from the desk of pastor eyde - boyds presbyterian church · from the desk of pastor eyde when you...
TRANSCRIPT
NEWSLETTER Boyds Presbyterian Church
19901 White Ground Road
Boyds, MD 20841
phone: 301-540-2544
http://www.boydspc.org
e-mail: [email protected]
VOL. XXVI June 2016 # 6
From the Desk of Pastor Eyde
When you come to a fork in the road, take it! ~Yogi Berra
I am in transition. Many of you know that I have been "pre-packing" since February. My house is full of cardboard boxes, and now most of them are filled with pictures, books, files, books, clothes, books, electronic gadgets, books, and memories. Oh, and there are more books! Obviously I love books, but I hate moving.
I am moving in with a Germantown family this June. My husband has moved back to Seattle, my daughter will soon be going away to college, and our townhouse lease is expiring soon.
That fact is that my family has been in transition the entire time that I have been your Interim/Transitional Pastor. I understand, first hand, how change is uncomfortable, sometimes exhausting, and requires us to find our bearings in Christ and our resiliency in His Spirit.
I get it. I don't like to move...but if I am going to care for my family and care for BPC's family, then I need to move. I want predictable. I want routine. I want calm. I resonate with God's church, indeed our church, wanting those same things. But we, as the church, were never meant to be complacent or tranquil, so we must move.
So, you may be wondering...If I don't like to move, then why am I a transitional pastor? That is a fair question. I feel called to be an interim pastor in a transitional role, because moving/changing is necessary as much as it is exhausting. Scripture tells us that transformation is essential to our mission and God warns us that a devoted spiritual life will change us. Change is by divine design, so I am a transitional pastor.
I believe that Christ is calling me to be in the CRUX with a congregation. I like the word crux; crux makes me picture both a cross and a crossroads. A crux is a difficult decision about direction, an unresolved question about the future, an essential, yet puzzling point in an important conversation. This work means identifying the critical cruxes for a congregation, providing insight about their specific context, and then helping church leaders to find creative ways to lean in and lead forward while not losing sight of the cross.
Entering a crux with congregations naturally introduces opportunities for me to assess their congregational health, leadership issues, daily operations, neighborhood and community contexts, and missional outlook; what is particularly important to me is helping the elders, currently serving on session, to diligently and thoughtfully focus on these areas as the elected governing body of the church. Leaders intentionally enter a crux while others may be tempted to turn away.
I have various roles--an assessor, consultant, or coach--but my primary role is pastor. Transitional ministry isn't technical, it is pastoral and it is adaptive. All church leaders must be grounded in a loving and abiding relationship with Christ. Like me, ordained church officers have said "yes" to a call to love and serve Christ in the local congregation; together we are the Church, and together we can discern God's purposes for the congregation and how God intends to use that church to be a faithful expression of Christ's abiding love, amazing grace, and profound welcome on their street, across the street, and across the world.
I hate to move, but I love Jesus; so, I am moving, and I will adapt to what our unchanging God needs me to change in order to serve his purposes in Boyds. In the same way, we have adapted (and are adapting) as a church to best prepare for the next pastor. It is challenging work. It is important work. It is God's work. My routine and my address will change in the weeks ahead, but the love and faithfulness of my God will not. I want to thank all of you who have been a part of this transformational work so far! Please join me in praying that we will continue to renew our hope in Christ, restore our trust in his Spirit's guidance, and rest our future in God's hands.
Warmly in Christ,
Father's Day was founded in Spokane, Washington at the YMCA in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd.
Its first celebration was in the Spokane YMCA on June 19, 1910. Her father, a Civil War veteran named William Jackson Smart, was a single parent who raised six children. After hearing a sermon about Mother's Day in 1909, Sonora told her pastor that fathers should have a similar holiday honoring them. Although she initially suggested June 5, her father's birthday, the pastors did not have enough time to prepare their sermons, and the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday of June. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. Six years later, the day was made a permanent national holiday when President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972.
Mission and Merriment will meet Tuesdays, June 7th and 21st at 11 am in P-W Hall. Come help with mission projects. For more
information, contact Linda New at 301-882-7151 or Brenda Hoyt at 301-428-1953.
The Choir meets every Wednesday at 2 pm at Jane Dassen’s house. Contact Jane at 301-948-9816 if you’re interested in joining.
The Lunch Bunch meets the second Tuesday of each month at various restaurants. The next gathering is June 14th at noon at
Longhorn Steakhouse in Frederick. For reservations, contact Grace Turner at 301-228-2741 by Sunday, June 12th.
The Men’s Fellowship meets the second Saturday of each month at
Bob Evans in Germantown. The next gathering is June 11th at
8 am. For more information, contact Rowland New at 301-882-7151.
Soul Sisters in July Soul Sisters is a new women's fellowship group at Boyds Presbyterian Church. We have met three times this year and
are enjoying getting to know one another better. At our May meet up, we found ourselves at "trivia night" at a local venue. This was a new experience for most of us. Everyone wanted to stay and see how we could do. Our success was anything but trivial. Not only did we have a fabulous time laughing and learning more about the useful (useless) facts in our brains, we finished fifth out of ten teams. Soul Sisters will take a break in June, except for our hosting fellowship on Confirmation Sunday, June 5. We will meet again in July (maybe even try to improve our trivia night position?). Watch for details.
NATIVE AMERICANS RETURN TO THEIR HOMELAND
Native Americans will return to the Potomac River homeland they left in 1722! On Saturday, June 25, from noon to 4 pm, at Monocacy Aqueduct, the Piscataway Conoy Indian Tribe will perform traditional dances and talk about their history and customs. These former residents of Conoy (Heaters) Island near Point of Rocks are descendants of the first residents of our land. Sponsored by Sugarloaf Regional Trails, the event is part of Heritage Days; no charge for admission. For more information, email Peg Coleman, [email protected], or visit www.sugarloafregionaltrails.com.
Embark on a VBS Adventure That Will Light Their Way!
REGISTER now through June 13th (check the church website and facebook page for more info). Register at:
www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/BOYDSVBS/gpgs/Home.aspx
Gear up for an over-the-top underground adventure! Ground kids in the rock-solid foundation of God’s love, a love that takes us through life’s dark times.
WHAT WE STILL NEED:
Exploring/climbing equipment, ropes, boots, hard hats, head lamp-style flashlights, icicle lights, rope lights, tube socks (adult), solid-colored flat bed sheets, pool noodles, tennis balls, and large sponges. All items are returnable except icicle lights and socks.
Youth volunteers (to help prepare, to work behind the scenes, and/or to help during VBS).
You to invite your neighbors, family, and friends NOW!
The suggested donation for each child is $30 (with $60 max per household), but we do NOT want finances to keep your child from participating this year. Feel free to donate what you can. We want your children to enjoy the fun and fellowship as we learn to FOLLOW Jesus. We will accept donations at the time of CHECK-IN on Monday or Tuesday, June 20 or 21, or you can submit a check directly to the church at your convenience.
Make checks payable to: BPC Include “VBS 2016” in the memo line. Thanks so much!
Join our Deacon Board and our Vacation Bible School students in collecting school supplies for the next school year. We are looking for new
and gently used backpacks, as well as any and all school supplies (pencils, pens, erasers, rulers, paper, folders, binders, colored pens, pencils and markers, glue sticks, etc.). There will be a specially marked receptacle in P-W Hall for your contributions. Watch for details.
From the Session:
We welcomed Janet Reise as our newest member. Janet met with the Session on May 2 and affirmed her faith at the 9:30 am worship service on Sunday, May 8. Welcome Janet! If you are not a member yet, and have an interest in joining, please contact the Church Office. Keep in mind that only official members can vote at Congregational Meetings (next one is July 31) and on the new Pastor when he/she is selected and presented by the Pastor Nominating Committee.
Sunday, June 5 will be a special worship service for our Confirmation Class. We will welcome Ashley Barron, Caroline Field, and Colin Hemingway into our membership. Please join us as we welcome these middle schoolers into our faith community.
Promotion Sunday will be held on Sunday, June 12 at 10 am at a very special family-oriented worship service. Each Sunday school class will have a special presentation. This Sunday will also mark our traditional move to a single service for the summer. Worship will begin at 10 am.
Session continues to work on its committee structure and ensuring the Boards are effective and efficient. We anticipate having some bylaw changes to present to the Congregation at the Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting, scheduled for Sunday, July 31, following the 10 am worship service. If you are the lead on a ministry team, please prepare a brief report about the last six months and plans for the future. Please submit your report (add a picture or two if possible) to pastor Eyde at [email protected] by Monday, July 11. Thanks so much.
We are looking for volunteers to help plan the Church’s fall harvest festival and the 140th anniversary of the Church in May 2017. Please contact the Church Office if you are interested in helping.
Next meeting: Monday June 6th at 7 pm in P-W Hall.
From the Deacons: The Board acknowledged correspondence sent from BPC’s mission partner, Meals on Wheels, and a thank you letter from Will Korzeniewski for providing support for his mission trip to South Korea. A mission project to collect backpacks and school supplies for students in need in Montgomery County for the 2016-17 school year is being organized and a potential project at Red Wiggler Farm over the summer is being considered. If anyone is interested in helping with these events, please contact one of the deacons for more information. Next meeting: Monday, June 13th at 7 pm in P-W Hall.
From the Trustees: Reviewed Treasurer’s Report. Signed inspection agreement with Maryland Fire Equipment Corp. A new flag was purchased for the cemetery. There were three burials/cremations in April (Ward Moore and Kristine McHenry and Robert McHenry) and one burial/cremation in May (Maxine Mote). The steps at the rear of P-W Hall will be stained as soon as weather permits. Ryan Hemingway removed the bee hive outside the Credit Union window. Our financial representative attended this meeting to discuss the status of the Church’s investments.
Next meeting: Tuesday, June 21st at 7 pm in P-W Hall.
PNC Update – “Identity”:
The PNC continues its work on the Ministry Information Form (MIF). By the time you read this, the PNC will be completing Narrative #3 (out of five narratives) and starting Narrative #4. Once all five narratives are completed the MIF will be reviewed by Session and by Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry. It will then be posted on-line and candidates will begin to apply.
But, what do the five narratives shown below truly represent? Think of them this way; “Identity” means the distinguishing characteristics or personality of an individual. We each have an identity and so does BPC. So, the narratives describe the identity of BPC to candidates. And much like individuals sometimes have an identity crisis, so can a church. An identity crisis is a period of uncertainty and confusion in which a sense of identity becomes insecure, typically due to change. All of us have gone through at least one, if not many, identity crises.
It is interesting to read about identity crises in the Bible. One example is Peter. In Matthew 16:18 he is The Rock. Later he denied Jesus three times, after which Luke tells us Peter went outside and wept bitterly (Luke 22: 62). Now that’s an identity crisis! But then what happens? Post-resurrection by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus asks Peter three, “Do you love me” type questions which restored Peter’s true identity as one ready to be The Rock and to build Christ’s church.
The lesson for us is that we too need to be careful about having future identity crises as BPC changes over time. But know, like with Peter, Jesus stands by us with love and grace. We need to continue to trust that God has a plan for BPC, or in the words of Christian rap singer Lecrae, “Identity is found in the God we trust…any other identity will self-destruct.”
The Five Narratives (MIF)
1. What is the congregation’s or organization’s vision for ministry? Additionally, describe how this vision is lived out? DONE
2. How do you feel called to reach out to address the emerging needs of your community or constituency? DONE
3. How will this position help you to reach your vision and mission goals? ALMOST DONE
4. Provide a description of the characteristics needed by the person who is open to being called to this congregation and/or organization. IN PROGRESS
5. For what specific tasks, assignments, and programs areas will this person have responsibility?
We make a living by what we get~
We make a life by what we give!
~Winston Churchhill
Appreciation and gratitude: to Christina Maughlin, Men’s Fellowship, and Catherine Reese & Maria Romero for hosting one of the May fellowships; to everyone who contributed to the May potlucks; to Kim Grimes for cleaning the church during the month of May; to our flower bed weeding crew for working in between the many May raindrops.
The 2016 Sanctuary Cleaning schedule is on the bulletin board in the church vestibule. Individuals or families are needed to sign up for one month of weekly cleaning.
June, September, October, November and December are still available.
Give the Gift of Advanced Driver Education
The Boyds Presbyterian Church Matthew Purdum Fund was established after the tragic death of Matthew at the request of his family. The endowment fund will reimburse full tuition after successfully completing a qualified advanced driver-education curriculum.
Do you have a recently-licensed new driver in your house? Do you think you could benefit from an advanced driver education course? It leads to safer drivers and sometimes even qualifies for insurance discounts. Drive2Survive is a Maryland-state approved advanced driver education organization that does much more than the minimum driver education requirements. More information is available at www.drive2survive.org. You may also contact your insurance company who might offer on-line education which also qualifies for the endowment. For example, GEICO offers an on-line course for $19.95 for drivers over 50 years old. Successful completion leads to about $75 savings in premiums for a year.
Reimbursement is done after successful completion of the advanced driver-education course. Please note, this is NOT for entry driver education as required by the State of Maryland. For more information, please contact the Church Office.
Watch for emails with instructions and your invitation to sign up for Seraphim, the new secure,
church management software package. It's quick and easy and takes about 1 minute to join. If we don’t have your email address, please email the church.
Seraphim provides an online directory, bible text, timeline, and historic maps, plus many features we have not yet implemented. You can also see your up-to-date contribution information. We are very pleased with the work we have done with Seraphim and hope you will find it helpful and easy to use.
Please see video overviews, including Community and God and I at http://seraphimsoftware.com/seraphim-academy/.
Seraphim is not mandatory. If you choose not to use Seraphim, we will mail 2nd quarter contribution statements. If you have any questions about Seraphim, please contact the Church Office.
Please join us on Sunday mornings as we join our voices as ONE to worship our ONE Lord. (Our Summer Worship schedule begins June 12th, with
one worship service at 10 am).
Upcoming worship services:
June 5 – Confirmation Sunday
June 12 – Promotion Sunday, one service
June 19 – Father’s Day, one service Guest Pastor, Jan Van Antwerp
For 25 years Jane was the Pastor for Children at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in the Bay Area of CA. During her ministry she created over 400 short messages for kids that spoke to the entire congregation. After her husband Craig's massive stroke in 2003, they moved to the Pacific Northwest to be near their 2 daughters and families. Since then Jane has published 13 kid discipleship and pastoral care books and mentors and coaches leaders and churches in reaching the youngest generation.
Prayer List Pray for healing: Amalia Correa de Araujo; Michael Broschart; Charles Shepherd Burton; Elaine Dorman; Billy Dorsey; Edith & Harry Dove; Bobby Gupta; Ruth Hoyt; Kay Huffer, Sharon’s neighbor; Julie King, John’s mother; Mike Kline; Karen Kozel; Claudette & Rich Romano; Marie Romagnoli; Mabel Sizemore; Nancy Spring; Gene Younkin; active members of armed services and their families; members of the pastor nominating committee. Pray for those recovering from their war wounds. Pray for communities and nations recovering from natural disasters; for victims of violence and war throughout the world.
Boyds Presbyterian Church 19901 White Ground Road Boyds, MD 20841
Return Services Requested
June 5 – Confirmation Day June 12 – Promotion Day, one service @ 10 am June 18 – Christian Ed workshop @ 10 am June 19 – Father’s Day, one service @ 10 am June 20 – VBS Begins @ 9 am June 23 – Newsletter Deadline June 26 – Potluck
NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID
SUBURBAN, MD PERMIT NO. 1876