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Pastoral Ponderings
Dear Friends, I love Winter. There is something about the cold, the barrenness and the bright white of the snowy landscape the bring clarity and peace. I was reminded recently that winter is not a time of death so much as a time when living things go deeper. The trees may not have leaves but the roots are alive and vibrant in the warm earth deep below. Animals burrow out of sight, but they are still alive and breathing. And people also hide in the warmth of their homes, but the life within those homes can still be strong and vibrant. Perhaps this is how we can look at Christmas. As our half of the earth tilts furthest from the sun, temperatures fall and darkness reigns; the birth of the baby Jesus reminds us that life is still there. It is just as strong, just as vibrant in the darkness as it is in light. It is just deeper; preparing for the emergence and exuberance of Spring and Summer. So, as we enter this season of darkness, be aware of the light within. Be aware of the life coursing deep down in the earth and deep down within our own hearts. Know that this deeper life is just as real if not quite so obvious. In fact, it may be the barrenness on the surface, that makes the deep life visible and clear. Be aware of it. Embrace it. Celebrate it. Merry Christmas. Peace, Tom
December Highlights
Help Decorate the Church for Christmas!
December 7th and 14th Between the Services
Meet in the Gallery
Christmas Eve Services
5:30 p.m. December 24th – Children and Family Christmas Pageant 9:00 p.m. December 24th – Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols
Sermon Starters Bibles Study
Sundays from 10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Beginning December 21st Come discussion the sermon passages for the coming weeks
New Year’s Day at Govans (see page 7)
DECEMBER 2008
Letters & Tales
2
Communion Offering & Articles
3
Birthdays & Upcoming Crypts
4
Mission & Social Justice
5
Lectionary & Member of Govans
6
Session Notes & NEW YEAR’S DAY
7
Inside this issue:
The Bellringer . Govans Presbyterian Church Newsletter
Opportunity
What if you were denied a home because you were a woman, because you had a child, or because your skin was dark? Such
treatment is both illegal and unfair, but it occurs every day. Baltimore Neighborhoods, Inc. (BNI) is a 48-year-old civil
rights agency dedicated to fighting discrimination in housing. BNI serves all of Central Maryland and beyond. Willing vol-
unteers are needed to help in the fight for fair housing. If you are interested in this worthwhile effort, please contact BNI’s
fair housing office at 410-243-4400 or www.bni-maryland.org. Volunteer “testers” are carefully trained and are paid a small
Letters - Thanks:
Giving and Receiving
Dear Friends, Thanks to all who contributed to my recent trip to Haiti. The children received crocs, shoes, clothes, vitamins, musical instruments, new un-derwear and socks, medicine, pajamas, puzzles, and books. Two extra suitcases to carry this were also paid for. Your support has changed their lives. They will change yours when you meet them. Gratefully, Joyce Kruse All- I've just returned from the always miraculous pre-Thanksgiving gathering at Harford House, and am so grate-ful for all of the work that made it a special evening! We had just enough turkey for the night, with many residents able to take a plate of food for Thanksgiving Day. There was plenty of the trimmings, lots of pie, and the fresh fruit was very popular. Best of all were the marvelous interac-tions between residents, volunteers, friends, staff, and fam-ily - no, we ALL felt like family there! The ongoing support of people like you touches the lives of the residents in our programs and has lasting impact, as we heard from those who spoke so eloquently about their passage through Harford House or Micah House. Thank you for helping to make possible the incredible successes of our residents. Lin Romano—GEDCO To The Baltimore Folk Music Society, Julie McDill, Ben Hobbs, and Wayne & MaryBeth White for your fundraising-support at TELEBRATION 2008—THANK YOU.! Proceeds from the refreshements and crafts will benefit Kay Papa Nou Orphanage in Haiti.
Tales From the Crypts – IV
The Govanstown Cemetery of the Govans Presbyterian Church
If you take a quiet walk around the cemetery today, you’ll see a headstone with the name ANDERSEN on lot 400. Under that name, on the left is “William A. 1925 ---” and on the right it says “Ardyth G. 1932 – 1992” My first wife, Ardyth, whom I met and married at Govans, died suddenly just before Christmas of that year, a terrible shock to me and our children. 1992 had been a good year for us until her death – she had sent me to Orioles Fantasy Camp, and we had gone on a great cruise together to Alaska - but something happened to make her death bearable. I was there at her bedside at the split second of her death and actually saw her spirit leave her and saw her body go in-stantly from life to death, leaving just a nameless lump on the bed. From that time on, I knew she hadn’t actually left us but was still there in her garden, in her grandchildren, and with me. When I followed the casket down the aisle during the funeral, I felt no sadness because I knew that what was in that dread box was only a cold, lifeless body and that her spirit was still with us. The next spring, while I was planting some flowers in our garden, I actually said to her, “Is this where you want them?” Something – some-one - told me I had the right place, so I planted them. It felt good. William A. Andersen
Page 2
Getting ready for school at KPN
Dear Friends, I truly thank each of you for making a difference in my life. Over 40 of you have visited, brought food, gifts, cards, sent letters or called. Govans is a differ-ent kind of church for people who want to make a difference and you have. Best wishes, Joe Hamilton
The Bellringer . Govans Presbyterian Church Newsletter
Page 3
Page 3
Communion Offering for December
World AIDS—AIRS
In 1987, AIRS was founded by the Central Maryland Ecu-menical Council as the Baltimore faith community’s re-sponse to need for providing housing and supportive ser-vices to individuals and families who are very low income or homeless and are infected or at risk of HIV/AIDS dis-ease.
AIRS provides comprehensive supportive housing services to enhance quality of life, emphasizing self-sufficiency for low-income and homeless individuals and families living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS or other disabilities.
Options
Adult Options in December:
12/7 and 12/14: Two options! Choose between: (a) Deck the Halls! Help decorate the church for Advent and Christmas! (b) .... or Bible Study & Discussion (lead by Ben Hobbs, Jane Page and others) on Herod and Roman-ruled Pales-tine circa 4 BC with insights from last year's discovery of Herod's tomb, and Origins of the American Version of Christmas. 12/21: Two more options: (a) Sermon starters with Pastor Tom: reading and reflect-ing on the scriptural text that is the basis for the following Sunday's sermon. (b) Children's stories of Chrstmas with a nonmaterial theme (Dr. Seuss, Gift of the Magi, Babushka ....) led by Jane Page and Carol McAfee. 12/28: Sermon starters with Pastor Tom.
Report from Haiti— Kay Papa Nou
I returned from a five- day visit to Haiti on November 18th and can report things are going well at the Or-phanage. On this trip, I learned more from David and got into the Orphanage’s routine. Each morning they are awakened at 5:30. They crawl off their mattresses and search for clothes & toothbrushes in the dark. After brushing their teeth and dressing, they gather for prayer and worship while many of us would be burying our heads under our pillows to drive out the sound of the roosters. They bow their heads in prayer, sing praises, and dance. “This is the day, this is the day our God has
made, let us rejoice, let us rejoice and be glad in it” keeps going through my head. This is one of the many songs they sing joyously over and over from memory. They do chores, wash, dress in school uniforms, then stand quietly around the table before their breakfast plates to say grace and sing—”We eat in the light of God.” Break-fast was 2 slices of white bread with peanut butter and a juice drink while I was there. They eat in quiet and eat all of their food before leaving the table. Hair is brushed and rebraided for most of the girls before climbing into the back of a pick-up truck to be taken to school. Temporary school is being held in an open room on top of a building. They have 3 teachers. In order to get to the classroom area, they climb up a few flights of stairs in a pitch black stairway. A new school is being built nearby which will have 4 classrooms & an outdoor covered kinder-garten. After school, they change out of their uniforms and play, recite their lessons, and eat. Late in the evening, they have a 3rd meal when it is dark before an hour of worship, prayer, and dance. Before going to bed, they brush their teeth. Despite their modest means, their spirit is rich. They get along well and love each other, which is evidenced throughout the day. Govans is making a difference in their lives. One example is their sand water filters which provide ample drinking wa-ter and saves purchasing bottled drinking water. The children are learning principles, respect, order, and fear of God. David is trying to teach them that their mission in life is to help others, especially the poor and hungry, and to love their God. Joyce Kruse
Dayana Jean—Concentration
The Bellringer . Govans Presbyterian Church Newsletter
Govans Epiphany RevivalGovans Epiphany RevivalGovans Epiphany RevivalGovans Epiphany Revival Join us for worship at sunrise!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
6:45 a.m.-12 p.m.
There will be a candlelight service with singing and prayer. This will be
followed by a family style hot breakfast.
After breakfast, we will work in groups to discuss, brainstorm, and create a
purpose statement for Govans.
What is our purpose as a church?
What role do we play in the community?
Whom do we serve?
Everyone’s ideas are encouraged and welcome!
“80th Birthday Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.” January 7. Join us for a community celebration honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led by conductor Marin Alsop with the BSO Soul-ful Symphony. The performance includes a Joseph Schwantner’s stirring New Morning for the World, showcasing texts by Dr. King set to music. Cost is $85.00. Time is 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. A $20.00 non-refundable payment and completion of a reservation form reserves your seat. Price includes transporta-tion, premier orchestra ticket and bus-driver gratuity. Limited to 35 tickets. Contact the SNNB office for details. ALL AGES ARE WELCOME!!
Holiday Cookies!
In lieu of a cake auction this year, we will take orders for an assortment of homemade Christmas cookies for delivery to church on Sunday, Dec. 14th. Orders may be placed as follows and must be paid for at time of order. Over 4 dozen cookies may be pur-chased for an additional $5.00 per dozen. Sign up for cookies in the Gallery. Contact Bonnie Thomson if you have any ques-tions at 410-665-2399. Thanks for your contin-
ued support of Govans. Happy Holidays.
Page 4
12/2 Tom Clark
12/5 Paul Hobbs
12/6 Ralph Arnsdorf
12/7 Joe Hamilton
12/7 Andrew North
12/10 Marin Harris
12/11 David Bryant
12/12 Catherine Burleson
12/16 Nene Orie
12/16 Stuart Ray
12/22 Ted Kruse
12/23 Conner Brown
12/23 Alex Cox
12/24 Myra Brosius
12/25 Jean Lowers
12/27 Steffi Carass
12/27 Bettyann Phillips
12/27 Brad Seabolt
12/29 Steven Branson
12/30 Caroline Knarr
12/31 Jeanette Hobbs
If you want your birthday listed in the Bellringer, please contact the church office or email Joyce Kruse at [email protected].
Cookies per Dozen
Price
1 $8.00
2 $15.00
3 $20.00
4 $25.00
Heartfelt Sympathy
to the family and friends of Albie Bright
who died on November 23,2008.
The Bellringer . Govans Presbyterian Church Newsletter Page 5
MISSION and SOCIAL JUSTICE HOW TO BE AN ANGEL
2008
1. Donate food to the CARES Food Pantry Canned Fruits, Canned Vegetables, Cereals, Elbow Macaroni (1 lb. pk), Peanut Butter & Jelly, Pork & Beans, Rice (1 lb. pk), Soups, Spaghetti, Spaghetti Sauce, Tuna. Hotel-size soaps and shampoos. DROP OFF DONATIONS IN THE DONATION BASKETS NEXT TO THE PEACE LIBRARY. 2. Give a gift to a neighbor in need this Christmas. Family and Children’s Services of Central Maryland, Harford House and Micah House provide the names of individuals and families who would otherwise miss out this Christmas. Look for the Angel board in the Gallery to locate a neighbor in need. If some of the gift re-quests are beyond your budget, the Mission Committee will work to coordinate several sponsors for one gift. 3. Celebrate the Spirit of Christmas by making a $10 donation to the Haiti fund that will purchase a Haitian Creole book for a child at the Kay Papa Nou orphanage. You can also give this gift in the name of a family member or friend and the Haiti committee will send a Christmas card and spirit filled message acknowledging your gift in their name. 4. Help GECDO’s “Green for the Green House” campaign. Any contribution, from $1.00 to $1,000 or more will help move this Stadium Place project forward. The Green House® is an innovative model of residential long-term care that will provide a full range of personal care and clinical services for frail elders. No contri-bution is too small. Donation envelopes can be found in the gallery. We hope you enjoy the Christmas season and find a sense of peace by extending a hand to those in need. Your Mission Committee…………Jane Page, Doug Stouffer, Bonnie Thomson, Dickens Warfield, Judy Western, Jim Williams,
Joyce Kruse and Elizabeth Whitfield
Lineda Etrenne (4) of Kay Papa Nou Children from the Haiti slum of Cite Soleil
The Bellringer . Govans Presbyterian Church Newsletter Page 6
GEDCO Annual Benefit A Success
A Capital Event!
On Thursday, November 20, 2008 honoring Bank of America was a success raising/netting $130,000 for op-erating expenses for GEDCO. The live auction results were down about $9,000 from last year with a total of $15,500 generated. Govans Presbyterian was well repre-sented in attendance.
The Exceptional Calendar
Exceptions to regularly scheduled events: December 6: Christmas Extravaganza at Friends of Chamber Music, 1430 Francke Ave., Lutherville at & 7:30 p.m. Open to the public. December 7: Decorate the church for Christmas be-tween the services. December 14: Decorate the church for Christmas be-tween the services. December 21: Sermon Starters Bible Study at 10:15 a.m. in classroom across from the elevator. December 24: Christmas Eve Services 5:30 p.m. – Children and Family Christmas Pageant 9:00 p.m. – Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols
Yoga
Sundays: Dec. 7 & 14, Jan. 4 & 11 at 12 noon. Please call Julie McDill if interested. 410-372-0028.
Member of Govans—Albert Isteero Albert Isteero: I was born in Port Said, Egypt, the 7th child in a family of 9 children, to Rev. Isteero Farag and his wife Erada. I grew up there in Port Said and later went 3 years to the Cairo University School of Engineer-ing. Even though my father was a Presbyterian minister, he never really encouraged me to follow in his footsteps. But, in my last year of engineering school, I felt the call and enrolled in the Cairo Theological Seminary. All my career has been in church work, which I have en-joyed very much. One of the best periods of my life was the 12 years I spent as general secretary of the Near East Council of Churches in Beirut, Lebanon. Beirut was called “the Paris of the Middle East” at that time. It was a wonderful, cosmopolitan place, full of people of all na-tionalities and interests. Jean and I enjoyed meeting church leaders from all over the world who would come to see the work of the NECC. It was there that we first met Marilyn and Charles Forbes, too. A memorable event during that time was the dedication of the National Evangelical Church in Bahrain. I was among 30 other people invited to attend the occasion. It was thrilling to be present as the Muslim Emir of Bahrain cut the rib-bon of the church door, and to have been invited to the palace for a sumptuous ban-quet following the dedication ceremony. Each male guest at the banquet was given a gold, Rolex watch and each female, a string of pearls for which that region is famous. It was my wife’s bad luck that she chose to remain in Beirut to teach instead of accom-panying me to such a wonderful, ecumenical event! My immediate family now consists of my wife of almost 44 years, Jean, (whom I met when I went to Hartford Theological Seminary in Connecticut to teach Arabic to people planning to go to the Middle East) and our daugh-ters Susanne (and family in Kuwait), Christine (and Jay Ouelette), and Alexandra (and Jack Reeves). Thinking back on my life, it was my father and the head-master of my primary school in Port Said who had a great influence on me. I admired their self-discipline and wanted to be like them. It was said that one could set his watch by the punctual-ity of my father and headmaster. Now, I am semi-retired. I still continue my work with the Upper Room and am the editor of the Arabic edition, which goes to Arabic speakers around the world. The project awaiting me when we return to Cairo soon is the recording of some of the Upper Room meditations for
Dec. Sunday Lectionary & Sermon Text
7 Isa. 40:1-11; Ps. 85:1-2, 8-13 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8
14 Isa. 61:1-4; 8-11; Ps. 126 or Luke 1:47-55 1 Thess. 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28
21 2 Sam. 7:1-11, 16; Luke 1:47-55 or Ps. 89:19-26; Rom. 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38
28 Isa. 61:1:10—62:3; Ps. 148; Gal. 4:4-7 Luke 2:22-40
Session Meeting Highlights The following are highlights of the Session meeting on November 25th, 2008: ∗ Approved the moving of the table from the Waverly Room back to the Waverly Room ∗ Approved the baptism of Lucas Armiger Bryant and Coleman Reese Bryant, sons of David and Jennifer Bryant on
December 14th at the 2nd service. ∗ Heard a report from Pam Ferguson regarding the Govans Preschool ∗ Approved a motion from Administration and Personnel Ministry Area to select a medical insurance plan using a
Health Savings Account model. ∗ Approved the following dates:
Sunday, February 8th – Annual Congregational Financial Meeting and election of Elder Nominating Committee Sunday, May 17th – Annual Congregational Program Meeting and election of new Elders Saturday, May 30th – Planning Day for new Session Sunday, May 31st – Service of Ordination and Installation for new Elders Tuesday, June 23rd – First meeting of new Session
∗ Approved the Govans Epiphany Revival, for January 10th beginning at 6:45 a.m. ∗ Elected Diana Sugiuchi (class of 2010) and Lisa Beacham (class of 2011) as Session representatives to the Elder
Nominating Committee. ∗ Heard report from Senior Network of North Baltimore that the SNNB Board does not plan to merge with GEDCO. ∗ Heard a report from Jeananne Stine and Jim Williams regarding the November Presbytery Meeting. ∗ Heard a report from Jim Williams regarding the GEDCO fundraiser. ∗ Heard reports from our 12 Ministry Areas.
The Bellringer . Govans Presbyterian Church Newsletter Page 7
Share Pumpkin Soup on New Years Day— Celebrate Haitian Independence
For Haitians, New Years Day is an important holiday. On this day in 1804, after 13 years of brutal violence
among African slaves, persons of mixed race, and Europeans, Haiti signed their declaration of independence,
celebrating their victory in the most successful African slave rebellion in the Western Hemisphere. The Hai-
tian revolt influenced the eventual end of the Atlantic slave trade in 1807. Haitians all over the world celebrate
this independence in a long-held tradition of joining together and eating pumpkin soup (soup joumou in Cre-
ole).
During slavery, only the French colonists were allowed to drink pumpkin soup on special occasions. On
January 1, 1804, during the first celebration of independence, the newly liberated people prepared a huge pot
of pumpkin soup and shared a meal in solidarity. Two centuries later, the tradition continues as a symbol of
communion and hope.
Join us in solidarity with Haiti by sharing pumpkin soup, fellowship, and images and sounds of Haiti:
Date: January 1 , 2009 Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m. Location: Sharp Hall
Menu: Haitian Pumpkin Soup and bread
More to come…. Children are welcome! Watch for postings in your church bulletin and on the church web-
site at www.govanspres.org.
Brought to you by the Govans Committee for Haiti
and the More Light Group
This event is not a fundraiser, but contributions are welcome. For more information, contact Myra Brosius,
~Upcoming Events ~~Upcoming Events ~~Upcoming Events ~~Upcoming Events ~
GOVANS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
5828 York Rd. , Bal t imore, MD 21212
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
9:15 A.M.
CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICE
Contemporary Music with Randy Austin, Jr.
10:10 A.M.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
ADULT EDUCATION (Sept. - May)
11 A.M.
TRADITIONAL WORSHIP
With Organ and Chancel Choir
Organist & Choir Director: Clinton Adams
CHILDCARE IS PROVIDED FOR BOTH SERVICES
ALL ARE WELCOME
The Ellen Morriss Memorial Labyrinth
is open from dawn to dusk daily
W E ’ RE O N T HE W E B WWW . G O V ANS P RE S . O RG
Bellringer Staff: Joyce Kruse Donna North Jon Morgan Betsy Toland Ted Kruse Scott Sugiuchi
Wednesday Night Food & Fellowship
5:30-6 Children’s Choir Practice 5:30-6:15 Yoga with Joanna Brandt 6-7 Catered Hot Supper (SH) 6:45 Children’s Story Time 7-8 Adult Bible Study 7:30-8 Handbell Choir Practice 7-8 The Verb 7:30-9 Praise Band Practice 5:15-8 Childcare (Nursery)
Call Julie McDill 410-372-0028 or [email protected] with questions.
