The riots in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray in 2015 served as a wake-up call for a community that has witnessed decades of systematic racism. Within days of the riots, the Presbytery of Baltimore acted in a coordinated manner to address these issues. During that year, then moderator James Parks, Mary Gaut, Jack Carlson and Jean Gay invited and encouraged pastors and congregations to share how they were addressing the issues of race, class and poverty in church services, Christian education classes and in sermons.
The resulting collection of prayers, sermons and liturgies by members of our Presbytery was published in time for the 222
nd
GA in Portland the following year. In light of today’s unrest and protests, this volume is a testament to the value of prophetic preaching around racial injustice that continues to this day.