Ordinary Times Messenger 2016

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ORDINARY TIME 2016

MESSENGER BRYN MAWR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Habitat for Humanity: Framing Blitz (page 6) Becoming An Earth Care Congregation (page 9) Theologian-in-Residence (page 10) Community Forum with Sister Mary Scullion (page 12)

VOLUME 118 | ISSUE 4

PERU MISSION TRIP REPORT page 5

Letter from the Pastor Living things grow.

Some growth is so obviously apparent. Feed and love a baby and before long you have a most delightful conversation partner. Give your tomato plants enough water and sunshine and the next thing you know you have more than you can eat and are thrilled to give them away. Share a common interest with others and a sense of genuine community springs forth. A child gets taller, a plant flowers and bears fruit, a circle of friends expands in number and each sign of growth is unmistakable.

Other signs of growth are less visible but no less real: love that deepens over long years; an enlarged capacity for forgiveness; promises made and kept; the realization of a more profound inner peace. Faith.

The wonder of church life is that we regularly experience both visible and invisible forms of growth. In conversations about the current vibrancy of our congregational life, Growing in Generosity seemed to emerge naturally as this year’s stewardship theme. I love the way this theme conjures up images of how the church grows both in identifiable and in hidden ways. Our ministries with children and youth are growing in number and vitality. You can see that on Sunday morning. New members joining “The wonder of church the church is always a public celebration in life is that we regularly worship. Our budget and benevolent giving are increasing and the numbers show it. Longtime experience both visible and mission partners and newer outreach initiatives invisible forms of growth.” are calling forth the involvement of more participants who show up and serve.

Equally important is the growth we cannot see and could never measure. So many things come to mind - deepened commitments, calls to discipleship, compassionate caring, burdens shared, expanding friendships, an increased sense of joy, peace that surpasses understanding, a spirit of generosity.

As we begin this new program year, I hope that you will be on the lookout for vital signs of growth at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church and tune your hearts to the faithfulness that cannot be seen. By God’s leading, this Messenger is filled with stories and opportunities of our growing together in faith, hope and love - which are, of course, the source of generosity.

Grace and Peace,

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Staff News

We are pleased to introduce new staff members and announce changed responsibilities that will enhance the ministries of our congregation: Becky Hoy, Director of Administration and Human Resources. Becky has more than six years experience in church ministry including administrative support, employee recruitment and orientation, budget development and project management. Prior to her church work she was a staffing and scheduling coordinator for a senior care facility. Becky moved here from North Carolina in August and replaces Pam Lloyd, who retired in June.

Elena Perri, Communications Manager. Elena was most recently Director of Communications and Marketing at Holy Child Academy. She has held communications positions in schools, healthcare and non-profit organizations and served as editor and manager of regional publications. Since 2005, she has been Program Chair of the International Association of Business Communicators, Philadelphia Chapter. Elena’s full-time position enables Donna Barrickman to focus on her work as Membership Manager.

Torie Miele, Assistant, Morning Out & Sunday School. Torie has been a familiar face on Friday and Sunday mornings in our Education Building as a parttime employee. With her hours now extended to full time, she will expand our weekday “Morning Out” program and provide additional staff support for Sunday School and other Children and Family Ministry opportunities.

Facility Staff Updates. Our facilities staff, headed by Pete DiRocco, Director of Facilities and Operations, and Rich Rivera, Manager of Facilities and Maintenance, now includes facilities specialists (left to right): Andrew Reeves, Josh Negron, and Andy Diaz. You will see Andrew and Josh around our campus on both weekdays and weekends; Andy works on late weekday afternoons through the evenings.

Wednesday Night Dinners Greet old friends or make new acquaintances at this popular weekly event in Congregational Hall beginning September 14. Dinner is served from 5:30 – 6:45 p.m. and costs just $8 for adults; $5 for children/students.

To view upcoming fresh-ingredient menus by Chef Ruth, see the “Announcements” box on the bottom of our website’s homepage or call the church office, 610-525-2821.

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Children & Family Ministry Update By the Rev. Rachel Pedersen

“The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and for evermore.”

Psalm 121:8 God walks with our children every moment of their lives. How do we as a church help our youngest members see and know this blessing? This year, Children and Family Ministry will be working in partnership to support families in the day-to-day faith formation of our congregation’s children.

Here are five ways you can get involved: Join a Parent Community Group: New community groups for families with children age 3 and under and for families with children in grades 3 - 7 will be meeting monthly. Feel free to join at any time.

Become a Pen Pal: Get to know a child in our congregation as a pen pal. Pen pals will meet in October, write notes to one another, and have the opportunity to serve the church together. Pen pal assignments will go out September 20.

Join in our Day of Service (October 12): Help students of all ages to be part of BMPC’s work in our community by chaperoning off-site mission visits and on-site projects.

Take Church “Home”: Check out a bag of materials from our Children’s Library on the first floor of the Education Building and try a new spiritual practice or learn a beloved bible story in a new way.

Pray for Children and Youth: Join pastors for a new opportunity in the Children’s Chapel on Thursdays at Noon: a 30-minute time of prayer for our community. Each week we will pray for a different group of children in our congregation.

For more information or to get involved, contact MaryRichards@bmpc.org, ext. 8811.

Learn more about our fall programs at a Back to School Celebration Tuesday, August 30, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

On our front lawn (rain location: Ministries Center).

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This Summer’s Vacation Bible Camp

What does the kingdom of God look like? It was 116 children praising God and building friendships. It was seen in the work of our 4th and 5th grade campers as they served at Mainline Hospice, gathered fresh food for Chester Eastside ministries, and prepared bags of food for neighbors in need at the Bethel Presbyterian Church food bank. It was over 40 adults giving their time and energy to nurture and welcome children from our congregation and community. It was 34 youth leading with energy, imagination and grace. This year at Vacation Bible Camp, we caught a glimpse of the building of the Kingdom of God. What a gift it was to be part of that great project!

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High School Report: Peru

By Natalie Stevens

During two weeks in July, 20 members of BMPC traveled to Peru on this year’s high school summer mission trip. We experienced three incredible parts of Peru and learned about their culture and way of life.

When we reached Lima, the capital, we met up with our mission partner Jed Koball. The first day we stayed in Lima with Jed and visited a few tourist attractions, including some of the Incan ruins and the Plaza de Armas.

We then traveled to Huanuco, the location of our first work site. The Casa de Buen Trato (house of good treatment) is a shelter in Peru for adolescent girls who were victims of abuse and needed to escape their situations. After we arrived at the shelter, we split into two groups. The first group worked on building a garden to help the members become more self-sustainable. They moved rocks to create beds and started some of the actual gardening. The second group helped paint four of the rooms that needed to be revamped. However, the most powerful part happened in the afternoons we spent at the shelter.

This was when many of the girls returned from school. We brought lots of different activities for the girls, including string bracelets, knitting and coloring books, which we enjoyed doing together. It was incredible to see all these girls who had been through so much in their lives interact with us so willingly and open up their entire worlds to us.

In the last few days of our trip we visited Cusco, another beautiful town, and also explored Machu Picchu.

Our trip was unbelievably eyeopening, spiritual, and moving!

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Congregation Wide Day of Service:

Habitat for Humanity Framing Blitz

By the Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick Our church has Council awarded Habitat a $22,000 grant that a long history will be used for this project. of collaborating On Saturday, October 1, BMPC and Habitat with Habitat will host our congregation’s first ever on-site for Humanity “framing blitz” to build house frames to be used in Philadelphia to create sustainable, safe and at Diamond Park. We will work throughout the affordable housing in the city. For several years day in the church parking lot as the focus of our this partnership has focused on the work they do fall Congregation Wide Day of Service. to repair homes around the city, specifically in Sign ups will officially begin on Rally Day, West Philadelphia.

September 11, but if you are interested in This year Habitat encouraged our Outreach participating, contact CarolSchmidt@bmpc.org, Council to expand our partnership by working ext. 8819, to together on new housing they are building get your name near Temple University. On April 13, Habitat on the list. We for Humanity Philadelphia broke ground on a are looking new affordable housing development in North forward to Philadelphia: Diamond Park. what we Located at 16th and Fontain Street, Diamond know will be Park is the largest new construction project a remarkable Habitat has ever tackled, as it will result in 21 day of service. units of affordable homes. In 2016 our Outreach

Mission Trip to Lebanon 2017 By the Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick

This year, our Session and Worldwide Ministries Committee began a new partnership with the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon. BMPC made a significant contribution to support two major efforts the Synod has undertaken in this time of displacement and unrest in the region. The Synod is creating educational programs for Syrian refugees living in camps in Lebanon, serving children who have had no access to formal education since the beginning of the conflict. The Synod is also continuing to support the faithful and resilient Presbyterian congregations who are providing shelter and relief to the thousands of those internally displaced within Syria.

Our partners there, including our partners through Presbyterian World Mission, have invited any who are interested within our congregation to come and see firsthand the work they are doing and the ways our gift is being used. This will also give us an opportunity to connect with our partners personally through conversation and fellowship together.

Details on the trip are still being finalized, but a tentative date of February 12 - 22, 2017 has been set.

If you are interested in knowing more about joining BMPC members and the Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick on this trip, contact CarolSchmidt@bmpc.org by September 30.

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The Year to Join Choir

By Edward Landin

This coming program year is packed with many wonderful musical offerings for our children and youth ranging from leading varied worship services to participating in two special concerts for mass choir. Wednesdays Together and Youth Chorale rehearsals begin on September 14, and I’m looking forward to what the year will bring!

What’s so special about the two choir concerts this season? On Sunday, December 11, all of our choral ensembles will join together for an incredible afternoon event celebrating Advent and Christmas through anthems, hymns, and carols. A special new piece is being written by organist/composer Bruce Neswick for the Youth Chorale to sing. Bruce always writes a new hymn melody for a traditional text for his annual Christmas card. This past year, his text was “The Snow Lay on the Ground,” and I was particularly moved by the flowing new melody as well as the wonderful words. What a joy it will be to hear the premiere of this new piece on December 11.

Fast forward to spring weather, flowers blooming, and birds chirping – this will be the scene for our final concert of the 2016-17 year – and what a concert it will be! Jeff Brillhart and I are eager to welcome two of America’s leading choral conductors and arrangers, Anton Armstrong and André Thomas, to our incredible church campus to rehearse and direct our combined choral ensembles, who will also be joined by Singing City and the Singing City Children’s Choir. Final details are still being made for the repertoire, but it will be an event to remember!

See why it’s the year to join choir?

We welcome all singers from grades K - 12. Please be in touch with any questions or to sign up: EdwardLandin@bmpc.org

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All Saints Sunday

By Jeffery Brillhart

Four years ago, BMPC launched an annual tradition of remembering the “saints” of the church on All Saints Sunday. The first Sunday of November has become one of the most poignant occasions of our liturgical year. The All Saints service, filled with the healing and unifying power of music offered to the glory of God, comforts and reassures grieving families and their friends.

Following presentations of the Requiems of Gabriel Fauré, John Rutter, and Maurice Duruflé, this year we will offer Eleanor Daley’s Requiem, which is a deeply expressive work, intimate, sensitive and profoundly moving.

Eleanor Daley’s Requiem, presented along with Dr. Norfleet’s sermon, the Lord’s Supper, the reading of the names of those members who have died this past year, and the tolling of the carillon, will demonstrate the church at work as an agent of pastoral care, and a powerful witness to Christ’s Resurrection.

Music & Fine Arts to Host Presbyterian Church Musicians’ Gathering

By Lawana Scales

BMPC’s Music and Fine Arts Council will host a Presbyterian Church Musicians’ Gathering from October 9 - 12. The event will bring together musicians from large PC(USA) churches throughout the country. Our last gathering of this kind was held in 1998.

In planning this event, our goal is to address issues that face today’s church musicians. We have invited experts from around the region to speak about topics that include the aging voice, technology in the church, the church and urban outreach, communications and more. Each day will include a worship service followed by the speaker(s) of the day.

We will also share with our guests two of America’s greatest treasures - Longwood Gardens, with its fabulous, restored Austin organ, and the renowned Barnes Foundation Museum, the greatest private collection of post-impressionist and earlymodern art in the world. We hope the experience gained at this event will provide the foundation to build better communications, provide effective leadership, and enrich the quality of our music ministries.

The first event of the gathering will be an organ recital by Peter DuBois, Director of Music and Organist at Third Presbyterian Church in Rochester, NY. Peter’s recital will be at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 9, and will be open to the public. A free-will offering will be received. We invite all to attend and help welcome our guests to BMPC.

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Becoming an Earth By the Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick

Care Congregation

In 1990 the General Assembly of the PC(USA) called the church to do the work of restoring the Creation. A part of that call was the creation of the designation within the denomination of Earth Care Congregations. Earth Care Congregations are congregations that have committed to the “Earth Care Pledge” and accomplished a specific number of actions toward caring for God’s earth in four categories: worship, education, facilities, and outreach.

BMPC’s Environmental Justice Committee has begun the work of achieving this designation for our congregation. Much of what we do as a congregation and how we manage our facilities has brought us most of the way toward meeting these guidelines. But over the next several months the committee will be guiding us even further toward living into the identity as a congregation that cares for the earth. Our “Paperless” Sunday in August was a first step in this project. Be sure to join us on Sunday, October 2, at 11:15 a.m. as we host a class on the impact of climate change.

The Earth Care Pledge: • Our worship and discipleship will celebrate God’s grace and glory in creation • Our education will encourage and support each other in keeping and healing the creation • Our facilities will be managed, maintained, and upgraded to respect and cherish all creation • Our outreach will encourage community involvement and public policy to protect and restore the earth For more ways to be a part of this effort and the work of our Environmental Justice Committee, contact Courtenay Wilcox, mcwillcox@gmail.com.

New! Fullerton Bible Study

By the Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick introduction to the Acts of the Apostles. This This fall we will inaugurate collection of sermons and stories from the early church takes us back to the very beginning of a new weekly the Christian movement as congregations were Sunday morning Adult gathered, Orthodoxy debated, and Christian practices established.

Education class at 11:15 In October and November, Dr. Tim Horner, a.m. for those who are looking for a convenient professor at Villanova University, will focus on and consistent way to study scripture together the Book of Genesis and explore our earlier origin as a community. The Fullerton Bible Study will stories and their significance for the communities move through a variety of topics and texts this who wrote them and for us as people of faith today. year, led by our pastors, congregational leaders In November and December, our own Rev. Paul and community scholars.

MacMurray will walk us through the Gospel of The classes will in many ways take us back to Mark, considered to be the first Gospel. As the the origins of both the Old and New Testaments. earliest Gospel, Mark gives us the very essence of In September Dr. Joshua Yoder will lead an Jesus’ life and ministry.

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The Rev. Dr. and Mrs. David B. Watermulder

Theologian in Residence

Sundays, October 9 & 16 & Saturday, October 15

A priority of our Adult Education Council this year is to help the congregation learn more about the theology, practices and experiences of our interfaith neighbors. Throughout the year we will study together, welcome community leaders and local experts, as well as engage in interfaith conversations.

A highlight of this year’s focus will be our annual Theologian in Residence – the Rev. David Grafton, who will spend two weekends with us in October.

Dr. Grafton is Professor of Islamic Studies and ChristianMuslim Relations on the faculty of the Duncan Black Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary. Dr. Grafton served as the Associate Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian Muslim Relations at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.

Dr. Grafton’s academic interests focus on Christian-Muslim relationships, history of Christianity in the Middle East, American Christian perspectives on religion and society in the Middle East, and 19th and 20th Protestant missionary thought on Islam.

Dr. Grafton will present at 11:15 a.m. after worship on October 9 and 16 on issues of Muslim theology and tradition as well as the way Islam is portrayed both rightly and wrongly on the international stage. On Saturday, October 15, those especially interested in learning how to be better engaged in and equipped for interfaith work are invited to join us to learn more about the traditions of Islam and Islamic communities.

Schedule & Topics What is Islam? The Pillars of Faith and Practice: Sunday, October 9, 11:15 a.m.

American Views of Islam & What do American Muslims Believe About the Country?: Saturday, October 15, 9:00 a.m. - noon The Variety of Pieties of Muslims: Sunday, October 16, 11:15 a.m.

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Member Spotlight

By Donna Barrickman

We are grateful for these members – all ordained elders – who are involved in the larger church through the Presbytery of Philadelphia. Our Presbytery provides direction and support for nearly 130 churches in five counties and oversees our processes as Presbyterians and mission and fellowship beyond our own congregations.

Brad Baturka

Susan Bravo

Anita Iyengar

Janet Brown

Phoebe Sheftel

George Henisee

John Vaughan

Jean Hunt

Courtenay Willcox

Brad Baturka is on the Commission on Financial Management (COFM) and the Investment Committee of the Presbytery. The COFM, or Trustees of the Presbytery, oversees the assets of the Presbytery and assists its congregations in their financial responsibilities. Brad chairs BMPC’s Mission Council and has taught Kindergarten Sunday School.

Susan Bravo has served on two search committees comprised of elders representing the diversity of our Presbytery: one for an Executive Presbyter (Ruth Santana-Grace) and another for an Associate Presbyter (Greg Klimovitz). She has been a member of BMPC’s Session Priorities Committee and Staff Design Team, chaired our Nominating Committee last year, and is involved with our Advent Gift Market.

Janet Brown is moderator of Presbyterian Women, Philadelphia, which helps connect congregations’ Presbyterian Women (PW) and encourages support of PW’s affiliations. She serves on BMPC’s PW Coordinating Team and Environmental Justice Committee and volunteers with children.

George Henisee serves on the Commission on Ministry (COM), which supports sessions in their discernment and visioning opportunities in calling new pastors. He is also the liaison to five churches in the Southwest Region. George has chaired BMPC’s Fine Arts, Adult Education, and Congregational Life councils as well as our Personnel Committee, and he served on several BMPC search committees.

Jean Hunt served on the Commission on Financial Management (COFM) for six years, and is a member of the Investment Committee. She is a BMPC trustee and a member of our Foundation Board.

Anita Iyengar attends the presbytery meetings as a BMPC commissioner. Her other involvement at BMPC includes the Bible for Beginners class and Personnel Committee.

Phoebe Sheftel began her involvement with the presbytery when she joined the Committee on Ministry (COM) in the late 1980s. She chaired a search committee for an Interim Executive Presbyter (Lucy Rupe), was part of the committee that rewrote the presbytery’s bylaws, and served on the Permanent Judicial Commission. She currently is a member of the Nominating and Personnel Committees. At BMPC she is a member of the Personnel, Peacemaking and Adult Ed committees.

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John Vaughan is BMPC’s Permanent Commissioner to Presbytery. As Moderator for an Administrative Commission, he led the closing, member relocation and building sale of the Central Presbyterian Church of Norristown. John now provides financial oversight for a tri-synod (Trinity, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic) Latino Leadership Initiative. He has served on our church’s Outreach Council, Urban Suburban, and Hunger Committees and chaired our Mission Council.

Courtenay Willcox was Moderator of the Presbytery of Philadelphia in 2013. She serves on the Commission on Ministry (COM), moderates the presbytery’s Southeast Region and serves on its Race, Bias and Privilege Committee. As a Commissioned Ruling Elder, Courtenay also relishes opportunities for preaching in churches around the presbytery. At BMPC she enjoys working with youth, chairing our Environmental Justice Committee and serving on the Eugene C. Bay Fund.

Community Forum with Sister Mary Scullion

By Nancy Ameen

On Monday, October 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary, our Community Forum series will present Sister Mary Scullion as our distinguished speaker. Sister Mary is the co-founder, with Joan Dawson McConnon, of Project HOME (housing opportunities for employment, medical care, and education). Since its founding in 1989, Project HOME has grown from an emergency winter shelter to operating the street outreach program for the homeless in Philadelphia; managing over 700 units of permanent supportive housing; running a learning center for children, youth, and adults and a wellness center that provides primary, dental, and behavioral health care to homeless and vulnerable people; and spawning several enterprises that create employment to previously homeless individuals.

Sister Mary is a native Philadelphian, a graduate of Saint Joseph’s University, and a member of the Sisters of Mercy, an international Roman Catholic women’s religious community. Involved in advocacy for the homeless and mentally ill since 1978, Sister Mary has devoted her life to realize the vision of Project HOME that “none of us are home until all of us are home,” empowering families to “break the cycle of homelessness and poverty, to alleviate the underlying causes of poverty, and to enable all of us to attain our fullest potential.” The recipient of numerous honorary doctorates for her leadership in the City of Philadelphia, she was named 2011 Citizen of the Year by The Philadelphia Inquirer and chosen by Time Magazine as one of the “World’s Most Influential People” in 2009.

I hope you will join us to hear Sister Mary Scullion as our fall Community Forum speaker.

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Deacons’ Flower Ministry

By Donna Barrickman

Each Sunday after worship, volunteers turn our altar flowers into four smaller arrangements to be shared with members who may not have been able to attend the service. Two designated deacons, who are also assigned to ride with and assist passengers on the Rosemont Presbyterian Village bus, retrieve these flowers and make plans for delivery. Many of the recipients are followed by our Care Team staff, Jennifer Rocheleau and Lorie Benovic. Whether they are hospitalized, recovering from an illness or surgery, home bound, bereaved, or celebrating the birth of a baby or a special anniversary, the deacons’ visits help us share both joys and concerns within our church family.

At Christmas and Easter, our deacons also deliver dozens of poinsettias and daffodils to members who can’t make it to church. We are grateful for the connections made through this extension of our care giving ministries and for our deacons who make it possible.

Enduring Outreach: The Timothy School Celebrates 50 Years By kIM bLACK

What began in 1966 as an outreach project at BMPC, a school serving nine students with autism, has become an Approved Private School based in Berwyn that offers Structured Teaching, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Positive Behavioral Supports as core components of the instructional program. The school now serves over 65 children ages 5 to 21 from 27 school districts. After being located in the Education Building at BMPC for its first 32 years, the school now has a campus with three buildings serving lower, middle and upper school students. It is the oldest, non-profit school in Pennsylvania devoted exclusively to the educational needs of children with autism.

This year The Timothy School marks its 50th anniversary with a black-tie Gala on November 11 at Overbrook Golf Club. Funds raised at the Gala will support the continued growth of the program. In recent years, The Timothy School has added a Daily Living Center and a Secondary Center.

The Daily Living Center provides students ages 14-16 an environment where they can supplement their classroom learning with life skills, including household tasks, money management, and participating in community activities. The Secondary Center focuses on the needs of young adults, aged 18 to 21 years old, providing them with skills they need to function independently within the home and workplace.

For more information on programming at the Timothy School, the upcoming gala, or other ways to support the school, go to www. timothyschool.com.

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The Middleton Center: A Place for Healing

By Mary Beth Pratt

The Herbert H. Middleton Center for Pastoral Care and Counseling, a specialized ministry of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, began with an idea and a dream. Through a generous endowment from the John Middleton Company in memory of Herbert H. Middleton, Jr., the Center opened in 1999 to serve members of BMPC and the wider community.

The Center welcomes people from all backgrounds and beliefs who need help navigating life’s challenges and transitions. The goal is to enable those seeking help to begin healing.

The Center’s office and counseling spaces are in Converse House next to our Ministries Center. Information about the Center is on BMPC’s website, under the tab labeled “programs.” Kiki McKendrick handles the administrative operations of the Center.

The Middleton Center provides: • Counseling and therapy services on a sliding-fee scale through scholarships funded by the original grant; no one is turned away for lack of ability to pay ◦ Services are provided to individuals, couples, families, children and adolescents, veterans and their families, and clergy by 11 therapists, including our own Dick Wohlschlaeger ◦ The Center also makes referrals to other resources for longer term counseling and services that we don’t provide • Spiritual direction for those seeking to understand more about their spiritual lives • Bereavement counseling • Safe and confidential meeting space for support groups, including domestic abuse, mental health and other needs • Programs for BMPC members and the wider Main Line community, in partnership with our parish nurse, care manager and pastors; with other religious groups, such as Main Line Reform Temple; and with local schools and community organizations, such as the Bryn Mawr Film Institute • Labyrinth walks and workshops, monthly and at holiday times Though a referral is not needed, school counselors, other therapists, prior clients, those who find us on-line, church members, and our own pastors and other area clergy may recommend the Center.

All referrals and services are confidential. Many people, at all stages of life, need help. Some are in danger. For others, it’s something that prevents them from living their lives fully or without grief or anger or substance abuse. Some are people in our own congregation – yes, it does happen to us, right here in our own house.

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The Messenger Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church 625 Montgomery Avenue Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 610-525-2821 The Messenger (USPS #341840) Volume #118, Issue #4 is published quarterly by the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church.

Periodical postage paid at Southeastern, Pennsylvania and additional offices.

Postmaster: Send Address Changes To The Messenger Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church 625 Montgomery Avenue Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

Save the Date Sept. 11: Sunday School begins; Rally Day Festivities Sept. 14: Wednesday Dinners Resume, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Children & Youth Choir Rehearsals begin Oct. 1: Day of Service: Habit for Humanity Framing Blitz Oct. 2: Blessing of the Animals, 4:00 p.m.

Oct. 24: Community Forum - Sister Mary Scullion, 7:30 p.m.

Rally Day 2016

Sunday, September 11, 11:00 a.m., Front Lawn (rain location: Ministries Center) Join us as we kick off a new season in ministry! Our celebration will include picnic food, entertainment, face painting, fall program information from our ministry areas, and fellowship for all ages. All welcome; bring a friend!

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