Our Earth Care Congregations |
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This year, ten churches in the Presbytery of Baltimore were certified as Earth Care Congregations by the PC(USA)’s Presbyterian Hunger Program. The ECC certification is designed to recognize churches that make the commitment to take seriously God’s charge to “till and keep” the garden. We applaud each of the following churches for their serious commitment to care for God’s earth:
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- Ark & Dove Presbyterian Church
- Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church
- Catonsville Presbyterian Church
- Churchville Presbyterian Church
- First Presbyterian Church of Howard County
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- Govans Presbyterian Church
- Maryland Presbyterian Church
- Prince of Peace Presbyterian Church
- Roland Park Presbyterian Church
- Towson Presbyterian Church
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To become an Earth Care Congregation, these congregations affirmed an Earth Care Pledge to integrate environmental practices and thinking into their worship, education, facilities, and outreach.
Started in 2010 by the PC(USA), the goal of this program is to inspire churches to care for God’s earth in a holistic way, through integrating earth care into all aspects of their church life. The Earth Care Congregation certification honors churches that make that commitment and encourages others to follow their example.
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Churchville Presbyterian Leads the Way |
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One of our proud examples is Churchville Presbyterian, which has been certified for seven years, and is the only ECC in Harford County. See national map. There are many congregational members at Churchville over the years who have been good and faithful earth stewards.
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The Preschool led a plan to build an outdoor classroom. The campfire circle is used for fellowship, night-scape appreciation, and star gazing. Earth care initiatives were part of the requirements for the Preschool's national accreditation. Our Church and the Preschool recycle, repurpose, and reuse. Our building committee members have installed energy saving timers on lights, thermostats, green bulbs and have at least one energy audit each year. The Sunday School and Preschool children's Bible lessons are often nature and creation oriented.
Our congregation supports the Harford County Bird Club inviting them each year to meet in our Fellowship Hall six times and also at two of these meetings, enjoy sit-down, dinners prepared and served by our members. Our congregation’s history in Harford County and on the Churchville site is honored as well as the American Indian Susquehannock tribe that was steward of this region’s land before the coming of the explorers, colonists and settlers. We honor life-giving water as rain or snow, hail or sleet that replenishes the aquifers of the watersheds of the Bush River and Deer Creek. We honor God and his “wind,” ruah, which blew over the waters of Creation as described in the first sentence of Genesis.
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Building and grounds members refrain as much as possible from using ‘cides that kill wildlife and plants and poison the living soil. The nature gardens, planted in native species, are alive with butterflies, moths, skippers, birds, bees, beetles, caterpillars, voles, mice, rabbits, hundreds of species of invertebrates, and thousands of species of mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial microbes.
God’s glory and will are manifested in the world around us. Conservation, recycling, resiliency and sustainability are on our minds as we make plans for worship, hymns, choir selections, prayers, mission, learning, community evangelism and faith-building activities.
- The flowers in the sanctuary for instance are potted spring flowering bulbs. These can be taken home after Easter to plant out in the yard.
- Palm Sunday Pastor Steve will be teaching the entire congregation how to make a cross bookmark with a palm frond.
- Easter Sunday worshipers are asked to bring flowers to place on the wooden cross out front of the Sanctuary.
We proclaim for the passers-by to see that we are Christians, who repent of our sins, lament for the groans of creation, suffer the agony of Jesus being crucified on a wooden cross, and on the third day celebrate his resurrection glory.
- Fawn Palmer and Bonnie Jones, Green Team, Peace, Justice and Mission Committee
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The Clerk's Corner
Lease Template available for churches renting space. If your church is seeking to rent space for an event or to a long term tenant, or renew an existing lease agreement, a lease template has been prepared by the Presbytery's attorneys at Gallagher, Evelius and Jones. It contains important provisions which should be included in all rental agreements but is also customizable for particular situations. Please contact Mary Gaut for a copy she will explain how the "event liability coverage" works as well and how to purchase it.
Please remind your pastor and/or administrators of the next Legal Workshop Thursday, April 27th from 10-Noon at Christ Memorial – 10600 Shaker Dr, Columbia, MD 21046 with an on-line attendance option. Topics to be considered include: Child Protection policies and issues, insurance and liability including renters, and employment and personnel issues. Register in advance through the Presbytery website.
It is not too early to start preparing for the annual records review to take place mid to late summer. This year we hope to hold in person reviews scheduled around the presbytery and include a time for training, review of changes to the book of order and other things of interest or relevance. Watch for a revised checklist to be sent out this spring.
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Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation Annual Business Filings are now available. SDAT’s 2023 annual report and personal property tax return filings and extension requests for businesses registered in Maryland can be found online. All domestic and foreign business entities must file an annual report or request an extension by April 17, 2023, to maintain their "good standing" status with the department. Keep your business in Good Standing by completing the required annual filings. If you have any questions, please contact Laura Mullen at the Presbytery office.
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The final weekend of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church's
"Jesus Christ Superstar"
Jesus Christ Superstar is a sung-through rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Cost is $15.00 per person. Seats are limited. Ticket reservations can be done through the church. The doors will open at 7 pm. All shows are 7:30 pm - Friday Mar 31 & Saturday Apr 1. (611 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Severna Park, MD 21146) Questions? Contact dmerrill@woodschurch.org or call (410) 647-2550.
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Thursday, April 13 – Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake Conversation: What's in Your Water? - Join IPC for a virtual gathering exploring Chesapeake Bay environmental issues through the eyes of our Riverkeepers! They'll circle around the Chesapeake, hearing from river-keeping organizations about issues affecting our watersheds, and how you can get involved. Register
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April 19 – Food Truck Wednesday at Granite Presbyterian Church: Enjoy a variety of vendors for all appetites, from 4-7 pm. There will also be snow cones, live music, baked goods, and seating both indoors and out. (10637 Old Court Rd. Granite, MD 21163)
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Thursday, April 20 – Elder Training Mastermind Group at 7 pm. The topic for this month's session is "Community Engagement" with Rev. Tim Hughes Williams. This is an opportunity for any elder or Deacon (whether currently serving or not) to discuss best practices, challenges, and ideas. More information
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Saturday, April 22 – Join Faith Presbyterian Church for EcoFest to celebrate their new green space. There will be live music, food trucks, a raffle, environmental resources, free books, trees and seeds, as well as art & nature activities for all ages. 12-3 pm (rain date 4/23, 2-4 pm) 5400 Loch Raven Blvd, Baltimore, 21239
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Tuesday April 25-27 – Ecumenical Advocacy Days: Join online for the virtual conference, Swords into Plowshares: Achieving Enough for all and Pursuing Peace. The events seek to worship, educate, and advocate for the innovative and courageous policies needed to realize God’s promise. Register here. (Scholarships available)
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Thursday, April 27 – Legal Workshop: Baltimore Presbytery is hosting its second legal seminar for pastors and administrators, with attorney’s from Gallagher, Evelius and Jones, from 10 am - Noon at Christ Memorial Presbyterian. Topics to be considered include: Child Protection policies and issues, insurance and liability including renters, and employment and personnel issues. More info and registration
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Sunday, April 30 – Granite Presbyterian Church is hosting CPR / AED Training with Baltimore County Fire & Medical Training, at Noon in the GPC social hall. The cost is $60 per person. Payment can be made by check to BCFMT on the day of the class. The class will provide the instruction you will need to perform life-saving CPR, and the use of Automatic External Defibrillators. First Aid/Stop-the-bleed are included. The event is open to everyone, but re-registration is required. Contact the church at granitepcoffice@gmail.com. |
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May 4-5 – THRIVE Seminars: The Board of Pensions Education team is pleased to announce that they have scheduled 7 THRIVE seminars (thinking retirement: identity vocation and economics) in 2023 around the nation. The first and closest is in Pittsburgh and the registration is now live. More information
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Wednesday, May 10 – Clergy Finding Resilience in Unimaginable Times featuring Dr. Robert Wicks, from 9:30 am to 2 pm at Grace United Methodist Church, 5407 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210. Visit the program website and registration form. Baltimore’s SLD Commission sent a donation to this event so the cost for clergy in the Baltimore Presbytery is covered! Feel free to call Nancy Getter at (443-977-0712) or email with any questions.
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Director of Youth Ministry
Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, located in Severna Park, MD, is searching for a dynamic Director of Youth Ministry. The ideal candidate will be an active member of the PC(USA) and have a love for the church and youth. The primary responsibility is to direct, train and recruit a team of youth leadership and adult volunteers to serve the spiritual needs of young people (grades 6 -12) and their families by creating an environment where youth, their families, and their adult leaders can engage in life-long Christian growth and discipleship. The Director of Youth Ministry will plan for and provide for a robust program of Christian Formation for youth and their families. Send resumes to clerkofsession@woodschurch.org
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