December 14, 2007

PRESBYTERY of BALTIMORE 2008 ROAD TRIP

Memorial Day Weekend is a time of remembrance – but it also marks the beginning of the busy travelling season. Although skyrocketing gas prices may keep some close to home; the staff of the Presbytery of Baltimore will hit the road this summer to share in the joys and concerns of Presbyterian congregations all over the state during its 2008 Summer Road Trip.

Within the next few months, we will contact your church to arrange a visit with clergy, elders, staff and anyone else who’d like to join an hour-long gathering to discuss how the Presbytery can better serve your ministry and congregation. Prior to our arrival, we’ll send a church questionnaire and ask that you complete it so that we may review it together during the visit. We’d also like to introduce our new staff, chat about changes in our programs and celebrate your accomplishments since we last gathered two years ago.

Yes, it’s been that long – and, staff still reminisces about our first Road Trip in the winter of 2006. It was an invaluable experience and it provided us with tons of feedback that has since helped the Presbytery refine its vision and mission. As a result of those meetings, the Presbytery has provided church members with a variety of workshops ranging from mission partnership building, stewardship, personnel committee and elder & deacon training to computer technology and website development. It has revised policies like the protocol to address sexual misconduct; developed new supports for clergy; published a list of retreat centers; and, formed a viable link between the General Assembly and local Presbyterian churches.

What staff also learned from the last Road Trip – much to its chagrin – is that it’s better to travel with the warmth of the summer sun at your back than to venture out into the dead of winter. So, we look forward to seeing you as we travel two-by-two from Maryland’s mountains, through its valleys and to its shores to visit for a spell with you and members of your congregation.

Inside this Issue

Take Note/Act Now

§ 2009 Mission Yearbook

§ Care of Creation Seminar

§ Charter Bus Service to 829^th Stated Meeting

§ Worship& Evangelism Leadership Training

§ Mileage Rate

§ Springfield Celtic Concert

§ Seminar at Towson

§ Hunting Ridge 100^th Strawberry Festival

§ Anne Weikart at Gallery at Woods

§ Youth Video Vote

§ Czech Partnership

§ Music Director Wanted

§ Youth Coordinator Wanted

Presbytery Meetings

§ Council – June 10

§ Vision - June 2

§ Stated – June 19

People

Congratula-tions to Rev. Lindley DeGarmo of Towson

Presbyterian Church, who recently received his Doctorate of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary.

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Reprints of Tidings articles are permitted for church newsletters and bulletins. Please acknowledge Tidings as the source.

Praise & Prayer

Please pray for Associate Pastor Corinne Baker, of Ark & Dove Presbyterian Church, as she recovers from hip replacement surgery. And please pray for Rev. Tim Stern, also of Ark & Dove, as he cares for his mother during the recovery of her health.

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

Also on the Presbytery of Baltimore website

Find past issues of Tidings at:

Tidings Archives

See new Church Announcements at: http://www.baltimorepresbytery. org/announcements.html

Take Note/Act Now

Baltimore Presbytery Items

Once again, it’s time to order the 2009 Mission Yearbook for your church. Adult yearbooks are $5.25 each and children’s yearbooks are $5. The cost includes shipping. To download an order form, click Mission Yearbook.

The Presbytery of Baltimore’s Care of Creation Task Group presents a half day of earth-friendly discussion, learning, sharing and networking on Saturday, June 14^th from 8:30am-12:30pm at Mt. Hebron Presbyterian Church in Ellicott City. For details, click Earth Friendly.

The Presbytery of Baltimore is sponsoring charter bus service to the 829^th Stated Meeting at First Presbyterian Church of Lonaconing on June 19^th. The cost is $10. To register, call Wanda Morgan at 410.433.2012 or email wmorgan@baltimorepresbytery.org.

Worship & Evangelism Leadership Training featuring Min. Warren Cooper and Dr. Chuck Denison will be held from 9:30am to 3:30pm on Saturday, July 19^that New Imani Community Church. $15pp and $50per church, for up to five members. For details, click Evangelism Worship.

The Federal Government has posted mileage reimbursement at 50.5¢ per mile. Click Mileage.

Church Notices

Springfield Presbyterian Church will launch an annual concert series, featuring Celtic Harp and Vocal musicians Jared and Harper Denhard at 3pm on Sunday, June 1^st at the church. For details, click Springfield Concert Series.

Towson Presbyterian Church invites you to a three week seminar, “Living the Questions.” Reverends Roger Rice and Barrett Rudd will lead small group discussions on topics of interest posed by theologians. The seminar will be held 7pm to 8:30pm Monday evenings on June 2^nd, 9^th and 16^thin the church library. For details, call 410.823.6500 or email rrice@towsonpres.org.

Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church will celebrate its 100th Strawberry Festival from 5pm-8pm on Saturday, June 7^th. Come and enjoy food, music and entertainment with neighbors and friends. For details or to volunteer for the event, call Bill Webster at 410.746.0950 or email whwebster@verizon.net.

The Gallery at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park is featuring an exhibit of watercolors by Anne Weikart now through June 15. Gallery hours are Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm, Fridays 9am-5pm and weekends by appointment by calling the church office at 410.647.2550.

Synod and General Assembly Items

Cast your vote for Brown Memorial Park Avenue Youth or Ark and Dove Presbyterian Youth’s video. Visit www.ymiLIVE.org to view all the videos in this nationwide challenge.

Other Items and Events

Share in ministry and faith with a Czech Parish and attend the Czech Partnership Conference in

Prague & Janské Lázně, Czech Republic October 14th thru 24th. First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis will co-host the Czech partnership conference, which has garnered wide interest throughout PC(USA). For details about the conference click Czech Partnership or visit www.czechpartner.org

Ark & Dove Presbyterian Church is seeking an interim Director of Contemporary music/guitarist. For details, click Ark & Dove Vacancy.

Mt. Hebron Presbyterian Church is seeking a part-time Youth Ministries Coordinator. A complete job description can be viewed at www.mthebronpc.org or contact Rev. Venable at 410.465.3993. Application deadline is May 31^s^t.

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

Bob Turberville

Interim Director of Development