March 2015 Towson Presbyterian Church 400 W. Chesapeake Avenue Towson, Maryland 21204 410-823-6500 www.towsonpres.org The TPC Staff Joel Strom Associate Pastor Stephen Harouff Director of Music/Organist Susan J. Thompson Director of Christian Education Tara Flynn Runge Administrative Coordinator Kathryn Bojanowski Business Administrator Lenore Koehler Director, Towson Presbyterian Preschool Susan Redpath Childcare Coordinator Walter Austin Sexton “But God” The first Sunday of Lent was February 22 and upon reading this newsletter, we will be in the midst of our Lenten journey together as a congregation. We have some exciting activities planned for the TPC congregation, and you can read about them in this newsletter. All of these programs are meant to provide a safe place to discuss faith, to worship our God, and to enjoy getting to know friends and neighbors. Lent has always meant becoming a bit more vulnerable, at least for me it has. In order to understand a little bit of what Jesus was going through in His time, we have to intentionally go deep inside to places that may be heartbreaking and that may create inner turmoil for us in this day and time. Mixed with the heartache and introspection we may be feeling, though, are wonderful stories in our Lenten Lectionary of healings, truth telling, a mysterious conversation with Nicodemus, the prodigal son welcomed home….stories of acceptance that beg for spirited responses from hearers. The duality of Lent and then Easter, puts me in mind of two words often used in the Bible – in fact, they show up almost 4,000 times. The two words are “But God!” When everything looks solemn and when it appears there’s no hope – the “But God!” words start appearing. God does something, turns things around, and provides the help or inspiration needed at the moment. The “But God!” words signal that a transition is about to happen or something is going to change. Lent is a lot like that for me, personally. On a congregational level, I can think of many instances at TPC this past year where we experienced “But God!” moments. As we changed the way we governed ourselves, as we developed new ministries and made some staffing changes, and as we developed our budget and conducted our stewardship campaign, we were experiencing “But God!” moments. The staff and congregational leaders of TPC are working together to bring meaningful worship and learning events to you and your family this Lenten season. Inside this newsletter you will find small groups, a Lenten Retreat, a mid -day Hymn Study, mission opportunities, a family fun event, and weekly worship to move you. May there be many “But God!” moments. We welcome Rev. MaryAnn McKibben Dana, Dr. Tracy Radosevic, and Dr. George Gray Toole to the pulpit this month, along with Rev. Joel Strom. We will celebrate the beginning of Holy Week with our Palm Sunday processional, Lenten Festival, and Egg Hunt. As we worship and learn together this month, we’ll experience a God who teaches, heals, prays, weeps, argues, eats with sinners, and becomes vulnerable…many “But God!” moments meant just for us. Sue Thompson, Director of Christian Education Children’s Ministries Our Church School Observes Lent Grade 4 and 5 First Friday Fellowship Games and Team Building at TPC We have several unique programs to help our children grow in their faith during the upcoming Lenten season. Look for Mason Prayer Jars, Lenten Dish Gardens, and a Jesus Figure to be sent home with each student. Families will be challenged to place Jesus in a spot where he will remind you of the Lenten journey and to think of a place you saw Jesus that day. A weekly story sheet and family devotion page can also be used with this project. Perhaps your family will discover that Jesus is with you each day of the Lenten season. Elementary students will make dish gardens on the first Sunday of Lent, and Jesus could be placed in the center, too. As the words of the transfiguration story echo “Listen to Him,” we can listen by taking the Gospel stories to heart, praying together, and responding to the needs of others all around us. Refer to the Lenten insert, which was mailed to all homes, to guide you, too. Friday, March 6 – 6:30 p.m. Grade 4 and 5 youth will meet at TPC for a fun evening of food and games. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as we will be engaging in fast-paced games and discovering how to work together to get things done! RSVP to (lisadarwin@yahoo.com) to reserve a spot for the evening. Bring $5 to cover pizza and dessert. Friends are welcome to attend as long as we have a firm RSVP by March 5. Lenten Festival and Egg Hunt TPC has a wonderful tradition of blending fun crafts with observing the beginning of Holy Week in a meaningful manner. We will gather on the front steps of the church for our traditional Palm Processional on Sunday, March 29 and dismiss from the worship service to Thompson Hall to experience some Lenten Learning Stations that will help our children understand the events of Holy Week. Our Lenten Festival always features fun crafts and symbols of the faith for Holy Week. March 8 Classes for pre-schoolers will meet in Room 212 for a lesson and movie. The nursery school art show takes place later in the afternoon, and some of our classes are displaced. Our nursery school is highly respected for the art and learning in which pre-schoolers engage and if you come back to view the show at 2:00 p.m., you are sure to be impressed by the creative preschool art. Upon dismissal from the worship service, elementary and middle school youth join in Thompson Hall to view a movie. March 22 Elementary and Middle School Youth are invited to remain in worship to hear storyteller Tracy Radosevic inspire us with a Bible story. At 11:30 a.m., we will move to the Presbyterian Home lawn for our annual Egg Hunt. Children are asked to bring baskets in which to collect the almost 1,000 eggs which will be hidden in various places on the lawn. This “egg-venture” is an experiment in making our Egg Hunt less competitive. All of the eggs found will be returned to a large container and expertly counted by our teens. There will be three golden eggs hidden somewhere on the lawn which will yield a “special” prize. We have successfully offered this type of Egg Hunt for several years now, equalizing the “rewards” of the hunt – all children will receive a grab bag filled with great prizes. We have a lot of plastic eggs recycled from last year but could use some “cash” ($5) so we may purchase prizes for our prize bags. All students will receive fish coin banks to support the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. We are sure that your family will find many creative ways to use the calendar that accompanies the fish banks. Please return your banks on Palm Sunday. During our Lenten Festival, we will launch a striking “cross project” (pictures embedded in a stunning visual) and we will need everyone’s help to make this modern banner come to life in Thompson Hall. It will be used during our Maundy Thursday program in Thompson Hall on April 2, too. March15 Children will continue circulating through special learning stations in church school designed to help them understand the events of Holy Week. MARCH 2015 2 GOOD NEWS AT TPC Children’s Ministries—continued 2015 Camp BeeTree for Children: In fact, you are wished rainbows, butterflies, doves, stars, (and lots of fish) the week of Camp BeeTree (and so much more!) as we learn together about symbols of faith, how God speaks to us through them, and how they, in turn, point us to God. Kindergarten through Grade 5 Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign! (Teens to serve as Counselors in Training) What is your 21st Century symbol, pointing you to God? By the end of the week, you’ll be saying “Signs, signs, everywhere a sign!” Please reserve July 13 - 17 for a great week of fun and learning at our facility in Parkton, MD. Registration packets will be mailed early in March. We have moved our registration deadline up one month. Please note that registration for Camp BeeTree will end on May 3. You will need to make your commitment to our camp much earlier this year. We’re fascinated these days with symbols, codes, and shortened messages with hidden meanings. Did you know that everything around us – nature, school, work, and home environment, even free time – connects us with God? Come to Camp BeeTree, and you will look up, look out, and look inside of yourself to discover all of the awesome ways God communicates with us, offering us signs to help us explain who and what God is all about. Don’t forget that this innovative program is held at our BeeTree property, which is a delightful environment in which to play and learn. All teens (current Grade 6 and above) will apply via a Counselor in Training application and will receive notification of acceptance as a counselor by April 15. We continue the teen “Code of Conduct” as part of the registration process. We have supportive teachers, great crafts, and many traditions—snowballs, waterslide, stream walking, and hikes. Make sure your child or grandchild has a chance to relax and to play in the great outdoors. We will need many volunteers to make our camp a success, so please fill out our Volunteer Form. As we hike the paths, listen to the sounds, and explore the flora and fauna of Camp BeeTree, we’ll experience the secret and meaningful ways God is revealed. Using symbols in nature, signs of weather, and animals we’ve come to love, we’ll unravel the themes of peace, hope, joy and love. Youth Youth Group in March March 22 – Tonight we combine both groups and join the rest of the church in our annual trip to The Baltimore Station from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Baltimore Station is a ministry that helps veterans whose lives have become unmanageable due to PTSD, poverty, addiction and homelessness. A bus will transport us to and from their South Baltimore Shelter on Baker Street. Our night will consist of eating with the residents and hearing their stories. This is an all-church intergenerational event – our teens and their parents are invited to join us! Sign up in Thompson Hall to reserve your spot on the bus and please consider making a casserole to share. March 1 – NO Middle School or High School Youth Group March 8 – Middle School at 4:00 p.m. and High School at 5:30 p.m. March 15 – Middle School at 4:00 p.m. and High School at 5:30 p.m. March 29 – Middle School at 4:00 p.m. and High School at 5:30 p.m. GOOD NEWS AT TPC 3 MARCH 2015 Deaths Tending the Flock New Member Open House Sunday, March 22 Phyllis Marta, on January 31 Maureen Mason, on February 13 Interested in becoming a member of TPC? All are invited to an informal open house on Sunday, March 22 in the Library at 11:15 a.m. Pastor Joel Strom and other members from TPC will be available for questions and fellowship. Childcare is provided. If you ar ready to join , you may do so at this time. The Rev. Dr. Lindley G DeGarmo Sanctuary Stained Glass Window Restoration Fund Many thanks go to the congregation for such a great farewell reception for Lindley! The majority of your generous donations in honor of his ministry at TPC established the fund to restore the stained glass windows in the sanctuary. This fund has reached $4800 which is a good start toward the costly restoration of these beautiful windows. Please keep this fund in mind for future memorial donations. And check out Lindley’s farewell photo book on the church website! Easter Flowers Complete the order form below, place it in the offering plate or return it to the Church Office. Cost is $12.00 for each flower. Orders are due March 31 for inclusion in the Easter bulletin. You may take flowers home after the 10:30 service. Property ______________________________________ Your Name: The Property Committee is actively assessing both security and structural needs of our facility. Temporary solutions for each are being implemented allowing us much needed time to complete our assessment and implement meaningful, properly scoped solutions. With regard to security, we ask all members to make sure doors remain locked, locks not in working condition are reported, and that visitors to our building are were they need to be and for. Please pay particular attention to future updates as we do anticipate some level of changes related off-hours movement within the Church as a result of implementing new security measures. Thank you for your support and understanding as we work to make TPC a stronger and safer community. As always, we welcome new members to both the Property and BeeTree committees. _____________________________ Phone Quantity: _____ ___ In Honor of _________________________________________ ___ In Memory of _________________________________________ Andy Evans, Elder/Property Committee Chairperson Pre-School Art Show on March 8 at 2:00 p.m. Amount Enclosed in Payment: $______________ ___ Share my flower with someone in the hospital or homebound. Our pre-school is well known for its creative art projects and child-centered learning. Pre-school art will be on display in the afternoon. Look for signs today to direct you to proper locations. Stop by in the afternoon for a visual treat and see what great things are happening in TPC’s week-day pre-school. MARCH 2015 Please place form and payment in Tara’s mailbox. 4 GOOD NEWS AT TPC Adult Ministries Family Fellowship Fun Night March Plumbline Awesome Miracles & Mystery Night! We offer a Sunday morning education option right after church at 11:15 a.m. in the Library. In March, Plumbline will feature some excellent discussions as we enter into the spirit of the Lenten season, engaging new issues and wrestling with appropriate responses: Friday the 13th (March 13) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Come join us in Thompson Hall for fellowship, messy fun, and dinner (lasagna, salad, and dessert). After dinner, our fun activities will prove that miracles can happen (science experiments with a few supporting Bible stories). Dinner will cost $7 per person and $20 for families of any size. We have invited hammered dulcimer player Rick Hill to lead us in music, and we will gather ‘round the dulcimer and sing songs that all ages will enjoy. March 8: Retreat with Heidi Schreiber-Pan (see description on next page). March 15: TPC member Cara Achterberg will discuss her newly published book entitled, Live Intentionally: 65 Challenges for a Healthier, Happier Life. It is full of stories, recipes, and challenges to help you live a more intentional life and covers a wide variety of topics. This is a re-scheduled presentation from our Feb. 22 “snow day.” Attend this exciting Plumbline presentation, purchase a book, and support talented writer, blogger, and entrepreneur Cara Achterberg. This program is appropriate for families and those young at heart! The Children’s Ministries Team sponsors this outreach activity for the TPC congregation, our neighborhood, and friends. RSVP to the church office if you plan to attend. Dinner: Hands-On-Activities: Dessert & Dulcimer: March 22: New Member Orientation in the Library Refreshments served, with a Snapshot of TPC Church Life. Learn about the many wonderful programs TPC offers for spiritual growth and outreach to our community. Those who are contemplating joining our faith community should RSVP to the church office so that we have adequate food and handouts for all. Invite friends and neighbors to our spring orientation for an overview of TPC ministries. 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Grow some snow! Make some slime! Explode some foam! 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Third Thursday Lunch – March 19 No Plumbline on March 29 or April 5 so that we may participate in other all-church activities those days. Help us welcome spring with a visit to the Valley Inn on Falls Road in Lutherville. We’ll meet at TPC to carpool at 11:30 a.m., or just meet us there at noon. Please RSVP your attendance to Lois Leuba at 410.296.0407 so we are assured of adequate seating at this popular lunch spot. Lenten Book Study Carol Appleby is hosting a book group at her home. The book for study is: "Inhabiting Eden: Christians, the Bible and the Ecological Crisis"by Patricia K. Tull, Professor Emerita of Old Testament at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary. "The Bible speaks in many ways about God's commitment to creation and our calling to be good stewards. Rev. Tull lifts up these biblical voices with passion, humor and real sensitivity, and helps us hear God's word in a new way..." Sunday Morning Opportunities 9:00 a.m. – Sunday Morning Book Group (formerly Seeking Discipleship)…The group explores a wide range of topics relating to religion and spirituality, and is currently finishing "Can You Drink the Cup?"by Henri J. M. Nouwen. Other authors the group has read include N. T. Wright, Bernard Christiansen, Stephen Prothero and Anne Lamott. The new book for March will be announced in the weekly Sunday bulletin. All are welcome! GOOD NEWS AT TPC Meetings are on March 2, 16, and 30 and a Monday in April from 7 – 9 p.m. Carol invites all those who are concerned about our environment to join her in studying the issues and to help change the way we relate to the earth. 5 MARCH 2015 Adult Ministries—continued Mini Retreat at TPC Music and Meditation “Will You Come and Follow Me?” Wednesdays in Lent Noon - 12:45 p.m. Hymn Study, Prayer, Music “The Search for Meaning: Living Life with Purpose” Sunday, March 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - Cost $15 This topic touches on the importance of discovering one’s purpose in life and living a life true to one’s personal values and God’s goal for one’s life. A handson workshop that encourages the discovery of one’s mission regardless of current circumstances…you will use such tools as reflection, scriptural contemplation, quiet prayer, and identification of personal values. Emerge with a greater awareness of your “calling.” March 4 Karen Gilliss, Discussion Leader Vocalist accompanied by Stephen Harouff, Piano Will You Come and Follow Me? March 11 Susan Thompson, Discussion Leader Betsy Farrell, Mandolin, Stephen Harouff, Piano I Danced in the Morning PRESENTER: Dr. Heidi Schreiber-Pan, Licensed Psychotherapist, Ph.D Spiritual Integrated Psychotherapy March 18 Stephen Harouff, Discussion Leader Dr. Diana Curtis, Cello accompanied by Stephen Harouff, Piano When I Survey the Wondrous Cross March 25 Stephen Harouff, Discussion Leader Greg Small, Trumpet and LaBerge Family, Bells All Glory, Laud, and Honor Second Monday Circle 13 Small Group A newly organized group of women meet on the second Monday of each month for fellowship and Bible Study. The focus book for this spring is Falling Upward by Richard Rohr – a great read for the Lenten season!. The group gathers at the Burkett home at 613 Yarmouth Road on Monday, March 9 from 7-9 p.m. Please read Part I – Simplicity: The Season of Spiritual Awakening. RSVP to Dotsie Bregel if you plan to attend. You’re invited to sing and read your way through Lent this year. Join us in the Chapel at noon as we explore a different hymn each week, reflecting on the text, learning about the hymn writers, and discovering how the text relates to all of us in this time. These “meditations” will consist of discussion, pauses for prayer and singing, quiet meditation with guest musicians, and insights to carry us through the Lenten season. Booklets containing readings and background information on hymns are available in Thompson Hall. South Baltimore Shelter Trip Sunday, March 22, 2015 5:00 – 8:00 p. m. TPC returns to the South Baltimore Shelter at Baker Street to enjoy dinner and hear testimony from clients. We are in need of casseroles, bread, salad, and dessert to be provided for 60 people. Our bus will leave the TPC parking lot promptly at 5:00 p.m. (arrive promptly at 4:45 p.m.). A separate vehicle to transport our casseroles is needed. If you can volunteer to take down our casseroles, it would be greatly appreciated. Youth group members, families, and all others are warmly welcomed to help us work with clients at the shelter to set the table and get the food that we bring organized for a group meal at around 6:00 p.m. We will eat together and then hear the powerful stories of how various men are changing their lives after dealing with various addictions. We will return to TPC by 8:00 p.m. (on our bus). A sign-up sheet will be in Thompson Hall early in March to solicit your help with food and favors. We are interested in re-establishing our connection with the Baltimore Station and offer MARCH 2015 6 GOOD NEWS AT TPC Peace & Justice / Mission A Call from Peace & Justice Committee Last fall, members of TPC began a serious conversation about racial justice—a Plumbline series on the Christian response to the events in Ferguson, Missouri. We were a small but highly engaged group, and our discussion leaders were dynamic. We knew we had only made a start—but it was reassuring to have made that start together. Then in January, with Professor Art Sutherland, we studied the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King, Jr. Going forward, we’ve been considering how TPC might participate in the dialog about racial justice right here in Baltimore. There are so many creative programs for all ages that we could tap into—involving theater, film, music, story-telling, mural art. There are other congregations we could join, other neighborhoods. We’re open to the Spirit working among us. We want to put our faith into action. But first we need to know if there is sufficient interest, here at TPC, to support such an initiative. And so we’re asking for a show of hands (actually, a show of emails). Please let us know if you can make a short-term commitment to join our planning team. Contact Madeleine Mysko: mmysko@comcast.net Lenten Carbon Fast Consider joining the Interfaith Power & Light Lenten Carbon Fast. 40 days, 40 tips. Lent is a time to repent, reflect, sacrifice and listen for God. This year consider joining with many other people of faith in taking on a Lenten Carbon "Fast". May this season serve as a wake-up call to be mindful of the ways that our daily choices impact everyone, especially our neighbors in poverty. Each of these actions will reduce our production of climate pollution and help to preserve God's great gift of Creation. Go to www.gwipl.org to download the calendar. 2015 Honduras Mission Trip 2015 Honduras Mission Trip: We are again soliciting donations to take to Honduras on our Medical/Dental/ Community Building mission trip! So let us help you clean out your closets, sewing boxes and junk drawers!! We are in need of sewing supplies, cotton or polyblend fabrics in 1+ yard sizes, needles, thread and buttons, seam binding and OH YES-cording, shoe laces, and elastic! We will use these things to make aprons, oven mitts, tote bags, handbags, hair-ties, barettes, place mats and rugs!! We also will take any spring/summer clothes and shoes that your family has outgrown or wants to make room for new! Men's and women's shoes no larger than sizes 9 (men) or 7.All kids sizes of everything! And how about those freebies you've gotten from Clinque or Estee Lauder? We'll take those! The hotel sized shampoos and body creams? We'll take those, too!!We need lightweight large suitcases for all of the donations we receive. 25 folks are going on the trip and that means we could fill 40+ suitcases and deliver them to the Honduran people! Please pass this to ANYONE who wants help with de-cluttering! And finally we need your prayers to go with us on the trip! Thanks for everything and especially for those prayers! GOOD NEWS AT TPC 7 MARCH 2015 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED DATED MATERIAL: Mailed February 26, 2014 March Worship Schedule Sunday worship at 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. Sunday, March 1 2nd Sunday in Lent Psalm 36:5-10; John 2:1-11 “The Hour Has Come” Preaching: Rev. MaryAnn McKibbon Dana Sunday, March 8 3rd Sunday in Lent Psalm 25:1-10; Mark 1:9-15 “Mountain Top Peaks and Wilderness Valleys” Preaching: The Rev. Joel Strom Sunday, March 15 4th Sunday in Lent Ecclesiastes 2:1-10; John 3:14-21 “Darkness and Light” Guest Preaching: The Rev. Joel Strom Sunday, March 22 5th Sunday in Lent Guest Preaching: Dr. Tracy Radosevic Sunday, March 29 Palm Sunday Psalm 118:1-2,19-29; Mark 11:1-11 “ And Then A Parade Broke Out!” Guest Preaching: The Rev. Dr. George G. Toole
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