From the Pastor:

This morning, while driving to work, as I reached the left turn lane from Bosley Avenue onto Allegheny Avenue, I noticed a person was just stepping off the curb to cross Allegheny. There was a break in the traffic on Bosley, which is rare at that hour, and I thought I might have been able to make the turn before the person reached the middle of the street. However, if I were to have turned I would have undoubtedly surprised the pedestrian. As it turned out it was a good thing I stopped because the pedestrian lives in my neighborhood, and I frequently give him a ride up to work at the Court House.

But I found myself wondering if I would have stopped if the pedestrian had not been someone who knew me, and I think I decided I would have. I think that because I know how much I hate when people come close to hitting me when I am walking. The right turn on red law has done much to put pedestrians in harms way. That law was enacted for convenience reasons, and it included words like “Proceed after stopping and when it is safe,” but we have such a difficult time weighing the advantage of safety and convenience.

Personal convenience is the watchword of our society. No one should have to be personally inconvenienced by others, and so we have video recording, or video on demand, cell phones, email, instant messaging, and on and on. We feel that all of our conveniences have put us more in touch with the world. We are in communication with the world, but that is not the same as being in touch with others. Being “in touch” would seem to imply being in the presence of another, not simply giving them a call. I know, I know, it is so inconvenient to be with other people… So much wasted time… So much wasted gas… It’s such a waste.

In a recent rehashing of the ideas of Henri Nouwen, about Spiritual Direction, an old Hasidic story is told. “The rabbi asked his students: ‘How can we determine the hour of dawn, when the night ends and the day begins?’” Several students then give studied answers, all of which the rabbi indicates are wrong. Finally the rabbi is coerced into giving the correct answer. “‘It is then, when you can look into the face of another human being and you have enough light in you to recognize your brother or your sister. Until then it is night, and the darkness is still with us.’”

It is inconvenient to have to deal with people especially when you are expected to live as a community. It seems to be so time consuming to imagine those others are really significant to me… to God. They are! So we gather together as a community to worship for an hour a week. What! You want a whole hour from my busy schedule? Yes, to remember that God is most in us when God is in our midst. So come and worship this summer. Also, take some time between the 8^th – 13^th of June to stop into the building in central Towson where Borders Bookstore use to be and talk with the team of people who have come to talk with us about how Towson might be better designed to enhance community.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Wednesday Evening Programs June 7^th and June 14^th. The season for these programs end June 14^th and will resume in the Fall, on Wednesday, September 6^th.

June 4^th Communion

June 7^th

6:15 p.m. Dinner

7:00 p.m. Congregational Business Meeting following dinner.

June 8^th 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Shelter Meal

CHURCH PICNIC

Saturday June 10^th 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

at Rocky Point Park.

Call and let us know how many will be coming 410-825-3360;

will you bring a salad, vegetable or dessert?

The Urban Design and Assistance Team will be working in Towson, at the old Borders Bookstore, from June 8-13^th, and you will be able to visit with them and talk with them about Tomorrow’s Towson. There will be scheduled discussions by community leaders, and you can come and discuss things Friday afternoon from 4-6p.m. A preview of the concepts will take place from 2-4 on Sunday and the final presentation will be at 1:00p.m. Tuesday.

The Adult Classes will meet together during the summer, beginning June 11th at 9:45 in the social room. The book chosen for study is “Our Endangered Values” by Jimmy Carter. He describes his involvement and reactions to the critical controversial issues of the day which we call “moral values.” Everyone is invited to attend.

June 11^th Coffee Hour and refreshments - fellowship immediately following Worship Service.

June 12th

12 Noon Annie Armstrong Circle meeting in the home of Irene Eaton, 410-663-0680. Please bring a sandwich.

7:30 p.m. Needles and News meeting at the home of Wendy Wallace, 368 Old Trail Rd., 410-321-0043. We plan to meet at the church parking lot by 7:15, then go to Wendy’s in only one or two cars.

June 14^th

Final Wednesday Evening Dinner until we resume again in September.

8:00 p.m. Deacons’ Meeting

June 18^th Fathers’ Day

June 25th Pick-up cakes for Our Daily Bread and return by Saturday July 1st.

June 26^th 9:00a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sarah’s Hope. Please come when you can.

*****

Dear friends and Members of Calvary Church;

It is difficult to put into words the appreciation we have for everything that was done to ease the pain of our loss.

We want to thank each one of you for prayers, cards, special thoughts, care and concern expressed to us.

We wish all of you God’s blessings.

Love, Ginny Bower and family