Together Transforming…Lives. Church. World.

 

Congratulations to Walt & Rebecca Peters on the birth of their granddaughter, Rebecca Lucile Culp, born Feb 14.

 

People

 

Called Special Meeting of Presbytery on March 14, 7:00 pm  at Mt. Hebron PC to act upon the call of Dickey Memorial PC to Elizabeth Johnson, Candidate for the Ministry of Word and Sacrament, and to examine her on her Statement of Faith.

 

Council Meeting, March 14, 6:30 at Mt. Hebron PC.

 

Presbytery-wide Senior High Retreat

March 11-13, 2005

Registration Forms, etc. are now available at

http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/committees/cyouth/

SeniorHighRetreatInformation.htm

 

 

Local Church Announcements / Presbytery Yearly Calendar

Current Events
Text Box: Presbytery of Baltimore 5400 Loch Raven Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21239 Office: 410-433-2012 1-800-511-0087 Fax: 410-433-2066 www.baltimorepresbytery.org General email: office@baltimorepresbytery.org Staff Peter Nord Executive Presbyter pnord@baltimorepresbytery.org Bill Millen Associate Executive bmillen@baltimorepresbytery.org Julie Helms Administrative Associate jhelms@baltimorepresbytery.org Charles Forbes Stated Clerk cforbes@baltimorepresbytery.org Terry Martin-Minnich Education/Resourcing tmartinmin@baltimorepresbytery.org Judi Forrester Coordinator of Financial Services jforrester@baltimorepresbytery.org Alice McGee Coordinator of Information Services amcgee@baltimorepresbytery.org Dot Sanchez Coordinator of Communications dsanchez@baltimorepresbytery.org Mary Ellen Barrett Resource Librarian mebarrett@baltimorepresbytery.org

February 28, 2005

Who is Jesus?

 

Tidings is sent weekly on Monday afternoons.

Our primary audience is church professionals in the Presbytery of Baltimore.

 

 
Tidings

TakeNote/ActNow

Questions or comments? Email Dot at: dsanchez@baltimorepresbytery.org or call 410-433-2012

To subscribe or unsubscribe please Email Alice at: amcgee@baltimorepresbytery.org or call 410-433-2012
Text Box: The Big Event came through again. Keynote address, preaching, workshops, art exhibit, puppet show, video - all stirred the heart and mind. In her meditation, Elizabeth McLean reminded us that the Bible itself offers many images for Jesus. In Mark, Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do they say I am?” The answers include Rabbi, prophet, the Baptist. Then Peter replies, “You are the Messiah.” Nice save, Peter! But we learn that he really does not know what it means. I attended the workshop “Following Jesus in the Global Empire.” The political and economic realities of empire building were well-defined, but the reactions and solutions were vintage 1960’s. I wanted to hear the new 21st century solutions, the new thinking of postmodern times. I left in my own darkness, feeling disconnected. Ed Richardson’s interview video brought us on-the-street thinking. Imagine the camera and microphone are in your face. “Who is Jesus?” You know the world will hear your answer. The answers were either rote or waxing philosophical, and keynoter Stephen Prothero’s thesis was supported. Each answer fit nicely into the categories outlined in his book. And yes, everyone on the street knows and loves Jesus and fits him into their thoughts. An outstanding addition to the Big Event this year was an art exhibit called “Images of Jesus” in which 30 artists offered 42 amazing, beautiful, moving pieces! Upon viewing them, one participant, a Jewish woman, remarked, “Wow, you’re really preoccupied with what Jesus looked like!” (In the Jewish faith, “graven images” of Biblical figures are practically non-existent.) The puppeteer bounced his message nicely off the lectionary reading about living water and the woman at the well. Two simple puppets explore a beautiful ridge, then another ridge, and then the next. One puppet becomes thirsty for water to quench his bodily thirst while the other encourages him to drink the living water of God’s creation. In his end-of-the-day analysis of the Big Event, Prothero noted that he had heard the concept of sin mentioned only twice. He really didn’t expect more because he has observed that sin has been marginalized by the church and culture. He suggested that the purpose of religion today is to define a problem and then offer a solution. I am wondering…if the church isn’t in the business of forgiving sin, what is our business? Who is Jesus? Not until I was in my car and driving home was I ready to give the camera and microphone my answer: Jesus is the one who gives my life meaning and well being. Who is Jesus for you? Bill Millen

 

Towson PC asks for prayers:

 

· To increase our ability to listen to God’s voice in our hearts rather than to attempt to speak our personal judgments.

· To envelop our new pastor and associate pastor with God’s love and our support.

Prayers for Sun, March 6

“Transforming Violence Into Wholeness”

A Nonviolence Training Retreat

April 8-10, 2005

Towson Presbyterian Church

April 22-24, 2005

Catonsville Presbyterian Church

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!   MORE INFO TO FOLLOW

 

Interfaith group calls on congregations to observe Stop Slots Sabbath.

 

2005 Intergenerational Peacemaking Conference. The registration brochure, registration and housing forms, scholarship applications and College Crew Compañeros and Theological Student Worker applications are available for download at www.pcusa.org/peacemaking/conferences/2005.htm.

 

Presbytery-wide Conference, “Beyond Project Support”, Sat., April 9, 9:30 am to 2:00 pm at Faith PC, all minister and church mission representatives are invited.

 

Presbyterian Historical Society Announces 2005 Local Church History Seminar, April 25-29 in Montreat, NC.

 

Save the dates:

 

SAMI Mission event, May 4 at 6:00 pm at Central PC.

 

Lunch with Brian McLaren, author of “A New Kind of Christian” on May 10 at noon at Woods PC.

 

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