Monday, August 22, 2011

Every breath I take ..... I take for .... who? Psalm 34

Welcome to those whose spirits have been drawn to this page,

"Let your first 'good morning' be to your Father in heaven" --- Karl Maeser (founder of Brigham Young University)

This mornings devotion is suggested by my wife Sharon. Sharon is working diligently on a program for a women's retreat weekend at West River, Maryland on October 14 - 16 2011. It is titled "Let go, Let God, then what? Listening for the voice of God. For more information, please contact the office at Hiss United Methodist Church 4106685665.

What would happen if we decided to let every thought and every breath bless and worship God? Imagine the result if His name were affectionately on our lips as we lay down at night, as we turned over in our sleep, as we awoke in the morning, as we went about our daily business. Would such a perspective radically change our hearts? Probably, yes. Would it change our world? It's likely. What if we were to start on a Sunday night after we had spent the morning at church, the afternoon and evening meditating on God's presence. Our last thought before we go to sleep is a prayer for a good night's sleep. Then upon awakening, our first thought is to say 'good morning,God!' Would it change your world? Would it change your family's world if they were to hear you say Good Morning to God first thing in the am?

Anytime in the Bible someone gives himself to worship, God does amazing things through that person. Blessings abound. God's work is done on earth as it is in heaven. What prevents us from such a pervasive sense of His worth in our lives on a Monday morning? Are our schedules for the week just too busy? Or does it go much deeper than that? Perhaps it is a suspicion that He has not been as good to us as Scripture declares that He is. Or maybe it is a subtle, or not so subtle resentment that he has not paved our paths with silver or gold and has allowed us to taste the bitterness of life's all too many trials. 

Whatever reasons we can come up with, we should ask ourselves if a worship filled heart is worth the Monday morning sacrifice that we would otherwise give over to business, apathy, and disappointment. If we really want to get more than a small vision of God working in and around us, we should never claim to be too busy. We would never be too apathetic, we could never be disappointed with His will for us. We would likely have a far better understanding that underlying everything we go through and every responsibility we are given is the loving hand of a God who is leading us closer to Him. The end result is a greater blessing than any earthbound human can imagine.

Our understanding of worship may need a major restructuring. The daily devotional, if practiced at all, usually gets a few minutes of early morning energy or late night exhaustion, and weekend worship services have tended far more toward performances that we watch or rituals that we mindlessly repeat such as arriving on "church" time (five or ten minutes late), and then watching the clock to be sure the worship leader gets us out on time so we can eat.  

Scripture, however, constantly affirms that worship is a VERB, not a noun. It is something we choose to do, not something we choose to sit through; something that engages us on a Monday morning after church, not something that we watch pass us by as we go through our week. The Biblical view of worship sees it as a daily lifestyle rather than an isolated act on Sunday mornings. Paul wrote to the church at Rome "I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:1-2 NRSV).

Let us pray ...... 
Breathe on me, breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will,
To do and to endure.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Blend all my soul with Thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
So shall I never die,
But live with Thee the perfect life
Of Thine eternity.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Promised Prompting -- Acts 18:24 - 19:10, Philippians 2:12-13

Blessings and peace to those who the Holy Spirit has guided here,

My devotion to you this morning is from Philippians 2:12-13 (AMPLIFIED)

12Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).
13[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

Perhaps the most relaxing off all of God's promises is that He is at work in us. He does not tell us to conform to the image of Jesus and then leave us alone to do it. He does not send us out on a mission and then cross his fingers to hope for our success. He does not urge us to live Godly lives and then blow up when we fail. No! Every step of the way He is there. And, as these verses indicate, He is not just working on our behavior from the outside. He is transforming us from within.

That's what it means for God to work in us to will and to act according to His good purposes. His values shape our wills, our inner drives, our ambitions and dreams. And then His Holy Spirit helps us with the always difficult follow-through, acting on those impulses that He has placed within us. Far from being handed a religion that tells us to shape up, we are gifted a Savior who gets inside to shape us. The promise of our transformation is that God is busy gutting our earthly temples and lovingly renovating them from within. He is a master Craftsman at work.

The comforting part of this promise is that when we have deep internal desires to do something entirely consistent with the stated plans and purposes of God, those desires are almost certainly God-given. And when we are driven to act on these desires with a strategy and a worthwhile agenda, we are almost certainly God-driven. The fact that He is at work in us both to will (desires) and to work (behavior) for His good purposes is a tremendously relaxing fact. Once our prayers have determined that we're motivated by the Holy Spirit and not by the flesh, we can trust that our work is not just our agenda, but His as well.

That means, of course, that He will see it through. The sovereign God who sees the future doesn't abandon projects midway through completion. If He started His work in you, He is committed to see it through. Rest in that truth, and trust what He is doing in your heart. There is a holy agenda shaping/transforming your life.

Friday, August 12, 2011

DISCIPLESHIP ACADEMY LEARNING EVENTS WITHIN THE BALTIMORE WASHINGTON CONFERENCE

Discipleship Academy Fall Classes NOW Open for registration – For detailed information regarding fall classes and other trainings offered through the Discipleship Academy go to www.bwcumc.org/Academy or contact your regional administrator.
There’s something for everyone:

Lay Speaking Ministries
  • Annapolis Southern Region -  2 locations – register by September 1
    • Community Crofton   - Sept. 17-Oct. 10
    • Trinity Prince Frederick   - Sept. 7-Oct. 5
  • Baltimore Region – 6 locations – register by September 15
    • Wesley UMC   - Oct. 1-Oct. 22
    • St. James   - Oct. 4-Oct. 25
    • New Waverly  -  Oct. 1-Oct. 29
    • Mt. Vernon   - Oct. 1-Oct. 22
    • Mt. Olive   - Oct. 1-Oct. 22
    • St. Matthews   - Oct. 1-Oct. 22
  • Washington Region - 2 locations – register by September 15
    • Asbury DC   - Oct. 1- Oct. 2
    • Glen Mar   - Oct. 1-Oct. 2
  • Western Region -  4 locations – register by September 1
    • Wesley Chapel   - Sept. 12-Oct. 10
    • Middletown   - Sept. 17-Oct. 15
    • Asbury Frederick  - Oct. 1-Oct. 22
    • Camp Manidokan   - Oct. 28-Oct. 29
Remember if you are a Lay Speaker register early to complete your requirements before charge conference.
School of Church Leadership
  • Annapolis Southern Region - 2 locations – register by Sept. 1
    • Community Crofton   - Sept. 17-Oct. 10
    • Trinity Prince Frederick   - Sept. 7-Oct. 5
  • Baltimore Region fall classes - 6 locations – register by Sept. 15
    • Wesley UMC   - Oct. 1-Oct. 22
    • St. James   - Oct. 4-Oct. 25
    • New Waverly  -  Oct. 1-Oct. 29
    • Mt. Vernon   - Oct. 1-Oct. 22
    • Mt. Olive   - Oct. 1-Oct. 22
    • St. Matthews   - Oct. 1-Oct. 22
  • “NEW” Online Classes offered this fall
    • Deepening Your Effectiveness – 4 weeks of online interactive discussion followed by 2 days of classroom study - led by Rev. Vicky Starnes Oct. 17-Nov. 19 - register by October 1
    • Priesthood of all Believers – 4 weeks of online interactive discussion followed by a 1 day classroom study – led by Lesley Carter Oct. 10-Nov. 5 - register by Oct. 1
    • United Methodist Polity – 4 weeks of online interactive discussion followed by 2 days of classroom study – led by Rev. Cynthia Moore Sept. 19-Oct. 17 - register by Sept. 15
  • “NEW” Webcast Class – Same class offered in all 4 Regions on same day Sept. 10, 2011 – watch for details and when to register on the Discipleship Academy webpage
    • Starting New Worship Services – led by Rev. Andy Lunt
Certified Lay Ministry
  • CLM Class of 2010-2012 Module 3 -  Register by Sept. 1
    • Trinity  Prince Frederick Sept. 14-Oct. 26
    • Timonium Sept. 17-Oct. 29
    • First Hyattsville Sept. 12-Oct. 31
    • Christ-Ballenger Creek Sept. 6- Oct. 18
    • LaVale Sept. 13-Sept. 25
  • CLM Class of 2011-2013 is now accepting applications.  Download and return your application by Aug. 15.  Then register online for the class location in your region. – Register by Sept.1
    • Queens Chapel  - Sept.19-Nov. 7  
    • Lakeside Waldorf  - Sept. 20-Nov. 1 
    • Epworth Chapel – Sept. 21-Nov. 2 
    • Christ DC – Oct. 1-Nov. 15 
    • Emory DC – Sept. 19-Nov. 7
     
UPDATE - New Church Leadership Institute: The BWC is offering leadership training to equip potential new church pastors with the knowledge and skills for a successful new church start in the New Church Leadership Institute, to be held at Glen Mar UMC, 4701 New Cut Rd., Ellicott City, Nov. 15-17. Jim Griffith will lead the training. Church planter testimonies will be given by Olu Brown (pastor of Impact church in Atlanta, GA), Matt Poole (pastor of Glen Mar UMC) and Kim Griffith (Associate Director of New Church Starts in the Florida Conference). To find out more and register, visit http://www.bwcumc.org/events/ncli.

Courses for nurses in Health Ministry: This fall the first of the two-course sequence in Basic Faith Community/Parish Nursing will be offered by the Ecumenical Institute of Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore on Saturdays. The courses are open to registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree in any field. Successful completion of the two-course sequence results in a Basic Faith Community (Parish) Nursing Certificate. For more information, contact Dr. Pat Fosarelli at pfosarelli@stmarys.edu or 410-864-4204.

Study on war and terrorism available: A study guide, “Christian Understanding of War in an Age of Terror(ism),” is available for congregations. It was developed by the 2011 Ecumenical Centennial Gathering of the National Council of Churches (NCC) and Church World Service held in November in New Orleans. The introduction to the four-part congregational study stresses the need for faith communities to continue the conversation about war and a just peace. The paper on war, with study guide attached, is available for download at Christian Understanding of War in an Age of Terror(ism). 

Resource on Social Principles: The General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) has developed bulletin inserts featuring individual United Methodist Social Principles. Designed to be included in church worship bulletins, the inserts can be downloaded for free. This new resource includes 12 Social Principles under Social Community and highlight positions approved by the denomination’s highest policy-making body, the General Conference, on issues such as immigrants, health care, religious minorities, racism and children’s rights. For information and to download the inserts, go to Social Principles Bulletin Inserts. For more information about this new resource or Social Principles training opportunities, contact the Rev. Neil Christie, assistant general secretary, Education & Leadership Formation, at (202) 488-5611.

Health Kits for Haiti Collection:  UMCOR needs and welcomes Health Kits. And supplies are being depleted in other places. Any of the seven kits are needed - school, flood buckets, birthing, and others. Kit assembly and delivery instructions can be found at http://www.stmatthews-bowie.org/ under Missions/St. Matthew's Disaster Response/Outreach HUB. Check for delivery times at 301-262-4691 (Irene Schneider) or e-mail missions@stmatthews-bowie.org. They may be taken to Mission Central, 5 Pleasant View Dr., Mechanicsburg, Pa., about an hour north of Baltimore. The phone is 717-766-1533. Groups may wish to deliver kits and spend a day or part of a day volunteering. For more information about visiting, volunteering and other kinds of kits and supplies needed, visit : www.missioncentral.org.

Baltimore Washington Conference and Local Community happenings and Family fun Activities -- August 12, 2011

Hispanic Heritage Month: The observance from Sept. 15-Oct. 15 celebrates the culture and traditions of Hispanic Americans. The observance begins in mid-September because the 15th is the anniversary of independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua; the 16th for Mexico; and the 18th for Chile. United Methodist Communications provides a number of resources to celebrate, learn and support Hispanic neighbors. They become available Aug. 15, free to download. DVDs of the materials will also be available for the cost of shipping. Check out:  QuickTime (MP4); Windows Media (WMV);  Rethink Church Immigration video; General Board of Global Ministries’ National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry brochure; UMC Giving offers a moment for mission, newsletter nuggets, offertory prayer; and General Board of Discipleship has a “Liturgy for the Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month” among its resources.

2011-2012 Adventure Devotional Guide:  This lectionary-based devotional guide connects Monday to Sunday through lessons from the Old Testament, Epistles and Gospels with thoughts and reflections from Bishop Schol and 11 pastors from the Baltimore-Washington Conference. This essential resource provides one year of readings for individual or group Bible study. Purchase the Adventure Devotional Guide in book form or view each day’s devotional electronically.
Pocket size book with daily Scripture readings, reflective questions, daily prayers, and room for journaling. Purchase online at BWC website - $5.50 each (including shipping), or purchase at the Cokesbury Store at 11711 East Market Place in Fulton, (beginning Aug.15). Order online at:  http://www.bwcumc.org/resources/adventuredailydevotional.
Electronic Version (no charge) includes daily Scripture readings, reflective questions and daily prayers.
   o BWC website each day at http://www.bwcumc.org/resources/adventuredailydevotional
   o Twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/bwcumc
For additional information or a paper order form, e-mail: pbowen@bwcumc.org.

Women's Equality Day: On July 19-20, 1848, the First Women's Rights Conference was held in Seneca Falls, NY. It took 72 years of unrelenting campaigning for U.S. women to finally win the right to vote. Then, in 1971, at the behest of Rep. Bella Abzug (D-NY), the U.S. Congress designated Aug. 26 as "Women's Equality Day." The date was selected to commemorate the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. The observance of Women's Equality Day not only commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, but also calls attention to women's continuing efforts toward full equality. Learn more about Women's Equality Day here.

DREAM Sabbath: The Interfaith Immigration Coalition, of which the General Board of Church & Society is a part, is organizing the DREAM Sabbath observance with support from United We Dream. Congregations can pick a Sunday between Sept. 16 and Oct. 9 for their DREAM Sabbath. They are urged to Sign up for a Sunday online to ensure the sponsors and others in their area are aware of their participation. The DREAM Act is bipartisan legislation pioneered by Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill, and Sen. Orin Hatch, R-Utah. The sponsors hope to have many "DREAM" students speak to congregations during the observance to assist faith leaders in educating and mobilizing their congregations. The DREAM Sabbath packet includes planning resources, sacred readings, reflections and more to help plan an event. Congregations should feel free to adapt materials to their own needs, and are encouraged to share the toolkit with others. The packet is available at DREAM Sabbath Toolkit. For more information, contact Bill Mefford (bmefford@umc-gbcs.org), director of Civil & Human Rights at the United Methodist General Board of Church & Society, (202) 488-5657.

Older Adults Day Away:  The fall Older Adults Day Away will be held at West River Tuesday, Sept. 20, with the theme “Churches are Created for Growth.” The Rev. Andy Lunt, Director of Congregational Development, will be the keynote speaker and the Rev. Karin Walker will lead Bible study and worship. Afternoon workshops will focus on church growth, World Missions Day, Real Questions on Real Estate, UM Archives, boat rides and more. Cost is $28 per person, which includes lunch and snacks. For more information, go to : http://bwccampsandretreats.com/WRDayAway.html.

Discipleship Opportunities UPDATE - Petitions for General Conference: United Methodists can submit petitions for consideration by the 2012 General Conference, the denomination’s top legislative body, until  Sept. 27, 2011. According to church law, “Any organization, clergy member, or lay member of The United Methodist Church may petition the General Conference.” Detailed instructions for submitting a petition are available on the General Conference website. Petitions must be submitted via e-mail to petitions@umpublishing.org or through the website. The deadline for mailed or faxed petitions was July 1.  Petitions should indicate whether they have general church budget considerations.

Thrift store opening: Arnolia UMC, 1776 E. Joppa Road in Baltimore, will hold a Grand Opening for its new Thrift Store Monday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m. The store will carry men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing and household items for residents in the Parkville area, but for any who would like to come. It will be open Mondays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and the second Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds from the store will help support the outreach ministries of the church. For information, contact the church at 410-665-7005.

New preschool: Beechfield UMC, Baltimore, announces the opening of Word of Life Christian Academy. Now enrolling for the pre-K program (ages 3-5) - classes begin Sept. 6. Download the flyer here for more information.

Take Action on the DREAM Act: Religious leaders announced plans for DREAM Sabbath, a faith-based campaign to encourage congregations to focus a worship service on the DREAM Act, which would provide undocumented students with an opportunity to earn legal status. Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and the Interfaith Immigration Coalition, which includes the UM Board of Church & Society, unveiled the plan. Click here to learn about DREAM Sabbath 2011, which will take place in congregations around the country from Sept. 16 to Oct. 9. Read more»
Susanna Wesley House Annual Fundraiser: Susanna Wesley House will hold its annual fundraising luncheon event, Inspired to Serve, on Sept. 17 from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the BWC Mission Center. This will be an afternoon of great food and great deals at the silent auction and nearly new table. Be inspired by speaker Sabrina White, President of the Northeast Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Women. While serving as Board President from 2001-2003, Sabrina was instrumental in implementing (and renovating for) the current model of assisting homeless women and children in attaining independence and self-sufficiency. Seating is limited, so order tickets today. All proceeds support the mission of Susanna Wesley House.  For more information call 410-837-3787, e-mail  SusannaWesley@verizon.net, or visit www.SusannaWesley.org.

Change the World: Mark the Date! Oct. 8-10 for Change the World Mission Workday in your community. Imagine 15,000 United Methodists all working together in mission in their communities. Plans are underway for a conferencewide event this fall. The Change the World Mission Day will celebrate the spirit of United Methodism, a faith built on social action. Congregations will be encouraged to move outside the walls of their local churches to serve in their communities. More details will be announced as they become available. You can download a flyer or register your church or organization now by going to www.bwcumc.org/events/changetheworld.


Concert: Seventh Day Slumber's Small Town America Tour - Concert will be in Springfield Barn in Williamsport, Oct. 16. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets: inside standing room only, $15; lawn seats, $10. For tickets contact Diana Church, Williamsport UMC, 301-223-7040. Three great bands: Seventh Day Slumber, Cory Lamb, and Southbound Fearing. On this date only, LaVale UMC's youth drama team "Unchained" will be featured. Sponsored by the Cumberland-Hagerstown District (CHD) Youth Council and the Town of Williamsport.  Proceeds will go towards future CHD Youth Council projects and activities.


‘Youth for Eco-Justice’ looking for participants: Young Christians ages 18-30 years are invited to apply for an ecumenical program addressing the links between environmental and socio-economic justice, jointly organized by the World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation. “Youth for Eco-Justice” starts with a Nov. 26-Dec. 10 training and immersion in the context of the international climate change negotiations (COP 17) in Durban, South Africa. The postmark deadline for applications is Aug.15. Apply here

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Baltimore Region Newsletter August 2011

From: Joyce King
To: Joyce King
Subject: Baltimore Region August Newsletter
Date: Saturday, August 06, 2011 11:23:16 AM
Attachments: Revival Flyer.pdf
Healthy Church Relationships.pdf
Call to Action Training Session.pdf


Below is the August Newsletter. Please read the information, it is important to your ministry and your church. I ask that you also pass the opportunities outlined in the newsletter to your congregation. We want to keep them informed and able to participate in some of the classes and trainings that are available to them. Please let me know if you have problems viewing this newsletter. Thanks – Joyce King (jking@bwcumc.org)

Baltimore Region E-Newsletter

We seek to become like Christ as we call, equip, send and support Spiritual leaders
to make disciples and grow at least 600 Acts 2 congregations.
August, 2011 Volume 1, Number 4

Important Dates
· August 16, 2011 9-11 a.m. & 1-3 p.m.: General Gateway Training for church administrators and pastors as administrators - Conference Mission Center
· September 7 & 9, 2011 2-4p.m.  - Gateway Training on Clergy Compensation for SPRC Chairs and Treasurers - Conference Mission Center
· September 13, 2011 3-4 p.m. & 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. - Gateway Training for Lay Speaker and CLM Reports - Conference Mission Center
· September 24, 2011 - Bishop's Day Apart with Laity
· October 8-10 – World Mission Day
· October 12, 2011 - Bishop's Day Apart with Clergy
· November 29 & 30, 2011 9-11 a.m. & 1-3 p.m. : Gateway Training on Statistical Reports - Conference Mission Center
· January 14, 2012 : Leadership Days on the Baltimore Region
· April 17, 2012 - Prodigal Worship, Queens Chapel UMC, Beltsville, MD
Contact Us
Rev. Dr. Karin Walker, DS, Baltimore
Suburban District, Team Leader
410.290.7311, kwalker@bwcumc.org
Rev. Dr. C. Anthony Hunt, DS
Baltimore Metropolitan District
410.290.7311, ahunt@bwcumc.org
Rev. Dr. Jim Ditto, Guide
410.290.7312, jditto@bwcumc.org
Rev. Kay Albury, Guide
410.309.3429,
kalbury@bwcumc.org
Rev. Dr. Eugene W. Matthews, Guide
410.309.3477,
ematthews@bwcumc.org
Sandra Cockrell, Regional
Administrative Assistant
410.309.3442,
Scockrell@bwcumc.org
Joyce King, Regional Administrator
410.290.7311, jking@bwcumc.org
Baltimore-Washington Conference
Mission Center
Of The United Methodist Church
11711 East Market Place
Fulton, MD 20759-2594
410.309.3400
800.492.2525
410.309.9436 (Fax)
www.bwcumc.org

Did you know?
If you have questions about taxes, W-2
forms and I-9's, the best place to go
to have those questions answered is
the GCFA website.
www.gcfa.org/ls_CTP/html 


We suggest you access the information from GCFA, then contact accounting professionals for any additional
information. It is important that you update your leadership in Gateway, especially for Annual Conference. All new leaders should be added to your church. To do this, log into Gateway and click on Committee Overview. Then click on Committee Participation and Update. Click on Local Church Leadership Committee. For more
information about make changes/updates, go to www.bwcumc.org/content/gatewayresources and click on the Introduction to Gateway Manual.

We are still receiving quite a bit of mail at the Columbia address. The correct mailing address is: The
Baltimore-Washington Conference of
the United Methodist Church, 11711
East Market Place, Fulton, MD 20759-2594. 


This will greatly reduce the amount of mail that must be forwarded to our new address. Please share this with your Newsletter editors. Of course if sending in the apportionment payments that should still go to the
PO Box in Baltimore.

URGENT - PLEASE GO IN AND UPDATE YOUR COMMITTEE LISTINGS
The Baltimore Region office has received many calls from officers in the local church because they are receiving e-mails and calls from the conference office for positions that they haven’t held in two to three years. It is the responsibility of the local church to update these records each year. This office does not update these records. This also means to keep e-mails, addresses and phone numbers updated. Having problems doing this please contact Sandra Cockrell.
 

The Nature of the Church:
I recently heard Gil Rendle lecture about the nature of the church. He made several statements that resonate with me and perhaps you as the anxiety in our culture about the economy, the environment, and the future drive people to be reactive. He said “the church is the last institution which works to call together people across generations and the last place where we are called to be together with people we otherwise would not choose to be with.”

It’s a tough context in which to build community yet it is what God calls the church to be and to do, and it has worked for over 2000 years. Research also says that community and purpose are exactly what people are seeking thus kairos time for the church of Jesus Christ!

As we anticipate autumn and the charge conference season, our hope is that every congregation turns into the challenge before us and plans for a future of disciple-making and community building. We look forward to working with you during this season of opportunity as the Holy Spirit works in us all for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Praise be to God,
Kay, Eugene, Jim, Tony, Joyce, Sandy C, Sandy F, Olivia, Karin

BWC MISSION CENTER SUMMER SCHEDULE
The Baltimore-Washington Conference Mission Center will be closed EVERY Friday from July 8 through Aug. 26, 2011 inclusive. Monday thru Thursday hours of operation for each location are: 8:30 am — 4:30 pm Please note this on your calendar. Please note that the Mission Center will be closed on Monday, September 5th in observance of Labor Day. We will re-open on Tuesday, September 6th at 8:30 am. Please be safe!

EARLY RESPONSE TRAINING
The conference is sponsoring early response training for those interested. The training will be held at the conference center on August 10 from 8:30 AM to 4 PM. Lunch, and snacks will be served. Cost of class is $ 25.00 (cost of background check is included in the fee). Please make check out to BWC and in the memo
area place ERT training (bring check to the class). Also, if you have a lap top please bring with you. Please forward your application and background check from to Brit Weber at weber.briton@comcast.net, so he can have a head count, make name tags for each person to be used when you have your photo taken for your badge. It is not too late to register, we still have a few openings.

SHOP MARYLAND WEEK
Marylanders: Get a break on clothing and footwear items priced $100 or less when they are exempt from the 6 percent state sales tax: Sunday, August 14 - Saturday, August 20
Exempt vs. Taxable Item Listing
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit http://www.marylandtaxes.com for additional information.


Call to Action Training Sessions
This Call to Action class is designed for church leaders and will review the Call to Action purpose and document. The class will do an analysis of their own congregation, draw upon demographic data, identify some key areas for greater vitality, and address ways they can impact the leadership team of their own congregation in helpful ways. Clergy will be given 1 CEU for attending all sessions; this also has been approved as a certified lay speaking course. (see attached flyer and registration form for class)
This is a four-part course and no books or materials are needed for class. This class will be taught by Rev. Dr. Karin Walker.

LOOKING FOR WAYS TO TRAIN YOUR FINANCE LEADERS?
Have been looking for opportunities to train you finance leaders in your local church? Well, the General Board of Discipleship is sponsoring a webinar for Finance Leaders. August 18 & 25, 6:30 p.m. CDT - Finance Leaders Training (two-part) - Fundraising and money burnout (Aug. 18); Extravagant Generosity Starts Here: A boot camp for Finance Leaders (Aug. 25). Webinars can be viewed via Internet at home or gather at the church with the committee to watch together. To register and learn more, visit the website. (www.gbodp.org)

YOU ARE INVITED!
Rev. Lynn Glassbrook and Mr. George Brunette  Invite you to celebrate with them as they wed.
Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 2:00pm. A reception follows in the hall.
Orems United Methodist Church
1020 Orems Road, Middle River, MD 21220
With love of the Lord, love for each other, and multiple residences, we really don’t need a thing. If you must gift, consider a gift to Orems UMC or another charity in our honor.
George and Lynn will reside at 1748 Forrest Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21234.

MANNA HOUSE
The Baltimore Region has been instrumental in helping Manna House to reopen on Saturdays! We have promised funding, volunteers and in some cases food for September through February. We'd like to further the effort to include March, April, and May. If your church would like to be involved, please contact Sandy Cockrell at scockrell@bwcumc.org.

CHARGE CONFERENCE SEASON!!! – FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON GATEWAY
You should have received your schedule and agenda. The forms are now available for you to begin completing. There are sample forms on the website. Please remember that only those persons that have been designated as an officer/chair will be able to access the forms. The church administrator is the only person who will be able to access all of the forms. Please be sure that the person who is the chair of finance, SPRC, Trustee, etc. are updated in Gateway as just that, if not they will not be able to access the forms. The person who is listed whether they are not now that person in the position will be able to access the forms.
If you have forgotten your username and password, please first try using the “forgot my password” feature (remember you must have a e-mail address listed in Gateway to use this option). If you continue to have problems in accessing the forms please contact Ms. Sandy Cockrell at scockrell@bwcumc.org.

Forms are to be completed two weeks prior to your charge conference. I encourage those officers who are new to attend the Gateway trainings that are being offered. Because of the difficulties that SPRC chairs had last year regarding the compensation report should be encouraged as well to attend the Gateway training
for the compensation form. These trainings are free.

LAST CALL TO ACTION MEETINGS – FOR CLERGY AND LAITY
The last Call to Action Meeting will be held at Towson UMC, 501 Hampton Lane, Towson on August 11 at 10 AM – 12 Noon and again at 7 PM – 9 PM. If you have not attended you still have time to register.
The Call to Action Ministry plan is attached. If you have problems please do not hesitate to contact Sandra Cockrell (scockrell@bwcumc.org) or 410.309.3442. 

Below you will find the agenda:
1. Review the Call to Action drivers and the planning guide.
2. Brainstorm with other colleagues ideas about ways to enhance the vitality of your congregation.
3. Design a process for identifying goals your congregation will set at the charge conference..
4. Develop steps for leadership development in your congregation to address the call to action drivers.

Register now at: http://www.bwcumc.org/academy/ctabaltimore

HEALTHY CHURCH RELATIONSHIP WORKSHOP
This workshop is for clergy only who was newly appointed and those that have been in their appointment for the past three years. Now that you have been in your congregation for a while, you may understand some of the relationships that impact your ability to lead. This workshop is a follow-up to our transition workshop that was help in May, 2011 will focus on the following:
Maintain healthy relationships
Dealing with difficult people
Effective small group leadership
Self-awareness as a pastoral leader


Upon completion of the workshop you will receive .5 CEU’s.
Date: September 15th at the BWC Mission Center. (Please see the flyer attached). Registration begins at 8:30 am. – Workshop will begin promptly at 9:00 AM and end at 2:30 pm. Lunch is included in the registration cost. Cost: $30.
To register click on the following link or cut and paste in browser.
https://gateway.bwcumc.org/bwcssa/bwc_evtssa.evtstart?p_event_id=1894
For questions, please contact Joyce King at jking@bwcumc.org.


WORSHIP DESIGN STUDIO
Greetings, friends! Just a note to say that the Fall materials have posted in the Worship Design Studio. There are lots of things there to inspire you to get to work on your plans for worship in the fall:

Podcast: with three wonderful nationally-known worship artists brainstorming many possibilities for the season.
Seasonal/Historical Notes: includes "cliff notes" for at-a-glance overview of the lectionary for fall Marcia's Doorway: inspired by Matthew West's song, "My Own Little World,"
this Doorway is a focus on the greater purpose of being church and being Christians More Resources: things that are inspiring me lately, resources I think would enhance your library Video Teaching Clip: a clip of me teaching about the gift of imagination and the "community of imaginations."

This is the last posting for the 2010-2011 liturgical year. Can you believe it? My, how time flies. But I am so excited about next year because Worship Design Studio is about to take off to new heights. Be sure to listen to the first few minutes of the podcast to hear more about that. And watch your e-mail for an announcement about subscribing for next year at the "repeat customer" discounted rate.

Many blessings, friends!
And don't forget to go to the Social Networking site to share pictures of what you are doing for
Summer!

Peace & Passion,
Dr. Marcia McFee

UMCOM Offering Free Software for Office and Ministry Tools

We recently received an e-mail listing nearly a dozen FREE software programs, graphic design tools and music licenses which can cost churches thousands of dollars if they were to buy them.
A PDF of the entire article is attached to the newsletter e-mail so you can check everything out for yourself. They will also add you to their email list if you like.

Since we are heading into our Charge Conference season and if you don’t use the MS Office Suite, I suggest you check out either of these programs that will make filling out the required forms much easier. I checked out two of these free programs that I looked at the two Office Alternatives that are equivalent to the MS Office Suite, testing them on both Windows XP and the Vista operating systems and didn’t have any trouble downloading or installing either program. Both programs allow you to create NEW documents but also allows you to EDIT existing ones. I tested one of the Charge Conference forms and the Annual Audit form and was able to work with both of them, save them as a new name and print them. This is exactly what you need to be able to do to complete the Charge Conference Forms.

The first is LibreOffice gives you six feature-rich applications for all your document production and data processing needs. Support and documentation is free from their large, dedicated community of users, contributors and developers. It works on Windows, Macintosh and Linux OS and it has FREE updates. I tested text editing and the spreadsheet programs and they worked well. It can be downloaded from www.libreoffice.org

The second program is Open Office which can also handle all your Office documents as well, however it looks and feels like pre-Office 07 and doesn't get updates like the newer LibreOffice. Again I tested text editing and the spreadsheet programs and they worked well. It can be downloaded from www.openoffice.org/

The FREE program called Paint.NET lets you edit images and photos for computers that run Windows. It features an intuitive and innovative user interface with support for layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools. An active and growing online community provides friendly help, tutorials, and plug-ins. It is similar to the old DeskPaint program and it can be downloaded from www.getpaint.net/

While we give no guarantees I would suggest you check these FREE programs out so you will be familiar with the program before we need to complete all those forms. The price is certainly right:)

Local Church Officer Job Descriptions
Many church officers and leaders have called in the office asking about job descriptions. Job descriptions can be at: WWW.GBOD.ORG/SITE/C.NHLRJ2PMKSG/B.5523987/K.A7A1/LOCAL_CHURCH_OFFICER_JOB_DESCRIPTIONS.HTM

Local Church Officer Job Descriptions: Positions Required in All Congregations

Every congregation must make provision for including these functions according to The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, ¶244.

Positions may be combined except for the financial functions. "The positions of treasurer and
financial secretary should not be combined and held by one person, and the persons holding these positions should not be immediate family members (¶258.4)."

  • Nominations and Leader Development Committee (¶258.1)
  • Pastor/Staff-Parish Relations Committee (¶258.2)
  • Trustees (¶258.3 and ¶2524 to 2550)
  • Finance Committee Chairperson (¶258.4)
  • Lay Leader (¶251.1)
  • Lay Member of Annual Conference (¶251.2)
  • Financial Secretary (¶258.4)
  • Church Treasurer (¶258.4)
  • Membership Secretary (¶234 and ¶235 to 242)
  • Leadership Team (also called Church Council, Administrative Board) Chairperson (¶251.3)
Positions Suggested for Ministry Organization
Each congregation shall provide for a comprehensive program of nurture, outreach, and witness, along with leadership training, along with the planning and administration of the congregation’s organizational and temporal life, in accordance with the mission of the United Methodist Church (The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, ¶244)

Age Level Coordinators:
  • Nurture, Outreach and Witness Ministries Coordinator(s) (¶244)
  • Age-Level and Family Ministries Coordinator (¶253)
  • Children's Ministries Coordinator (¶253 and ¶256.2)
  • Youth Ministry Coordinator (¶253 and ¶256.3)
  • Young Adult Ministries Coordinator (¶253 and ¶256.3d)
  • Adult Ministries Coordinator (¶;253)
  • Older Adult Ministries Coordinator (¶253)
  • Family Ministries Coordinator (¶253)
  • Other Ministry Groups:
  • Class Leader (Covenant Discipleship groups) (¶256.1b)
  • Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns Ministry Team Leader (¶254)
  • Church Historian (¶247.5)
  • Church School (Sunday School) Superintendent and/or Small Group Coordinator (¶255(1))
  • Church and Society Ministry Team Leader (¶254)
  • Community Volunteers Ministry Team Leader (¶254)
  • Communications Team Leader (¶255(3)
  • Earth Advocacy Team Leader (¶254)
  • Education Ministry Team Leader (¶254)
  • Evangelism Ministry Team Leader (¶254)
  • Health and Welfare Ministries Team Leader (¶255(2)
  • Higher Education and Campus Ministry Team Leader (¶254)
  • Missions Ministry Team Leader (¶254)
  • Prayer Team Leader (¶254)
  • Religion and Race Ministry Team Leader (¶254)
  • Scouting Ministry Coordinator
  • Small Group Team Coordinator (¶255(1) and ¶256.1)
  • Status and Role of Women Coordinator (¶254)
  • Stewardship Ministry Team Leader (¶254)
  • Worship Ministry Team Leader (¶254)
United Methodist Men PLEA FOR ELBOW GREASE FROM THE REGION
In partnership with Smith's Chapel. The United Methodist Men of the Baltimore Suburban District have been working together on preparing a parsonage to receive a family of six. This family has been homeless and now is scheduled to be placed as of September. This single mom and five children hope to be established prior to the beginning of the school year. Groups of all sorts, individuals are needed. A group of men will be working each Saturday on the house. Please call or email either Skip Casey (gcasey21352@verizon.net ) or Pastor George Lambros (pglambros@comcast.net) to see how you can help.

CHURCH AND CHURCH OFFICE SAFETY
Church safety training: In response to recent break-ins at churches, the Regional Administrators are sponsoring "Church Office and Church Safety," a workshop, Aug. 25, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Baltimore-Washington Mission Center., 11711 East Market Place in Fulton. Church staff and trustees are urged to attend. The workshop will be presented by the Howard County Police Department There is no charge for this event, however, you must register at http://bwcumc.org/events/safetyseminars. You will need your username and password to register. If you don’t have it, contact Sandy Cockrell at scockrell@bwcumc.org or 410.309.3442. Howard County Police will be conducting the workshop; however, even if you don’t live in Howard County the same tips apply everywhere.

Beware of Bogus Website
Please read and share the information below from Dave Schoeller, Business Data Analyst in at the Mission Center about a website address very similar to the General Board of Global Ministries.
The General Board’s web address is www.gbgm-umc.org. Unfortunately, there is another website www.gbgm.org, that does nothing but immediately pop up an advertisement window and locks up your browser so that you cannot do anything other than click the “OK” button.

If you stumble on the bogus site, DO NOT CLICK THE OK BUTTON on the pop-up window. If you click the “OK” button, you may infect your computer with a virus and create a security breach on our (your) network. Protect your PC and the BWC by using Control-Alt-Delete so that you can forcibly close your browser application. In fact, this is a good solution if you ever face that type of situation with a website that is behaving in a similar manner.

REGION REVIVAL

Join us at Mt. Zion UMC in Belair, MD in September under the tent for dynamic preaching and teaching from Robin Duffy and Robin Mark. It promises to be a fantastic 4 days. Bring along congregation members and get a new church year off and running on spiritual energy. See the attached flier for details. Please share with your congregations and youth!

AN INVITATION TO MISSION – BE ONE!
On October 8-10, 15,000 United Methodists are expected to serve in mission throughout the Baltimore-Washington Conference. A video about how you can Change the World, which you can share with your congregation is online. This ambitious event, Change the World, is expected to transform the way people think about church. You won't want to miss it. Register your group or congregation today.
http://www.bwcumc.org/events/changetheworld

CLERGY AND LAITY DAY APART
• Laity Day Apart will be Sept. 24, at Trinity UMC, 703 West Patrick St. in Frederick, Maryland
• Clergy Day Apart will be Oct. 12, at First UMC, 6201 Belcrest Road in Hyattsville, Maryland

Electronic billing: apportionments, pension, medical: It is expected that you will be getting medical and pension billing through the gateway system. A monthly reminder will be sent via email. With the email reminder should also be an attachment describing how to access the payment history and make payments through gateway. This information has been sent with each electronic billing. The bills will be sent to the treasurer of record. NOTE: If you have a new treasurer or the treasurer’s email address has changed, please have the church’s gateway administrator make the appropriate changes, so that the church will receive the bills in a timely manner.

Apportionment postings: You may access the chart summarizing the apportionment payments on the BWC website under Finance. Click on “apportionment contribution report”. That chart is updated with each posting. ACH payments are recorded immediately, whereas check posting takes more time. The goal of the treasurer’s office is to complete posting for the previous month by the 10th of the following month (e.g. all September payments should be posted by October 10. However if there is a delay in the mailing of a check to the lock box and then from the lock box bank recording to BWC, there may be a delay in the posting.) If you think there is an error in the report, we need to know the check number, the date of the check, and the amount of the check before we can ask the treasurer’s office to research the error.

Be sure to keep up with events and news through the E-connection, an online newsletter than can be accessed through the BWC website, by clicking on “news”, then scroll to “E-connection”. Not Receiving the E-connection? Contact Lesley Carter to sign-up (LCARTER@BWCUMC.ORG ). E-connection comes out electronically every Friday.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Baltimore Washington Conference and Local Community happenings and Family fun Activities


Beginning today and (prayerfully) continuing weekly, I will be reviewing and posting articles and local activities from the BALTIMORE WASHINGTON CONFERENCE e-connection (http://www.bwcumc.org/news/econnection). In an effort to keep our congregations at Hiss better informed of goings-on in our area and across the Conference.
These are items that I feel are vital and relevant and I could not otherwise place in our weekly bulletins and our Spire because of space constraints in each of those documents. I will also be endeavoring to include family oriented activities opportunities from other local community resources as they become available to myself.   

Thrift store opening: Arnolia UMC, 1776 E. Joppa Road in Baltimore, will hold a Grand Opening for its new Thrift Store Monday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m. The store will carry men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing and household items for residents in the Parkville area, but for any who would like to come. It will be open Mondays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and the second Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds from the store will help support the outreach ministries of the church. For information, contact the church at 410-665-7005.

Take Action on the DREAM Act: Religious leaders announced plans for DREAM Sabbath, a faith-based campaign to encourage congregations to focus a worship service on the DREAM Act, which would provide undocumented students with an opportunity to earn legal status. Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and the Interfaith Immigration Coalition, which includes the UM Board of Church & Society, unveiled the plan. Click here to learn about DREAM Sabbath 2011, which will take place in congregations around the country from Sept. 16 to Oct. 9.
Susanna Wesley House Annual Fundraiser: Susanna Wesley House will hold its annual fundraising luncheon event, Inspired to Serve, on Sept. 17 from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the BWC Mission Center. This will be an afternoon of great food and great deals at the silent auction and nearly new table. Be inspired by speaker Sabrina White, President of the Northeast Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Women. While serving as Board President from 2001-2003, Sabrina was instrumental in implementing (and renovating for) the current model of assisting homeless women and children in attaining independence and self-sufficiency. Seating is limited, so order tickets today. All proceeds support the mission of Susanna Wesley House.  For more information call 410-837-3787, e-mail  SusannaWesley@verizon.net, or visit www.SusannaWesley.org.

Clergy & Laity Days Apart announced: Again this year Clergy and Laity Days Apart will be held in the Baltimore-Washington Conference.
• Laity Day Apart will be Sept. 24, at Trinity UMC, 703 West Patrick St. in Frederick.                                          • Clergy Day Apart will be Oct. 12, at First UMC, 6201 Belcrest Road in Hyattsville.

40 Days of Prayer for Children: The General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) has prepared “40 Days of Prayer for Children — Sept. 11.” This free, downloadable resource will guide leaders and parents as they journey with children who have no remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001, but who will see images and hear stories of the devastating loss of that day in the weeks leading up to the tenth anniversary. It offers Scripture readings on love, justice and mercy, and compassion and peace, starting Aug. 3. The resource also suggests appropriate music from The United Methodist Hymnal. The prayers start with Wednesday, Aug. 3. To download the resource, go to “40 Days of Prayer for Children.”

Ministry WITH, a new interactive denominational website highlights the commitment by The United Methodist Church to “Ministry with the Poor.”  www.ministryWITH.org provides downloadable multimedia resources, including fact sheets, videos and podcasts, worship and Bible study resources that inspire, challenge and mobilize. They include music, Bible reflections, discussion questions, and prayers.  Volunteer and advocacy opportunities, mission videos, prayer requests and upcoming events will be shared in a way that encourages community and conversation.

FROM FIRST FRUIT FARMS [http://firstfruitsfarm.org/ (410-343-2507)                                                                             250 FREELAND ROAD, FREELAND, MARYLAND 21053
 (From an Email I received on July 25, 2011

We are ready to begin our sweet corn harvest!   Saturday, July 30 and Saturday, Aug 6 will be all about picking sweet corn.  If you can join us, we will greatly appreciate the help.  If you are coming on July 30, please come directly to the field on Middletown Road.  As always, we try to  begin by 8 am.  If you are unsure of where the field is, please call 410-218-8289.  (If you are traveling west on Middletown Road from the Interstate 83 exit, it is about 4.25 miles from the exit, on the right – there is a FFF sign marking the field, and the corn field is closest to the road – you can’t miss it.  If you are coming from Freeland Road, go passed our main location at 2025 Freeland, continue to the end of Freeland Road, go left at the stop sign and the cornfield will be on your left less than a quarter of a mile on Middletown Road.)     If you can help on Aug 6, please come to the main location for the farm at 2025 Freeland Road and we will direct you to the other corn field from there.  Thanks to everyone who can chip in to this effort to hand pick 10 acres of corn!!   

Please join us in our prayer for rain.  We are getting a good harvest so far this season, but rain would be a great blessing.

There are still plenty of opportunities to schedule a date to come out to help in the harvest this season. Email us at FirstFruitsFarm@comcast.net if you would like to schedule a time to serve with us at the farm.

May God bless you.
 

Monday, August 1, 2011

Reflecting Love ,,,,,,,, 1John 3:16-18

Greetings and peace to all those whose spirits have been guided here,

Today's devotion is titled 'Reflecting Love' from 1John 3:16-18 NRSV

16We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? 18 Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.


Do you understand the notion of 'love'? Do you understand human 'love'? Do you understand God's 'love'?
Back in 1997, I was told by someone special to me that I did not know what 'love' was. That I did not really understand what it meant to truly be 'in love' with someone. This statement hurt me very much because I strongly felt that the relationship I was sharing with her was based on 'love'. I told her this and she just up & turned around and walked away. So our relationship came to an abrupt end and left me wondering about just what she meant. She did not give me any explanations or any encouragement beyond saying goodbye.

Though we don't fully understand God's love, we can accept it. Even though it's depth is beyond our ability to imagine, we can assume that because He is God -- infinite, perfect, and completely "other" - He is capable of it. We, however, know how short we fall. We are not capable of that kind of love, because self-sacrifice is only part of our nature within a precious few special relationships.

Nevertheless, that's exactly the kind of love to which God calls us. We are to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. He came into this world to lay down His life for us, and He never said that's the end of the story. We are to lay down our lives in exactly the same way. If we want to have God's kind of love, we have to know it's dimensions to the fullest possible extent. The fullest extent calls for the ultimate sacrifice.

John 15:13 tells us Jesus said "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."  That is a hard kind of friendship to obey. In fact, this commandment to love each other in the same way that Jesus loved us is perhaps the neglected in all Scripture. It is not that we cannot love each other like that. We usually do not mind going out of our way for our friends, being generous with our money, our time, even forgiving our enemies from time to time. But to actually take the next step into our graves for them is most of time a step we never choose to take. A soldier will give his life to save others. He will throw himself on a grenade or jump into the path of an oncoming bullet --- Why? Selfless love at the highest possible level.

Most of us will only sacrifice ourselves up to a point and not move beyond it. There are lines that we will simply never cross no matter what. We don't 'do' ultimate sacrifices very easily and just for anyone. The flesh cannot just do such a thing in the absence of a uniquely special kind of love for the other person.

That is why it is a certain sign of God at work in a person. Sacrificial 'love', in it's purest sense, can only be borne in us from the divine above. Only the spirit of the sacrificial God can produce sacrificial children. Only Him who is, was and ever shall be perfect can reflect for us a perfect example of sacrificial love.

Ask the hard questions about your love life. Who do you love? How much? Are you willing not just to go out of your way occasionally, but to radically sacrifice for the sake of reflecting God's perfect love? God is Love!!!

God Bless

Tom