December 14, 2007

A REASON TO GIVE

“The reconciliation of man through Jesus Christ makes it plain that enslaving poverty in a world of abundance is an intolerable violation of God’s good creation. Because Jesus identified himself with the needy and exploited, the cause of the world’s poor is the cause of his disciples.”

The Confession of 1967 (9:46)

Development is just another word for fundraising. Raising money for whatever the cause can be a noble and worthy effort for the fundraiser. But we must remember the purpose of Christian fundraising: that giving is not for the glory of man; it is for the glory of God. Many religious contributions, as well as contributions for other causes, are given so that the giver’s name can be inscribed on a plaque. Much of the hardware within church houses across our nation are inscribed with the name of the donor – thus, inscribed as contributions unto the glory of man! I Samuel 4:21 – “the glory of the Lord has departed!”

When we make a Christian gift, we have good intentions but we sometimes make gifts for our own glory and not for the glory of God. The Stewardship Training conducted in July and August highlighted the belief that we should give for the glory of God and not for the glory of a Christian congregation or any individual recognition. We cannot say, “This church is successful because it has met its budget.” The basis of the need of the giver is to give for his or her own spiritual benefit rather than on the basis of the church’s need to balance its budget.

We also must realize that stewardship is part of our worship of God, rather than a fundraising procedure. Many times a person will give because that’s what is expected of them as a responsible member of a congregation. It may even be perceived that to be a “guilt-free” member of the church one must contribute to the annual stewardship drive, the capital campaign or some other eleemosynary aspect of the church.

Giving is part of our individual worship of God. And, for that reason, we must make Christian giving part of our Christian living experience.

Bob Turberville,

Director of Development

Inside this Issue

Take Note/Act Now

§ Contribution Statements

§ Highland Picnic & Praise

§ Catonsville Concert Series

§ Martha Alexander Walker at Gallery at Woods Memorial

§ GA Moderator Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow

§ Women of Color Consultation

§ Heidelberg Catechism

§ College Grants

§ Death Penalty Protest

§ Music Director wanted

§ Healthy Homes Festival

Presbytery Meetings

Committee Meetings & Reception – Sept. 2

Council – Sept. 9, 7pm

Vision – Sept. 9, 5pm

Stated – Sept. 25, 4pm

Praise & Prayer

Please pray for the family of Emma Belle Wagner, wife of Carl Wagner, Moderator of Presbytery of Baltimore - 1971-1972, who died last week. The Belles, longtime members of Maryland Presbyterian Church, resided in Towson.

Contact Information

The Presbytery of Baltimore:

Phone: 410-433-2012

or 800-511-0087

Office E-mail: office@baltimorepresbytery.org

Website: www.baltimorepresbytery.org

To subscribe/unsubscribe:

Call 410.433.2012 or email Roger Evans

Also on the Presbytery of Baltimore website

Find past issues of Tidings at:

Tidings Archives

See new Church Announcements at: http://www.baltimorepresbytery. org/announcements.html

Take Note/Act Now

Baltimore Presbytery Items

The Presbytery of Baltimore’s conversion of financial data to a new software package will result in changes to the monthly contribution statements for churches. For details, click contribution statements.

Church Notices

Bring your own picnic basket, chair and blanket and enjoy Highland Presbyterian Church’s Christian Concert and Tailgate Picnic from 4pm to 7pm Sunday, Sept. 7^th featuring the Highland Praise Team Christian Bands with guest pianist Barbara Stumpf. Admission is free. For details call 410.452.9394

Catonsville Presbyterian Church will sponsor a Concert Series featuring the Cypress String Quartet on Sept. 21; Columbia Jazz Band on Oct. 19^th and Baltimore Choral Arts Society on Dec. 7^th. All concerts are held at 3pm at the church. For details, call 410.747.6180 or visit www.catonsvilleconcerts.org.

The Gallery at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church presents an Exhibition of New & Retrospective Works of Martha Alexander Walker. For details, call Nancy Saarlas 410-647-0135/or saarlas@verizon.net or click, Woods Gallery.

Synod and General Assembly Items

All are invited Sunday, Aug. 24th to hear Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, Moderator of the 218th General Assembly, preach before the Nat’l Capital Presbytery at Lewinsville Presbyterian Church in McLean, Va. The worship service begins at 10 a.m. For details, visit http://www.nationalcapitalpresbytery.org/

The Synod of the Mid-Atlantic Committee of Women of Color will host its 2008 Consultation featuring keynote speaker Rev. Paula Owens Parker Oct. 3rd thru 4^th at UNION-PSCE in Richmond, VA. For details, click Women of Color.

The General Assembly of PC(USA) has appointed a committee to study revisions to the Heidelberg Catechism, which was proposed by the Pittsburgh Presbytery. The attached document offers the proposed changes as well as comments from Andreas Schule of Union-PSCE. Click Heidelberg.

The Transition-to-College Assistance Grant program announces award increases of $250-$750 to $500-$1000. Grant applications are now being accepted for 2008-2009 freshman students enrolled in an accredited college or university. For details, visit Pensions.org.

Other Items and Events

Speak Out Against the Death Penalty: The MD Commission on Capital Punishment will hold Public Hearings from 3pm to 7pm on Aug. 19^th and Sept. 5^th in the Joint Hearing Room of the Legislative Services Building in Annapolis. For details, got to www.mdcase.org or email jerickson@baltimorepresbytery.org

Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park seeks a part-time Director to direct the Adult Choir and oversee its diverse Music Program. For details, click: Woods Job Announcement.

The Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning welcomes all Presbytery members to a Healthy Homes Festival Sept. 12^th-14^th at Druid Hill Park. For details, click Healthy Homes.

Peter Nord, Executive Presbyter

pnord@baltimorepresbytery.org

Bill Millen, Associate Executive

bmillen@baltimorepresbytery.org

Vaughn L. Brown Jr., Stated Clerk

vbrown@baltimorepresbytery.org

Deb Milcarek

Associate of Mission and Justice

dmilcarek@baltimorepresbytery.org

Jane Johnson
Associate for Leadership Development, Education and Youth
jjohnson@baltimorepresbytery.org

Bob Turberville

Director of Development