December 5, 2005

Suggested Reading I am filled with the hope of this advent season. Much has happened in the last few weeks. New Church Development just completed two all day working sessions to set the direction for the future. Missional Church will define how we create new churches. Church Enhancement is starting one and maybe two new clusters. The Congregational Transformational Cluster with Ann Philbrick is nearing the end of its scheduled time and has been very helpful in creating great conversation and direction for the ten congregations involved. Usually, what I am currently reading is the best thing. I like the new direction it is going -- that is until I pick up the next book. I think what really is hopeful is that all of what I am reading is consistent. All is moving in the same direction. One is building on the next. So here is my suggested reading list just in time to add to your Christmas list - my top three books for 2005: The Shaping of Things to Come: Innovation and Mission for the 21^st Century Church - Michael Frost. Frost gives one of the clearest understandings of the missional church, I have run across. And what he is saying matches our experience with successful New Church Development. Multigenerational Congregations: Meeting the Leadership Challenge - Gilbert R. Rendle. Rendle informs the generational disharmony that exists in the church today with a helpful two sided discussion. When Better Isn't Enough: Evaluation Tools for the 21St-Century Church by Jill Hudson. Hudson, former Presbytery executive turned consultant, writes about the new role clergy and lay leaders for the future of the church. May your Advent Season be filled with hope – peace – love – joy. Bill Millen		Inside this issue Suggested Reading Take Note/Act Now § Execution Looms § Christian Peacemaker Team § Christmas Mourning Service § Steve Tisinger in Print § Bonhoeffer Drama § Ecumenical Institute of Theology § One Time Mission Grants Prayer Concerns Next Generation (NCD)
		People Roger Shoup started at Govans PC on December 1^st. Jamie Dale started December 1 at Brown Memorial Woodbrook. Sandra Thomas' brother is returning from Iraq. Bill Sitterley is flying to Florida to be with his father who is dying. Richard Donkervoet of Brown Memorial Woodbrook PC died last week. Katharine Pinches' father died suddenly December 3 while hiking at the Delaware Water Gap.
Prayer Concerns Next Generation (NCD) asks for prayers: · Thanksgiving for a fantastic Benefit Concert in which $1500 was raised for Habitat. · For our follow-up events in the coming months. · For the continued gathering of the group that meets on Sunday nights in Harford Co. · For teammates and leaders to partner with the Hartmans in ministering to young adults.	Take Note/Act Now The Peace and Justice Committee of the Presbytery joins with CASE (Maryland Citizens Against State Executions) in asking Presbyterians to call Gov. Ehrlich to urge that the death sentence of Wesley Baker be commuted to life without parole.  Calls to Lt. Gov. Steele, reminding him of his opposition to the death penalty and urging him to speak to the governor are also requested.  The execution is eminent.  Further information is available at http://www.ncadp.org/press_release_5_2_2002_md.html. Please add the following Christian Peacemaker Team members and their families to your prayers and your church's prayer list: Tom Fox, Norman Kember, James Loney and Harmeet Singh Sooden. These four people are Christians serving in Iraq and were kidnapped on Saturday. (Read More) Central PC will be providing a “Christmas Mourning Service” on December 11, 2005 for all who enter this holiday time in a wake of a major loss. (read more) Steve Tisinger was recently featured in The Capital newspaper article entitled “Minister Also Aids Hurricane Victims” (read more). Al Staggs is available for one-person presentations of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Clarence Jordan (read more). Ecumenical Institute of Theology is accepting applications for the Spring term which begins January 9, 2006. For more information contact Patty Rath at 410-864-4200 or prath@stmarys.edu. The Presbytery's Committee on Mission has issued a new "Request For Proposals" for a one time grant for local mission projects. Proposals should be submitted to Wanda Morgan at the Presbytery office by 4:30 p.m. on March 17, 2006. For more information (read more). Also on our website Don’t miss all the new Local Church Announcements at: http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/announcements.html. The Presbytery of Baltimore is looking for a Public Policy Advocate: http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/opportunitycalls.html. Past Issues of Tidings are available at: http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/midweekmail.html. Presbytery Yearly Calendar
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