From the Pastor:

As April comes to a close thoughts of May are close behind, what with the busyness the Annual Towson Spring Festival brings to Calvary. Daily we receive calls from someone involved in the festival about space needed for this or that, and then I always have to be careful about scheduling events on that next weekend because of Mother’s Day.

Yesterday, as I was driving a teenaged young man to Glen Burnie, I found Mother’s Day, and my mother, very much on my mind. I was driving Jay (not his real name) to Glen Burnie because he was so agitated that morning. He has been agitated almost every morning I have seen him because of some mental health issues, but that day as we drove he talked to me about his health, court, and family issues, which were all intertwined together.

He told me His most recent arrest came as he was riding in a car with his father. Unfortunately the car was stolen and so were the license plates, and his father decided to try to elude capture, so there was a chase, which lead to Jay being arrested with his father. This wasn’t a case of a kid taking a joy ride with his friends—It was a son riding with his father. One should hardly need to expect being arrested for riding with one’s father. Later he told me of his father’s long term drug use, and how his father has never had a job during Jay’s whole life time. Jay then asked me if I thought his father’s drug use might have had an affect on his mental health problems. I told him it would more likely have been his mother, and I asked “was your mother clean when you were born?” He said “Yes, but she was using again two years later, so maybe she wasn’t.”

I talked to this young man about God’s grace. I think for most of us our understanding of God’s grace is a product of what we experienced during our childhood. I can’t even imagine what this young man’s childhood was like. I thought of my mother and her absolutely unconditional love for me and everyone else as far as I knew, but how could this young man ever comprehend grace?

A theology professor at St. Mary’s once said in class, “Birth is the ultimate injustice.” It is true. We don’t get to choose where we are born, and I don’t believe in the Eastern Religions of karma and reincarnation. God’s grace is a product of God’s love and goodness, and I think grace is more to be shared than to be consumed. We who have experienced so much good in the land of the living must be creative and courageous in sharing that which we perceive to be grace.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Wednesday Evening Programs as usual.

May 4th We will not be having Sunday School due to the Towson Town Festival. Worship will begin at 10:00 a.m. Communion.

This is Youth Sunday. Our youth will be in charge of the worship service.

May 11^th

Mothers’ Day.

May12^th

12 Noon Annie Armstrong Circle meeting in the Church Social Room, Eleanor Bondurant as hostess 410-823-1556. Please bring a sandwich.

May 14th

8:00 p.m. Deacons’ Meeting

May 25^th Pick-up cakes for Our Daily Bread and return by Saturday May 31st

May 26th

Sarah’s Hope 9:00-1:00. Come when you can.

Make plans to come to the Church Picnic on Saturday, June14.

Easter Offerings from the congregation for Missions:

Thai Seminary $536.50

ABC America for Christ 140.00

Annie Armstrong 280.00

Following is a list of our elected Deacons who will begin July 1^st.

Chairman of the Board of Deacons

Fred Ray

Deacon for Communication/Vice Chairman

Kathy Wright

Deacon of Finance/Treasurer

Randy Lott

Deacon of Records/Church Clerk

Mary Frantz

Deacon for Stewardship/Financial Secretary

Ann Ray

Deacon for Building & Grounds

Susan Byrne

Deacon for Adult Education

Ruth Kulkarni

Deacon for Children & Youth Education

Susan Edwards

Deacon for Church & Family Life

Melissa Hillman

Deacon for Missions & Outreach

Doug Thomas

Deacon for Ministry & Pastoral Care

Wendy Wallace

Deacon for Worship

Diana and Don Romano

If anyone is willing to assist a deacon in any of the projects, please let that deacon know or call the church office. Each deacon always needs some help.

HEALTH KITS

Annie Armstrong Circle is collecting Health kit items for the migrant workers and other health care needs through the middle of the month. The items which are currently needed are Bath towel, Wash cloth, Soap, Shampoo, Comb, Tooth brush, Deodorant, Tooth paste, and/or cash.

At the present time we have collected 43 complete health kits. We thank you for your generous giving.

Dear Calvary Friends;

You are still my favorite church. I think of Calvary often and pray God will provide and bless the programs and people. I still think of Calvary as a jewel and you are missed.

Love ,

Paul Gillespie