We'd like to extend big thanks to Faith Presbyterian for hosting last week's 902nd Stated Meeting. Rev. Cat Goodrich and volunteers at Faith warmly welcomed us to their sanctuary and fellowship hall, and we are grateful for their hospitality!

Before the meeting, those attending in person were treated to coffee and reception that included informational resources for Presbyterian leaders. For those who missed it, several of these opportunities are highlighted here.

Presbyterians Vote Our Values Postcarding Campaign

How your church can get involved: Send NON-PARTISAN GOTV Postcards to BIPOC voters in the the Georgia and Virginia Congressional Primaries. Call Hunting Ridge Presbyterian at (410) 566-2926 to sign up. Learn more on our website - Download Poster

The Clerk's Corner

MINISTER ID CARDS have not been sent from Louisville according to a recent notification from the office of Mid-council ministries. Please be assured that once they arrive I will sign and send them. If you do not want or need one please let me or Felicia know.

AI TECHNOLOGY is rapidly infiltrating our lives. Some of it can be useful in our work. (I used it to help summarize information in a complex powerpoint for a set of minutes recently.) But there are serious risks as well, especially when hackers use AI to create "deep fakes" or send bogus emails and other communications. The corporate arm of the PCUSA (A Corporation) has developed a set of preliminary guidelines for this emerging technology, which is available for churches to adapt. You can find it in the clerks of session resource page on the website. 

Susquehanna Parish Ministry Group Lenten Retreat

The day after Ash Wednesday, 17 people assembled at the Franklinville Presbyterian Church for a spiritual retreat led by The Rev. Susan Scott, spiritual director, retreat leader, and author of the book Still Praying after All these Years: Meditations for Later Life. The retreat theme was “Resurrection: Breath, Voice, and Vision.” We met from 9 am to 3 pm. There were group discussions on the themes and information which Susan proposed, and opportunities for journaling, drawing, meditation, and fellowship around the table. The SPMG plans to continue a retreat or two per year. This was the first. Among several thought-provoking concepts was this “I am breathing God…God is breathing me.” We were encouraged to consider: “Something you’ve sensed you may have to die to in order to experience a hoped-for resurrection…Something you’ve gained hope of or desire to resurrect in your interior and/or exterior life.”

– Rev. Ray Meute, Pastor of Highland Presbyterian, Susquehanna Parish Ministry Group

One Book, One Presbytery

Everyone is invited to the first of six online discussions exploring the Color of Law, by Richard Rothstein, on Monday, April 8th, from 6:30 – 8:00 pm.

The inaugural session will provide an introduction and overview, and explore Chapter 1 with guest speaker Corey Henderson, a doctor of public health. His research is rooted in social and behavioral sciences with an emphasis on historical trauma’s influence on the health of African Americans. Dr. Henderson has a background in information technology, qualitative research, health policy, and public health. He believes that healing is possible for every human being that acknowledges injury. Inasmuch as healing is a process, it is a process to restore health—complete and holistic.

Registration is Open! Sponsored by the Presbytery of Baltimore Dismantling Racism Team and In the Loop Ministry Group. (Full participation in the program will meet the Dismantling Racism requirement.)

Annual Report & Personal Property Tax Returns

Filing Deadline: Monday, April 15, 2024

The State of Maryland encourages organizations to use their online Maryland Business Express portal to submit business filings this season. It offers an easy process to prepare, review, and submit filings directly to SDAT from a single system for speed, while receiving immediate receipt confirmations for confidence. Historical data is automatically displayed to ensure accuracy.

Maryland Business Express also offers online penalty payments so you can quickly submit past due filings and restore your good standing with the State of Maryland. If you have any questions, our wonderful accountant Laura Mullen is happy to assist from the Presbytery office.

Dialogue for Peaceful Change

Conflict is an inherent part of everyday life. We believe the ability to navigate conflict is an essential human skill which can be learned.” (Dialogue for Peaceful Change). Baltimore Presbytery is partnering again with National Capital and New Castle Presbyteries on Navigating Conflict and Transformation. This four-day workshop is to train people on how to help churches deal with disagreements, blind spots, and stuck places in our congregational life. Dialogue for Peaceful Change (DPC) is a global training program, now in its third year with Baltimore Presbytery. https://baltimorepresbytery.org/events/dpc-april-2024/

The next training session is April 15 - 18 (all day and in person) at Lewinsville Presbyterian Church in McLean, VA. We are asking each participant to pay $250 who are able to afford it, plus travel and lodging at the Staybridge Suites. 

TIME SENSITIVE: There is only space for 4-6 individuals from Baltimore Presbytery. Pastors, elders, COM representatives, and other church leaders are invited to consider this. Please contact Melissa Lopez if you are interested in learning more, melissa@firstpresbelair.org.

Director of Music Ministry

Mt. Hebron Presbyterian Church of Ellicott City, MD is seeking a uniquely qualified part-time Music Director with diverse musical skills and a vision of co-creating a vibrant music ministry integral to worship.  Successful candidate will possess piano/organ skills along with leadership ability to collaborate with our dynamic Pastor and welcoming congregation.  Interested applicants please respond with cover letter and resume to MusicDirectorSearch@mthebronpc.org. Full Job Description

Bookkeeper

Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church is seeking a part-time bookkeeper who is available May 1. The position is for up to 20 hours per month. This individual will work closely with the pastor, church treasurer, and finance team. A cover letter and resume should be sent to hrpc@hrpc.comcastbiz.net, attention: Barbara Jeffries. Full job description.

Bridge Pastor

Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church (Columbia, MD) is seeking a Bridge Pastor for our church as we go through a pastoral transition. Those interested in serving as our Bridge Pastor should contact John Kim, Chair of Personnel at jhk3882@gmail.com. Information about CMPC can be found at our website, www.cmpcusa.org, or visit our Facebook page. 

Church Sexton / Custodian

Knox Presbyterian Church seeks a part-time custodian to clean and maintain facilities at a small Christian church nestled in an urban community within the city of Baltimore. Full job description

Sunday School Coordinator

Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church of Odenton, MD is seeking a Sunday School Coordinator. The primary purpose of this position is to organize, coordinate, and supervise Sunday School. This includes the procurement of and preparation of materials, the recruitment and scheduling of teachers, communication with parents, compliance with child protection policies and other tasks as assigned related to Sunday School. The position is part-time (10-12 hours per week), including Sundays. The pay for this position is $30 per hour (approximately $16,000-$18,000 per year). For a full list of responsibilities or if you are interested in applying, please email hiring@arkanddove.org.

Administrative Assistant.

Fallston Presbyterian Church is looking for an individual to perform a variety of routine and complex administrative assignments for the Pastor, Session and Pre-K of Fallston Presbyterian Church. The position is for 14 hours per week for the church and 2 hours per week for the Pre-K. This individual will work under the direct supervision of the Pastor of Fallston Presbyterian Church. Please send resume to fallstonpc@gmail.com

Interim Pastor

Govans Presbyterian Church seeks an Interim Pastor for a one-year commitment. The position is full- time at 40 hours per week. This is a non-installed position. The Interim Pastor is responsible for providing spiritual leadership and administrative oversight of the church’s ministries, including worship, music, preaching, teaching, mission service, stewardship, and fellowship. interested individuals should email interimsearch@govanspres.org to find out more. Full Job Description

Visit the Presbytery's website for additional employment listings.