December 2007

From the Pastor:

As this letter is being written leaders from about fifty nations have come together in Annapolis to talk about peace between Israeli and Palestinian people. As the time for the conference approached, the scheduled length of the talks continued to shrink, from several days down to a single day. With the shortening of the time for talks came diminishing hopes for any resolution… How can 60 years of differences, displacement, disastrous war, and terrorism be resolved in one day? Why waste the time? For me the answer to those questions is that time is never wasted when people sit down together to discuss peaceful resolution to their differences.

Too often in our society differences of opinion result in violence which hardly bring differences to an end. Much is done today in our County’s schools to teach students to strive to find peaceful solutions to differences. Such solutions involve people sitting down together and talking. Bringing peace is a process which involves our listening to each other’s voices, and our learning to recognize the validity of the other’s point of view. Peacemaking involves our sitting down face to face and recognizing that our enemy is a human being like us, and even if a solution does not come in our first or second meetings, time working on peace is never wasted.

The book of Hebrews begins with some thoughts about God’s communication with humanity: “Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being...” The word of God through the

prophets was helpful, but at times it was hard to read God. Was it our God’s will to wipeout all the residents of the ‘Promised Land’ or was our God the God of mercy… abounding in steadfast love… who forgave the people of Nineveh after Jonah’s words of destruction and judgment? Certainly there was room for interpretation in dealing with the prophetic message, but in Jesus we believe God came to meet us face to face. In Jesus, God came to sit down with us and guide our feet in the ways of peace. Was Jesus’ coming worth the time? He was executed, but even in that God found a way to bring hope and reconciliation.

Christmas is our annual celebration of the opening of these ‘Peace Talks.’ It is the time when we celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace who invited us to come and reason together. May it be a joyous and peaceful season for you and your family.

About the Minister of Visitation:

Ruth Kulkarni, one of our new Caring Ministers, works part time as a chaplain at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she completed a Clinical Pastoral Education program for hospital chaplains. She has a Master’s degree in Social Work and is currently enrolled in the Master of Church Ministries degree program at the Ecumenical Institute of St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, from which she will graduate in May of 2008.

Ruth may be contacting you if you are new to our congregation, or reside in an assisted living facility, or are sick or disabled in your own home, or if we just haven’t seen you for awhile. We want to remind members and friends of the church that we care for them, even when it may be hard for them to join us on Pennsylvania Avenue. Visits may also be requested by calling the church at 410-825-3360 or by email at ruthkulkarni@msn.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Wednesday Evening Programs as usual

December 5^th, 12^th , 19th. There will be no programs December 26^h due to celebration of Christmas.

December 1^st and 2nd.

Children's play practice 9:45 a.m.

December 2nd Communion,

Congregational meeting to approve Budget 2008 immediately following Worship Service.

December 8th

9:45 a.m.-11:15 Childrens’ play rehearsal

11:15 a.m. Childrens’ pie making.

December 9^th

9:45 - 11:00 a.m. Childrens’ play rehearsal.

11 a.m. Worship & Christmas Pageant, presented by the children.

Christmas Dinner immediately following Worship Service.

December 10th

10:30-3p.m. – Annie Armstrong Circle will meet in the home of Irene Eaton, 8800 Walther Blvd. #1116, 410-663-0680. Please bring a sandwich.

Needles & News will not meet this month.

December 13^th

3:30 – 7:00 Shelter Meal Preparation

December 22nd,

9:00 a.m. Decorating the sanctuary.

3:00-8:00 p.m.- Caroling. Supper refreshments at home of Doug Thomas, 410-825-1406. All are invited.

December 24^th 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve—This is our day for Sarah’s Hope

December 24^th ,

For the program: if you would like to have your child in the pageant of lights and if you would like to be a disciple please contact Susan Edwards.

Christmas Eve Candle Light Service

4:30 p.m. Special music begins.

5:00 a.m. Service begins

December 31st

Pick-up cakes for Our Daily Bread and return by Saturday.

3:00 p.m. Service at Pickersgill Retirement Home.

Snow Policy: As a reminder to you of what we do when it snows after we have gotten back from the store with necessary provisions:

1. Sunday Morning activities are never canceled. However if you are scheduled to take part in Worship or Sunday School, prayer, reading, music, or teaching, don’t kill yourself getting here. We will get along with whoever shows up, and the service may be abbreviated depending on number of attendees.

2. Wednesday Evening programs follow the schedule for Baltimore County Schools. If they are closed, so are we. If they close early, we are closed.

3. Use your common sense.

Paper Needs for our Daily Bread

Paper towels Paper towels

Toilet tissue

This is to be collected in January

by the Annie Armstrong Circle.

Please bring the contribution whenever you can.