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February 20, 2006 |
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February 20, 2006 |
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An Epic Journey My
son, Chaz, is studying Homer’s The Odyssey and as many of you may
remember from your first reading, it’s all about Odysseus’ epic
journey from war to home again. Here at the Presbytery we have embarked on
our own epic journey. About two weeks ago, in pairs, we set out to visit all
the churches within the Baltimore Presbytery. Unlike
Odysseus, we haven’t met with any one-eyed Cyclops or Circes; but, as
Alice and I are now about half way through the process, like Odysseus, we too
have been met with wonder and excitement. We’ve talked to church
leaders who are excited about the gospel of Jesus Christ and who have a clear
vision as to the future of their church. Under Peter’s leadership, it
is our goal to be a resource to churches and it has been a pleasure to chat
with church leaders who are anxiously awaiting expanded partnership
opportunities with the Presbytery. Church
leaders seem to appreciate our visit and have welcomed us to engage in open
and honest dialogue. Leaders have talked about obstacles and barriers to
their vision. Like Odysseus, at times they, too, have been tossed and whipped
about in the tumultuous sea and as a result they have become creative hurdle
jumpers, rising up to meet challenges head on and we, at the Presbytery, have
been awed and strengthened by their faith and their grit. We
acknowledge that you’ve been on the battle field a long time, but you
are not alone. Welcome home, friend and partner. Blessings, Rita
Walters Director of Development |
Inside this issue An Epic Journey Take Note/Act
Now § Celebration of Women’s
Ordination § Cuba Partnership Fiesta § Capital Punishment Discussion § The Engaging Church § Big Event § Katrina Work Trips Prayer
Concerns Springfield PC Taneytown
PC |
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People Jennifer
DiFrancesco has been called to Second PC to
begin April 3, 2006. Pray for Jon Fregger who was hospitalized this
past week. Pray for Dottie Sharp’s recovery. Pray
for Harry Holfelder
as he awaits surgery. |
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Prayer Concerns Springfield
PC asks for prayers: · of thanksgiving as we celebrate 170 years of God's work through us in our community ·
of discernment as we reach into our
community in ministry now ·
of wisdom as our PNC searches for a new
pastor for our church family and community Taneytown PC asks for
prayers: ·
for discernment as Pastor
Ben Jones approaches retirement and guidance for the future leadership of the
church ·
for the congregation
as they go through a mission study ·
of thanksgiving for
a recent upturn in worship attendance |
Take Note/Act Now At the
March 23 Presbytery meeting, the Worship Committee will lead in a celebration of the anniversary years of
the ordination of women as Deacons, Elders and Ministers of Word and
Sacrament. Please send us the names of the first women ordained as
elders and deacons in your congregation. We want to recognize these
women during worship. Send this information to The Rev. Anita Hendrix huntingridge@verizon.net. Ashland and Light Street Presbyterian Churches are
hosting an event to speak about some of the recent insights they’ve had
on visiting the Reformed Presbyterian
Church in Cuba. Join us on Sunday,
March 19, 2006 from 2 to 5 PM
at Ashland PC (Read
More). There will be an interfaith panel discussion on Capital Punishment at The Church of the
Holy Redeemer on North Charles Street on
March 2, 2006 from 6:30 - 9:30p.m. The discussion is in response to the
performances of the opera version of Dead
Man Walking. Dickey Memorial PC is organizing groups to see performances
March 17th and 19th (Read More). Charles Arn is presenting
a seminar in DC entitled The Engaging
Church that will present strategies for visitor attraction, retention,
and integration. More info may be found at http://www.churchgrowth.net/seminars/engagingchurch/index.htm.
Call 800-844-9286 and ask for the $50 denominational discount. The Big Event will be held at Woods
Memorial PC on Saturday, February 25, 2006. Brochures have been mailed to
each church. The brochure is also available as a PDF off of the home page of
the Presbytery website: click here. Hurricane Katrina work
trips: §
The Presbyteries of Baltimore, New Castle and National Capital
are coming together to form a coalition to support and train groups who would
like to travel to the Gulf Coast to help in the recovery from Katrina. Read
more on our website. More details coming soon. 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. |
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Bill Millen, Associate Executive bmillen@baltimorepresbytery.org |
Deb Milcarek Associate of |
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Charles Forbes, Stated Clerk |
Director of Development rwalters@baltimorepresbytery.org |
Julie Erickson Director of Public Policy |
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Alice McGee Coordinator of Information Services |
Judi Forrester Coordinator of Financial Services |
Wanda Morgan Coordinator of Resources |
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Janice Kominski Coordinator of Communications jkominski@baltimorepresbytery.org |
Questions? Comments? E-mail Janice
Kominski or office@baltimorepresbytery.org
To unsubscribe email Alice McGee or call
the office. |
Office: 410-433-2012
or 800-511-0087
Fax: 410-433-2066
Online: www.baltimorepresbytery.org |
