May 29, 2007

Expressing God’s Inclusive Grace

Dear brothers and sisters,

Our mission statement calls upon us “to express God’s inclusive grace” and our mission design calls upon us to advocate for justice and do mission. Much change is afoot in our Presbytery, so let’s look at what is happening.

The Presbytery has strengthened our efforts to advocate for justice and do mission. We added a full time staff person dedicated to advancing mission and justice. The combination of Deb Milcarek and Julie Erickson has energized the Presbytery. Many folk are eagerly volunteering to get involved with Peace & Justice, Mission, and Self-Development of People. A real culture change is taking place as we work hard to involve more people in decision making and in these ministries.

During the past 18 months we’ve spoken prophetically in Annapolis and Washington, against the Iraq War and constitutional amendments that would reduce civil rights for gay and lesbian couples. We have spoken for the Clean Car Act, Health Care for All, embryonic stem cell research, the repeal of the Death Penalty, banning assault weapons, and emergency contraception. We have devoted a Presbytery meeting to examining violence, especially in the City. Another meeting discussed same-sex marriage and adopted the most “progressive” statement within the Presbyterian Church.

For the first time in years, more than 60 members gathered to talk about our priorities for advocacy. Another thirty gathered in Annapolis to learn the ropes so that they might speak more effectively with their legislators.

Our financial support for mission has increased and a new emphasis has been placed on member involvement in mission. The response was overwhelming. This spring, 80 people gathered to learn how to write mission grants. Fifty-four projects totaling more than $250,000 were submitted for consideration. Ninety-thousand will be awarded. And if that is not enough, you will soon become aware of our first ever Hunger Action Enabler and the reconstitution of the Self-Development of People Committee.

The more we can motivate our members, our brothers and sisters, to walk the halls of Annapolis, engage the streets of Baltimore, roll up our sleeves and participate in mission, the more effective we will be in expressing God’s inclusive grace. We are doing things differently but our commitment to promoting the Kingdom of God is as strong as or even stronger than ever before. It is stronger because more people are engaged in deciding our priorities and carrying out the ministries of justice and mercy.

Blessings,

Peter Nord

Inside this issue

Upcoming Events:

Presbyterian Women Synod Summer Gathering

June 14-17

Massanetta Springs Conf. Center

Harrisonburg, VA

African American Leadership Retreat

June 15-16

Brown Memorial Woodbrook PC

Take Note/Act Now

§ Youth Ministries Coordinator

§ Seeking Organist

§ Youth Council Openings

§ PCUSA Mission Grant Money Awarded

§ National Elders Conference

§ St. Mary’s Seminary

§ Princeton Seminary Alumni/ae

Prayer Concerns
Babcock PC

Christ Our Anchor PC

People

John Dillon began at First PC of Cumberland on June 1^st.

Prayer Concerns

Please pray for Babcock PC and Christ Our Anchor PC

· Church Leadership

· Vitality of the Congregation

· Ministries of the Church

Contact Information

For the Presbytery Offices:

Phone: 410-433-2012

or 800-511-0087

Office E-mail: office@baltimorepresbytery.org

Website: www.baltimorepresbytery.org

To Unsubscribe:

email Alice McGee or call the office

Take Note/Act Now

Baltimore Presbytery Items (non-dated items first; dated items in date order)

First PC of Cumberland is seeking a part-time Youth Ministries Coordinator (more).

Franklinville PC is seeking an organist to play for worship every other Sunday (more).

The Baltimore Presbytery Youth Council is now accepting applications for new student members. Please refer questions and send applications to Mark Sandell, 10813 Donelson Drive, Williamsport, MD 21795; 301.223.8887 (more).

Synod and General Assembly

The Mission Development Resources Committee (MDRC) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) recently awarded more than $1.1 million in grant money to 16 church-related projects across the United States. (more)

The Office of the General Assembly and the General Assembly Council are sponsoring the first national training and networking event for the elders in our congregations. Join as many as 500 elders at the National Elders Conference, August 29-31 in Nashville, TN. (more)

Other items and events

On Thursday, May 10^th, St. Mary’s Seminary and University celebrated the graduation of 35 students from its Ecumenical Institute of Theology. Among the graduates were Judith Domholdt Binkley of Havenwood PC and Gloria Marian York of Christ Memorial PC. Both received the Master of Arts in Theology.

In conjunction with the “Celebration 200: National Black Presbyterian Caucus 39th Annual Convention” July 11–15, 2007, Princeton Theological Seminary will hold an Alumni/ae Dinner Wednesday, July 11th at 5:30 p.m. in Philadelphia at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel. President Iain Torrance will speak about “Princeton Today and Its Future” (more).

Also on our website

Don’t miss all the new Local Church Announcements at: http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/announcements.html Presbytery Yearly Calendar

Past Issues of Tidings are available at: http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/midweekmail.html.

Peter Nord, Executive Presbyter

pnord@baltimorepresbytery.org

Bill Millen, Associate Executive

bmillen@baltimorepresbytery.org

Charles Forbes, Stated Clerk

cforbes@baltimorepresbytery.org

Deb Milcarek

Associate of Mission and Justice

dmilcarek@baltimorepresbytery.org