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December 4, 2006 |
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December 4, 2006 |
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Advent 2006 Now may our God and Father
himself and our Lord Jesus Christ direct our way… Thessalonians
3:11 Artists
that create journey pictures show movement from the left to the right within
their works of art, so that those looking at the artwork see a chronological
movement of past-present-future. The present moment may be filled with
excitement looking toward an expected future, a longing for the past, or a
feeling of being stuck with an ominous uncertain future. The
Presbyterian Church (USA) has an uncertain future. It is perfectly designed
to achieve the results it is getting. Each Synod, Presbytery and Church is
perfectly designed to achieve the result they are achieving. We could not be
better designed to achieve these results. We
are a reform denomination – “reformed, always reforming” is
the way we say it. In my short time as an ordained clergy, I have seen
continuous change. Some well done, some not so much. Passing
the peace in worship, more frequent communion, the use of technology, and
starting small groups are some of the changes I have witnessed. Each has been
entered into with hope and dread. I
yearn to know the future. I wish I could know what the future church will be
like. Yet, at the same time, I don’t really want to know because not
knowing is part of the journey. Thank
you for your struggles to bring us into the future. You are, indeed, part of
my inspiration. I
enter Advent with great expectation as I look to the coming of the Messiah.
The uncertainty could not be greater – the hope could not be higher
– the joy of the season is magnificent. May
Christ be with you in this Advent Season Bill
Millen Associate
Executive Presbyter |
Inside this issue Events of the week: Dec. 8-10 Fair
Trade Festival Hosted
by the Next Generation
Project
in Federal Hill, Baltimore Take Note/Act Now § Church School Curriculum § Dir. Of Contemporary Music § Music of Christmas - Woods § The Two Christmases § BSO § Forums on Youth Ministry § Workshop on Preaching § Weekend of Prayer for Darfur § Spring Classes at the EI Prayer
Concerns Franklinville PC Hamilton PC |
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People Arthur
Reynolds’s mother, Daisy
Reynolds, died on December 3rd, at the age of 96. Babcock PC
is finishing a capital campaign and has commitments of over $450,000. Christmas Office Hours: the
Presbytery offices will be closed on Monday, December 25th and
Tuesday, December 26th. The offices will reopen on Wednesday,
December 27th. |
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Prayer Concerns Franklinville
PC ask for prayers: ·
For gifts of grace among
the ill and infirm of their congregation ·
Of thanksgiving for the
vitality of their congregation, especially their Presbyterian Women’s
Assoc. who held another successful craft show and supported the addition of
improvements within the church and a new shed ·
Of thanksgiving for the
life, witness, and influence of one of their “saints”, Ms. Evelyn
Shutz, who died (almost reaching age 99) in October Hamilton
PC ask for prayers: ·
As they seek a part-time
office secretary ·
For their contemporary
service at 11:00am, which they started in October ·
For their custodian, who
is retiring December 31st ·
For knowing the
Lord’s will on how to increase church attendance Contact Information For the Presbytery
Offices 800-511-0087 Fax: E-mail: To
Unsubscribe: email Alice
McGee or call the office |
Take Note/Act Now Baltimore
Presbytery Items (non-dated items
first; dated items in date order) There
is old church school curriculum
that is not catalogued that the Presbytery is giving away: We Believe, Bible
Quest, Toddlers, and Present Word as well as old VBS kits. Please
contact Jane
Johnson or Wanda
Morgan for more information. Ark
and Dove PC is searching for a part-time Director of Contemporary Music/Guitarist
(details). Woods PC presents their annual Music of Christmas Concert on Friday, December 8th at
8:00pm. The program will feature traditional carols for audience
participation, and works for choir, bells, organ, and string orchestra (more). “The Two Christmases: Looking at
Christmas Traditions as they developed in the secular and Christian
Communities” featuring speaker Dr. Joseph J. Walsh. At Havenwood PC: Sunday,
December 10th from 9:00 – 10:00am (more).
At Brown Memorial Woodbrook PC on December 17th at 11:30am (more). Join us at the BSO Holiday Spectacular Concert:
Saturday, December 16th, 7:30 p.m., Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Granite
PC will have a Live Nativity on
December 22nd with performances at 7:30pm, 8:15pm and 9:00pm
(more). Synod and GA
items Dr.
Anna Carter Florence, a Presbyterian minister who teaches preaching at
Columbia Theological Seminary, will be leading a workshop on preaching, “Preaching in a Time of
Conflict”, on Friday, January 26th from 9:00am –
12:00pm in Wilmington, Delaware. Cost is $5 (more). Other items Classes
for the spring term at The Ecumenical Institute of Theology begin Jan.
8th. Registration will continue until classes begin, so there is
still time to apply and enroll! For application materials or more
information, contact Patty
Rath at 410-864-4200 (more). Also on our website Don’t miss all the new Local Church Announcements at: http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/announcements.html Presbytery
Yearly Calendar Past Issues of Tidings are available at: http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/midweekmail.html. |
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Peter Nord, Executive Presbyter |
Bill Millen, Associate Executive |
Charles Forbes, Stated Clerk |
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Deb Milcarek Associate of |
Jane Johnson |
Rita Walters Director of Development rwalters@baltimorepresbytery.org |
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Julie Erickson Director of Public Policy |
Judi Forrester Coordinator of Financial Services |
Alice McGee Coordinator of Information Services |
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Coordinator of Resources |
Janice Kominski Coordinator of Communications |
Questions? Comments? |
