| |
| |
|
We hope you enjoy receiving
our weekly email
designed to keep
you informed on current and upcoming events scheduled here at Roland Park Presbyterian Church.
|
Clerk's Corner
by Elder Richard Letocha,
Clerk of Session
The Session's most recent monthly meeting took place Wednesday, March 15. As always, the WOW campaign was a focus of our energy and discussion. You will soon receive a WOW update, authored by David Patron, which covers some of the options Session is exploring to bridge the gap between the expected costs of the campaign and the amount pledged thus far.
We were delighted to learn that three candidates for the vacant Director of Christian Education position will be interviewed by members of the Personnel Committee and the staff. Our educational opportunities, including the Empty Bowls fundraiser March 19 and the upcoming discussion of human trafficking in Baltimore on Palm Sunday, April 9, are dynamic and thought-provoking, and I hope you'll continue to take advantage of them.
We also began the process of thinking about how we can better integrate our newer members into the life of the congregation. As we Widen our Welcome to one and all, we want to be sure to fully engage all members of our own congregation in worship, mission, music, and Christian Education.
I'd love to hear from you if you have any questions about what is taking place at the monthly Session meetings. The meetings are open to all. Our next meeting will take place Wednesday, April 19, at 7:00 pm, in the Fellowship Room.
Sincerely,
Richard Letocha
Clerk of Session
|
|
|
Tangible Offering 4/2
RPPC explores themes of stewardship and mission through a special collection on Communion Sundays. We ask everyone to participate so that our youth can get a real and tangible view of our commitment.
On April 2nd, we will collect for Maryland General Hospital Transitions Team's efforts to support the local homeless population. Their summer event is called "Cool Down" and they distribute individual bags containing the
following items: sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottles, sun visors, small hand mechanical fans or folded paper fans. If you are able, please bring any of these items for our tangible offering collection that day. Thanks!
|
A Talk at RPPC about Human Trafficking
4/9, After Worship
|
|
Shamere McKenzie,
Anti-Trafficking Program Director
|
You are invited to a talk about Human Trafficking in Baltimore and the Salvation Army's new
initiative called Catherine's Cottage. Child care and l
unch will be provided.
Catherine's Cottage is a home that is being renovated to operate as a
24 hour, 365-days a year emergency housing facility that is located in a confidential area in Baltimore city. The location is confidential to protect the survivors we will serve. This 9-bedroom home has been re-designed to serve thirteen adults and three small children at any given time.
RPPC member, Meghan Friedman, has been helping with the interior design along with 4 other designers in the Baltimore area. The facility is set to open in May.
Catherine's Cottage aims to provide direct services to survivors of human trafficking through a holistic, strength-based, trauma, and survivor-informed approach.
Their services include:
-Housing,
-Trauma informed counseling,
-Intensive case management,
-Life enrichment classes,
-Support groups,
-Medical and dental services,
-Mentoring,
-Spiritual Discovery
Catherine's Cottage is projected to serve 156 adults and 36 children yearly. Ideally, survivors will receive long-term placement within 30 days however, services may be extended, throughout four phases, to meet survivors' individual needs. Emergency housing is one of the first steps towards healing for human trafficking survivors. Please join us to learn more about the problem of human trafficking in Baltimore and how we can help.
|
One Great Hour of Sharing
This Sunday during Education for All Ages, we will be distributing fish banks to collect for One Great Hour of Sharing. Each gift to OGHS helps to improve the lives of people through three impactful programs: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People.
|
Liturgists and Greeters Needed
Are you interested in other ways to participate in worship or do you have new ideas to share? Please contact Pastor Mark:
[email protected]
or
410-889-2990.
|
Walter P. Carter School
Food Pantry
Each month, Walter P. Carter Elementary/Middle School receives food from the Maryland Food Bank to distribute to the children attending the school. Each child has the opportunity to bring home 20lbs of groceries.
There are three ways you can volunteer: Help us unload the food delivery 10am-12pm, Help us pack the grocerie 12pm-2pm, Help us give out the groceries 3pm-5pm.
|
|
Join us this Sunday
April 2, 2017
Worship 10:30am
Message:
Making Room to See
Celebration of the Lord's Supper
|
Exploring Membership Gatherings -- 4/2, 4/23, 4/30
Are you interested in the possibility of becoming a member of this congregation? We certainly hope you are! If so, Pastor Mark invites you to join him and other church leaders in the liberary after service on April 2nd, 23rd or 30th. These gatherings are informal and designed to introduce you to our congregation and some of its members to aid you in your discernment process. For more information, please contact Pastor Mark at 410-889-2990 or
[email protected].
|
RPPC Rummage Sale
5/6 @9am-2pm
RPPC will hold a church rummage sale on May 6th, rain or shine. Donations to the sale can be dropped off on the stage area of the assembly hall. There will be a "Collector's Corner" to showcase our higher ticket items. The grill team will be cooking up burgers and hotdogs and there will be a baked goods table selling sweet treats as well. All proceeds will be donated to the Widening our Welcome capital campaign in support of the upcoming renovations to the church building. If you would like to help with this event, please see Laura Cochran, Julie Evans or Phoebe Evans Letocha.
|
Church Clean Out Days -- 4/22, 4/29 @10am-1pm
In preparation for the church renovations which could begin as early as mid-August, we would like to clean out, purge and pack items from all the rooms in the building. We are going to dedicate the two Saturdays preceding the rummage sale to this purpose. Any saleable items will go to the rummage sale. A light lunch will be provided to any church members willing to help sort and pack on those days. Questions? Please contact Laura Cochran.
|
Pastor Mark's
Out of Office Hour
Wednesdays, 8-9am
Pastor Mark's Out of Office hour is Wednesdays, 8-9am, at Evergreen Coffee house on Coldspring Lane. You may call or text Pastor Mark at 410-914-7772 if you would like to let him know you'll be stopping by.
|
Faith and Fiction Book Club
New Selection!
4/26 @7:30pm
All are welcome to join our Faith and Fiction Book Club in reading and then discussing our new selection:
Exit West by Mohsin Hamid. We will meet in the church library on April 26th at 7:30pm.
|
Call for Nominations for Elders and Deacons
The
Nominating Committee invites
nominations for Elders and Deacons. Do you know someone gifted for leadership? Do you feel called to participate more fully in the life of the congregation? We are looking for people of vision and creativity, compassion and humility.
Serving in church leadership is both a gift and a responsibility. It is an opportunity to give of your time and talents, as well as a chance to explore your faith more deeply with your fellow leaders. We welcome
nomination of others and self-
nominations. Is God calling you to serve? Do you believe the church would benefit from the gifts of someone you know?
|
|
|
|
| Roland Park Presbyterian Church |
|
Baltimore, MD 21210
Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 9:00am -- 2:30pm
410/889-2001
410/889-2990- Pastor's direct line
410/889-2000-fax
|
|
|
