterian Church and Mount Olive United Methodist Church will host a Nativity scene featuring live animals, singing and readings at 7pm on Friday, Dec. 14 at the church. Hospitality and refreshments will be offered in the Social Hall between shows.

The Spire Series

Christmas Candlelight Choral Concert

The First & Franklin Sanctuary Choir , joined by guest musicians, presents the 18th Annual Candlelight Choral Concert , a treasured part of the Christmas season. The concert will be held a 4pm Sunday, Dec. 16 and features Ottorino Respighi’s Laud to the Nativity and works by Britten, Alice Parker, Reger, Tschesnokoff and David Conte. A freewill offering will be collected. Spire Series

Christmas Concert: Wise Men Still SEEK HIM

Featuring Central’s Chancel and Handbell Choirs and Organ with Orchestra Come share a musical journey about seeking after God—beginning with the birth of Christ. Friday, Dec. 14 at 7:30pm and Sunday, Dec. 16 at 3pm at Central Presbyterian Church in Towson.

Tickets may be purchased by calling the church office (410.823.6145) or reserving online at www.centralp.corg/concert

Theme: "Justice for All"

Date: January 19, 2019

Time: 3pm

Place: Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church

For Elementary, Middle and High Schoolers:

1st Prize $100; 2nd Prize $50; 3rd Prize $25

Click here to learn more

Granite Presbyterian Church to Host Spring Bus Trip to "Jesus" Sight and Sound Production

Granite Presbyterian Church will host a trip on April 3 to Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, PA to see a production of "Jesus". The trip is limited to 56 people, first-come; first-served. Children are welcomed. Click here to learn more about tickets to this event.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Community

Scholarships for Undergraduates Discerning a Call to Ministry

Is there a young person in your congregation with a mature faith and growing leadership skills? Perhaps he or she is sensing a call to Christian ministry. At Randolph-Macon College, we are assisting students who are discerning a lifetime of service to God through the church. We help them keep college costs manageable and offer opportunities to begin preparing for ministry even before seminary.

Randolph-Macon College's A. Purnell Bailey Pre-Ministerial Scholarship offers half-tuition during a student’s freshman and sophomore years at R-MC and full-tuition during the junior and senior years. The Bailey Program includes weekly meetings for vocational discernment, creating a strong, supportive peer group. During a student’s tenure in the program, there are many opportunities to visit with Theology School representatives, spend time with persons in a variety of professional ministry roles, and reflect on a personal sense of call. There are two internship opportunities, one for academic credit and one with a financial stipend.

Online Bailey Scholar applications are being accepted now, with a deadline of February 1, 2019. The program is open to Christian students of any denomination or Christian tradition. Learn more at http://www.rmc.edu/academics/pre-ministerial or by contacting the Rev. Kendra Grimes, Director of the Bailey Scholars Program, at kendragrimes@rmc.edu or 804.752.7374.