First Helene, Now Milton...What We Can Do

From Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

As Hurricane Milton barrels towards Florida’s coast, Hurricane Helene’s widespread destruction still weighs heavily. Entire neighborhoods have been wiped out, and countless families are without shelter...and it's about to get worse. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is responding through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA). Emergency grants have already been distributed, and National Response Team members are on the ground.

Even after Milton has passed, it will take years to recover. Once initial needs are addressed, PDA will remain — providing emotional and spiritual care and long-term recovery to address unmet and ongoing needs. The needs for the response will be great. God’s people are called on to stand in the “GAP” — Give. Act. Pray.

GIVE: Donations can be made online by scanning the above QR code with your mobile device (or following this link), or calling (800) 728-7228, ext. 5885. Additionally, you can download and distribute Hurricane Helene Appeal Bulletins. (color version) for your congregation. (Although they were created for Helene, the fund applies to Milton relief as well.)

ACT: Assemble emergency cleanup buckets (visit pcusa.info/heart).

Learn how you can help families affected by the Hurricanes, stay informed

and like us on Facebook (facebook.com/PDAcares).

PRAY: God of grace and compassion, May your Spirit move in this, your creation, bringing peace amid the turmoil and breathing hope into the places that feel broken. May your Spirit continue to be the quiet but constant reassurance that you are with your children and creation, even in the darkest moments, guiding us toward healing and restoration.

Summer Ends at Comunidad Presbiteriana La Trinidad (CPT)

By Rev. José H. López-Chapa

As the dog-days of summer draw to a close, we are entirely grateful for the countless blessings we have had during the growing season at La Finca (the farm). Once again people have been able to share in life and ministry together, sharing both the burdens and the proverbial fruit of their labors. I’m continually amazed at how generous people are with not only their produce, but their gifts and skills as well. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen parcel owners (renters) jump to help another with the hard work of pruning overgrown crops and maintaining their gardens. And of course, I’m always blown away by the immense generosity parcel owners have in sharing their harvest with everyone they encounter!

Read more: https://baltimorepresbytery.org/cpt-2024/

Youth Ministry Co-Conspirators in the Bay Area Disciples

One of the significant ministry victims of the pandemic was youth ministry. I didn’t understand until after the 2020 shutdowns how significant institutional memory was for youth ministry. The power of a cool high school senior hyping up a service opportunity or a summer retreat just can’t be replicated by an adult leader, no matter how cool we think we might be. Many churches have struggled to rebuild youth groups after losing the momentum of institutional memory, and to convene groups of young people with the critical mass to thrive. It has been a challenging time for many of those who lead our young people.

There are points of light in the darkness, and reasons to be hopeful. In particular, several churches in the Bay Area Disciples have chosen to become co-conspirators, finding ways to work together to meet the needs of our young people.

This past summer, Ark and Dove joined Annapolis First as a Montreat Youth Conference delegation. We also delightfully selected the same week as Towson Presbyterian and Brown Memorial, so we merged into one big, happy Presbytery of Baltimore family. The trip was fantastic and our youth (and adult leaders!) connected across congregations, creating lasting friendships. Ark and Dove and Brown Memorial each had one youth attend the conference–without the partnership of other churches, they likely would not have had the opportunity to experience the gifts of Montreat.

Our next Bay Area Disciple youth conspiracy is right around the corner: Confirmation! Prince of Peace, Christ Our Anchor, and Ark and Dove are joining together to host confirmation as a co-op. We’ll be rotating leadership and hosting between the three churches, and together we’ll be able to gather enough youth to have lively and important conversations. We’re hosting an information session on October 27th and our classes will begin in January. 

It is such a joy to work with other leaders, especially in this time of discerning what’s next in youth ministry.

Thanks be to God for the joy of connection.

- Jenn McCullough, Ark and Dove

The Clerk's Corner

There are two more opportunities for you to complete the required records review for 2024:

• Thursday, October 10, 10am at First of Howard County
• Saturday, October 26, 10am at Frederick Presbyterian

Please use this link to register. If you cannot make any of these sessions please contact me @ mgaut@baltimorepresbytery.org. Hoping to see you soon,

- Mary

Additionally, 2025 Per Capita Information has been added to our website at: https://baltimorepresbytery.org/per-capita/

2025 Community Engagement Grants Available

Applications are open for the 2025 Community Engagement Grant season and the Commission on Reconciliation is encouraging your church to participate! Community Engagement grants are directed for community outreach, more specifically for community organizing and community engagement by congregations in the Presbytery of Baltimore.

Thanks to the fiscal responsibility of the Presbytery and our recent re-distribution of Enduring Witness funds, the grant range per application has been increased to $3,000 – $10,000, with a total of $50,000 to be awarded in the coming year - double the previous year's amounts.

Learn more and apply on our website before the November 1st deadline!

The Matthew 25 Mid-Atlantic Summit

Registration Deadline is October 15th

There's an impressive lineup of speakers and workshops that will be featured at this month's Matthew 25 Mid-Atlantic Summit. The Dismantling Racism Teams of the Presbytery of Baltimore and National Capital Presbytery are partnering to host this first ever event at First Presbyterian Church of Howard County. There is still time to sign-up!

Sponsored by the Presbytery of Baltimore with additional support from the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic, this Summit will be a transformative gathering that merges inspiration with action! Register and learn more on our website.

Save the Date!

The 905th Stated Meeting of Presbytery

is Thursday, November 21st, at 10 am. It will be entirely online via Zoom.

Child Care Provider / CE Assistant

The Christian Education Department of First and Franklin Presbyterian Church is looking for a caring individual to provide child care in our nursery (ages 0-5 years). We currently anticipate a short, regular weekly schedule from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Sundays, with the possibility of additional hours as needed (e.g., church meetings, or additional services). Job Description

Mission Coordinator

Towson Presbyterian Church is looking to hire a part-time Mission Coordinator – up to 50 hours/month, a combination of on-site and virtual work. This individual would work with the Mission Outreach team to coordinate international and local mission opportunities. Job Description

Interim Pastor

Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church seeks an individual to provide a balanced ministry of preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and organizational leadership to the members and staff of Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church (HRPC), an intentionally multicultural church, growing in faith and embracing our differences, for a period of one year. Interested candidates should email hrpc.ips2024@gmail.com. Job Description

Visit the Presbytery's website for additional employment listings.

Please contact us with any questions, concerns or news to share!