November 28, 2005

Last Minute Preparations

By now you have completed most of the preparations for the arrival of the Christ Child. Children’s programs and cantata’s have been presented. The fourth candle has been lit on the wreaths. Some have held these new “Mourning Services” for those who struggle to find the joy in this season. Most of the doors on the Advent calendars have been opened. Holiday parties have been enjoyed and presents for staff colleagues have been wrapped but perhaps not yet shared. Now the schedule of meetings relents. Home visits will resume next year. The Season of Advent draws to a close with but one push left before the Christ child is born – again – perhaps to return.

Let me be a bit counter-culture here – and recommend that, with Advent IV behind us, we step back and breathe deeply. Step back, stay home, and replenish yourself. I remember the birth of our child – the first pains of labor were strong enough to bring us to the hospital but not strong enough for us to stay. We found ourselves an hour from home with a day to walk, talk, and enjoy a “last” meal together. This is where we find ourselves this week – the first labor pains have been experienced and now we wait for the real thing. And it is as we take this little Sabbath before the Feast of Christmas that we will finally get ourselves prepared to join with the choirs of angels in welcoming the birth of this Christ Child and his return.

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way . . . .

Blessings to you in this Season of blessings,

Peter

Inside this issue

Last Minute Preparations

Take Note/Act Now

§ Peace in Middle East Overture

§ APCE Conference Scholarship

§ 2005 Remittances

§ 2006 Mileage Rate

§ Growing your Congregation Workshop

§ First & Franklin St. PC

§ Katrina Work Trips

§ Educators Roundtable

Prayer Concerns

Govans PC

Havenwood PC

People

Joe Reggin began Dec. 15^th as Interim at First PC Cumberland

Ted Durr began December 11^h as interim at Roland Park PC

Rita Walters is recovering from surgery.

Prayer Concerns

Govans PC asks for prayers:

§ For the new Interim Pastor

§ For PNC

§ For all residents of GEDCO housing in the Govans Community who will be alone at Xmas

Havenwood PC asks for prayers for each church and pastor in worship.

Take Note/Act Now

In preparation for our January vote on an Overture regarding Peace in the Middle East, there will be a Study Session at 2:00 PM on January 18, 2006 at Faith Presbyterian Church. Participating will be representatives of Palestinian and Jewish communities.

The Presbytery of Baltimore has a scholarship available for any educator to attend the APCE Conference.

The Presbytery will accept checks for 2005 remittance until 12:00 Noon, Monday, January 9, 2006. For the first month of 2006, it would be helpful if you note on your checks or remittances the year to which your payment should be credited.

The IRS has set the 2006 mileage reimbursement rate at 44.5 per mile.

“Reach Out! Growing Your Congregation!” is a one day workshop that will focus on practical strategies for churches to connect the gospel with our immediate neighbors. It is sponsored by the New Castle Presbytery. The workshop will take place Saturday, March 4, 2006 at the Westminster PC in Delaware. For more information please call Westminster PC at 302-654-5214.

First and Franklin Street PC was featured with a four-page spread in the recent edition of Style Magazine. They also had an article about their school library program in the Baltimore Sun last month.

Hurricane Katrina work trips:

§ December 28, 2005 and January 9, 2006 are being organized by Central PC. For more information call Phyllis DeSmith at the church office 410-823-6145.

§ If you're interested in joining with a work team from Second PC to travel to and work in New Orleans during the week of March 12, 2006, please be in touch with Karen Meyers at 410.825.6940 or krnmyrs@yahoo.com.

The next meeting of the Educators Roundtable will take place January 12, 2006 at the Presbytery Office. Mark Croatti, who teaches courses on Middle East Politics and Terrorism, is the guest speaker. His topic is “Jihad, Terrorism and the Global Islamic Movement: Why Fundamentalism is Increasingly Militant.”

Also on our website

Don’t miss all the new Local Church Announcements at: http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/announcements.html.

Past Issues of Tidings are available at: http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/midweekmail.html.

Presbytery Yearly Calendar

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

Online: www.baltimorepresbytery.org

Email: office@baltimorepresbytery.org

Peter Nord, Executive Presbyter

pnord@baltimorepresbytery.org

Bill Millen, Associate Executive

bmillen@baltimorepresbytery.org

Charles Forbes, Stated Clerk