December 11, 2017
Inside this Edition
Year end Contributions and Remittance 

Board of Pension/ Terms of Call 

Martin Luther King Jr. Worship & Lunch

Ruth Gosnell Education Fund Grove PC Free Concert

First & Franklin Candlelight Chorus Concert

Justice & Peace Essay and Oratory Contest for Students 

Perspectives Course at Central PC 

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.)
     
Trustees will meet at 9am on Tuesday, Dec. 12

Committee on Preparation for Ministry will meet at 3pm Wednesday, Dec. 20 at Catonsville PC 

Susquehanna Ministry Group will meet at 12:30pm on Thursday, Dec. 21 
  
2017 Our Shared Ministry 
Pledges & Contributions 

Total rcv'd to date: 
$154,614
2017 OSM Goal: $225,000  




Each year during the Advent and Christmas season, we turn our thoughts to Bethlehem and the wondrous gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior. The Christmas Joy Offering, one of four special offerings sponsored by the Presbyterian Church USA, has long been part of celebrating Jesus Christ, the indescribable gift. By giving to the Christmas Joy Offering, you honor the gift of our Savior  as well as the gifts of church leaders -- past, present, and future.
  
Although traditionally collected during the Advent Season, the Christmas Joy Offering funds important PC(USA) ministries and programs throughout the year. In particular, the Christmas Joy Offering supports the Assistance Program of the Board of Pension which provides housing and financial aid to retired church workers in critical need.  It also funds ministries supporting  racially ethnic schools, colleges and leadership  development. 

The good work that results from your contributions to the Christmas Joy Offering is compounded in generosities, with unending expansion and ceaseless increase. As such,  the retired church worker aided in a time of need may turn around and makes a gift himself to help other church leaders in dire straits; or, the student at Presbyterian Pan American School who benefited from your generosity may respond by dedicating his life to serving the church. Your generosity to the Christmas Joy Offering bears witness to our faithful response to God's charge to love one another as Christ commanded.

In gratitude to God for the gift of Jesus, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) invites congregations
to give generously to the Christmas Joy Offering and join this celebration of God's presence with us by supporting those in need of help and hope. Thank you for your support of this life-changing Offering. Please encourage your congregants to give generously. Looking for ways to celebrate the Christmas Joy Offering in your congregation, click Christmas Joy Offering for a comprehensive guide.

To donate to the Christmas Joy Offering, write checks payable to the Presbytery of Baltimore and indicate CJ999999 on the memo line.


Take Note/Act Now

Presbytery and Churchwide

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

Save the Date: "Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Worship Service and Lunch will beheld  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  
In an event that has become a treasured part of the Mt. Vernon holiday season -- First & Franklin Presbyterian Church will host a Candlelight Choral Concert featuring its choir and soloist at 4pm on Sunday Dec. 17. For details, click Candlelight Concert.

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


 
                                     SAVE THE DATE

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




















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 .



taff Directory

 Jacqueline E. Taylor
General Presbyter
[email protected] 

  Mary Gaut
Deputy Stated Clerk
[email protected] 
 
Susan Krehbiel
Dir. of Congregational Advocacy
[email protected]
  
Chuck Brawner
Financial Administrator

Judy Johnson
Ministry Group Staff


William Nickels III
 Assoc. General Presbyter

Deb Milcarek
Assoc. for Reconciliation
[email protected]

  Deborah Greene  
Dir. of Communications
[email protected]
 
Laura Mullen
        Book Keeper

McKenna Lewellen 
Coordinator



John "Jack" Carlson
Stated Clerk

Debbie Ingram Schmidt
Assoc. for Spiritual Leader Development

 Wanda Morgan
Dir. of Events/Services

Kate Foster Connors 
Dir. of The Center