January 7, 2008

Our History. Our Future. Do you know what happened the first day of 1808? I only became aware of the importance of this date after reading a story in the NY Times. The day turns out to be an important anniversary – surely as important as other recent anniversaries celebrated. It was on that day that it became illegal to import slaves into the United States. It was also the first day that Congress could enact such a law – given that it was required to uphold the Constitution. World history reveals that the United States was not the first northern European-type country to stop the importation of slaves. And, yet, this decision was an important first step for our country’s movement toward outlawing slavery. Of course, the slavery trade in America continued to thrive for more than 50 years after the act of importing slaves was legally abolished. Slavery continues even today; and, by some accounts, there were 25 million slaves worldwide on January 1, 2008. Our legacy of slavery continues to haunt us and impacts us in more ways that we can ever know or perhaps admit. It is all the more important, therefore, that we face this legacy head-on and recognize our involvement – not only in the historic slave trade of Africans but also in our appetite for cheap goods too often made by folk who fit the description of either slaves or indentured servants. This concern for cheap labor is embodied in one of the overtures we will be voting upon at the January Presbytery meeting. And, frankly the attitude I often hear expressed about “illegal aliens” sounds remarkably similar to attitudes once expressed about African Americans. We should not let these things go unchallenged. I invite those of you, so motivated, to join with me in celebrating this important benchmark in our nation’s history. What better time than as we approach Martin Luther King Day and Black History Month? If you would like to help plan some sort of commemorative event for Presbytery, please let me know. Blessings, Peter		Inside this issue Take Note/Act Now § Mission Support and Per Capita § Stop the Violence Sunday, Jan 20^th § Annapolis Day § The Big Event! § 2009 Mission Grants § High School Retreat, Mar. 7^th -9^th § Pastoral Education Seminar § Viewing of “Sicko” and Panel Discussion § Form of Government Task Force § Bryn Mawr Endowment Conference § New Tool for Children’s Ministry § Presbytery Vacancies § Wanted: organist and music director
Prayer & Praise Please pray for the improved health of the Hon. Retired Rev. Theodore (Ted) Lawson, during his rehabilitation at Carroll Lutheran Village’s health care facility. 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 Alice McGee Tidings is provided through your support of the Presbyterian Church	Take Note/Act Now Baltimore Presbytery Items The deadline for Presbyterian churches to submit Mission Support and Per Capita for fiscal year 2007 is noon on this Wed., January 9^th 2008. To ensure funds are credited appropriately, please write Fiscal Year 2007 on checks and remittance slips submitted in January. For more information contact jforrester@baltimorepresbytery.org. Save the Date! Stop the Violence Sunday will be observed on Jan. 20^th. This Presbytery-wide event is sponsored by the Initiative Against Urban Violence. Click here to download "Stop the Violence Pamphlet" Save the Date! Presbytery of Baltimore in Annapolis Day. On Monday, Feb. 4^th, the Presbytery will sponsor Annapolis Day in Rm. 170 of the House of Delegates building. Everyone, including youth -- is welcomed to participate in this event to witness state government in action. Save the Date! The Big Event will be held Saturday, Feb. 23^rd at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park. This year’s event is entitled, “Does Presbyterianism Have A Future,” and features keynote speaker, Barbara G. Wheeler, President of Auburn Theological Seminary. Apply Now for the Presbytery of Baltimore’s 2009 Mission Grant. Churches and ecumenical agencies supporting programs and projects that help to improve the environment or address human needs such as hunger, education and housing may submit a proposal to the Mission Committee by April 14^th 2008. To download a PDF application, click [more]. (Forms will be available Jan. 15^th at www.baltimorepresbytery.org.) Sign Up Now for the Presbytery of Baltimore’s High School Retreat. The retreat will be held March 7^th – 9^th atCamp Wo-Me-To. For more information, visit www.baltimorepresbytery.org "HOLD THE DATE/EARLY BIRD SPECIAL" - SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2008 - Pastor Educational Seminar will be held prior to the Presbytery’s April Stated Meeting" The Care and Creation Task Group will provide details at a later date. Church Notices Health Care is a significant social justice issue. Join us at Towson Presbyterian Church on Jan. 11^th and 18^th for a viewing of the film "Sicko" and a panel discussion on universal health care. This event is free and open to the public! For information, click [more]. Synod and General Assembly Items The General Assembly’s Form of Government Task Force is proposing changes to the Book of Order. Pastors and Clerks of Sessions are encouraged to review the Task Force report by clicking link below and referring their comments and questions to vbrown@baltimorepresbytery.org. [more] Other Items and Events Growing Ministries through Growing Funds: A Regional Conference of the Presbyterian Endowment Education & Resource Network will be held January 26^th at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania. To purchase a ticket for this informative event see driving directions or click [more] The LOGOS Ministry offers a free tool for assessing the effectiveness of your church’s children’s ministry. To access this free 20 minute webinar, click www.thelogosministry.org. The Presbytery of Baltimore is conducting an employment search to fill the vacancies of Associated Stated Clerk and Coordinator of Information Services. For job descriptions, click [more]. Dickey Memorial Presbyterian Church invites talented musicians to apply for a position as organist and music director. For more information, candidates should contact Phil Branner at 410.448.2666. 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
Peter Nord, Executive Presbyter pnord@baltimorepresbytery.org	Bill Millen, Associate Executive bmillen@baltimorepresbytery.org		Vaughn L. Brown Jr., Stated Clerk vbrown@baltimorepresbytery.org
Deb Milcarek Associate of Mission and Justice dmilcarek@baltimorepresbytery.org	Jane Johnson Associate for Leadership Development, Education and Youth jjohnson@baltimorepresbytery.org		Rita Walters Director of Development rwalters@baltimorepresbytery.org
Julie Erickson Director of Public Policy jerickson@baltimorepresbytery.org	Judi Forrester Coordinator of Financial Services jforrester@baltimorepresbytery.org		Alice McGee Coordinator of Information Services amcgee@baltimorepresbytery.org
Wanda Morgan Coordinator of Resources wmorgan@baltimorepresbytery.org	Deborah I. Greene Coordinator of Communications dgreene@baltimorepresbytery.org		Questions? Comments? E-mail office@baltimorepresbytery.org