Antiracism and Social Equity Joint Team with Adult Ed.
The Anti-Racism/Social Equity Mission Team, supported by Christian Education, was formed in 2016 following the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore. In order to promote understanding of systemic racism, prejudice and white privilege we examine history from a religious and historical perspective through regular forums and small group book studies. Arkive articles and a Facebook group provide opportunities for dialogue and for actions that address racial inequities in our community.
Anne Arundel Connecting Together (ACT)
Anne Arundel Connecting Together builds power to improve the lives of people in Anne Arundel County and Maryland. ACT is a non-partisan organization of 26 faith and community-based institutions in Anne Arundel County. Our work with ACT is coordinated by our Core Team. Ark and Dove members participate in county-wide action team meetings and show up at actions organized by ACT leaders. Members of Ark and Dove are encouraged to meet one-on-one with members of the church and other ACT organizations to build relationships that are essential for building power and trust. Our Core Team facilitates communication between the congregation and ACT, works “turn-out” for ACT events, and encourages members to share our passion for fairness with local elected officials.
Arundel House of Hope Winter Relief Team
Through an all volunteer effort, Winter Relief has operated as a seasonal Emergency Temporary Shelter since 1992. Hosted at different Anne Arundel County religious facilities each week from late October through April, the shelter is a safe and comfortable refuge for those experiencing homelessness throughout the coldest months of the year. Each facility provides services, meals, and spiritual support to the guests during their designated week. It is a unique opportunity for people in the community to reach out and share their blessings with those who are experiencing homelessness.
Back to School
Ark and Dove participates annually in the county Back to School Program, a partnership between the Anne Arundel County School System and the county Department of Social Services (DSS), providing book bags and school supplies. Eligible elementary school students are referred to the program by school guidance counselors and DSS social workers. Ark and Dove also supports Meade Middle School students by providing loose school supplies.
Backpack Buddies
We have begun supporting Backpack Buddies outreach project at Nichols Bethel United Methodist Church. This project provides weekend food to students whose families are experiencing food insecurity.
Christian Assistance Program (CAP)
CAP is a team of 11 West County churches that provides food assistance to families in Gambrills, Odenton, Severn, Fort Meade, Hanover, and Harmans, as well as the Anne Arundel County portions of Jessup and Laurel. CAP operates a food pantry at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8397 Piney Orchard Parkway in Odenton. The pantry is open Tuesdays 11am-1pm and Thursdays 3-5pm. Each Thanksgiving and Christmas, CAP also provides food for a full holiday meal. Ark & Dove supports CAP by donating food and money, and by volunteering at the pantry.
Community Engagement Team
The Community Engagement team partners with neighborhood leaders to take action to impact needs in our community in a collaborative way. We hold door knocking conversations with our neighbors and listening sessions with leaders in our local communities to discern the needs that we can work together to solve.
Earth Care Team
Ark and Dove has participated in Earth Care for many years. In 2015, a church member became an Anne Arundel County Watershed Steward, receiving 50 hours of training and qualifying Ark and Dove for a large grant to mitigate stormwater run-off issues. That grant enabled Ark and Dove to create a rain garden in front of the church that filters and diverts water from the parking lot, and install large cisterns around the building to filter and slow rainwater coming off of our roofs. In 2022, we became a Presbyterian Earth Care Congregation. The Earth Care Team are striving to reduce the impact we have on the earth through education, energy efficient power, appliances, and practices.
GLEAM (God’s Love Embraces All Ministry) Team
Our goals are to ensure the affirmation and inclusion of all LGBTQIA+ members, friends, and visitors at Ark and Dove. We provide LGBTQIA+ educational opportunities for all church members, friends, and visitors. GLEAM provide resources on LGBTQIA+ topics for church members, friends, and visitors. We organize and facilitate the churches involvement in Annapolis Pride and other Pride events as deemed necessary. We lead support groups for LGBTQIA+ people affiliated with Ark and Dove, LGBTQIA+ community members, and allies within the church and greater community. We advocate for justice and equality in order to effect change in local, state, and federal policies that discriminate against and harm LGBTQIA+ people.
Habitat for Humanity Team
Ark and Dove became a covenant church with Habitat in 1996. This means we support Habitat in prayer, volunteer hours, and money. In ~2010, Ark and Dove “sponsored” a home renovation on Robin Court in Still Meadows, which means we (in collaboration with a few other churches) contributed over $100,000 to this particular build, plus many volunteer hours. This was largely inspired by the youth of Ark and Dove. Most summers, Ark and Dove has sent a youth mission trip to a Habitat build in New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania or other destination, for a week-long build. In non-Covid times, the Habitat activities at Ark and Dove have always fallen under the Mission Ministry.
Holiday Sharing Team
Ark and Dove provides Christmas gifts to children through the Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services (DSS) Holiday Sharing Program. Holiday Sharing provides food and gifts to seniors and families for Thanksgiving and Christmas. For each child, we provide an item of clothing and something fun.
Light House Homeless Prevention Center Team
The Light House is a dignity-based organization providing homeless prevention services to unhoused people - emergency shelter, fresh meals, job training, laundry, pantry, library, clothes for job interviews, housewarming kits, medicine safekeeping, showers...
Projects: House warming kits: all the items an individual or family would need to furnish a new home.
Refugee Resettlement Team
The Refugee Resettlement Ministry at Ark and Dove began in 2017 working with the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The International Rescue Committee provides opportunities for refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, survivors of torture and other immigrants to thrive in Baltimore and around Maryland. We have recently partnered with the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) to provide emergency support to Afghan refugees at this critical time.
Ministries of the Presbytery of Baltimore
Global Ministry
Karla Koll - Mission Co-worker in Costa Rica
Betsey Moe - Mission Co-worker in Guatemala
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