December 14, 2007

What’s The News?

2008 Maryland General Assembly Legislative Summary

Well, there’s good news – and, some not so good news – to report after the close of the Maryland General Assembly’s 2008 Legislative Session. Although several new taxes were enacted during last fall’s Special Legislative Session, budget analysts still predicted a shortfall in state revenue. So, any bill with a sizeable fiscal note didn’t have much chance of passing the Senate nor the House of Delegates this year. The Maryland General Assembly largely approved unfunded legislation like bills to protect homeowners from mortgage fraud and unfair foreclosure; as well as another requiring the state to notify low-income families of their eligibility for public health care.

Much of the political gain made in the Presbytery’s legislative agenda focused on the environment. A groundswell of support from grassroots organizations led to the passage of sound policies such as bills that enact new lead abatement standards and prohibit the metal in children’s products. The Maryland General Assembly also passed bills that require “green” standards for new state capital projects; preserve the Chesapeake Bay; decrease state electricity usage 15% by 2015; and fund affordable, energy efficient fuel sources for industry.

However, despite intense lobbying, the Global Warming Solutions Act failed. The bill was strongly opposed by the Steelworkers Union, which feared that increased emissions standards would slow-down production and cause job losses. Global Warming wasn’t the only public policy on the Presbytery’s legislative agenda to lack the whole-hearted support of state representatives. Other failed bills include the death penalty repeal, funding for affordable housing and a sales tax rebate for low-income working families. A bill prohibiting the state to purchase apparel made in sweatshops offered legislators insight but was set aside for next year’s session.

Public education, immigration, guns and gambling will always be on the Presbytery’s legislative agenda – and, our advocates are already planning the demise of a slots bill proposed for next year’s session. Thanks for your support and encouragement during this session of the Maryland General Assembly. The Presbytery of Baltimore’s work in the public arena is crucial to our mission as Christians to “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.”

Julie Erickson, Director of Public Policy

For information on specific bills, visit www.mlis.state.md.us or call Julie Erickson at 410.268.3336.

Inside this Issue

Take Note/Act Now

§ Annual Meetings for Clerks of Session

§ Spring Gathering of Presbyterian Women

§ Jubilee Act

§ Woods Gallery Exhibit

§ “An Inconvenient Truth”

§ “You Must Believe in Spring” - Roland Park

§ Havenwood Book Sale

§ Kent Ira Groff Workshop

§ Earth Day–CCTG website

§ PCUSA Hymnal Project

§ Mission Director Wanted

§ Youth Director Wanted

Presbytery Meetings

§ Stated Clerks - April 19

§ Council – June 10

§ Vision - May 13/June 2

§ Stated - April 26

§ Stewardship – May 10

People

William (Bill) L.W. Pinches, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Frostburg, will dissolve his call on May 5^th to become pastor of a Presbyterian church in Mason, Michigan.

Contact Information

The Presbytery of Baltimore:

Phone: 410-433-2012

or 800-511-0087

Office E-mail: office@baltimorepresbytery.org

Website: www.baltimorepresbytery.org

To Unsubscribe:

Call or email Roger Evans

Also on the Presbytery of Baltimore website

Find past issues of Tidings at: http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/midweekmail.html. See new Church Announcements at: http://www.baltimorepresbytery. org/announcements.html

Take Note/Act Now

Baltimore Presbytery Items

Save the Date! Clerks of Session meeting from 10am to noon on Saturday, Apr. 19^th at Perry Hall Presbyterian Church. Please bring your church’s Minutes Book and rolls. For details, click Clerks or email vbrown@baltimorepresbytery.org.

The Spring Gathering of the Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of Baltimore will be held 9am to noon on Saturday, Apr. 19^th at Kenwood Presbyterian Church. Marlene Butler will be installed as the group’s moderator and replace Hilda Peacock on the Presbytery’s Council. Registration Deadline is Apr. 12^th. For details, click PW

The US House of Representatives will vote on the Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation (HR 2634) Tuesday, Apr. 15th! Join us as we break the chains of debt for the world’s impoverished countries. Take Action Now, click here!

Church Notices

Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church is currently exhibiting Nature House: Legacy or Loss at its gallery. The mixed media images of Rosemary Luckett -- composed of ink, watercolor and collage-- tell a unique story of the environment. For more, click Luckett.

Brown Memorial Woodbrook Presbyterian Church presents “An Inconvenient Truth,” at 7pm on Tuesday, Apr. 22^nd in the church’s fellowship hall. The film documents former Vice President Al Gore’s crusade to halt global warming. This is a free event.

Roland Park Presbyterian Church Thesbyterian Players presents “You Must Believe in Spring,” at 6pm Saturday on Apr. 19^th and 11:30am Sunday Apr. 20^th. For Tickets call 410.889.2000

Havenwood Presbyterian Church in Lutherville will sponsor its first Book Sale from 10:30am to 3pm on Saturday, Apr. 26^th. Books, games, puzzles, CDs, DVDS and VHS tapes are all on sale. Items can be donated on April 19^th from noon to 4pm or during church office hours. For details, contact the church at 410. 252.3073.

Towson Presbyterian Church will host Kent Ira Groff, founding mentor of Oasis Ministries, during a one-day retreat entitled “Writing as a Tool for Companioning Fellow Journeyers” from 9:30am-3:30pm on Friday, May 2^nd. For details, click Groff.

Synod and General Assembly Items

Celebrate Earth Day on Sunday, Apr. 20^th. For more information click, Earth Day. Visit the Care of Creation at http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/CareofCreation.htm

Tired of singing the same old song? PC(USA) is convening a committee to explore the use of a new hymnal which acquaints worshippers with the great wealth of hymns and spirituals from Christian communities around the word. For details, click Hymnal.

Other Items and Events

Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church seeks a Director of Local and World Mission to provide staff leadership and support for the church’s programs, events and partnerships. Competitive salary and benefit package offered. For details click Woods Job.

Northminster Presbyterian Church in Reisterstown seeks a Youth Director to work 12-15 hours per week. For more details, e-mail bsitterley@mynorthminster.org or write Northminster Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 306, Reisterstown, MD 21136