We're wishing all our friends and colleagues the very best in 2025! As we navigate these uncertain but exciting times, we're here to encourage, challenge, support and equip our leaders and congregations. May God’s grace guide us, His love unite us, and His hope sustain us in this new year. | |
California wildfires ravage congregations | |
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Amid the news of devastation in Southern California, several presbyterian churches have been destroyed by the spreading wildfires. Let us join in prayer for our brothers and sisters to the west, who's sanctuaries and homes are lost or threatened. Affected Presbyteries include San Gabriel, Pacific, and Los Ranchos, as well as the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is in communication with the presbyteries affected by the wildfires in California. So far, they are aware of two Presbyterian churches impacted: Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Altadena. They will know more once the fires are contained and evacuation orders have been lifted. We pray for all lives affected, for swift containment and the safety of first responders. Please consider supporting PDA's response to these devastating and unprecedented fires: https://pcusa.org/donate/dr000165-us-wildfires
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Legal Workshop on Churches and Preschools | |
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On the morning of Wednesday, Feburary 12th, Lawyers from Gallagher, Evelius and Jones will join us to address some of the recurring questions that arise when a nursery school, pre-school or childcare center is sponsored or located in a church. The presbytery is offering this workshop free of charge to pastors and church leaders. The online workshop begins at 10am. Possible topics include:
- Pluses and minuses of church directed vs renting to an independent school
- Liability and tax issues
- Space considerations
- Specific questions can be submitted during online registration.
For more information and registration, visit our website.
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2025 Dialogue for Peaceful Change | |
Dialogue for Peaceful Change Facilitators: It is not too late to register for the advanced Iceberg Rotation Exercise on February 6 & 7 (9 - 5 both days) at Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church. Sharpen your ability to analyze conflict and navigate change. Registration is $150. You can find more information and register on our website, or contact Melissa Lopez, melissa@firstpresbelair.org, for more details. | |
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Baltimore Presbytery wants to ensure that any students from our churches who would like to attend the 2025 Youth Triennium have that opportunity. If youth from your church are interested in attending please contact Registrar Virginia Callegary at vcallegary@firstpreshc.org.
- Date: July 28th-31st
- Location: Louisville, KY
- Cost: $199 participant fee plus travel/lodging, estimated total of $1000 per person
Triennium was canceled in 2022 because of the Pandemic, but it is finally back in a big way in 2025! At Triennium, youth from all churches come together for this life changing, life giving, faith growing gathering! Four days that help form a younger generation of active Presbyterians. Four days that shape the leadership gifts and deepen the discipleship awareness for a generation who are already achieving a strong presence in this church and this world!
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We are deeply saddened to share news of the sudden passing of our dear friend and colleague, Edward Gilliss on December 22. Ed is the immediate past President and current Treasurer of our Trustees, and Ruling Elder at Second Presbyterian Church. He was known as a consummate professional with an equally kind soul. Ed's generosity of time was matched only by his expertise, and is fondly remembered by all who knew him, in our presbytery, and across Maryland.
A memorial service is scheduled for January 11, at 11am at Second Presbyterian Church, in Towson.
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The Ruth Gosnell Education Fund | |
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Need an interest-free loan for the 2025-2026 academic year to complete your college Junior, Senior or Graduate School studies? The Ruth Gosnell Education Fund, directed by the Springfield Presbyterian Church, provides interest-free loans for those full-time student categories. Regardless of religion, all applicants will receive impartial consideration; and repayment of the loan does not start until 6 months after graduation.
Loan applications will be evaluated on academic performance, financial need, and a short essay. Call (410) 795-6152 or email spc.office@verizon.net for application and more information. Completed applications must be postmarked by March 1, 2025. E-mailed applications are acceptable .
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Centennial Scholarships available | |
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The Presbyterian Women in the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic are offering a $3,500 scholarship to seminary students who are members of a church in our synod and attending a PC(USA) seminary. The deadline for applications is February 1st. www.pwsma.com/grantsscholarships
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January 13 - Music Mondays: Marcus Colasurdo & Friends - Join Govans Presbyterian Church at 7pm for a celebration of hope, renewal and strength through poetry and music, featuring authors Marcus Colasurdo and Gregg Mosson, and music by In The Clear. Free of charge. | | |
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Sunday, January 19 - 6th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Performing Arts & Oratory Competition, at Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church, 7 pm. Organized by the In The Loop Ministry Group. More information and contest rules | | |
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Tuesday, February 4 - Bread for the World is launching Nourish Our Future—an ambitious, multi-issue effort to convince Congress that we can and should end child hunger. Then, in June, they’ll host their 50th Anniversary Advocacy Summit, bringing Bread advocates from across the country together to celebrate achievements and advocate on Capitol Hill for policies that can help end hunger. | | |
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February 6-7, 2025 - Dialogue for Peaceful Change
The Presbyteries of Baltimore, National Capital and New Castle are hosting Dialogue for Peaceful Change for a special 2-day workshop known as the “Iceberg Rotation Training.” The workshop will take place at Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church in Columbia, MD on Thursday and Friday. This workshop is open only to those who have successfully completed the DPC Training of Facilitators.
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Saturday, February 8 - Faith Presbyterian Church will host a powerful program of African-American Spirituals featuring tenor Terriq Deontri and pianist Daniel Weiser, at 3:00. Donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, please visit their website | | |
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Thursday, March 13th, 2025 – 906th Stated Meeting of Presbytery, Online via Zoom, 10 am – Noon
SAVE THE DATE !
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April 6-11 - St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute invites you to "Retrace the Steps of Freedom" as we journey to Birmingham, Montgomery, and Selma, Alabama. This immersive academic experience is part of our Spring 2025 course, "The Preaching and Public Theology of Martin Luther King, Jr." Auditors, visiting students, and lifelong learners are all welcome. Fill out this short form to receive detailed information about the trip sent directly to your email, or contact Galen at gzook@stmarys.edu for more information. | |
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Interim Pastor
Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church seeks an individual to provide a balanced ministry of preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and organizational leadership to the members and staff of Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church (HRPC), an intentionally multicultural church, growing in faith and embracing our differences, for a period of one year. Interested candidates should email hrpc.ips2024@gmail.com. Job Description
Child Care Provider / CE Assistant
The Christian Education Department of First and Franklin Presbyterian Church is looking for a caring individual to provide child care in our nursery (ages 0-5 years). We currently anticipate a short, regular weekly schedule from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Sundays, with the possibility of additional hours as needed (e.g., church meetings, or additional services). Job Description
Mission Coordinator
Towson Presbyterian Church is looking to hire a part-time Mission Coordinator – up to 50 hours/month, a combination of on-site and virtual work. This individual would work with the Mission Outreach team to coordinate international and local mission opportunities. Job Description
Visit the Presbytery's website for additional employment listings.
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