News From Calvary

From the Pastor:
The recent action by the Environmental Protection Agency, to roll back the standards for clean air, has gotten me thinking about a question, a friend from college asked me, several years ago; "Why doesn't the Church ever address the issue of the environment?" The implication was… why doesn't the Church care?
I think many within the Church do care about the environment, but, speaking as a Baptist, I would have to say a Biblical basis for a theology of ecological concern is not simply found. There is always hanging over our heads the text of Genesis 1: 28: "…Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth." I wish I could tell you that someone has just mistranslated this Hebrew word, but I can't. The word is translated other places as subdue, dominate, bring into bondage, tread down, beat or make a path and other such forceful expressions. Sadly our scientific approach to the world around us has frequently been this scorched earth kind of policy.
However, as we near the point where our population appears to be reaching the "full earth" level, we may need to do some deeper thinking, even outside the Book, on the subject of the environment. Theologian Douglas Hall writes, in Professing the Faith, pg. 333: "Today the church is confronted with many problems wholly or largely unanticipated by the tradition, including the biblical tradition. Some of these problems have to do with human attitudes toward and behavior in relation to ever - expanding and complex questions and insightsconcerning earth's natural processes and other non human inhabitants. As such they constitute the occasion for a return to and rethinking of the fundementum (foundation) of the faith." Other Christian theologians, particularly feminist theologians, speak with similar concern for the environment. Sallie McFague talks about the cosmological context in John's gospel and Paul's letters, and how both Hebrew and Christian traditions affirm the Redeemer being one and the same as the Creator. More importantly Dr. McFague reminds us of issues of justice and the poor, and how we as Christians need to have our concept of the "abundant life" defined not by our culture but by Jesus.
Back in 1974, during the first major gas crisis, I went to house sit for my uncle, in a very wealthy suburb outside New York City. I was to take care of the house as well as my cousin and her grandmother, for ten days. As my uncle left he told me he wanted all of the lights in the house left on day and night. I said "Why? There is an energy crisis going on," and he replied "If they ration fuel, I want to be sure I get my share."
Our economic system is often driven by greed, but our ecosystem cannot long endure such philosophy. More importantly, I can't imagine Jesus, the "Servant of God" ever speaking of "My share!" Jesus was too concerned with sharing… with the least of these. It is important for us to discover the abundance that comes with sharing.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
Wednesday Evening Programs will resume in the Fall, on Wednesday, September 10th.

Sept. 6th YOUNG ADULT PICNIC
at the home of Fred and Judy Weimert,
944 Radcliffe Rd., (410-825-5366)
at 6:00 p.m.
Children are welcome to come
with their parents.

Sept. 7th Communion.

Sept. 8th 12 Noon Annie Armstrong Circle meeting. at the home of Irene Eaton, 8800 Walther Blvd. apt. #1116, 410-663-0680. Please bring a sandwich, plus puzzles and games for Hickey Boys School. Sister Pat and Sister Mary will be our speakers for the program.

7:30 p.m. Needles and News at the home of Judy Weimert 944 Radcliffe Rd., 410-825-5366.

Sept. 10th 8:00 p.m. Deacons’ Meeting

Sept. 14-15th Youth camping and retreat. Please contact Diana Romano for reservations and forms for parental consent.

Sept. 14th Mr. & Mrs. Weimert will be out of town. The Rev. Dr. Paul Gillespie will be preaching.
Coffee Hour immediately following Worship Service

Sept. 21st Installation of New Deacons
Congregational Business Meeting following Worship Service. The purpose of this meeting is to present the reports of the Deacons of Education.

Sept. 21st 12 Noon
Ann Judson Circle meeting at Edenwald Garden Room for lunch. Everyone is invited.

Sept. 28th Pick-up cakes for Our Daily Bread and return by Saturday October 5th.

Oct. 18th Progressive Dinner for Adults of the Church. Locations to be announced.

Building Grounds News: A mini-work day was held on August 12. Leah Holland and Ann Ray worked with Fred Ray and Toan to clean and rehabilitate the Robing Room. Special thanks to the volunteers! Stop by to check it out.

Nursery News: Many of our teen helpers are off to college and we are so proud of them. However, with new babies ready for our nursery, we need replacement helpers. If you would like to help, please contact: Alta Schuster 410-252-2855 or Elizabeth Amos 410-823-6822.

Thank You
On August 5th my Father died, and coming on the heels of the death of my Mother in May, it was very sudden but not unexpected. My Father had been very weak for a number of years, and had been living with my sister since January. At the end of July, while I was home, we placed him in hospice care.
My parents enjoyed life and were fortunate to have a long life together, but most of all they were people of faith.
My family and I thank you for all of your cards and expressions of love and support.
Sincerely,
Fred Weimert