October 23, 2006

In Memoriam

It is with mixed feelings that we report that two of our brothers in Christ have died on Saturday. On the one hand, they have been such an important part of the life of the Presbytery of Baltimore and will be missed. On the other hand, we delight that they have been welcomed by Christ in their heavenly home and enfolded in the love of God our Creator.

The Rev. Harry L. Holfelder

The Rev. Harry L. Holfelder, Pastor Emeritus of First and Franklin Street Presbyterian Church and member of the Presbytery of Baltimore since 1985, died Saturday, October 21st after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 70 years old. Harry is survived by his wife, Linda, a son and two daughters, and three grandchildren.

Harry was born on August 20, 1936 in Ellwood City, PA. He was graduated from Geneva College and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Harry was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in June of 1962. Harry served churches in: Carrollton, Ohio (1960-65); Akron, Ohio (1965-69); Allentown, PA (1969-73); Bridgeton, NJ (1973-85); then First and Franklin St. PC in Baltimore, MD (1985-98), where he was later named Pastor Emeritus. Harry served as interim pastor at First PC of Bel Air, Chestnut Grove PC, Brown Memorial Park Avenue, and Springfield PC. Harry retired on August 30, 2001.

Harry was very involved in the life of the Baltimore Presbytery, serving as Chairperson for the Big Event and a committee member of the Peace and Justice, Ministry and Education and Nurturing Committees. Harry helped plan the General Assembly held in Baltimore in 1991 and was later a commissioner to the General Assembly in Cincinnati in 1995.

Harry’s Committal will occur at Old Broad Street Cemetery in Bridgeton, NJ on Friday, October 27 in the morning. Funeral arrangements will be provided by Freitag Funeral Home of Bridgeton, NJ. Harry’s memorial service will be held at First and Franklin Street Presbyterian Church on Sunday, November 12 at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the First and Franklin Street Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund and/or the Gilchrist Hospice Center.

Rev. Winslow Drummond Shaw

The Rev. Winslow Drummond Shaw, Pastor Emeritus of First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis, died on Saturday, October 21 at an Annapolis nursing home following a brief struggle with cancer. Win was 88 years old and is survived by his wife of 22 years, Loraine, two daughters, two step sons and their families. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis on Saturday, October 28 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a reception in the church’s Fellowship Hall.

Win was born in Albany, New York on December 27, 1917 and was a “child of the manse,” growing up in Asbury Park, New Jersey where his father, Charles, was a Presbyterian pastor. He was graduated from Haverford College in 1939, served in the Navy from 1941-46, and then was graduated from Union Theological Seminary (New York) in 1948. He was ordained by Hudson Presbytery that year and served as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Monroe, New York from 1948 to 1964 when he was called as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Annapolis. Deeply grounded in faith, Win led the congregation in strong commitments to community service, including work with AA, Planned Parenthood and the YWCA’s domestic violence programs. He thoroughly enjoyed his role of welcoming young assistant pastors who then went on to provide leadership around the nation. Win’s 24 year pastorate in Annapolis concluded with his retirement in 1987. After an appropriate time away, Win and Loraine returned to First PC of Annapolis as regular worshipers and dear friends of the pastors, staff and members.

Marriage Equality Forum

A Forum on Marriage Equality will be held on Thursday, October 26 at 7:30 at the Havenwood Presbyterian Church.

Several sessions have joined in bringing before the Presbytery for its vote on November 16th, the following resolution:

"That, the Presbytery of Baltimore goes on record in support of equal access to civil marriage for same-gender couples of the state of Maryland and the United States of America as the means of providing equal protection in securing access to the full rights, benefits, privileges, and responsibilities that only civil marriage confers in our society."

At its September meeting the Presbytery called for a time for additional discernment on this issue and asked Jamie Dale to convene a planning team which includes Bill Bearden, Ken Ironsides, Jeananne Stine, and Dave Wilson. They have invited two panels to address the question: "Why does my faith require me to oppose/support this resolution?" There will be a time for questions and responses as well as an open microphone. We encourage you to take advantage of this discussion.

Inside this issue

Events of the week:

Oct. 25 Regional Meeting #3

2:00pm – 4:00pm Perry Hall PC

Oct. 26 Regional Meeting #4

2:00pm – 4:00pm Covenant PC

Oct. 26 Marriage Equality Forum

7:30pm Havenwood PC

Magnetic Church Conference

Oct. 27 6:30pm – 10:00pm

Oct. 28 8:30am – 4:00pm

Woods Memorial PC

Take Note/Act Now

§ Magnetic Church Conference

§ Play: Ivan & Adolf

§ Series on Depression

§ Hou Kola Event

§ Alan Hirsch: Missional Church

§ Craft Festival & Crab Cakes

§ Moon Over Buffalo

§ Dr. Thomas Long preaching

§ Gulf Coast Funds Available

§ New Job Postings

§ Peacemaking Conference

§ Conf. for Clergy on Addictions

Prayer Concerns

The Presbytery of Baltimore

People

Elder Warren G. Via died on Sunday, October 22^nd. Warren was a member of Harundale PC and an active member of the Presbytery of Baltimore.

Prayer Concerns

The Presbytery of Baltimore

asks for prayers:

· For the families, friends and faith communities of Rev. Harry Holfelder and Rev. Win Shaw; both men passed away on Saturday after battles with cancer.

Take Note/Act Now

Baltimore Presbytery Items (dated items first, listed in date order)

Don’t forget to register for The Magnetic Church Conference on Evangelism! The event will be on October 27^th and 28^th. Register now to ensure space, resources and lunch! Learn more on our homepage: http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org.

The Woodbrook Players of Brown Memorial Woodbrook PC present a staged reading of “Ivan & Adolf: The Last Man in Hell”, a play that explores forgiveness. October 27^th & 28^th and November 3^rd & 4^th; all shows at 8:00pm (Promotional Flyer) (More Detail).

Towson PC is offering a three-week series on Depression, Wednesday evenings November 1^st, 8^th and 15^th. The series, led by current and former staff members from Sheppard-Pratt, will cover depression throughout the lifespan (Learn more).

The Second Annual Hou Kola Presbytery-Wide Event will be on Nov. 3^rd, 7:00pm – 9:00pm at Govans PC. Come learn about the 2006 Learning Camps, service opportunities, the new web site, and enjoy Native America’s People, LLC, presenting cultural dancing of Native America (more).

Alan Hirsch will be leading a discussion on how an existing church may become a missional church at a half-day conference, “The Shaping of Things to Come” on Tuesday, November 7^th (election day) from 10:30am – 1:30pm at Catonsville PC (info and registration).

Ark & Dove will host their Holiday Craft Festival November 11^th. Available items include new books, baked goods, crafts and crab cake dinners to go for only $15 (more).

Roland Park PC Thesbyterian Players present the comedy Moon over Buffalo on November 11^th & 12^th as a dinner theatre presentation (more).

Second PC is pleased to host Dr. Thomas G. Long, one of the “Top-Ten, Most Effective Preachers in the Country” on Sunday, November 12^th. He will preach at both services, 9:00am and 11:00am (learn more).

Funds available for Gulf Coast Recovery Work Teams; they are earmarked for smaller churches and members of “hands-on mission” teams PLUS: a new opportunity for mission!

New Job Opportunity Postings: Towson PC is seeking a Youth Director Plus; First PC of Bel Air is seeking a Youth and Family Coordinator; Churchville PC is seeking an Administrative Assistant.

Other Events

Friends School of Baltimore and Stony Run Friends Meeting are co-sponsoring a one-day conference for educators, parents and concerned citizens: Peacemaking at Home, School & Community on Saturday, November 11^th at Friends School in Baltimore, MD (info flyer). Deadline for reduced rate early registration: November 1^st.

"Understanding the Impact of Addiction and Supporting Recovery: Strategies and Tools for Clergy and Other Congregational Leaders" will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 9:30 am - 2:30 pm at the Loyola Graduate Center in Columbia, MD (learn 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.

Peter Nord, Executive Presbyter

pnord@baltimorepresbytery.org

Bill Millen, Associate Executive

bmillen@baltimorepresbytery.org

Deb Milcarek

Associate of Mission and Justice

dmilcarek@baltimorepresbytery.org

Charles Forbes, Stated Clerk

cforbes@baltimorepresbytery.org