Even in this season of uncertainty, perhaps especially in such times, it is important for us to communicate with each other and to lift each other up in this community of faith we know as the Presbytery of Baltimore. The General Presbyter shared
A Letter to Church Leaders
this afternoon to assure our congregations that we are in this together, and are here to help.
- Presbytery staff and leadership are making time to reach out to pastors individually to offer a listening heart and to identify areas for additional support.
- We are continually updating our website with what we hope is useful information and resources as we all adapt to the reality of social distancing.
- The staff will be working remotely and available via phone or email. Business hours remain Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Let us know how you are responding to the spread of the virus, what we can do to assist, or if you have your own suggestions to share with our community in Christ.
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Our Partners Are Adapting Too
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We received news from our partners on the ground in Guatemala on their first day of working from home this week. General Coordinator Judith Castañeda writes that:
“CEDEPCA has made the decision to postpone groups visits, courses, classes, meetings and workshops of our programs. By doing this, we are taking good care of ourselves and others, limiting possible exposure by traveling and avoiding large group settings so that we can proactively limit the reach and the devastation of this virus…
…
Please remember that we are called to be a light that shines in the darkness (Isaiah 58:10), to show "unusual kindness" (Acts 28:2, NIV), and that we are living expressions of God.
We pray that during this season we are all reminded of the peace of God and that when one part of the body suffers, we all suffer.”
Sadly, Covid-19 has spread to the Dakota Presbytery and to Cuba. That means all 3 of our partnerships have been touched already by the virus.
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This week, the U.S. Senate is taking up vital legislation. Please join other people of faith in encouraging your Senators,
Ben Cardin
and
Chris Van Hollen
, to vote for the strongest possible version of this Federal bill. Here are the principles that faith leaders are encouraging Congress to address:
- Ensure access and affordable testing and treatment for the coronavirus, regardless of income, location, disability, or immigration status.
- Ensure people have the support they need to take sick leave and care for family members without risking their jobs or their paychecks.
- Ensure low-income workers and individuals facing hardship have the assistance they need to put food on the table and provide for their families.
- Give special care and attention to individuals at increased risk of infection, including individuals in prison, in detention, in long-term care facilities, and experiencing homelessness.
- Focus economic stimulus measures on low-income and vulnerable communities. Such policies have the most substantial economic impact.
- Ensure that emergency assistance for low-wage workers and vulnerable individuals comes before any bailouts for major industries and businesses.
- Oppose any efforts to use the pandemic as an excuse to further militarize the border or exacerbate immigration deportation and detention.
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News from Steering Cabinet
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At a specially called meeting of the Presbytery of Baltimore Steering Cabinet yesterday, the following actions were approved:
- ELECTRONIC MEETINGS IN POB UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE - The Steering Cabinet of POB requests that the meetings of all Presbytery agencies, committees and commissions be held electronically until further notice. Reach out if assistance here is needed.
- MAY GATHERING - Consideration of cancellation of the May 14 meeting of Presbytery will be delayed until April 14. Meantime, Presbytery leadership and staff will be thinking about alternatives to a physical gathering.
Other items under discussion by Cabinet include financial assistance to churches during the pandemic crisis, and steps to move the ongoing discussion of relocation of The Center forward.
Visit our website
for further announcements.
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Finally, a Cause for Celebration
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The statistical reports that are completed each year offer interesting information about our congregations. Among the bright spots:
- Collectively, Baltimore Presbytery churches gave $2,021,909 to missions.
- We also celebrate our congregations which are truly multi-cultural with significantly more than 10% of their membership representing racial and ethnic groups different from the dominant group: Babcock, Faith, Hunting Ridge and Kenwood.
These two statistics reveal the impact of faithful ministry across the Presbytery in positive and impactful ways. For more information,
visit our website
.
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The Nominating Committee is actively seeking nominations to positions on Presbytery Committees and Commissions that would begin in September. They are especially seeking Ruling Elders for the Commissions on Thriving Congregations and Spiritual Leader Development, and either Ruling Elders or Ministers for the Committee on Administration. If you would like more information about any committee or commission you can find the responsibilities in the
Presbytery Manual
on our website or
submit your nomination online.
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Tomorrow: Zoom conversation on how to stream worship services
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Thursday, March 19th at noon
: Podcast host, producer Marthame Sanders will share how to adapt worship for streaming.
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Shelter in Place: Maintaining a Sense of Hope, Community and Belonging
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A three webinar series for pastors and faith leaders serving during the Covid-19 pandemic to be offered by LeaderWise on the following dates (you need not attend all three, but you must pre-register). To receive the link for Zoom, contact
sara@lincolntrails.org
, and be sure to share the name and location of the church you serve.
Remaining webinars:
- March 25: 1:00 – 2:30 pm
- April 1: 12:00 – 1:30 pm
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The national offices of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
are currently looking for candidates to fill the following positions:
- Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer (ASG)
- Director of History and Records/PHS Executive Director (OGA)
- Associate Director for Theology, Formation, and Evangelism (PMA)
- Associate for International Property (PMA)
- Associate for African American Intercultural Congregational Support (PMA)
- Associate for Interreligious Engagement (PMA)
- Associate for Pastoral Formation (PMA)
- Associate for Young Adult Volunteer Program (PMA)
- Director of Administration (Stony Point Center)
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Mount Hebron Presbyterian Church
is seeking a candidate to fill the role of Office Administrator. The position is 20 hours per week, 9:30-1:30 Monday – Friday.
The person should be detail oriented and well organized, and will be responsible for publishing bulletins and newsletters, management paperwork, handling bookings, maintaining the calendar, and facilitating communication with the congregants and the community. If interested, please submit a resume to
pastor@mthebronpc.org
and
office@mthebronpc.org
or mail to Mt. Hebron Presbyterian Church, 2330 Mt. Hebron Dr., Ellicott City MD 21042
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Christ Our Anchor Presbyterian Church
is a small and welcoming congregation in the Cape St. Claire neighborhood of Annapolis seeking a Youth Director. Our church has been blessed to have over forty youth in grades 6-12 on our roster (and typically 15-25 in weekly attendance), and this program needs new leadership and vision.
Read full job description
.
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The Presbytery office is only open for visits or appointments on Wednesdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm for the next two weeks
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We will continue to assess this decision as information emerges.
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