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July 7, 2008 |
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July 7, 2008 |
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Named Great
Green Congregation How
much could a little church with just over 100 members change the environment
and raise awareness about it among the rest of us? Plenty — as members of Maryland
Presbyterian Church affirm by the gardening clothes they wear on Sunday worship
“work days” to the Covenant to Enjoy
and Care for the Earth, signed by all and prominently displayed in the church
narthex. Recently
named a “Great Green Congregation” by the
National Council of Churches for Christ, Maryland Presbyterian Church has
made environmental stewardship a priority in its ministry – and, it all began
with an effort to reclaim four acres of sloping woodlands in the congregation’s
own backyard. Overgrown with Oak,
Poplar and tulips – the wooded lot once hindered the church’s visibility in
the neighborhood but, now attracts new members through its environmental
stewardship ministry. Many
members wear gardening clothes on designated Sundays in preparation for
post-worship weeding and landscaping. Working shoulder-to-shoulder, they have
restored a nature trail through the lot; installed a rain garden with wooden
barrels to improve surface water drainage; drafted plans to erect a beehive;
and, organized an annual “Garlic Mustard Pull” to remove the non-native,
invasive plants entwined in the forest bed.
The land has become a healthy garden laboratory for the community and
an acclaimed habitat for wildlife. And,
as a result of its efforts, the church
received the 2007 Bayscape Award for “environmentally sensitive landscaping” However,
environmental awareness doesn’t stop at the church’s big, wooden doors. Inside the building, incandescent light
bulbs and drafty old windows have been replaced to improve energy efficiency
and worship bulletins and paper are routinely recycled. During social gatherings, members drink fair
trade coffee from washable mugs; and, in the community, they shop with recycled
cotton totes inscribed with the church’s name and slogan, “We Care for the
Earth.” Some politically-minded church
members have lobbied for the Global Warming Solutions Act and even the
monthly newsletter features an “Eco-tip” for sustainable living. Education and motivation are keys to the
environmental ministry, said Rev. Mary Gaut, who often includes Stewardship
of God’s creation in worship and liturgy services. As
the church’s eco-friendly population grows, so does its congregation, which
now attracts members from a 20-mile radius.
During Sunday service Ficus trees and living plants fill the chancel,
and the clear glass of the sanctuary widows make visible the change of
seasons reflected in the natural environment.
Rev. Gaut often marvels at the short-term impact of the church’s earth-saving
mission. “Stewardship of the environment is the top priority in our life
together,” she said, “and we feel compelled to live it out in the most creative
and faithful way possible.” |
Inside this Issue Take Note/Act Now
§ Worship and
Evangelism Training § Clergy Retreat § Youth Council Retreats § Mileage Rate Increase § Chamber Music at Roland Park § § Watercolors at Woods Gallery § § Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering § Presbyterian Men Synod Conference § Board of Pensions § Multicultural Church Institute Presbytery
Meetings Council – Sept. 9, 7pm Vision – Sept.
9, 5pm Stated – Sept. 25, 4pm |
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___________ Reprints of Tidings
articles are permitted for church newsletters and bulletins. Please
acknowledge Tidings as the source. |
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Praise &
Prayer Please
pray for the recovery of Contact Information The Presbytery of Phone:
410-433-2012 or 800-511-0087 Office
E-mail: office@baltimorepresbytery.org Website: www.baltimorepresbytery.org To subscribe/unsubscribe: Call 410.433.2012 or
email Roger Evans Also on the Presbytery of Find past issues of Tidings at: See new Church Announcements at: http://www.baltimorepresbytery.
org/announcements.html |
Take Note/Act Now Register Now: Worship &
Evangelism Leadership Training featuring Minister
Warren Cooper and Pastor Chuck
Denison at 9:30am to 3:30pm Saturday, July 19th at New Imani Community Church in Owings
Mills. Admission fee is $15 per person
and $50 for church groups of five. Saturday Evening Concert, featuring the
“Sacred Sound of Jazz” is free to all! Save the Date: Clergy Retreat Oct. 8th thru 9th
at Save the Date: Youth
Council Retreats: Senior High (Oct. 10th thru 12th,
2008) and Middle School (Feb. 27th thru Mar. 1st 2009.)
As
of July 1, 2008, the Federal
Government will increase the mileage
rate to 58.5˘. Church Notices Roland
Park Presbyterian Church is sponsoring free SUMMER CHAMBER MUSIC concerts at 7pm
on Tuesdays on July 8th, 15th & 22nd. at
Roland Park Presbyterian Church Sanctuary. For details, click www.RolandParkChurch.org. Event donations benefit the restoration of
the church’s Steinway piano. Springfield Presbyterian
Church presents
concerts at 3pm featuring Amos &
Amos on Sunday, Aug. 3rd and “Wherligig” on Sunday Oct. 5th. Watercolors by Lynn C. Reed are on exhibit in the
gallery at Woods Memorial Presbyterian
Church now through July 27th. Gallery hours are
Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm, Fridays 9:00 am-5:00 pm and weekends by appointment
by calling the church office at 410-647-2550. First Presbyterian Church of
Annapolis
is planning its Mission Trip to Haiti
from Feb. 13th through 21st, 2009. For details, contact the church at
410-267-8705. Synod and General
Assembly Items The 2008 Fall Gathering for Presbyterian
Women in the Presbytery of The Presbyterian Men 2008
Fellowship & Conference will be held July 18th thru 20th
at Board of Pensions 2009 Retirement
Seminars (Post-Retirement
Jan. 27th and Pre-Retirement Jan. 28th & 29th. In addition, the Board of Pensions has
published salary information. Click Salaries
for details. Other Items and
Events Come together to worship and study at the 2008 Multicultural Church Institute at National Pastor's Sabbath is April 17-20 at Sea
Trail Resort at |
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Peter Nord, Executive Presbyter |
Bill Millen, Associate Executive |
vbrown@baltimorepresbytery.org |
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Deb Milcarek Associate of |
Jane Johnson |
Bob Turberville Director of Development rturberville@baltimorepresbytery.org |
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Director of Public Policy |
Judi Forrester Coordinator of Financial Services |
Roger Evans Coordinator of Information Services revans@baltimorepresbytery.org |
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Coordinator of Resources |
Deborah I. Greene Coordinator of Communications dgreene@baltimorepresbytery.org |
Questions? Comments? E-mail |
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