DID YOU KNOW?

There was a time in Baltimore when some magazines and books written by local folk were deemed too political to display? You might ask, “What could those have been?” Well, it turned out to be about men and women who were incarcerated and trying to control their own narratives by telling their own stories through “State Vs. Us Magazine”, published by Tia Hamilton.

So, Urban Reads Bookstore, was established by Tia Hamilton as her way of helping people to have another chance at making it right for themselves.  Malls and bookstores were solicited to display “State Vs. Us Magazine”. All efforts were rejected. Tia, committed to her cause, established Urban Reads Bookstore at 3008 Greenmount Avenue, in Baltimore. The magazine has enabled Tia to publish high profile stories of incarcerated men and women including her own incarceration story and to addresses issues like prison reform. Another goal in opening the bookstore has been to encourage African American children to have access to reading material that would encourage them to read more.  Especially books with characters and situations that are relatable to African American communities. For example, books where a child could say “that looks like me and he looks like you, daddy”. There is a correlation between reading skill and incarceration. 

Ms. Hamilton wanted to have a direct impact on the community and to develop partnerships with organizations in Baltimore City that could help her make that impact, such as Johns Hopkins and Waverly Main Street Business Association. She questions why Baltimore can’t have the same resources Montgomery County has and why black cities in America lack the resources needed for them to thrive. Do you think this is true and why?

She believes we have to actively participate in coming together as a community and let our young people know they are the future and we are going to support them. With this goal in mind, she hosts an annual youth summit introducing middle schoolers to guest speakers and interactive workshops. This year’s summit was held at Morgan State University, enabling youth to tour a college campus for the first time. Currently there is a plan underway to raise $15,000 to to refurbish a used passenger bus into “The Literacy Bus” to take books to Baltimore’s children. The fundraising video is on the store website: www.urbanreadsbookstore.com

Read more about Ms. Hamilton’s life story and ideas about the economic, educational and social future of underserved communities in Baltimore by checking out the link below.  

What can you do?

• The Dismantling Racism Committee urges support for black owned businesses like this and lead by example in the purchase of books for the “All God’s Children Are Welcome” campaign in 2022, which provided books featuring children of color to local schools, churches, child care centers, House of Ruth and The Children’s Home.
• Consider how you can advocate for, publicize and volunteer in and support Urban Reads Bookstore.

Check out this link - https://www.baltimoretogether.com/stories/tia-hamilton

 

Beginning Wednesday, September 3, 2025, and for the following 24 weeks we will begin a new lecture study, “Great Figures of the New Testament”, taught by Professor Amy-Jill Levine.

Professor Levine teaches New Testament Studies at the Vanderbilt University Divinity School. These lectures are about the great figures in the earliest years of the church. The focus is on the Biblical historical context, with a detailed examination of key characters, their actions, and how historians, artists, and theologians have interpreted them over time.

If you missed last week’s session, don’t worry! It served mainly as an introduction to the course and isn’t essential for following along. Most of the lectures are designed as stand-alone videos, so you won’t fall behind.

Just a reminder that we will not be having Wednesday Bible Study on Wednesday, December 17, December 24th and December 31st.  Stay warm and safe.  We will convene on January 7, 2026, starting the second half of the study with lecture # 13, "Pharisee and Sadducees," 

For more information, please contact Vaughn Ouellette.

The Sunday Morning Forum has moved forward in a hybrid format—meeting in person in the library and on Zoom—from 9:30 to 10:15 am. The Zoom link is found in the Sower.  This schedule lets choir members participate and still make it to rehearsal before worship.

Beginning on Sunday, January 4, 2026, Dr. Joe Pettit will lead us in discussion over the Introduction to Isaiah by C. L. Crouch and Christopher B. Hays.  The authors introduce the Book of Isaiah in its diverse historical contexts, tracing its origins and development over several centuries: beginning with the career of the prophet Isaiah ben Amoz in eighth century Jerusalem, continuing with a late seventh century edition and the further revisions made in the late sixth century, and concluding with final shaping during the Persian Period.  The Forum meets at 9:30 am in the Library and a Zoom link is available.

Click Here to join via Zoom or join us in person in the library. 

The weekly market is every Wednesday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm in lower parking lot. For more information, including a list of vendors updated weekly, visit https://catonsvillefarmersmarket.com/.