Pride is Alive in Maryland

Well, beloved, it is Pride Month, and in Maryland the parades are behind us. Maryland Presbyterian Church partnered with some of our Lutheran friends at St. Mark’s, Dreams and Visions, and Divinity to put on a Quiet Pride event for introverts and people who don’t like glitter and walking around in the heat. Over 300 people came into the little church on St. Paul Street, and we had a (quiet) blast!

A number of people who came inside the church for snacks, fellowship, crafts, and to shop at the all-gender thrift store were surprised that a church was throwing this very tender-hearted party. And were even more surprised that the four pastors throwing it were all queer.

I understand their surprise, but I also wish they knew that church at its best isn’t just accepting of gay people. Church is queer. To celebrate Pride Month, here is a non-exhaustive list of the gayest things about church.

1. Vestments. Every week, pastors get dressed up in Clergy Drag – a decorative, seasonally colored scarf and a billowy dress. Some of you really commit to the bit and have tasseled stoles. Our Lutheran, Catholic, and Episopalian friends are the best at this. Have you seen a chasuble? With gold? A parade in costumes to speak and sing in front of an audience? That is gay.
2. Caring for the Sick. There are subcultures in the queer community, just like there are in any larger identity group. At the height of the AIDS epidemic, when hospitals would not treat gay men, lesbians became their caregivers, in home or in makeshift hospitals. Caring for each other isn’t just one chapter of queer history; it is a thread through time. We give safe harbor and care to each other, and when the church does this well, we practice a part of queer culture.
3. John’s Gospel. Claiming his family is the people who are with him, but not just blood relations. The Beloved Disciple (obvious). Mary Magdalene (powerful woman who later gets a bad reputation for sexual sins a Pope in 591 said she committed?). The first public sign being about a wedding that needs more wine. All gay.
4. Baptism. When we emerge from the waters, we know God’s love and grace through the sign of the water. For millennia, Christians have been coming out (of the water) into new life. Christians do it once in baptism. Queer folks come out into new life every time we proclaim who we are – which is often, at least each time we’re in a new place or someone clocks our haircut.
5. Saints. Presbyterians don’t have these, but they must be mentioned. Julian of Norwich lived in a room alone with cats (lesbian separatist). Hildegard of Bingen wrote music and cookbooks and foraged local vegetation for medicine and food (I’ve been assured this is bisexual culture). Others of note: Sebastian, Joan of Arc, Teresa of Avila, Thecla, Perpetua and Felicity.
6. Name Changes. After a moment of deep transformation, Saul becomes Paul and Simon becomes Peter, and that is queer (specifically trans). In the queer community, the old names are called “Dead Names.” And just like the church doesn’t call the letter writer “Saul,” we don’t deadname our friends after they tell us who they are.
7. Stained glass. I once attended a church that had upwards of 20 Tiffany stained glass windows, pink walls with hand-stenciled gold patterning, and an enormous chandelier, and not one of you can tell me that wasn’t the gayest, most flamboyant thing I’ve ever seen.

Happy Pride, my friends. I’ll see you at brunch.

– Rev. McKenna Lewellen, Pastor of Maryland Presbyterian Church

The General Assembly Convenes

Committee meetings for the 226th General Assembly are taking place online and will be livestreamed on the GA226 website, where you can find:

• The full Docket, including Committee and Plenary Meetings;
• Committee buttons to view the livestream and access schedules and items of business;
• Latest news from the General Assembly Newsroom;
• Informational Sessions and Town Hall video recordings.

The Clerk's Corner

The annual records review will be scheduled for September and October this year. Hopefully this will avoid the vacation season when finding times that work for most of you can be challenging.



I will be sending out the schedule within the next three weeks. There will be four this year which will be held in different geographic areas.

It is not too early to start preparing for the review. Here is a link to this year's checklist. I also invite you to submit questions you have to me in advance so that I can make sure I'm prepared to address them when we meet.

Meanwhile, have a good summer. See you in the fall.



- Mary

Tips for Determining the Right Healthcare Coverage for You and Your Family

A Board of Pensions Webinar: Thursday, August 8, 2–3:30 pm

Registration launches on July 11, 2024

Are you considering your medical coverage options for 2025? Join us Aug. 8 for information about coverage options that may be available for you and your family. You’ll learn about ACA health insurance established exchanges, Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP qualifications, and alternative sources of coverage.

Neil Goldfarb, President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health, will discuss the variety of coverages available, and the Board’s Sharon Castillo, Director, Plan Administration, Interpretation, and Regulatory Matters, and Keenan Rodgers, Church Consultant, will participate in a Q&A session.

Save the Date: October 26 - Matthew 25 Mid Atlantic Summit

Join this fall's in-person conference organized by the Dismantling Racism Teams of the Presbytery of Baltimore and The National Capital Presbytery. This one day event at First Presbyterian Church of Howard County will feature workshops, networking, and worship, as well as Keynote Speaker Rev. Jermaine Ross-Allam, PC(USA) Director of the Center for Repair of Historic Harms. Stay tuned for more information right here and on our website.

Director of Children’s Christian Education

First & Franklin Presbyterian Church is seeking an individual to oversee the children’s Christian education program. The DCCE will foster a joyful and inclusive learning environment for children. Job Description

Administrative Assistant

Brown Memorial Park Avenue is searching for a full-time (40 hours per week) Administrative Assistant to help the staff and volunteers in serving the congregation and community to reach our mission. Requirements include: excellent computer skills; strong written and verbal communication skills; the ability to efficiently organize files, work processes, and tasks; strong interpersonal skills; and a high level of self-awareness, including the ability to talk about one’s faith. This is an on-site position with benefits! Application Deadline: July 15, 2024. Start Date: September 1, 2024. Position Description

Nursery School Director

Mt. Hebron Presbyterian Church is currently searching for a Nursery School Director. Mt. Hebron Nursery School (MHNS) is a ministry of Mt. Hebron Presbyterian Church (MHPC) focused on serving the educational and socialization needs for preschool children, ages 2-5, in the community. The NS Director is an experienced educator with a passion for creating an engaging learning environment for all children. The Director is responsible for administrative and programmatic needs of the Nursery School and for maintaining the high-quality program standards of the Maryland State Department of Education licensing and Maryland EXCELS. MHNS strives to build a strong foundation marked by compassion, socialization, and a love of learning. Ideal candidate for the Director will have a Master’s in Education or Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Educations and three or more years of experience managing employees, quality control and finances, in the childcare industry preferred. Director position is a full time 12 month contract, salary range $55,000-$75,000 annually. Interested applicants please respond with cover letter and resume to: clerkofsession@mthebronpc.org – Full Position Description

Nursery School Lead Classroom Teacher

Mt. Hebron Presbyterian Church is currently searching for a Nursery School Lead Classroom Teacher who has a passion for working with children. MHNS is a non-profit school that offers theme based developmentally appropriate programs designed to nurture and educate the children in all areas of development. Ideal Candidates will have Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood or Elementary Education Preferred. Candidates Must have Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential and/or an Associate Degree with 15 college credit hours of approved coursework. Interested applicants please respond with cover letter and resume to: clerkofsession@mthebronpc.org – Lead Classroom Teacher Position

Nursery School Assistant Classroom Teacher

Mt. Hebron Presbyterian Church is currently searching for a Nursery School Assistant Classroom Teacher who has a passion for working with children. Ideal Candidates will have 90 hours of Early Childhood Certification and earned or working towards a Level 2 MSDE credential. Required credential level must be earned within one year of hire and maintained throughout employment. Interested applicants please respond with cover letter and resume to: clerkofsession@mthebronpc.org – Assistant Teacher Position

Visit the Presbytery's website for additional employment listings.