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December 14, 2007 |
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December 14, 2007 |
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Dear
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Vision Committee of the
Presbytery Council met to discuss the November 2007 meeting of the Presbytery
of Baltimore with particular attention to the action to send an overture to
General Assembly advocating a change to the Directory of Worship’s definition
of marriage. With such a close vote,
it is clear that the Presbytery is not of one mind on the definition of
marriage. Again voting on a sensitive
issue has divided the Presbytery, frustrated many members, and aggravated
mistrust. The Vision Committee is aware that
people have been gathering to discuss the vote and its implication for our
various congregations. It appears that
most within the Presbytery are meeting with others of like mind on the
issues. Thus participants tend to
experience their own views reinforced -- which, though understandable --
further encourages division among us.
If we only talk with people who share our opinions, we avoid the
harder, deeper work to which we are called in the Body of Christ of building
relationships with those with whom we differ. In order to begin to facilitate
conversations among people with differing perspectives, each member of the
Vision Committee has agreed to convene a small group of pastors of
congregations for a series of conversations.
Each pastor and associate pastor will personally receive an invitation
to one of the gatherings after the Christmas and New Year holidays. We hope for positive responses to these
invitations and covet your prayers for this initiative. We want to be clear about our
agenda here—we are gathering these groups of pastors for the singular purpose
of fostering conversation among us that builds up the Body of Christ and
transforms our relationships with each other.
It is in our valuing each other and in our mutual embrace of the
diversity among us that we can assemble together and discern ways forward to advance
the cause of Christ in our midst. Let us pray for our presbytery, for
our unity in Christ and for our mission to proclaim to our community through
words and actions the love of Jesus Christ.
Sincerely
in Christ, The Rev. Dr. Anita
Hendrix & The Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena |
Inside this issue Take
Note/Act Now § Presbytery Christmas Eve Services § § § The Big Event! § NSO Pops § A Christmas Carol § Presbytery Severs Mission Ties with § Viewing of “Sicko” and Panel Discussion § Christmas Joy Offering § New Church Development § § Presbytery Vacancies § Wanted: organist and music director |
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People
Richard
“Rich” J. Cozzone, 61, the PDA Volunteer Village Coordinator for the
A
Memorial Service for Rev. |
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Prayer & Praise We pray that the Peace and
Joy of the Christmas Season remain with you and yours throughout the next
year! -- The
Presbytery Staff Contact Information The Presbytery of Phone: 410-433-2012 or 800-511-0087 Office E-mail: office@baltimorepresbytery.org Website: www.baltimorepresbytery.org To
Unsubscribe: Call or email Alice
McGee |
Take Note/Act Now The
Presbytery of Baltimore invites
worshippers throughout the region to log on to its website to access a list
of local church Christmas Eve Services
and events on Dec. 19th. For inquiries
or changes regarding your church’s Christmas Eve Services, email dgreene@presbyteryofbaltimore.org. The
deadline
for Presbyterian churches to submit Mission
Support and Per Capita for
fiscal year 2007 is noon on Wed.,
January 9th 2008. To ensure funds are credited appropriately,
please write Fiscal Year 2007 on checks and remittance slips submitted in
January. For more information contact jforrester@baltimorepresbytery.org. Save the Date! Presbytery
of is
welcomed to participate in this event to witness state government in action. Save the Date! The Big Event will be held Saturday, Feb.
23rd at Woods Memorial
Presbyterian Church in The
Presbytery of Baltimore has
severed mission ties to defunct Eleanor
D. Corner House i.e. YWCA Women and Children’s Shelter. [more] Church Notices On
Dec. 29th, First
Presbyterian Church of Bel Air will feature as its movie of the month, “A Christmas Carol” starring Alastair
Sim as Scrooge. The show starts at 7pm in Legacy Hall. Health Care is a significant social
justice issue. Join us at Towson Presbyterian Church on Jan. 11th
and 18th for a viewing of the film "Sicko" and a panel discussion on universal health
care. This event is free and open to
the public! For information, click [more]. Synod and General
Assembly Items Please give to the Christmas Joy Offering on December 23rd. The offering supports students at
Presbyterian schools and provides assistance (through the Board of Pensions)
to families of active and retired church workers. Celebrate
New Church Development emphasis on Dec. 30th. Please visit www.pcusa.org/newchurch. Other Items and
Events Northeast Baltimore Clergy
Cluster has
canceled its December 18th
luncheon at Faith Presbyterian
Church due to scheduling changes
and the recent tragic events that have befallen Second Presbyterian Church’s
congregation. The cluster will
reconvene in January. The Presbytery of Baltimore is conducting an employment
search to fill the vacancies of Associated
Stated Clerk and Coordinator of
Information Services. For job
descriptions, click [more]. Dickey Memorial Presbyterian
Church
invites talented musicians to apply for a position as organist and music
director. For more information,
candidates should contact Phil Branner at 410.448.2666. Also on the Presbytery of Find past issues of Tidings at: http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/midweekmail.html. See new Church Announcements at: http://www.baltimorepresbytery.org/announcements.html Tidings is provided
through your support of the Presbyterian Church |
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Peter Nord, Executive Presbyter |
Bill Millen, Associate Executive |
vbrown@baltimorepresbytery.org |
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Deb Milcarek Associate of |
Jane Johnson |
Rita Walters Director of Development rwalters@baltimorepresbytery.org |
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Director of Public Policy |
Judi Forrester Coordinator of Financial Services |
Alice McGee Coordinator of Information Services |
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Coordinator of Resources |
Deborah I. Greene Coordinator of Communications dgreene@baltimorepresbytery.org |
Questions? Comments? E-mail |
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