January 28, 2008

So Long . . . No matter how exciting the book has been or how much you look forward to the next chapter; there comes a time when “The End” must be read. It is then that you put down the book and review its’ contents in your mind. So it is now, as I leave the Presbytery of Baltimore. I close this tome of my life with gratitude and thanks giving. Thanks to my wonderful colleagues who did not think it robbery to give of their time, talents and treasures so freely that, in turn, we were able to create projects within the Presbytery’s Development office that represented the work of many more than one staff-member. And, I would be remiss in my duties if I did not thank each one of you: pastors; elders; committee members; congregants; and, especially, my mentor, Bob Ferguson. Without your support, the success the Presbytery’s Development office enjoyed over the past two years would not have been possible. It is a success evident by over 90 percent participation in Per Capita giving in 2007 – the highest rate in years! Likewise, your conscious and continuous effort toward responsible stewardship helped offset several shortcomings, which surely would have been more difficult without such support. So I say thanks to those named and unnamed; remembering that, although, I arrived at the Presbytery two years ago to embark upon a profession – because of you – I leave with a vocation. Until our paths cross again, I will continue in His service. Rita Rita Walters may be contacted at ritawalters1@mac.com		Inside this issue REGISTER ON-LINE NOW for The BIG EVENT! (If submitting registration by mail, please write workshop selections on form.) Click to see BIG EVENT Presentation. Take Note/Act Now § Presbytery Annapolis day § Grant Workshops § Millen Personnel Review § 2008 PCUSA Minister ID Cards § First of Howard PDA § Developmental Disabilities § 2008 Hau Kola Learning Camps § Baltimore - Kaqchikel Agreement § Clergy Get-Away § Gulf Coast Mission Trips for Youth § St. Mary’s Seminary Events § Interfaith Pastoral Counseling
		People Welcome Roger Evans as the Presbytery of Baltimore’s new Coordinator of Information Services.
Praise & Prayer Please pray for T. Webster Brenner, parish associate for First Presbyterian Church of Howard County, who was recently hospitalized; as well as, pray for the health and speedy surgical recovery of Jim Stern, the son of Pastor Tim Stern, of Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church. 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 Unsubscribe: Call or email Roger Evans	Take Note/Act Now Baltimore Presbytery Items Save the Date! Presbytery of Baltimore in Annapolis Day. On Monday, Feb. 4^th, the Presbytery will sponsor Annapolis Day in Rm. 170 of the House of Delegates building. Everyone, including youth -- is welcomed to participate in this event to witness state government in action. [more] Save the Date! The Big Event will be held Saturday, Feb. 23^rd at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park. The Education and Nurture Committee will offer 10 (ten) scholarships to the Big Event. For more information, contact, jjohnson@baltimorepresbytery.org Sign up now for Mission Partnership Grant Writing Workshops on Feb. 5^th and Mar. 6^th. Click Mission. The Personnel Committee will conduct a Comprehensive Review of the Associate Executive Presbyter, Reverend Bill Millen in February. To make comments or for more information click Millen Review. 2008 PCUSA Minister ID Cards are available at the Presbytery’s Resource Center now through on Tuesday, Feb. 5^th, Committee Night. Cards not obtained on that date will be mailed to ministers.  Church Notices First Presbyterian Church of Howard County will be going to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Volunteer Village in Pearlington Miss. Mar.2^nd-8^th to help with post-Katrina rebuilding. Anyone interested in joining us should contact Dave Dittman @ 410-465-5610 or Kris Holmes at 410-730-3545 ex. 24. Synod and General Assembly Items Join the Presbytery in supporting Developmental Disabilities Day in Annapolis on February 26^th. The agenda includes a legislative reception and briefing as well as several hours of constituent meetings with legislators. For more information, click: http://www.md-council.org/resources/PDF/DDDay_Flyer08.pdf Pack your gear and join us this summer for the 2008 HAU KOLA Learning Camp Season. For more information, click Hau Kola. Other Items and Events The Baltimore and Kaqchikel Presbyteries will renew their partnership agreement during the upcoming trip to Guatemala. The new agreement offers the Kaqchikel Presbytery an opportunity to respond to the long-term needs of its indigenous people. [more] Clergy Get-Away: Theological Reflection on the New Form of Government facilitated by Cynthia Bolbach of the GA Form of Government Task Force. May 7^th thru 8^th. For details, click, Get-Away. Gulf Coast Mission Trips for Youth! Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s first “Youth Week” will take place June 22^nd - July 27^th. For information, click PDA YOUTH WEEK. The Institute of Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary offers two stellar events. Join the pilgrimage and study tour to France entitled, “Courage and Conviction in Christian France,” from July 18^th thru 28^th. Become spellbound by N.T. Wright, the Anglican Bishop of Durham, England’s lecture on the Bible and the Future at St. Mary’s Seminary & University on Feb. 25^th. For more information, click St. Mary’s. Interfaith Pastoral Counseling in Catonsville seeks a MD licensed clinical psychologist/ social worker (LSWC) or counselor (LCPC) with 3-5 years experience for a part-time contractual position. Insurance panel experience preferred. Mail resume to Joyce McCauley P.O. Box 3274. Catonsville MD 21228 Also on the Presbytery of Baltimore website Find past issues of Tidings at: http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/midweekmail.html. See new Church Announcements at: http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/announcements.html
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	Director of Development rwalters@baltimorepresbytery.org
Julie Erickson Director of Public Policy jerickson@baltimorepresbytery.org	Judi Forrester Coordinator of Financial Services jforrester@baltimorepresbytery.org	Roger Evans Coordinator of Information Services revans@baltimorepresbytery.org
Wanda Morgan Coordinator of Resources wmorgan@baltimorepresbytery.org	Deborah I. Greene Coordinator of Communications dgreene@baltimorepresbytery.org	Questions? Comments? E-mail office@baltimorepresbytery.org