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May 16, 2005 |
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COGNITIVE
DISSONANCE Dear Friends, Whenever possible,
my natural preference is for clarity over ambiguity. I am inclined to want to
shed light in shadowy corners. Several ministers
and elders have asked me about my employment status vis-à-vis the Presbytery’s
new staff design. I figure that several more might like to know but are
reluctant to ask. So allow me to share. My current position (Administrative
Associate) is being discontinued in the new staff design – probably by
summer’s end. At the same time, a new position (Associate for I am grateful to be
in that enviable place where if I am selected for the new position, I shall
be quite happy; and if I am not selected, I shall still be quite happy. I am
a firm believer that no singular choice about virtually anything in life is
perfect. (Only God is perfect.) Also, I have lived long enough to know that
blessings sometimes appear as the immediate, coveted “prize,” and blessings
are sometimes realized only because the immediate prize did not materialize.
And finally, I am aware that nothing lasts forever (except God), nor do we
ever know how long anything will last. My son, who is an economist, would
call these thoughts “cognitive dissonance.” Well, I say thank God for gifts
like cognitive dissonance! They help us manage life! Change is
simultaneously inevitable, scary, and exciting…the expected but unknown guest
that has finally arrived. And now that it is here in Baltimore Presbytery, we
can shift from anticipating it to crafting the realities that will animate a
new vision. I appreciate your
expressions of concern and affirmation, and I appreciate that God is holding
each of us individually and corporately as the Body of Christ in God’s loving hands. In the faith, Julie |
Inside this issue Take
Note/Act Now § Host Presbytery § Synod invites statements § Standing in Solidarity § Men’s Conference § Global § Trip to § Free clerical shirts § Job Opportunities Online § Prayer
Concerns § Roland Park PC § Central PC |
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People Congratulations
to Fred Edell, Candidate (Hunting Ridge PC) who graduated May 9 from
Wesley Seminary magna cum laude. Prayers
for Prayers
for Jamie
Gabler, for
health concerns of her extended family. Best
wishes to |
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Prayer Concerns Roland Park PC asks for prayers for: §
The health of
several members of the congregation. §
Thanks be to
God for Anniversary Sunday on May 1 when Roland Park PC reached its 104th
year, and when a raft of building projects were dedicated: backlighting for
our stained glass windows, new tables for the hand bell choir, pew cushions,
new exterior lighting, and a spotlight for a Palm Sunday statue. Central PC asks for prayers: §
As they try to
fill several staff positions: Dir. of Children’s Ministry, Office Manager,
and Director of Ministry Support. §
For grace, as
their new associate pastor begins in July, pending Presbytery approval. §
For God’s
guidance and grace as they move forward with plans for their new buildings. §
For greater
commitment to prayer. |
Take Note/Act Now The Presbytery is looking for
churches to host Presbytery,
beginning with the November, 2005 meeting. Please contact the Stated Clerk,
Charles Forbes, for more information or to issue an invitation. Synod
Administrative Review Commission invites
statements. (read more). Standing in
Solidarity with Colombians, Sponsored by
the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, June 5-17. Contact Kelly Wesselink at
520-247-1581 (read
more). Synod Men’s
Conference will be held July 15-17 at
Massanetta Springs. There is a discount for registering before June 1.
Scholarships are available for first time attendees age 39 and younger. www.midatlanticmen.org or DaveHodge@aol.com. The New Global Mission Conference
will take place Oct 20-22 at Peachtree PC in Ken Kovacs is organizing and leading a Trip to Scotland Sept. 19-29. The tour will include Free Clerical
Shirts, size 15, short sleeve. Email JC
Wynn at rlwynn1@verizon.net. 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 |
Dot Sanchez, Coordinator of Communications dsanchez@baltimorepresbytery.org |
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Questions? Comments? Email Dot at
dsanchez@baltimorepresbytery.org or
call 410-433-2012. To unsubscribe email |
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