August 20, 2007

The Light of Justice

My friends:

About a year ago, the Presbytery was contacted by the National Self-Development of People committee. It seems that a small group of workers in Baltimore was applying for a grant to help them attain living wages, or even minimum wages, for contracted workers at the Ravens and Orioles Stadiums. I met with this group, United Workers Association along with representatives of SDOP. I was moved by their stories, their passion for justice, and their commitment to eliminate this “loophole” in the Baltimore City Living Wages legislation. They were granted $20,000 by PCUSA.

Roger Powers of Light Street Presbyterian, Liz Johnson of Dickey Memorial and myself met again with workers from UWA. A partnership was developed between Light Street and UWA, by virtue of Light Street’s proximity to the Stadium and by virtue of its history of advocacy for issues of justice.

Friends, I wish you could have been at Light Street yesterday, Labor Day. The congregation had decided to host Hunger Strikers from UWA. This move to strike was not arrived at lightly…..UWA had been rebuffed by the Stadium Authority for three years. But they did not go away. These low paid workers of every color and many different nationalities, some speaking only Spanish, were willing to go on a Hunger Strike in order to get a living wage for themselves and their brothers and sisters. Last week, the Governor voiced his support for the workers, as did the new head of the Stadium Authority, so the Hunger Strike was postponed. A decision will be made at the end of this week.

On Thursday night, many members of United Workers Association will gather again at Light Street Presbyterian at 7:00 p.m. for a candle light vigil. It is hoped that it will be one of celebration. Please see www.unitedworkers.org for pictures of yesterday’s Prayer Breakfast as well as information on upcoming events.

The Presbytery of Baltimore celebrates, as well. We celebrate justice wherever it shines its light. We celebrate the strength of partnerships between our congregations and other organizations, as well as between each other. We celebrate God’s work within our boundaries. And we join hands with Light Street Presbyterian Church in celebration of their willingness to open their historic doors and welcome those who need support, respite and love in their struggle for justice.

Peace-

Deb Milcarek

Inside this issue

Upcoming Events:

Sept. 27 4:00pm

First and Franklin Street PC

Fall Gathering of Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Baltimore

Oct. 6 First PC of Howard County

Reclaiming Evangelism

Oct. 11 10:00am-12:00pm

First PC of Howard County

Presbytery Middle School Retreat

Oct. 12-14 Camp Wo-me-to

Forum on Directory of Worship Overture Oct. 25 7:00 pm

Brown Memorial Woodbrook PC

Guatemala Mission Trip

Oct. 25-29 Guatemala

Youth Leader Training Event with the Rev. Mark DeVries Free!

Oct. 29 10:00am-4:00pm

First PC of Bel Air

Take Note/Act Now

§ Youth Volunteer Program

§ First Friday

§ Peace Path

§ Benefit for Guatemala Partnership

§ Free Peace Lecture

§ LGBT & Friends Reception

§ Reclaiming Evangelism

§ Form of Government Task Force

§ Interfaith Service and Fast for Peace

§ Kids Circle

Prayer Concerns

Lakeland PC

People

Roger Rice begins at Towson PC on September 4, 2007

Rev. Stephen Tisinger and his wife Julie celebrate the August 30^thbirth of their granddaughter, Grace Catherine Tisinger, daughter of Dan and Sarah

Tisinger.

Prayer Concerns

Please pray for Lakeland PC :

§ For the health of our congregation as there have been several illnesses

§ For resources to help the church’s Hispanic Ministry

§ For the church facility as major repairs are needed

Please pray for Pete Pederson as he recovers from surgery.

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)

Caitlin Schneider from Baltimore Presbytery has been selected to participate in the PCUSA Young Adult Volunteer Program beginning in September 2007. (more)

Chestnut Grove PC will present First Friday – a series of adult forums featuring spiritually invigorating and inspiring speakers and meaningful conversation. They will take place the first Friday of the month from September 2007 – May 2008, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. (more)

The Peace Path is forming on Tuesday, September 11^th from 4 – 6 PM north along Charles Street from Conway to the Beltway. Please Join an International Network for Peace. Women in Black, Baltimore joins with other organizations worldwide to advocate for peace, justice, and an end to violence worldwide. (more).

A concert to benefit the Guatemala Partnership is scheduled for Sunday, September 16, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. at Westminster United Methodist Church (more).

Govans PC and the Peace Study Center announce a free lecture by peace teacher, Colman McCarthy on Friday, September 21^st at 7pm at Govans. (more)

LGBT and Friends Wine and Cheese Reception will be held at Govans Presbyterian Church, 5828 York Road (next to the Senator Theater), on Friday, September 28, at 7 p.m. Please join them for food and fellowship.

Don’t forget to register for the Reclaiming Evangelism Workshop scheduled for October 11th from 10:00am-12:00pm at First PC of Howard County (more).

Synod and General Assembly Items

Form of Government Task Force approves, and prepares to release ‘bold’ revision.

Documents will be available for study and comment in September (more).

Other Items and Events

Maryland Interfaith Peace Witness invites you to an Interfaith Service and Fast for Peace Sunday, October 7, 2007; Monday October 8, 2007 Interfaith Fast (Dawn to Dusk) (more).

Hopewell Cancer Support will offer Kids Circle, a 6-week program designed to support children, teens, and families who have a loved one with cancer. Series starts September 8^th; 10-11:30 a.m. All programs are facilitated by Licensed Mental Health Professionals (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

Bruce Barstow, Acting Stated Clerk

brcbarstow@yahoo.com

Deb Milcarek

Associate of Mission and Justice

dmilcarek@baltimorepresbytery.org