From the Pastor:

In preparation for our Anniversary Service on Sunday August 6^th, we were looking through the names of the people who have been members for 50 years. In doing this it was quite obvious that 50 years ago there was a sudden increase in the number of people joining the congregation. It didn’t take long to discover the reason for the growth spurt. There was a little marginal note in the membership register beside the date 1/1/56 referring the reader two pages further on where reading one discovered that on 12/4/55 the Reverend Leland and Mrs. Ethne Higginbotham joined Calvary Baptist Church. Higgi’s first Sunday as Pastor of Calvary was January 1, 1956, and he served here until May 1, 1981. The reason that 1956 was such a banner year is that it was the first of 25 years when The Reverend Ernest Leland Higginbotham served as the pastor of this congregation.

In 1956 Higgi was just 37 years old. I didn’t meet him for another 21 years but even then at 58 he was still a passionate, compassionate, energetic, dynamic, scholarly, courageous… Christian pastor, who more than anyone shaped my understanding of Christian ministry. I benefited greatly from the 4 years that I served on the staff with Higgi, and he is probably the reason I chose to stay in pastoral ministry. Obviously it was Higgi’s dynamic ministry that drew people to Calvary, but another thing that is obvious as one looks at that membership register and

that is the quality of the people who came to listen to Higgi preach… who came to join and become the body of Christ here. As I look down the names in that register there are many which I recognize. Some of the people I have only heard of, but others of them I have had the privilege to know.

Certainly leaders do much to draw people into buildings, but it is the character and the commitment of the people who come to hear which transforms an audience into a congregation… the Body of Christ. Pastors and preachers may contribute to the lives of the members of a congregation, even shaping their character, but it is the gifts which each of the members brings to the community, which gives the community vitality… As Paul put it so simply “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” Thank you for coming and sharing your gifts with us, to the glory of God and the benefit of our larger community.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Wednesday Evening Programs will resume in the Fall, on Wednesday, September 6^th.

August 6th 116^th Anniversary Sunday

Communion and Lemonade reception will follow. Come and help us celebrate our Church’s anniversary.

Sunday August 20^th There is to be a brief Deacons’ meeting immediately following Church Service. The business is to approve the Church Calendar for Year 2006-2007

SUNDAY MORNING 9:45 a.m.

Ø Nursery & Classes for all children on the first floor.

Ø The Young Peoples’ Class will meet on third floor.

Ø The Adult Classes will meet together in the Social Room, studying “Our Endangered Values,” by Jimmy Carter.

Sunday, August 27^th Pick-up cakes for Our Daily Bread and return by Saturday September 2nd.

Monday August 28^th 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sarah’s Hope. Come help us whenever you can.

A.C.T.C. You may still bring food for the

Assistance Center.

Dear Members and Friends of Calvary Church;

Our father, George Rullman, was so grateful for all the love and support from Calvary during his life and illness. This Anniversary Newsletter is an appropriate time to express our appreciation since he was a member here for over 75 years. He began coming to Calvary when his friend, Marvin Thomas invited him, and joined the church at the age of 17. His mother became a member, while Dad was a soldier fighting in World War II in Europe and North Africa for 4 years. His mother, Carolyn, died during that period. Due to security he only learned of her death several months later. He said her death didn’t seem real till he came back to the States, walked through the door of the home and she wasn’t there. Upon his return he joined his father’s cut stone contracting company, Rullman & Wilson, Inc., started by Dad’s grandfather, David. Before the war Dad had received his degree in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and was employed as an electrical engineer. The small stone business was booming post WWII and Dad quickly became president. In the 1960’s business slowed down and Dad was forced to deal with urban renewal. The city needed his business property and offered him a decent buyout price. Unfortunately, the city comptroller noticed the extent of the offer and lowered it considerably. This might have been a blessing in disguise. There ended up being enough money for him to relocate in Baltimore County and he found a job in the Air Pollution Environmental Division of the county government. Dad’s perfectionist habits may have been from years of working in stone where there is no room for error, and when that happens (as it will), errors are quite costly. Especially after Mom died, Church was the absolute highlight of his week. He was the head usher for many years and came early to make sure the flowers, candles, hymn numbers and lighting were all in place. Dad also loved staying afterwards to lock-up, and then listen to Glenn Wittstadt practice on the organ. We all miss his smiling face and friendliness at the door. He no doubt, is waiting in heaven to usher us in. Again, many thanks for all of your wonderful kindnesses to Dad and us as well.

Love,

Martha Rullman Wylie and family

Dear Friends at Calvary Church;

Thank you so much for supporting the migrant ministry this summer. Your hard work helped provide hundreds of migrant workers and international students with health kits.

Watching Him work, Kay Lynn

July 15, 2006 Budget to Date 90.807.08

Giving to Date 73,524.80

(17,282.28)