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August 1, 2005 |
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August 1, 2005 |
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Ownership I went to the
“Passionate Giving” seminar in June and was once again reminded
that the theology of stewardship is really powerful. I keep trying to own
my money! It is my money. I earned it. I decide how to distribute it. I have
to pay for college tuition, rent, utilities, groceries, insurance, my car,
clothing, vacations, Christmas gifts, and even more. I will give what I can
to pay the bills of the church. In this scenario, the idea of being a
faithful steward makes little sense, and tithing seems impossible. The theology of
stewardship, however, says that God is the ultimate owner: The
earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it The
world and those that live in it Psalm
24.1 If indeed God owns
everything forever, we must be the caretakers, the trustees who use all gifts
and resources as God intended to bring about a different reality. In this
scenario, it makes sense not only to be a faithful steward, but also to
participate in establishing God’s plan for our world. It makes sense
to preach, teach,
baptize, feed the hungry, cloth the naked, visit the imprisoned, heal the
sick, and proclaim the good news. And it makes sense
to tithe our
time, spiritual gifts, talents, and money. Our ownership versus
God’s ownership is a basic conflict that stewardship lifts up for us. I
hear our members struggling with this dualism. Do we give 10% to the church?
Or do we get to spend 90%? Do we follow our own individual agendas? Or do we
participate in God’s creation and redemption? God does not need
for us to give. But we need to give. If God wants it to happen, it will
happen. But we need to participate. Bill Millen |
Inside this issue Take
Note/Act Now § New Staff Members § Associate Stated Clerk § Looking for a trustee § Tending the Flame: Women Called to Lead § Dues percentage continues § Job Opportunities Online § Prayer
Concerns
§ Presbytery of |
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People Candidate, Ernest Poland (1st, Barton
PC) will be ordained and installed on August 8 at Keyser PC in Shenandoah
Presbytery. Christa Burns’ daughter Sarah will marry John Marinacci at Faith PC on Saturday, August
6. Craig Barton has
been called to Christ Memorial PC as Associate Pastor effective August 1. |
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Prayer Concerns Presbytery of Baltimore asks for prayers: §
That we are grateful for all God has given us. §
That God’s will for us becomes
more and more clear. §
That we will strive to be faithful stewards. |
Take Note/Act Now The
Presbytery of Baltimore is looking for five (5) new staff members: Associate for The Presbytery is searching for an Associate Stated Clerk who will serve
when the Stated Clerk recuses himself or to answer questions of those who
feel that their concerns may put the Stated Clerk in a position of having a
conflict of opinion. Letters of interest should be addressed to
Gretchen van Utt in care of the Presbytery Office by August 31. The
Presbyterian Foundation is looking for
a trustee from our area. The board meets twice yearly. Interested –
contact Peter Nord. In
recognition of women’s ordination as deacons, elders and ministers of
word and sacrament, the 215th General Assembly called for a
churchwide celebration, Tending the Flame: Women Called to Lead.
Regional events will be held. The Dues percentage continues –
Directors of the Board of Pensions meeting on July 16 in Also on our website The Presbytery
of Baltimore posts job opportunities:
http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/opportunitycalls.html Past Issues of Tidings are available at: http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/midweekmail.html
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Contact Us Presbytery of |
Office: 410-433-2012 or
800-511-0087 Fax:
410-433-2066 Online: www.baltimorepresbytery.org |
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Bill Millen, Associate
Executive bmillen@baltimorepresbytery.org |
Julie Helms, Administrative
Associate |
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Charles Forbes, Stated Clerk |
Terry Martin-Minnich, Education / Resourcing tmartinmin@baltimorepresbytery.org |
Judi Forrester, Coordinator
of Financial Services |
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Alice McGee, Coordinator of Information Services amcgee@baltimorepresbytery.org |
Dot Sanchez, Coordinator of Communications |
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Questions? Comments? Email Dot at
dsanchez@baltimorepresbytery.org or
call 410-433-2012. To unsubscribe email |
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