This week's 890th Gathering update & checklist |
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It’s almost time: The 890th Gathering of the Presbytery is Thursday morning. All the pieces are coming together as we prepare for our fourth online version of this event, and hope you will be able to join us virtually. By now, we should all be familiar with the process, but here are a few updates and suggestions for your valued participation:
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- Be sure to update your Zoom software for optimal functionality.
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If you are new to online Presbytery Gatherings, or would like to know what to expect, take a few minutes to watch a brief orientation video - paying close attention to instructions on voting.
- Please have communion elements (Bread/cracker, wine/juice) available for participation in Communion during worship. Candles are optional as we remember COVID victims.
- Don’t eat alone afterwards! Join friends and colleagues as we break into smaller groups after the meeting for some unscripted fellowship time.
That’s it. We look forward to seeing you Thursday!
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Introducing the Baltimore Presbytery Podcast: Episode 1 |
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Partnerships Consultant Jose Lopez-Chapa has been busy this winter developing several video series, and we're eager to share the very first episode with you today.
In this podcast Jose aims to have conversations with pastors and leaders in the community and beyond. Through these conversations, we hope to share and learn more about the incredible people connected with the Baltimore Presbytery.
In this episode, we are joined by the Rev. Jennifer DiFrancesco. Rev. DiFrancesco is a pastor with the Slate Project, a radical movement which hopes to re-imagine church in today's world. Join us for a conversation with Rev. DiFrancesco and learn more about about this incredible ministry!
Stay tuned for further installments right here, and if you have thoughts, ideas or contributions to highlight, please contact Jose to share information.
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And Ain’t I A Woman: Black Women In 2021 – Challenges, Triumphs and Joy |
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Please join the In The Loop Ministry Group’s B’More Human Series on Monday, March 15th from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. This month the series will focus on Black Women in celebration of Women’s History Month.
This month's panel will focus on the unique role that Black women play in America, while living squarely at the intersection of both racism and sexism. Often seen through the lens of racial bias, Black women face many challenges in our communities, our workplaces, our churches and nearly all aspects of society. Stereotypes abound – the Mammy, the Angry Black Woman, the Jezebel, the Welfare Queen, the Tragic Mulatto, and the Strong Black Woman – that shape how others see and interact with us. Yet through it all, to paraphrase Dr. Maya Angelou, “And Still We Rise.”
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But our focus won’t end there. Black women are definitely having a moment. 2021 ushered in by the election of the first female Vice-President, Kamala Harris. Legions of Black women, personified by Stacey Abrams, organized against voter suppression in Georgia and changed the balance of the Senate. Black women are taking the helm at major corporations including Warner Brothers, Walgreens, and MSNBC; many for the first time. And not to be underestimated or ignored are the everyday sisters who are raising families in our neighborhoods, while taking to the streets to organize against racial injustice in policing, poverty, and disparities in housing, education, and health care – all in the midst of a pandemic. Black women, standing squarely on the shoulders of our mothers before us, keep showing up to fight for freedom and justice in our communities. We’ll talk about the pain, the struggle, the fortitude and the joy.
Because there is joy and we have learned to call it just that. Register & Info
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Clergy ID cards are on the way |
The 2021 clergy ID cards have been mailed out. If you do not receive yours in a reasonable amount of time please contact Mary Gaut.
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Applications for the National Fund 2021 Annual Grant Cycle Due 3/15/21 |
The first and only program of its kind, the National Fund for Sacred Places is a matching grant program that offers technical assistance and financial support to actively worshiping faith communities who are working to preserve their historic houses of worship. Matching grants for capital improvement projects range from $50,000-$250,000. Letters of Intent are due March 15, 2021. The National Fund for Sacred Places is a grant-making program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
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Spring Gathering of Presbyterian Women |
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Join us on your smart phone or computer! Register here, and save the date: April 10th at 1 pm.
And just what are you registering for? An opportunity to see the faces of people you’ve not seen for a long time! Then settle down with your desserts and libation. There will be a time to remember those who left us for the ultimate place last year and celebrate who they were and what the shared with us while they were here. We’ll learn about some mission projects other churches are doing and hear from Empower for Life and have a short workshop on creating a pollination garden from Blue Water Baltimore. For the last presentation please let those gardeners you know (female or male) and encourage them to join us.
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Since we are sharing our mission ideas, please don’t forget to share your church's favorites with Paula Crews so she can present them even if you don’t want to present it yourself or don’t make it to the event. Also, we’d hate to see that a woman from your congregation who died last year was missed in our memorial service. Please send the name of your church and those who passed to Adrienne Knight.
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Saturdays in March - Join The Center on Saturdays this March for free mission pop up days to support the work of our partners! All four days will be FREE to anyone within driving distance. We will provide safe, socially-distant, outdoor opportunities for you to serve alongside some of our farm and food partners. Register here.
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Please join the In The Loop Ministry Group’s B’More Human Series on Monday, March 15th from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. This month the series will focus on Black Women in celebration of Women’s History Month.More info and registration
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April 1 - Community Engagement Conversations - Center staff gather on Zoom to facilitate a conversation about your congregation’s efforts to engage with the local community. Bring success stories, frustrations, questions, or places you are stuck, and we will brainstorm together. Register here.
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April 12 at 11:30 am - You are invited to join the Board of Lady Managers (virtual) spring meeting. Contact Anne Perry for more information, or follow BOLM on Facebook.
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April 13 - Storytelling Masterclass: Becoming a Better Communicator. Tuesdays, April 13, 20, & 27, 10:00 - 11:30 am Online Workshop, 3-part series, led by: Christen Kinard, and sponsored by Union Presbyterian Seminary. More information
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Second Presbyterian Church is seeking a Consulting Pastor to work together with the Congregation, the Associate Pastor, and administrative staff. This is a full-time position, reporting to Session. They would provide for the spiritual growth and the ongoing mission and work of the church, prepare the congregation to receive a new installed pastor, using the interim time to assess the future journey of the congregation. They would focus on what might need to be changed, and to lead and support the congregation in fulfilling the interim period developmental tasks and goals. All interested candidates can email their PIF/Resume to SPCministersearch@secondpresby.org
The Center is looking for individuals to help their in-person, distanced, outdoor mission sites for day trip participants; online teaching of their mission curriculum for groups that are too far from our partner site for day trips; and community organizing training for young people.
ITL churches seek an individual to conduct scholarly primary and secondary research regarding the history of the In the Loop churches (twelve Presbyterian churches in Baltimore, Maryland), pertaining their historical experience in regard to race, race relations and policy, membership, location, et. al., that explicate the race related actions and perspectives of the church and its members.
Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church seeks a temporary supply pastor who can inspire their congregation through excellent, innovative preaching and worship leadership, who is technologically savvy and who is approachable, friendly, inclusive and a good listener.
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The Presbytery offices are closed for visits or appointments until further notice, but staff and commissions continue to meet regularly online.
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