May 30, 2006

Advocating for Justice

“He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 (Oxford)

From this Bible passage the PC(USA) has taken the mandate to bear witness to our faith by establishing public policy statements concerning how we “do justice.” The Baltimore Presbytery has taken this mandate one step further by providing a public policy advocate to the Maryland State General Assembly. I am this advocate, charged with supporting legislation that ensures social justice for all, especially the less fortunate and disadvantaged in our midst.

As the public policy advocate, I follow bills such as those relating to a healthy environment, low-cost affordable housing, equitable medical coverage for low-income people, fairness to immigrants, women’s health issues, domestic violence and gun laws. I meet with delegates, senators, and their staffs and work in collaboration with other faith-based advocates. Sometimes I voice support of bills; sometimes I voice opposition. Always, my position is in support of our church’s social policy statements, both from the local level (Presbytery) and the national level (PCUSA).

In the coming session, one of the issues that will come before the MD GA will be increased health care through a bill entitled, “The Healthy Maryland Initiative.” This will impose a $1.00 tax increase on cigarettes and is intended to decrease the rate of teen smoking, thus reducing the negative effects of smoking and saving lives. The revenue from this tax will be used to provide tobacco cessation education, increased Medicaid availability to low-income families, and help small businesses afford health coverage for their workers by offsetting a portion of their health care costs. Our Presbytery has already agreed to support this bill. Has your church signed the Resolution supporting this initiative?

I will address urban violence as an issue at the state and local levels, according to the Resolution passed by Presbytery at its April meeting. Another issue sure to be on my list of priorities will be assistance for low-income families for the electric rate increase coming into effect this July. What happens when thousands of households cannot afford electricity?

Here are opportunities to “do justice.” You can be an advocate by becoming informed on these and other issues and getting involved at the local, state or national level. My email address is jerickson@baltimorepresbytery.org. I would like to hear from you about issues that concern you.

Julie Erickson

Director of Public Policy

Inside this issue

Take Note/Act Now

§ Benefit Concert at Highland PC

§ Pres. Nominating Committee

§ Organ for sale

§ Letter from Rick Ufford-Chase

§ Naval Academy Job Opening

§ FCCAU Fundraising Event

§ Social Capital and Welfare Reform

Prayer Concerns

Central PC

Prince of Peace PC

People

Florence Henderson, moderator, requests that we pray for General Assembly, that we might hold together and grow as a denomination.

Continue to read Tidings and the website, www.baltimorepresbytery.org for articles and announcements before, during and after the GA convention.

Prayer Concerns

Central PC

asks for prayers:

· of thanksgiving for the new Christians and new church members who have come into the life of Central

· that the permits and details will fall into place as they prepare to break ground on a new set of buildings

· that Central will develop even deeper ties of service and outreach to the Baltimore Metro community

Prince of Peace PC

asks for prayers:

· for their continued disaster recovery efforts

· for their nominating committee that is looking for elders

· for those suffering from cancer

· for those living in violent situations

Take Note/Act Now

Baltimore Presbytery Items

Highland PC presents “An Evening with Jack Carlson, Folk Singer/Pastor” on Friday, June 2^nd at 8:00 pm in a Benefit Concert to support Allison Carlson in a year of service as a Young Adult Volunteer for PC(USA) in Kerela, India. Enjoy folk favorites, songs from the 60's and some of Jack's own songs (more).

Presbytery’s Nominating Committee needs you! Members are working hard to complete the slates of committee members for the class of 2009 – and to fill vacancies in 2007 and 2008 which need to be voted on at the June meeting of Presbytery. There are a variety of openings for clergy, elders, and some laypersons – men and women – all ages, races. Please respond to the Presbytery office (410.433.2012) or Doris Cowan before June 6^th (More).

Organ for sale: Technics SX-EX70M Electric organ with rhythm unit, walnut cabinet. $1,500. Call Cheryl Betts of Woods PC at 410-384-9370.

Synod and GA items

Read a letter to the church from Rick Ufford-Chase, Moderator of the General Assembly about the GAC’s recent action and the related recent staff changes at the GA level.

Other Resources and Articles

The Naval Academy has advertised for a Congregational Pastor. The contract is being advertised and awarded through FISC Philadelphia. Closing date for the contract is June 20, 2006 (See job listing).

Other Events

Faith Communities and Civic Agencies United (FCCAU) presents their 2^nd Annual “Bowling for Homelessness” fundraising event on Saturday, June 10^th from noon to 4:00pm at the Forest Hill Bowling Alley in Harford Co. Call Robert Meza, 410.612.0625 for more info. (Flyer)

The Ecumenical Volunteer Service Network welcomes Jo Anne Schneider, Ph.D., author of Social Capital and Welfare Reform: Organizations, Congregations, and Communities, who will lead a discussion on “Faith, Works, and Community” on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 7pm at St. William of York, 600 Cooks Lane, Baltimore, MD 21229 (Flyer).

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

Deb Milcarek

Associate of Mission and Justice

dmilcarek@baltimorepresbytery.org

Charles Forbes, Stated Clerk

cforbes@baltimorepresbytery.org