Encouraging, challenging and equipping congregations to thrive spiritually and be apostles for reconciliation
On May 13, 2025, more than five inches of rain fell in a short period across the steep mountain communities of Allegany County, sending fast-moving floodwaters over the banks of George’s Creek. The towns of Midland, Lonaconing, Nikep, Moscow, Barton, Franklin, and Westernport were all affected. A comprehensive damage assessment found two homes completely destroyed, […]
In 2020, Fallston Presbyterian Church created a memorial garden with a vision from a member who lost a grandchild soon after her birth. It is a peaceful, beautiful place that was enjoyed by church members, preK children/teachers and visitors. However when there was a storm event, the garden area was inundated with water, despite some […]
“When in our music God is glorified,..” inspired the Music and Ministry Fest of the Mountain Maryland Ministry Group, Sunday, June 22. This evening of anthems, solos, banjo, and congregational singing was hosted by the Hancock Presbyterian Church. The Mountain Maryland Ministry (MMM) group of the Presbytery of Baltimore stretches from Emmitsburg to Frostburg with the […]
Loyola Blakefield Seniors Live Out “Men for Others” Motto This summer, a group of rising seniors from Loyola Blakefield, a Catholic Jesuit school known for its commitment to forming “Men for Others,” put their faith into action by volunteering to help Hamilton Presbyterian Church clear out its facility. Their work, marked by sweat, service, and […]
Cumberland’s Community Cafe was funded in part by Community Engagement Grants, administered by the Commission on Reconciliation. Tucked away in Western Maryland’s scenic mountains, Cumberland was once the second largest city in the state—a vital hub of industry and transportation. While it no longer holds that title, this historic town now marks the end of […]
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 […]
“Political, Not Partisan” POSTER/FLYER – CHURCH BULLETIN INSERT The In the Loop Ministry Group and the Dismantling Racism Team Kick Off the Vote our Values (VoV) Postcard Campaign on Sunday, September 8th . Have you heard about the election coming up on Tuesday, November 5th ? Unless we’ve been hiding under a pile of rocks, […]
What is a “thriving church?” Often the answers point to things like membership size and numerical growth, financial stability, and a growing presence in the community. Churches whose membership is small and static or even shrinking are rarely considered to be “thriving.” Even church people often adopt the cultural understanding that bigger is better and […]
The day after Ash Wednesday 17 people assembled at the Franklinville Presbyterian Church for a spiritual retreat led by The Rev. Susan Scott, spiritual director, retreat leader, and author of the book Still Praying after All these Years: Meditations for Later Life. The retreat theme was “Resurrection: Breath, Voice, and Vision.” We met from 9 […]
“M.E.G.” (Mutual Encouragement Group) In September of the year 2020 (does that year bring anything to mind?), the pastors of the Susquehanna Parish Ministry Group began to meet every other week on Thursday mornings from 10 AM to 11—11:30-ish for nothing other than support and conversation. This group continues to meet today, four years later. […]
