June 6, 2005

Keith Aaron Lee, 1947-2005

We Christians approach death with both joy and sadness. Aaron Lee died Sunday morning, having probably suffered a heart attack. I cry for his wife and his children. I grieve for the people of New Imani who have known only Aaron as their pastor. And I mourn the loss of this colleague in ministry.

But of course there is also a solemn joy. Aaron has had challenging ministries most recently at New Imani and Trinity Presbyterian Churches. His ministry has helped many mature in their faith and contend with the challenges of life. And now, we believe, he is with all the saints who have gone before, fully present in the encompassing love of Christ and singing praises to God.

As we go about our own lives and ministries this week I invite you to join with me by including Aaron's family in your prayers. And I trust you will join your fellow presbyters in a faithful witness to the resurrection. At times like this, we especially need one another and Aaron's family needs our spiritual and physical support. I hope to join in worship on Saturday, August 13 at 11 am at New Antioch Baptist Church of Randallstown.*

Let us join in praying and singing verse 4 of hymn 526, For All the Saints. “From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast, through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Alleluia! Alleluia!”

I end by saying I know that Aaron is among that countless host streaming through those gates of pearl.

May God bless you even as God welcomes Aaron.

Peter

* Viewing, Friday, August 12, 8:30 am – 4 pm at March Funeral Home, 4300 Wabash Avenue, Baltimore 21215.

Viewing, Friday, August 12, 6 pm – 8 pm at New Imani Community Church, 9019 Liberty Road, Randallstown 21133.

Funeral, Saturday, August 13 – 10:00 am Family Gathering, 11:00 am Service at New Antioch Baptist Church of Randallstown, 5616 Old Court Road, Baltimore 21244 (between Liberty & Windsor Mills Roads).

Inside this issue

Take Note/Act Now

§ New Staff Members

§ Associate Stated Clerk

§ Clergy-Colleague Group Forming

§ Ministry in the 21^st Century

§ Job Opportunities Online

§ Local Church Announcements

Prayer Concerns

§ Next Generation NCD

People

Jack Carlson (Highland) performed the marriage of his son John to Ginger Apling in Salem, OR on July 4.

Congratulations to Steve and Wendy Carter (Christ Memorial PC) on the birth of their grandson, Evan Carter Ching on July 7, 2005. Evan weighed in at 8 lbs. 6 oz.

Prayers for the family of

Wayne Moulder who died this morning, August 8. Wayne was the former Parish Associate at First & Franklin Street PC, and on the staff of the Synod of the Piedmont from 1985-1988, and the Synod of the Mid Atlantic from 1988-1992.

Prayer Concerns

Next Generation NCD asks for prayers:

§ For the young adults coming to Summer Sunday nights, that they may be taking steps to grow in faith and that they may continue to invite others to join us.

§ For continued spiritual and numerical growth in the young adult community of Harford County.

§ For guidance as we pursue ways to minister to young adults in the city and county of Baltimore, particularly the neighborhoods of Canton and Fells Point.

§ For creativity and resources for two gathering events in the fall.

§ For the newest member of the Next Generation congregation, baby Simeon Macy Hartman.

Take Note/Act Now

The Presbytery of Baltimore is looking for five (5) new staff members: Associate for Mission and Justice, Coordinator of Resources, Coordinator of Communications, Director of Development, and Public Policy Advocate. Please encourage people you know to apply. More information can be found on the web at: www.baltimorepresbytery.org.

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.

Clergy-Colleague Group Forming If you are interested in meeting once a month with other clergy from the Presbytery in a small group setting to discuss pastoral issues, join us on Thursday, August 11, 2005 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the office of The Rev. Bill Hug, PhD. The intent of the group is to provide support, accountability, and encouragement to one another in a confidential setting. We are seeking funding for the first year from the Board of Pensions, so the experience will be very affordable. If you are interested, please contact Anita Hendrix at 410-566-2926.

The Committee on Preparation for Ministry has arranged for Jill Hudson to come and lead a Retreat “Ministry in the 21^st Century,” a workshop on how to be in ministry during these changing times. Jill is a Presbyterian minister and has recently published the book When Better Isn’t Enough: Evaluation Tools for the 21^st Century. The Retreat will be held at Dickey Memorial PC on Saturday, August 20, starting with a continental breakfast at 8:30 am. The workshop will be held from 9-3, and will include lunch. The cost is $10 for anyone who is not under care of the presbytery. As we plan for space and food, please RSVP to LeAnn Hodges at 410-267-8705 or LHFPC@annapolis-presbyterian.com.

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

Local Church Announcements / Presbytery Yearly Calendar

Contact Us

Presbytery of Baltimore

5400 Loch Raven Blvd.

Baltimore, MD 21239

Office: 410-433-2012 or 800-511-0087 Fax: 410-433-2066

Online: www.baltimorepresbytery.org

Email: office@baltimorepresbytery.org

Peter Nord, Executive Presbyter