Please fill out your census, now!

Guest post by by Jennifer J. Mielke

Neighbors, and friends, stakeholders, please complete your census!! The current response rate in Baltimore City is 44% which is devastating. The below provides a good summary and includes lots of resources to share, so we can increase this number!! 

I know these are difficult and challenging times for everyone and filling out the 2020 census form and encouraging others to do so may be last on your mind, but WE ALL NEED TO BE ADVOCATES RIGHT NOW. 44% response rate is not enough and a lot is at stake. We all know the tremendous impact COVID-19 is having on residents, businesses and communities right now and that is with the funding that we do have. Imagine if we have less money and representation? Please be advocate for the census with your networks, families, and communities.  

The Baltimore City Planning Department has a 2020 Census page with helpful information and resources on the 2020 Census, including how to complete the census:            

https://census2020.baltimorecity.gov/

What's At Stake?

Four Reasons that the Census Matters to Baltimore:

1. Financial Resources - $900 million annually to Baltimore through Federal Assistance Programs.
2. Planning and Policy Guidance - population data used by almost every City Agency to set priorities.
3. Social and Racial Equity - Baltimore must continue to ensure that the most vulnerable residents are counted - so that the city does not miss out on critical programmatic funding.
4. Updating Council Boundaries - Ensure fair and equal representation across all 14 districts.

The graph below documents the programs affected by the Census:

Jennifer J. Mielke is the Director of Local and Community Affairs and Government and Community Affairs at Johns Hopkins University & Medicine

Easter worship - 2020

In this this time of isolation, Guardian Angel is still a community of prayer and worship. Though we cannot gather in person, please enjoy--and join in if you'd like--with some hymns performed by Guardian Angel's music director, Noah Stone. 

Christ is risen! And though it may feel like we are buried, he is there with us. And we will emerge. "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20 

Note: Noah continues to receive his normal pay from Guardian Angel, but that's only a couple of hours a week of work. Busking and other public performances, a cornerstone of many musician's professional lives, are not currently allowed. If you'd like to support Noah's musical ministry, you can do so directly via cash app, username $nostonec, or by making a donation to Guardian Angel (paypal.me/CGABaltimore) with the note "Support for musical ministry."

Easter vigil 2020

Guardian Angel music director Noah Stone

Palm Sunday Liturgy - 4/5/2020

Visiting priest Carol Burnside, who is walking with us through this Lenten season and Holy Week, celebrates the Palm Sunday liturgy at the Church of the Guardian Angel.

During the current crisis over COVID-19, we cannot meet in person for our regular weekly services and activities, though the Wednesday morning Food Pantry continues in a modified form (9am-10am). But Guardian Angel, the people and building, will continue to be dedicated to prayer, worship, and service in the name of Christ.