C.L.A.I.M.

04/29/2025

Join us for a community viewing of The Chosen, Season 3! We'll be back just as the weather starts to warm up with weekly episode watching gatherings starting April 29 (see all dates and locations below).

If you watched seasons 1 and/or 2 with us, we're excited to have you back. If you haven't seen it yet, you'll quickly catch up to the familiar story of Jesus and his followers, told with fresh vision.

Dinner is provided and all are welcome. Share this post and image!

03/06/2025

When candidates for ministry meet with potential congregations, there is almost always some variation of “if you joined us, how would you get more people sitting in the pews on Sunday morning?’

I know why we ask that question. I know all too well the pain of watching a place that you love struggle to continue to run the way that it has because there simply isn’t enough money, enough people, enough active participation.

But at the same time, Jesus never talked about membership once. He simply went and did the work he was about. It did involve quite a lot of advice for his followers: on how to serve the last and the least among us. On how to let go of familiar things and our old ways of doing, to leave it all behind and follow.

On March 22, CLAIM is hosting a conversation to dig into this topic, asking ourselves how we can build bold, resilient, and beloved congregations in this uncertain world where even the grandest institutions are shaking. The Rev. Matt O'Rear will lead this conversation, building on workshaping ELCA leaders and igniting new growth in the congregation where he currently serves in Atlanta.

Please join us! This event is designed with CLAIM congregations in mind, but everyone is welcome! If you think this event sounds interesting, then it is for you. Please register here:

March 22 9am to 12 pm Church of Holy Apostles & St. Stephen 901 Courtney Rd, Arbutus, MD 21227 CLAIM is hosting an open workshop as part of our annual gathering: Leading Through Change: Building Resilient, Beloved and Bold Congregations. This session will inspire and equip congregations to claim the...

03/05/2025

Today is Ash Wednesday.
Gracious God, out of your love and mercy you breathed into dust the breath of life, creating us to serve you and our neighbors. Call forth our prayers and acts of kindness, and strengthen us to face our mortality with confidence in the mercy of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

10/31/2024

🌍 Ready to lead the charge for climate justice? Join our 2025 Community Organizing for Climate Justice Program!

🌱 Learn. Grow. Act. Make a real difference in your community.
🗓️ Jan-Apr 2025 | Online
⏰ Apply by Dec 1, 2024

Learn more: https://forms.gle/JL5YWUHhxsGa5b2p7

https://centerforclimatejusticeandfaith.org/programs/community-organizing-for-climate-justice-as-faith-active-in-love/

10/03/2024

Help us connect all people with healthcare! Health equity event hosted by the State of Maryland with Baltimore City Lutheran clergy at Epiphany Lutheran Church.

See you Oct. 10 at 10am.

09/09/2024

Please share this funding opportunity with kids in your congregations who have an idea for making positive change in their community!

Kindness Grows Here believes every child is inherently kind and can make positive changes in their community. We know that kids and teens have amazing ideas for spreading kindness in their schools, neighborhoods, and larger communities. We value the unique perspective children bring to identifying p...

09/03/2024

This is a great funding opportunity for congregations looking to fund environmental outreach, education, and engagement projects; environmental action projects; and larger-scale restoration projects in the communities of the Back River and Patapsco River (inlcuding Gwynns Falls, Jones Falls, Baltimore Harbor, and the main stem of the river) Watersheds and the Curtis Bay and surrounding areas.

The G3 grant program supports design projects, financing strategies, and/or implementation of green street projects. The goal is to help communities develop and implement plans that reduce stormwater runoff, increase the number and amount of green spaces in urban areas, improve the health of local s...

07/29/2024

Please consider and share this volunteer request from the social ministry team at CLAIM member congregation, Zion Church of the City of Baltimore

Zion has been listed to serve as a “Baltimore City Cooling Center.” This means that on days when the city declares a “Code Red Heat Emergency,” Zion opens its doors to provide the public with a cool, air-conditioned space to come in and rest from the oppressive heat. Chilled bottled water is also provided.

Zion is committed to being open Tuesday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on all Code Red Heat Days.

Zion members have volunteered to be present in the Cooling Center while it is open. Best practice is to always have at least two volunteers available in case something comes up. We are reaching out to other CLAIM churches for additional volunteers. Although the Cooling Center will be open for 6 hours on Code Red days, volunteer shifts can be for as long as the volunteer wishes.

A volunteer simply comes to Zion for their shift and stays in the room. There will always be at least one Zion member there to take care of all the details required to maintain the cooling area and provide orientation for the volunteer.

If you, or anyone in your congregation would like to volunteer, please contact the Zion Church office at [email protected] phone 410-727-3939 or Bernie Penner at [email protected] phone 443-286-3973.

We will put your name and contact information onto our volunteer list and when the city declares a Code Red Emergency, we will get in touch with you to schedule a time slot when you can take a shift.

07/18/2024

Back by popular demand! We will be viewing season 2 of The Chosen this fall. Save the date for Tuesday evenings from Sept 10 - Oct. 29 at 5:30. More details coming soon, including locations -- look out on Facebook or email.

If you're not on our email list, please join by filling out this quick form to tell us about yourself: https://forms.gle/Qz62EVgT2b1QjmKt6