MPC NEWS MAGAZINE July 2019 What’s Happening in July? What Happened in June?

Student Support Network Summer Mission Focus

This summer, as last year, MPC will be col-lecting supplies for the Student Support Net-work (SSN), an organization that works to improve the lives of Baltimore County stu-dents in poverty by providing food, other basic necessities and advocacy support.

Students now, of course, are celebrating the end of school, but when school starts again in the fall, they will need paper and pencils. However, according to Laurie Mitchell, head of the SSN, more than 50,000 students attending Baltimore Public Schools live in severe poverty, and 2,174 have already been identified as homeless as of January of this year. So they clearly need our help. If you would like to help, Any of these items would keep students well equipped for studies. School Supplies: loose leaf paper (college rule), binders in good condition, pens, pencils, highlighters, erasers, small umbrellas, re-usable water bottles, dividers (packs of 8 best), folders Personal Care items: nail care kits, combs, brushes, deodorant (men’s and women’s), shampoo (small/ medium sizes), lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes (individually wrapped), tissues (small packs and boxes), Chap stick Non-perishable Food: Canned soups, SpaghettiOs or Spaghetti and Meatballs, Baked beans, Rice, Boxes of pasta Canned tuna fish and chicken, Boxes of tuna fish and chicken with crackers, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Fruit in flip-top cans, Boxes/bags of rice and pasta, Mac&Cheese, Cereal Co-chaired by Rosemary Plummer and Dot Atwell

WANTED: Volunteers In July, we will be participating in the fourth annual Woodbourne-McCabe Youth Empowerment Summer

Camp. The outdoor camp will run for two weeks and MPC will partner with Second Presbyterian for the second week, July 22 – July 26. The camp will be held from 11:30AM to 3:30PM at Alhambra Park located right in the neighborhood and will host 50 children

per week, ages 5-11 years old. The theme for this year’s camp is Creating a Better World with God and will include three activity stations: Movement, Crafts and Science. Since Second Pres has a licensed kitchen, they will be providing lunch and snacks for the entire week, with our help. So there are lots of volunteer opportunities...food prepara-tion and transport, activity stations, camp set-up and tear-down, or general helper. If you are interested, be it one day or all five days, please see me. Mary Jo Zimbro

Choir Sunday June 2

The congregation has again been treat-ed to a great choral performance, mark-ing the end to another season of music. Under the direction of MPC’s music director, Greg Metzler, the choir sang in between the regular wor-ship service components. Although several other people have lent their vocal talents to the choir dur-ing the course of the church year, this year’s Choir Day performance consisted of the voices of Anne Culbertson, Purity Njagi, Danelle Gill, Mary Jo Zimbro, Lynne Flanigan, Mary Murray, Jo Sack, Maggie Flanigan, Donna Mistr, J.W. Witcher, and Tim Soirez. Tim Soirez began with a solo perfor-mance of Simple Song, by Leonard Bernstein. It was about as moving a solo as Tim has ever given. A variation of How Great Thou Art followed. Titled, Then Sings My Soul, by Stuart K Hine, it was a beautiful arrangement by Mary McDonald and flawlessly sung by the entire choir. The anthems Fill-a Me Up and You Are Wonderfully Made by

Pepper Choplin followed. As part of the “Lord’s Supper” portion of the worship, Lynn and Mag-gie Flanigan once again sang Our Fa-

ther. And once again, they did a remark-able job, arguably their best ever. The Offertory was the song, God Be In My Head and it featured Anne Culbertson on guitar. Anne also lent her soprano voice in solo parts. Choir Sunday never fails to put the Holy Spirit in MPC and in those who attend. This year’s choir Sunday was no different. Job Well Done! Rick Dezes

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I Remember Branch Branch grew up on a farm in Sykesville; it wasn't until he left home at 16 for Washington College that he lived with electricity, indoor plumbing and running water. Though he was well-known to us as a social worker and an elder, who was dedicated to the mission of the church, Branch did have several earlier adventures. After serving in the Navy as a cryptographer on Guam during World War II, he trav-

eled around the country for a year with a crew selling magazines. After accidentally hitting and killing a horse with a car in Canada, he and his crew were "invited to leave the country" by the RCMP. Months later, in St. Louis on his way home, he and a buddy were misidentified as jewelry store thieves, picked up by police in a Black Maria, and spent a few hours in jail before being released after the beaten jewelry store owner said, "They're not the ones." In 1948, Branch arrived home in Sykesville just in time for his sister's wedding! Linda Koch Branch had the strongest and best handshake of anyone I ever met. I always looked forward to greet-ing him on Sunday mornings. Mary Jo Zimbro I loved that Branch remained active in church af-fairs right up to the end. When it was time to approve David as Pastor, he asked to make the motion. He stood, using his walker, and loudly declared that we should make him our minister. Carol Mason I remember a scene from a Providence Players mu-sical written by Jane Schnepfe that took place in the 20’s. Dressed in period costumes, I had one arm car-rying a wicker picnic basket and the other arm en-twined with Branch’s arm walking down the aisle to the stage as we were depicted on our way to Tolches-ter on the boat. It was a great deal of fun. Alma Smith When Carol and Loren and I moved to Providence Rd in 1975, I would leave for work around 6:30 am. As I got to the stretch between Cowpens and the church, I would always see Branch jogging…hooded sweatshirt, sweatpants, same running gait. He’d al-ways look me in the eye as I passed. Little did I know I’d be his fellow congregant 15 years later! Rick Dezes Both Ro and I have a lot of respect for Branch. He cared so much for MPC and his mission work for Butoke and Madre in El Salvador. He always had a smile and a twinkle in his eyes when he saw us. We miss Branch dearly. Dot & Ro I had known Branch and Dickens since the 1960s. We were friends. I visited him a few times a week in Hal-lowell at Broadmead. He was totally "the old Branch" even three days before he died, when I last saw him. Sibylle Ehrlich

Meet Our New Members

Tim and Sandy O’Neil just joined MPC recently. They now live in the Perry Hall area but in the past have called San Diego and Claremont, CA, Lancaster, NY, and the Dickeyville neighborhood in Baltimore their homes. Tim and Sandy have a daughter, Erin, who along with her husband, Tim, has given them three granddaugh-ters…Olivia, Tabitha, and Georgia. Tim is a territory sales manager, dealing with wholesale millwork. Sandy is now retired but was an executive assistant at Loyola University. They both like to keep active by traveling and hiking, and swimming and gardening. Both like to dine out and go to movies and enjoy jazz and chamber music. Welcome to MPC, Tim and Sandy! We’re so very glad you found us. Rick Dezes

Branch also worked with Light Street Housing on be-half of the church. He helped raise money and enlisted volunteers to make repairs. Bruce Layton The only memory I, a newcomer, have of Branch is that he was like an immovable object whenever he made up his mind about something. That probably served him well in human/social services and State bureaucracy! J.W. Witcher Branch Warfield was an inspiration in so many ways. His passionate and determination to help sustain what Cecile DeSweemer had started in Butoke was, in my mind, heroic. He was dedicated to Mary-land Presbyterian Church. He could be gentle and irate at the same time and dig his heels in for what he be-lieved. I loved and respected him, and he will be truly missed by me and all at MPC. PJ Widerman Probably Branch’s most important contribution was his fervent participation in missions He was on the Friends of Butoke board and joined others on trips to El Salvador. Mission was one of the bright MPC activ-ities that lured Brad and me to the church in 1996, when Dickens was still very active, too. He was with us on the committee until just a couple years ago. Jo Sack Branch was a major presence in the life of MPC. I didn't have a chance to go to El Salvador with him, or be on stage with him. What I remember is that passion he had for what was just and good and how he walked the walk every bit as effectively as he talked the talk. He will be missed! Mary Gaut

Providence Press Published for

the members and friends of Maryland Presbyterian Church,

1105 Providence Road, Towson, Maryland 21286.

(410) 825-0719 Editors: Jo Sack, Rick Dezes

Production and distribution Lauren Rohrs Other Contributors to this Issue: David Norse, Mary Jo Zimbro, Rosemary Plummer, Dot Atwell, Justin Gallardo, Angela Breakey

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Editorial Comment Golf link Rolf Carter has a handicap, can’t drive. Before his stroke, he belonged to a bird-watching club, his favorite birdie, an eagle. Today he just putters around. His partner, Sandie, says “Oh it’s TeeTime,” so she unplugs her iron and takes him a cup of tee with a slice of multigrain toast and some chips at a round, green table. He consumes the hole thing. “Wood you please put your cup on the cart,” she said, “I’m about to check the rat trap in the yard.” “Please gimme some water and some magic markers; I have nine letters to write,” Rolf re-quested and went to sit in the swing to write. “Yes,” she said, “but I thought you had only fore,” her dimple dipping with her smile. Sandie sings soprano in the choir. She has perfect pitch. For lunch, Sandie made Mulligan stew. “Don’t lie now,” Rolf said, “did you really cut up all those vegetables? Of course, she replied, it’s the fair way. That night Rolf hung his clothes on a hook and went to sleep, he dreamed he was at a ball but sud-denly there was a bogey man under the bed and he thought he heard him say, “We are your lord and Masters.” Sandie awakened him with a grip, saying, “Open your eyes, you are moaning something hazard-ous.” “I saw,” he answered, “a Tiger in the Woods.” Jo Sack

Laugh of the Month Classy Insults He has Van Gogh's ear for music." Billy Wilder I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But I'm afraid this wasn't it." Groucho Marx His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork." Mae West

Anileen Grey and Bill Breakey are pictured here extracting honey on June 1st, as we continue the MPC Bee project, created by the SAGE folks.

Mission Update ACTC is due to receive $2,269, that is, the budgeted $1500 and $769 from the envelopes. We also filled 11 boxes with food products, disappointingly fewer than our hoped for 20. An additional amount of $250 was received and sent to Child Health Foundation. Bread for the World will be sent our annual membership check of $350 and OGHS will be sent the $1,069 collected.

Thank you for your generosity.

May Session Digest The majority of our May Session meeting was spent utiliz-ing the “Mission Possible” exercise. This game introduces and utilizes design thinking for social change. We will be using a similar process for creating our 2020 budget, by con-sidering what we want to accomplish, and creatively utilizing the resources we have as a community to fulfill our mission as a church. We also received a report from the mission com-mittee, who have been discussing proposed changes to how we fund and conceptualize mission, shifting to a more rela-tional and hands-on framework that centers the impact we want to accomplish with specific requests from the congrega-tional budget, and opportunities for direct service and rela-tionship building. This conversation is ongoing. The Session approved that, with the grant funding we were pursuing for Max Hill’s position, we offer the position to Leigh Erdman. She would create our children’s ministry, cre-ate opportunities for fellowship and spiritual growth for LGBTQ+ Christians in our area, and organize actions to cre-ate relational mission opportunities, Danell Gill was elected as Treasurer and Carol Mason as clerk for two year terms, and Donna Mistr will head up a Nominating Committee. We also discussed creating a proper-ty and grounds master plan, so that we can have a prioritized list of projects and needs based on our mission. As we grow as a church, we face complicated questions about how to prioritize our work, but we are also blessed with an abundance of passionate disciples, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Please pray for your Elders as we step bold-ly into our future. Rev. David Norse

Come join us after worship on July 21st at 11:30 to paint our newly constructed rain barrels that will be installed in front of the building. Lunch will be served. Justin Gallardo Also a workshop for painting your own barrel. Advance registration required by July 15th. Register online at: https://gunpowdervalleyconservancy.org/event/rain-barrel-july-21/

Thursday Choir rehearsal 7:30 PM (Returning in Sept.) Sunday Worship 10:30 AM Communion Sunday, to be announced

July 2019 Sat 6 Pop Up Kick-ball 1:00 to 3:00 PM Sun 7 Worship 10:30 AM Wed 10 Spiritual Practices 7:00 PM Sun 14 Worship 10:30 AM Mon 15 Session 6:30 PM Wed 17 Spiritual Practices 7:00 PM Sun 21 Worship 10:30 AM Sun 28 Worship 10:30 AM Wed 31 Summer Soul Night 6:00

Mission: To be a welcoming, progressive faith community, nurturing inquisitive Christians for life and service in the twenty-first century.

Church Staff Rev. David Norse, Minister Greg Metzler, Director of Music Anne E. Culbertson, Choir Section Leader Lauren Rohrs, Administrative Director Kathy Ramirez, Custodian

Visit our Website at www.mpc.org

MPC News Magazine Maryland Presbyterian Church 1105 Providence Road Towson, Maryland 21286 mpc@mpc.org

Spiritual Practice Gatherings July 10th, 17th Folks of all ages and abilities who want to practice being loved by God and neighbor more are invited to join us as we engage in different spiritual practices, from the Examen, to walking the labyrinth, centering prayer to lectio divina, utilizing the beauty of our prop-erty to experience the Holy in our midst. We will have games and activities, along with spaces for stillness and contemplation.

Summer Soul Night Family Dinner 6:00 PM July 31st, Join us for an evening of sharing a meal, stories, and playing some games. There will be activi-ties to grow as disciples for folks of all ages, abilities, beliefs and doubts alike. Bring your friends!

June Activities

Left: Cindi Lamb Wiley sings an Aretha Franklyn solo with the Deep Rooted Folk on June 9..

Left: Carol Mason’s niece, Ava, helping with the honey extraction...filling bottles of honey on June 1st. Above: Rev. David, along with MPC members, Cheryl Payne and Sandy O’Neil, meet with Md. Representative Sarbanes staff member in DC on June 2 as they deliver the 109 letters written by MPC members and blessed at the Offering of Letters Sunday worship service May 19.

· Treasurer’s Report May 2019 MPC’s PNC Bank reconciled balance fell to $9,808 at the end of April (and currently is listed at about $16,000 at PNC online). Persistent deficits and congregational giving that is about $6,200 or 15% below Budget have led to this reality. MPC’s payroll alone totals about $12,500/month. Deposits in the first two Sundays of May totaled about $3500, a portion of which is restricted. A further transfer in from Endowment funds is needed to improve cash flow and avoid overdraft at PNC. MPC operated with a total deficit of $16,503 during March ($7,389) and April ($9,114). Though April payroll expense was higher than normal due to catch-up payments for pastoral benefits and 403b contributions (a result of provider accounting and procedural changes), the payroll expenses are nonetheless recurring and count against operations. Through 4 months of 2019, MPC has operated with a cumulative operating deficit of ($26,107), not including Endowment income for 2018 deficit recovery. Congregational giving to Restricted appeals during March and April was $3,079 and totaled $8,587 through four months. Building 2018 Fund expenditures for tree removal and an extensive new security system have left the Fund with a negative balance of ($6,042). Similarly, the Music Fund shows a negative balance of ($2,627), primarily due to expenses for Deep Rooted Folk and other soloists. YTD 04/30/2019 Income and Expense, Balance Sheet and Fund Highlights

(Statements Available on Request) Operating Income: $48,950 – not including 2018 deficit recovery income Operating Expenses: $75,056 Operating Gain/Loss $(26,106) Operating Funds Available: $ (26,099) Reconciled PNC Balance: $9,808 Restricted Fund Balances: Mission: $1,849 General: $2,236 Memorials: $28,378 Total Endowment: $ 347,719 J. Wright Witcher The session approved an additional transfer from Endowment Funds into PNC bank of $41,000 (sufficient to zero out negative fund balances and cover two months payroll.) Our Treasurer and Administrator will monitor PNC each week before writing checks and stop writing checks if the bank balance falls lower than required to cover payroll. All checks (including Property other than utilities) must have a signed requisition approval. To address our deficits, our budget planning will be organized differently for 2020. The desired goal would be to eliminate the budget deficit while fulfilling our mission in the world. To help reduce property costs, Purity is working on a grant from Divinity Lutheran’s foundation to create a Sexton position who can help with building and grounds maintenance, and snow removal (which would provide us with substantial savings).

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