The View from Bolton Street
E-Faith@8, 8/22
The Faith@8 group is continuing to meet during this time of social distancing. Join us for an informal, community led service with more questions than answers and an open spot for whoever appears. Just follow the Zoom link below!
Memorial Faith@8
Time: Sundays at 8:00AM Eastern
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83309554789?pwd=czZUbWt6Yk1WVmgvNlAwNExQUWc5QT09
Meeting ID: 833 0955 4789
Passcode: 214106
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
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Meeting ID: 833 0955 4789
Passcode: 214106
The View from Bolton Street: Righteousness
Take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6
These verses from Ephesians are coming at just the right time. When we are surrounded by adversity, God invites us to put on God's armor. But this is not like our human armor! It is not guns and swords and shields and body armor and humvees. It is instead a very different kind of armor, the armor of truth, of peace and of righteousness.
I don't know about you, but when I am at my lowest, truth, peace and righteousness all sound pretty good to me. So if this has been a difficult week for you, or you are struggling with how to process bad news, or make sense of the world around you, I invite you to put on the whole armor of God. To seek Truth, Peace, and Righteousness.
I like that God offers the belt of truth, because without the truth our pants fall down and we can't move anywhere.
Similarly having shoes of peace means that we should not seek to go anywhere if we don't first have peace in our heart.
Beginning by seeking out the truth of the matter, listening to those speaking and to the voiceless, is a first step to being on God's side. Similarly walking in peace, not seeking to fight, or argue or divide but to bring together, to heal and to share, is part of walking the way of the Lord.
But what is righteousness? Sometimes I associate righteousness with a kind of false piety, ' oh they are so self righteous!' but that is not what God is offering here. That is not the breastplate of righteousness.
Walking in righteousness is about being humble, prayerful, patient, and forgiving. Embodying Jesus in our daily life and work. So it is appropriate that Paul refers to the Breastplate of Righteousness because this is an activity we participate in every time we draw breath. We breathe air in and remind ourselves of God's love for us and the sacrifices offered, and we breathe out our own desire to love and care and sacrifice and lift up the people of God.
This week I invite you to spend some time breathing in God's righteousness and breathing out God's love into the world. Does that change how you see things? How you respond to things? How you feel things?
Seeking an Organizer for our Justice and Reparations Work
Memorial Episcopal Church
1407 Bolton Street, Baltimore MD 21217 Full-time: Justice and Reparations Organizer
Who you are:
An experienced community organizer with a faith background who is excited to lead a predominantly white congregation through the challenging work of repairing relationships, restoring trust, and partnering with black-led justice organizations to transform the 21217 zip code and work with local and state organizations to effect systemic change necessary to eliminate racial injustice.
Job Title: Justice and Reparations Organizer, Hollyday Justice and Reparations Initiative Location: Baltimore City
Reports To: Rector, Memorial Episcopal Church
Who we are:
We are a Justice-Focused, Jesus-Centered Community in the heart of Baltimore. Memorial seeks to be a diverse and inclusive home for all those seeking a deeper relationship with God. We strive to follow Christ's commandments by actively working to make each other, our community, city and world better.
What We do:
Since 2018 Memorial Episcopal Church has been invested in uncovering the truth of our past and coming to terms with the legacy of slavery and segregation at Memorial and here in Bolton Hill. We acknowledge that clergy and laity of this church were instrumental in housing segregation and redlining, disenfranchisement of black voters, and inequity in school and youth programs here in Baltimore. Over the last year of the COVID pandemic we have come to realize how these historical facts have shaped our present reality as that inequity persists around us. This awareness has helped us as a community to crystalize our core values of Faith, Community and Justice.
Now we are focused on our work for the 21st century:
In reparations for our predecessors efforts to segregate, to deny rights and to create and maintain inequality, and because we each are children of the same God and we are called to work for the least of these:
1. identify and invest in community partners that are doing justice-centered work to undo the inequality in Housing, Education, Environmental Justice, Criminal Justice and Civic Engagement
2. study as a community the topic of Gospel Centered Justice and to make the transition from ministry that is charity focused to justice focused, from transactional to relational.
3. foster programs and partnerships to respond to the breaches created by our past and to create new opportunities for relationship and community.
What You Do:
Lead community mobilization through canvassing and street outreach.
Train/develop the Justice and Reparations Steering Committee on community organizing principles and lead efforts to identify Justice needs
● Develop leadership of members that builds individual capacity to speak to the media and elected officials, organize and run meetings, engage in campaign strategy development, and recruit, build and lead growing membership.
● Recruit new members to the effort
● Collect data on potential members and day to day outreach and organizing.
● Assist members in organizing and running community meetings and actions.
In response to identified Justice needs, lead or walk alongside city and statewide advocacy efforts to effect substantive policy change.
Lead fundraising campaigns with an annual goal of at least $100,000 per year for 2022-24. Identify key contributors in and out of the congregation to support continuing work. Identify key foundations and corporations that support Justice and Reparations.
Build public awareness of campaign, communicating messages clearly, both verbally and in writing.
Core Competencies:
● Successfully build relationships inside and outside the congregation through one-on-one conversations and day to day, hands on engagement
● Exercise strategic judgment and problem-solving skills.
● Pitch in; work with a diverse team of staff, members and community ● Work independently and as an entrepreneur to meet plan deliverables while being accountable to a team.
Primary Qualifications:
● Organizing experience (labor, community, issue campaign or election related) required;
● A commitment to and previous engagement with social, racial and economic justice initiatives and the power of grassroots community organizing to achieve such justice;
● Understanding of issues regarding race based inequity in Baltimore City, particularly in areas of Criminal Justice, Housing, Education, Civic Engagement and the Environment;
● Successful experience with grant writing, fundraising and other non-traditional forms of raising support;
● Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
● Competence with the use of various forms of social media and communication technology useful to organizing;
● Ability to research and analyze data to inform the campaign;
● Excellent organizational skills – good attention to detail and follow-through;
● Self-motivated - proven ability to work independently;
● Patience and ability to work well with diverse groups and populations;
● Dedication and ability to work flexible hours, including some nights and weekends;
● Ability to be a team player and work in a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment;
● Possession of valid driver's license preferred but not required.
Pay & Benefits:
● Beginning at $50,000 (negotiable based on experience)
● Health insurance
● Compensated travel
Memorial Episcopal Church is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, origin, sex, orientation, gender, or disability.
Seeking a Parish Administrator
Seeking a Parish Administrator
Memorial is seeking a dedicated administrator to manage parish communications, building use, and scheduling of volunteers. The pay is competitive and benefits are offered. Are you interested? See the position description below.
The Parish Office & Grounds Administrator is a 35 hours/week staff person reporting to the Rector. The Administrator acts as overall office manager, responsible for producing and managing most print, email and social communications, scheduling volunteers, and providing administrative support to maintain a smooth-running Parish office and Vestry operations, including event space reservations for outside groups.
If you are interested, please send a resume and cover letter to grey @ memorialepiscopal.org
updates
As we prepare for the beginning of the program year in September, I wanted to update all of you on what is happening at Memorial.
First, we miss you. I hope you will join us (in person or on zoom) for Homecoming Sunday - September 19th. We will continue to follow all necessary COVID protocols and are working on a way to make sure children who are not yet eligible to receive the vaccine can fully participate. Below are some additional updates.
The Memorial Makes Room campaign is nearly complete. We are still looking for approximately 25k in pledges towards the effort.
The renovation work is set to begin in mid to late September. Join us for homecoming as we say goodbye to the old cork floor
The Guy Hollyday Justice and Reparations Initiative has reached its financial goal for 2021, though we still would love to have you make contributions or sustaining pledges going forward. A neighbor of the church emailed me this week to let me know they had set up a regular monthly payment from their account directly into the fund. What a great model!
We are currently searching for a Children's and Youth Minister and a Parish Administrator. If you or someone you know might be interested, please let us know!
The Rev. Natalie Conway is dealing with some health issues this month and will be taking some time off. Keep her in your prayers and say hi if she joins us on zoom from time to time!
Our Annual meeting will be January 23, 2022. We will be electing between 4 and 6 new members to the vestry. I would ask that you all prayerfully consider whether this is something you are called to.
That's all! See you in Church!
Grey+
Join Our Team
Memorial Episcopal Church is seeking a Children’s and youth minister to serve on our staff. Are you interested in joining our team?
Memorial Episcopal Church
Children’s and Youth Minister Job Description
Memorial Church is seeking an energetic and young at heart person of faith to lead Children and Youth Programming in Mid-Town/West Baltimore. The Children and Youth Minister has overall responsibility for the ministry and outreach to Memorial Children
This position involves three principal efforts:
Planning, teaching and coordinating Children and Youth Programming at Memorial Church (with parent support) including Sunday Morning Children’s Chapel, Youth programming and Sunday School.
A) Utilizing the ‘Prayground’ space during services
B) Organizing two seasonal ‘Sunday school’ programs (Christmas Pageant and Palm Sunday Pageant/Parade)
C) Helping to integrate children into the worship at Memorial
D) At least monthly afternoon and evening programs for children and youth
Creative online programming and content through social media, zoom or other mediums to connect children with each other and the church
Once a quarter Justice and Reparations actions for children and youth to engage with the surrounding community.
Qualifications
Previous experience working with young children in a faith based setting
Submit to a Criminal and financial background check
College Degree preferred
Previous Education and Experience with Christian Children’s Ministry desired
A Faith in our savior Jesus Christ and a willingness to share God’s love with the World
Experience with social media, email, multi-media communications required.
Willing to complete ‘All God’s Children’ child abuse prevention program (provided free by the Diocese of Maryland)
Compensation:
Salary: $20 an hour
Basic Health Insurance for the Candidate
Start Date: August 15th, 2021
Hrs: 30 hours a week
Days: Sunday, Tues, Wed, Thurs (Saturdays on occasion for events)
Length of Agreement - One Year. Possible extension if mutually desirable.
To apply please submit resume and cover letter to grey@memorialepiscopal.org
Transfiguration: 12 PM, Friday, August 6th
Or join us in person at Noon on Friday, August 6th!
Sign-up no longer required.
To join us online, all you need to do is click on the link below. We will have the order of service up on the screen to follow along. We recognize that all of us have different levels of comfort with technology - we will do our best to help everyone do what they need to feel comfortable and participate!
Two tips for Zoom worship:
1) Let us see your face! If at all possible, please start a video feed so we can see each other face to face, even across distance.
2) Please mute yourself unless you have a speaking role in the service. And if you find you are muted, please don’t unmute yourself unless asked. However - even when you are muted, please do respond to the prayers and readings, as we are all worshipping together.
Join Zoom Meeting
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E-Church 9:30am, 8/1
Or join us in person! Sign-up no longer required.
To join us online, all you need to do is click on the link below. We will have the order of service up on the screen to follow along. We recognize that all of us have different levels of comfort with technology - we will do our best to help everyone do what they need to feel comfortable and participate!
Two tips for Zoom worship:
1) Let us see your face! If at all possible, please start a video feed so we can see each other face to face, even across distance.
2) Please mute yourself unless you have a speaking role in the service. And if you find you are muted, please don’t unmute yourself unless asked. However - even when you are muted, please do respond to the prayers and readings, as we are all worshipping together.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84992001341?pwd=QUMvMFYzZU9HQkRLVmxISkVPRGlIQT09
Meeting ID: 849 9200 1341
Password: 563025
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,84992001341#,,,,0#,,563025# US (Germantown)
+19292056099,,84992001341#,,,,0#,,563025# US (New York)
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Dial by your location
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+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 876 9436 6639
Password: 729226
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdoU8Ii34Q
E-Faith@8, 8/1
The Faith@8 group is continuing to meet during this time of social distancing. Join us for an informal, community led service with more questions than answers and an open spot for whoever appears. Just follow the Zoom link below!
Memorial Faith@8
Time: Sundays at 8:00AM Eastern
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83309554789?pwd=czZUbWt6Yk1WVmgvNlAwNExQUWc5QT09
Meeting ID: 833 0955 4789
Passcode: 214106
Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 833 0955 4789
Passcode: 214106
Redevelopment
by the Rev. Natalie Conway
A former parishioner called me recently incensed by an article in the Baltimore Sun. The article was about the Poppleton community in West Baltimore and how homeowners were being forced out of their neighborhood. He wondered why there wasn’t an outcry to this city eviction. I don’t subscribe to the Baltimore Sun but I told him I would check it out.
The article was on the front page of the Friday, July 23rd edition. The first thing that struck me was a quote: “You’re not doing that in Federal Hill.” You might as well have said: “You’re not dong that in Bolton Hill” or any other predominately White communities in West Baltimore. The second thing that struck me was the City of Baltimore was using eminent domain—how the government takes private property for public use and it’s legal. The third thing that struck me was eminent domain—such as bad as redlining.
“In an aging city with several ongoing redevelopment projects, such property seizure is commonplace. But some argue its use is uneven, typically resulting in the displacement of low-income and working-class people in communities of color.”
“The Poppleton community houses Black churches, landmarks, and schools, and the Edgar Allen Poe house, and the first public housing complex, Poe Homes, which will be overhauled with federal dollars.”
Poppleton community is probably not the first displacement of individuals of color and it won’t be the last. Poppleton like other predominately Black communities has been neglected for decades. Take a ride down Druid Hill Avenue and up McCulloch Street and look at the boarded up houses. Where is the cry for injustice when one is forced out of their home using eminent domain and where is one to go? Redevelopment in these areas could allow people to stay in neighborhoods where they grew up, started families, and maintained a sense of pride in their neighborhoods. A great example of this is the Fulton Avenue redevelopment.
Charm City is not Charm City when the redevelopment line is on one side of Eutaw Place but not the other. What can we do—Memorial? We have a new Justice Missioner, an advisory board, and money to invest. Take a few moments and read the article in the Baltimore Sun. Maybe it will stir up something within you to write to your council member about the injustices in the redevelopment of Baltimore neighborhoods.
Peace and Blessings,
Deacon Natalie