Friday, November 18, 2022

MARYLAND FOOD BANK / OUR TITHING RECIPIENT FOR SEPTEMBER 2022

 

Our Tithing Recipient for September 2022

The Maryland Food Bank is a nonprofit hunger-relief organization that is feeding people, strengthening communities, and ending hunger for more Marylanders. For more than 40 years, the Maryland Food Bank has partnered with communities across the state to distribute food to individuals and families in need. Through carefully crafted programs, the food bank aims to meet the immediate needs of Marylanders while simultaneously working to develop pathways out of hunger. Currently distributing more than 12,000 meals per day-more than 37 million meals annually-the Maryland Food Bank will continue to expand its efforts until hunger ends.<br><br>Our mission is feeding people, strengthening communities, and ending hunger for more Marylanders.

How We Fight Hunger

Now more than ever, we have proven that the food assistance safety net we’ve built over the last 42 years can withstand any crisis.

Our expertise combined with a statewide network of thousands of community partners makes it possible to meet the immediate needs of food-insecure Marylanders while simultaneously working to create pathways out of hunger.

We are helping Maryland recover by feeding people, strengthen

Where Your Money Goes

Thanks to donors like you, we’re able to provide food-insecure Marylanders with pathways out of hunger while distributing nearly 170,000 meals daily. Your donations make all that we do possible, so you should know how that the Maryland Food Bank uses all donations efficiently.

 

FY2021 Operating Expenses*

 

93%

Program Services

 

3%

Administration

 

4%

Fundraising


Thursday, November 17, 2022

COMMUNITY CHANGE.ORG TITHING RECIPIENT FOR AUGUST 2022

                                                                      Community Change:

 Is a progressive community organizing group active in the United States.[2] It was founded in 1968 in response to civil rights concerns of the 1960s and to honor Robert F. Kennedy. 

Their Mission Statement:

"To build the power and capacity of low-income people, especially low-income people of color, to change their communities and public policies for the better."[

The link below will take you to five inspirational  stories of organizers in the past 50 years who have been involved with Community Change

5 Organizers in 5 Decades - Community Change is a national organization that builds the power of low-income people, especially people of color, to fight for a society where everyone can thrive.




Community Change generally works in low-income areas, especially within communities of color, and attempts to create resident-based groups to work on local issues of concern. The organization sponsors internships and training programs in several areas, including community organizing, service learning, union organizing, electoral engagement, and youth/student organizing.[6] The organization provides resources for grassroots groups including campaign strategy, funding and social media strategy. In 2004, through the collaboration with immigrant groups,

Community Change organized the Fair Immigration Reform Movement that "empowered immigrants to speak out".[7] 

Community Change has helped to create government programs like the Community Reinvestment Act and the food stamps program.[8]

The organization seeks to create workplace environments that value family, to guarantee minimum wage, "unlock opportunities in the poorest communities, and increase income taxes for the wealthy.[9]

The Center for Community Change launched the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM), an immigration reform movement working for comprehensive immigration reform. 

 

 







Wednesday, November 16, 2022

FIRST TITHING RECEPIENT FOR JULY 2022

 

MOUNT VERNON VIRTUOSI

WHO WE ARE

Founded in 2018 by internationally renowned cellist Amit Peled, Mount Vernon Virtuosi is a chamber orchestra based in Baltimore, Maryland. Comprised of seventeen string players, our mission is to provide a place of artistic growth for the young musician on the brink of their professional career. By providing a platform for our musicians to continue developing their skills, we encourage their personal growth by engaging with audiences of all ages through exceptional performances and community engagement activities throughout the Baltimore and Washington DC region


To learn more: The link to their website is below

https://www.mountvernonvirtuosi.com/


The Mount Vernon Virtuosi regularly performs at three venues in Maryland – the Pratt Library in Baltimore, Spencerville Seventh-day Adventist Church in Silver Spring, and the Bender JCC in Rockville. Through the generous contributions of dedicated individuals, all regular season performances are presented free of charge. We continue to develop meaningful partnerships with community organizations throughout the Baltimore area, with concerts and education initiatives in schools, prisons, hospitals, hospice, and in collaboration with local venues that expand our reach and provide easy access to community members.

Beyond regular season concerts in the Baltimore/Washington area, Mount Vernon Virtuosi has toured throughout the East Coast and records exclusively for the CTM Classics recording label. The orchestra’s first recording, “Mozart Live” was released in 2019.

Do you want to participate ?  We will have a form available ( coming to your in box soon) You can complete the form for a group that you think deserves our support.  Any articles, or other media information you may have about the group would also be welcome.  We would like to have everyone's input. 


Tuesday, November 15, 2022

HAPPY EARTH DAY APRIL 22 ND

 

HAPPY EARTH DAY 🌎

INFI

IN PRAISE OF PLANET EARTH

 

 The blue planet earth is alive.

The mystic earth is awakening.

And the mountains and the streams and the seas are

full of life and dance with pounding hearts.

Within them the Mind of Creator is alive.

Stones and rocks and minerals are,

although we can not see it with our eyes,

deeply breathing in all serenity.

In those stones, on those rocks, in those minerals

We feel the Resonance of Creator.

Animals, plants, insects and fish as well

All are active and full of joy.

Clear and pure is the sky and the sun is shining.

And the land is at peace.

Our body too and our cells too are shining.

All living beings and all things are

living together in harmony.

They are radiating life.

 

by Masami Saionji

Chairperson

May Peace Prevail On Earth International

NITE GRATApril22ITUDE TO

MOTHER EARTH

Saturday, November 12, 2022

MOTHERS DAY FELLOWSHIP MAY 14TH


The parish life team will offer a Mother’s Day fellowship on Sunday, May 14TH


We plan to have an assortment of cookies, lemonade, coffee, and tea. If anyone would like to make a contribution, please let me know.
Blessings to you all for a wonderful new week and I hope to see you soon
Alice Jo




Friday, November 11, 2022

A SECOND CHANCE; THE ARK OF NOAH

 

The flood story makes modern readers squirm. We would far rather look at charming storybook images of the animals parading two by two into the ark than deal with the underlying theme of divine wrath unleashed on all of creation. Nicaraguan artist José Ignacio Fletes Cruz suggests another way to interpret this foundational sacred narrative. In this oil painting on canvas, the ark is presented not as a refuge where God seals off Noah and his family from a doomed world but as a bustling community center open to all—a second chance for humanity.

Fletes Cruz paints in a naive style, rooted in Nicaraguan folk art, which he mastered in a Christian commune founded in the 1960s in the remote Solentiname Islands in Lake Nicaragua to put the egalitarian principles of liberation theology into practice. The group’s support for the Sandinista Liberation Front’s rebellion against dictator Anastasio Somoza Debayle ultimately led to its destruction. Fletes Cruz has remained true to the community’s original mission, even if its utopian ideals now lie in tatters in post­revolutionary Nicaragua.

Viewing the ark of Noah as a type for the church has a long history in Christian theology and art, but there is no hint of ecclesiastical stuffiness in this carnivalesque scene of milling crowds beside the high-and-dry boat. The people have taken over the ark and keep watch on its deck for the new captain of the ship—one who comes in the name of the Lord, bringing social justice and salvation. Says Fletes Cruz: “Christ has revolutionized everything—and that is my message.”

ARTICLE FROM THE CHRISTIAN CENTURY

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY SHARING PROGRAM FOR THANKSGIVING


Holiday Sharing Program for Thanksgiving

Holiday Sharing  of Anne Arundel County matches donors to seniors and families in need during Thanksgiving





Jane Papenberg has identified a family with four children and four adult who will benefit from our Thanksgiving Gifts

Gift Cards from Aldi and Lidl’s are being collected

You can also donate $$ Cash $$ to be used to purchase Gift Cards


PLEASE BRING THE CARDS TO CHURCH ON NOVEMBER 13 TH OR NOVEMBER 20TH.

JANE WILL DELIVER THEM TO THE FAMILY ON NOVEMBER 20TH

 


Monday, November 7, 2022

SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER AT ST JOHNS

 






Calling all congregational members, family and friends. The Shrove Tuesday pancake supper is back. The pancake supper will be held on 21 February in the fellowship hall, between 4 PM and 6:30 PM. There will be pancakes, sausages, breakfast casseroles and beverages. Come enjoy a meal with family, friends and neighbors, with us doing the cooking.
Mark the 21st of February 2023 on your calendar and come enjoy the starting of Lent will everyone.
 
The Fellowship and Outreach Teams
🤗

Asking for donations of a box of Pencils or disinfectant wipes for AA Co. Schools .  Cash Donations are also welcome at the door. 

PLT Discernment; New Posting / Canidates Stepping forward



Each of us has the opportunity to recognize the gifts and talents of a fellow parishoner by nominating her or him to serve on our Parish Leadership Team . Another option is to consider if you are being called to fill one of the vacancies. The election will be held on February 19, 2023. 
We are encouraging you to give this prayerful and careful consideration and respond as soon as possible. Please call or e-mail Bob Porto with any questions or your nominations. (410-971-4963  or bporto2008@gmail.com)  We will continue to post weekly updates via the News Wire, emails and Pulpit Announcements.
We currently have two parishoners who have stepped forward to be on the Leadership team; Bob Porto and Damien Robinson.  Thanks to both of them , we can always have more people on the ballot.


Thanks and Blessings to all 
Bob Porto 
Nominating Officer

Sunday, November 6, 2022

SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY CONVOCATION


Welcome to the
44th Annual
Social Ministry Convocation

February 25, 2023
Mercy High School
1300 E Northern Pkwy,
Baltimore, MD 21239
9am - 3 p.m.


https://www.archbaltsmc.org/register


GO TO THIS LINK TO REGISTER IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND.  TWO PEOPLE FROM OUR PARISH ARE ATTENDING. ALWAYS ROOM FOR MORE.