Next Church Conference

January 1, 2018

Inside this Edition

The Presbytery of Baltimore will be closed for business Jan. 1 in observance of New Year's Day and reopen on Jan. 2.

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Year end Contributions and Remittance

Board of Pension/ Terms of Call

2018 Mileage

Martin Luther King Jr. Worship & Lunch

Ruth Gosnell Education Fund Grove PC Free Concert

Perspectives Course at Central PC

Justice & Peace Essay and Oratory Contest for Students

Roland Park PC seeks Part-Time Director of Christian Education

Catonsville PC Word & Music Concert

Presbyterian Foundation Stewardship Resources

Meetings

Committee and Commission meetings will be held at the Presbytery's office (unless noted otherwise.)

Committee on Ministry will meet at 10am on Wednesday, Jan. 3

Commission on Spiritual Leader Development will meet at 1pm on Wednesday, Jan. 3

Gathering Team will meet at 11am on Thursday, Jan. 4

Susquehanna Ministry Group will meet at 12:30pm on Thursday, Dec. 21

Committee on Preparation for Ministry will meet at 3pm at Catonsville PC

by Andrew Foster Connors, Pastor

Brown Memorial Park Ave. Presbyterian Church

The NEXT Church National Gathering, Feb. 26-28, is filled with church leaders (pastors and lay people) sharing stories of their experiences of ministry, new ideas they are trying, and honest conversations about ministry today. Creative worship centers us around God's presence. Multiple opportunities to engage in workshops and conversation about particular aspects of ministry foster new and deeper connections. Best of all, this year's conference is in Baltimore!

Here's what I am most excited about:

This year, we have a 20% discount for lay leaders. Use the code LayLeaderDiscount when you purchase your ticket(s) to receive 20% off. The code is good for the Connector and Sustainer levels as well as single-day tickets. (You'll see the discount after entering this promo code on the Eventbrite registration page!)

We're also trying a new thing after the National Gathering called post-Gathering seminars, which are 24-hour intensive experiences that will go deeper than workshops. There are 6 different topics that range from preaching to stewardship to mission and more. (One of the post-Gathering seminars is an in-depth training on our new Cultivated Ministry resource. Another features The Center staff from our own Baltimore Presbytery.)

Personally, I'm also excited to an important keynote from Dr. Sheri Parks (sister of James Parks) and Dr. Elizabeth Nix (Elder and Trustee at Brown Memorial Park Avenue) discussing the church's role in context of Baltimore's history and present challenges. We'll also get to hear a testimony from Pastor John Schmidt (Central) about innovative leadership and a stirring sermon from Pastor Jennifer Barchi (Dickey Memorial).

I'm thrilled that what started out year ago as a conversation about the need for a new missional approach to congregational ministry has blossomed into a space that is reweaving the relational fabric of our denomination with creativity, courage, and fun. I hope to see you there!

Take Note/Act Now

Presbytery and Churchwide

On Jan. 15, 2018 you are invited to a special MLK Day event: "No More Sword Talk" at Knox Presbyterian Church. The program will be from 11am - 1pm (including lunch) with registration starting at 10:30am. Come together in prayer, to reflect upon the violence in the city of Baltimore, re-connect to the lives lost and its impact on all who live and minister in the city and learn how you can join with others already working to end the violence. View flyer . . .

All church contributions are due Thursday, January 11, 2018 at the close of the business day. Please mark your contributions with the year to which you would like them applied. All expense requests for 2017 must be received at close of day by the Presbytery or postmarked no later than Tuesday, January 3, 2018. There will be no exceptions!

Take Note: Board of Pension dues on Terms of Call form should be calculated at 37% of the effective salary. Also, Take Note , Terms of Call for Clergy must be submitted to the Presbytery office no later then Feb. 1, 2017.

T he Internal Revenue Service has announced that as of Jan. 1, 2018, the standard mileage rate for the use of a car, van, pickup, or panel truck will be 54.5 cents for every mile; 18 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes; and, 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations

Pastors and church staff members who drive their personal vehicles for church-related business (visitations, special events, etc.) can be reimbursed if they properly track their miles-or they may be able to calculate a deduction for their annual tax returns. For further information please consult a tax professional.

Save the Date: "Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Worship Service and Lunch will be held 11am on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 at Knox Presbyterian Church. All are welcome.

RUTH GOSNELL EDUCATION FUND: INTEREST-FREE COLLEGE LOANS AVAILABLE

Need an interest-free loan for the 2018-19 academic year to complete your college Junior, Senior or Graduate School studies? The Ruth Gosnell Education Fund, directed by the Springfield Presbyterian Church, provides interest-free loans for those full-time students, regardless of religion. To learn more, click Ruth Gosnell Education Fund and download an application. The deadline to apply is Mar. 1, 2018

Churches

SAVE THE DATE

7pm-9:45pm, Thursday, Jan. 4. Central Presbyterian Church.

Students from ages 6-14 are invited to participate in a Justice and Peace Essay and Oratory contest to compete for scholarships. This event is sponsored by Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church. For details,

click MLK JR.

Roland Park Presbyterian Church seeks a part time Director of Christian Education. For details, click Roland Park DCE.

Catonsville Concerts at 3 presents "Words & Music". Exploring the dynamic unity of two "languages," words AND music, this group uses the compelling medium of a chamber vocal quartet to entertain and inspire. The group performs at Catonsville Presbyterian Church at 3pm on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018. The concert is free, no tickets required. For more info, call 410.747.6180.

Other

The Presbyterian Foundation offers a number of church-wide stewardship and giving campaigns resources that may be of benefit to your congregation . For further information, email the Foundation's regional representative Olanda Carr at [email protected] or call 888.711.1318 .