by Debbie Schmidt, Associate for Spiritual Leadership Development
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My cousin died by suicide when he was only 17 years old. My family lived across the country from his family, so it’s only been now that I’m an adult and have reconnected with his siblings, that I’ve come to understand what a devastating impact that tragedy had upon his family. Even now, decades later, his younger brother talks about his feelings of confusion and abandonment as their parents were consumed by their own grief and pain.
Statistics tell us that deaths by suicide are occurring at an alarming rate. Sadly, children as young as 10 years old are dying by suicide; and, the rate of suicides for black children is twice that of white children. All of this is just to say that it is likely families or individuals in all our churches are dealing with the threat of a suicide or the impact of a suicide. As Christians, we may ask:
- How can we as a church community support those who are struggling with this tragedy?
- How can we offer encouragement and help to parents who make multiple trips to the emergency room with desperate and depressed teenagers?
- How can we help parents and youth leaders recognize the warning signs that a student may be contemplating suicide?
- How can we support members of our congregation who have lost a loved one by suicide?
Soul Shop
is a movement with a mission to train leaders to equip congregations and communities to minister to persons impacted by suicidal desperation. These include persons who have experienced loss, persons concerned for family or friends, persons engaged in suicidal thinking, and those who have attempted suicide themselves. The Soul Shop Movement exists due to the need of desperately hurting people to be heard, noticed, and seen within their faith communities. Soul Shop provides training and support to faith community leaders.
The Commission on Spiritual Leader Development will be hosting a
Soul Shop Workshop
from 9am to 3pm on Saturday, March 30 at Catonsville Presbyterian Church (1400 Frederick Road). The
$15 fee
for the event covers the cost of the workshop and lunch.
This workshop is open to anyone. Youth leaders, deacons, Stephen Ministers, and anyone in your congregation responsible for congregational care could benefit from this important and timely training. To register, Click
SOUL SHOP
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Meetings
All meetings are held at the Presbytery of Baltimore's office unless a different location is indicated.
- Administration meets 11am Tuesday, Feb. 5
- Spiritual Leader Development Commission meets 1pm Wednesday, Feb. 6
- Gathering Team will meet on 11am on Thursday Feb. 7
- Cuba Partnership meets 7pm Wednesday, Feb. 20 at First Presbyterian Church of Howard Co.
- Steering Cabinet meets 1pm on Wednesday, Feb. 27
- Reconciliation Commission meets 6:30 pm on Wednesday, Feb 27
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NOW HIRING
Exec. Coordinator for the Office of General Assembly
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Per Capita: $35.73
Presbytery.......................................$25.93
Synod/Mid-Atlantic.........................$ .85
General Assembly............................$ 8.95
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2019 Standard Mileage Rates:
58 cents
for business and ministry
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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
Registration Fee is $20. Registration Opens in March
Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. Location TBA.
Registration opens in August 2019.
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Catonsville Concerts at 3:
OCEAN ORCHESTRA
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Catonsville concerts at 3 presents OCEAN Orchestra, one of the east coast's premiere Celtic fusion bands, at 3pm on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019 at Catonsville Presbyterian Church, 1400 Frederick Road in Catonsville.
The concert is free, no ticket required. For more info, call 410.747.6180.
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Harundale Presbyterian Church seeks Interim Pastor
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Interfaith Concert at
Second Presbyterian Church
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Second Presbyterian Church is hosting an interfaith concert entitled Music & Words for All Gods People at 7pm on Thursday, Feb. 28. The event features the Todd Marcus Jazz Orchestra.
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Presbyterian Foundation Project Regeneration
Turn Burdens into Blessings
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Theologically, churches aren’t buildings. They’re groups of people pursuing the collective call of Christ. The Presbyterian Foundation can help you consider the highest and best use of your church building.
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A collaborative process that helps your staff and congregation consider other options for your church.
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Professionally trained experts from the Foundation guide you through the process.
Project Regeneration is designed for congregations who are struggling to keep up with maintenance on an older building, and aren’t sure what to do. It’s a discernment process that helps your church think about your building, and the congregation’s relationship to it, in new ways.
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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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