Dear Church Family and Friends,

As you know, as of July 1, 2008, I will become an officially retired member of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. At that time I will have completed 21 years of ministry to Bel Air United Methodist Church.

At the age of 40, I was called by God into the ministry. At that time, I had no idea what that would mean. Maybe I could teach, maybe I could counsel. I entered seminary in the fall of 1986, and it wasn’t too long before I realized that God called me into the ordained ministry. With the support of my pastor, and the congregation of Jarrettsville UMC, and with major support from my husband, Bill, I answered the call.

As part of my first year studies, we were to visit and evaluate a church that was different from our home church. I chose Bel Air UMC. When I completed that time here, Rev. Charles Lightner called me into his office and asked if I would like to do my internship here. That was in 1987. So with air under my feet and tears in my eyes, I answered “Yes.” You see, I had already fallen in love with this congregation.

In 1989, I was ordained a Deacon and was given the job of “Assistant Minister.” In 1990, I graduated from Wesley Seminary and was appointed by then Bishop Yeakel to be “Associate Minister.” In 1992, I was ordained a full Elder. It was very unusual for someone not to be appointed to a different church at that time. But I stayed. When I started, I was in charge of Evangelism. Later I became Youth Minister, and when Rev. John Lebo retired, I took over Congregational Care. That is where I believe God knew my spiritual gifts would serve best. The program has grown far beyond expectations with a lot of help from many of you.

It was on Thanksgiving Day in 1993 that I worked with a team of our members to re-open Mt. Carmel Chapel. For 15 years it has been a beacon of Christ’s light to the Emmorton community.

Rev. Lightner and Rev. Lebo were wonderful mentors and colleagues. I will never forget the fun we had -- along with the serious work of ministry. Rev. Barry Hidey came in 1999, and I would like to think I taught him a thing or two about ministry in Bel Air. But he came with his own gifts and talents, and we have become good friends as well as colleagues. In fact, I consider all of our Staff dear friends.

It has been quite a journey to have ministered to this congregation for so long. I consider it an honor to have heard your stories, to have cried with you, prayed with you and celebrated with you. I fall to my knees in thanksgiving as I have seen you triumph over your troubles. Many of you have embraced Jesus more closely

and have been transformed by Him. A pastor could ask for nothing better.

And now it is time for Bill and me to begin a new journey. I have no doubt that God will be with us leading us into new ventures. And while you have heard us speak of Williamsburg as the place where we would retire, we have made a wiser decision to stay in Bel Air, near our family and friends -- and doctors. We will be seeing you at the grocery, the library, the Farmer’s Market, yard sales, and so many other places we go. This time, however, we will greet you as friends, and not in a pastor/congregant relationship.

I do hope you take the time to carefully read the article written by Jane Russell, chair of our Staff/Parish Relations Committee. She will explain Conference policy about pastors leaving an appointment. Come July, I will no longer be available for pastoral counseling, weddings, funerals, baptisms, or visitation. Bill and I will be spending our Sundays visiting our friends who pastor other congregations and checking out some of the other churches in the area. We are, though, retaining our relationship with Bel Air UMC as members. We have a long trip planned in which we will cruise from Vancouver, through the Panama Canal, and then into Brazil before docking in Tampa, Florida. At that point we will rent a car and visit with family in that state. The District Superintendent has my phone number and when we get back, I may accept some preaching assignments in other churches from time to time.

The Conference Policy is a good one. It gives you the opportunity to embrace Rev. Carol Pazdersky as your Pastor, but it also gives me the freedom to move on with my life. Bill and I have a new home with lots of projects. I have hundreds of books beckoning me to read, and I have craft projects that have been patiently waiting for my free time. I also want to spend some time with God in order to discern what God wants me to do next. That takes time, and I don’t want to rush into things. I also want to get re-acquainted with my grandchildren who have not had enough of my time. Bill and I also plan to spend some quality time together.

So, it is my prayer that you give Rev. Carol the gracious love and care that you have given to me over the years. Carol and I have been friends for many years. We have many things in common and the same likes and dislikes. It’s almost eerie. However, Carol has her own gifts and graces from God, and she is not me. Please don’t compare us, but accept her for who she is, just as you have accepted me.

You as a congregation are a pastor’s dream. You have been so gracious, so willing to try new things, so loving and generous. I pray that God richly blesses you all on your own journeys, both individually and as a congregation.

Your Sister in Christ,

Peggy

Rev. Peggy Groseclose

Senior Associate Minister

What the United Methodist Church says regarding the changing of pastors…

from Jane Russell, Chair, Staff-Parish Relations Committee

As we send Pastor Peggy Groseclose off to a well-deserved retirement, those who have not experienced changing pastors before may wonder if she would still be available to perform special church duties such as weddings, funerals, etc., or just to continue to pastor those who know her well. The answer is “No.” The Baltimore-Washington Conference has rules to protect both the outgoing pastor with a clean exit, and the incoming pastor with a fresh start and no gray areas of who does what. Here is the policy:

“1. As of the effective date of the new appointment [or retirement], a pastor shall immediately cease all pastoral counseling and pastoral visitation with members or member families in the previous appointment. Since appointments are generally announced several weeks in advance, each pastor has adequate time in which to effect closure and make appropriate referral to another for the pastoral care of members.

2. Pastors shall have a clear understanding with the former congregation that they will not return to officiate at baptisms, weddings, and funerals, or do pastoral counseling or pastoral visitation in that parish. Pastors, active or retired, shall respectfully decline to participate in such duties when invited by members of a former congregation. Declining all such invitations is the responsibility of the previous pastor. The present pastor, at his or her discretion, may invite the previous pastor to return for pastoral functions. However, the present pastor should never be under any pressure to invite the previous pastor.”

from the Baltimore/Washington Conference Policy Manual

The policy is intended to set a clear standard to follow without questions or hurt feelings. As there have been many blessings in the relationships made with Pastor Peggy, the policy is intended to afford those same opportunities to her predecessor; and we pray for the blessings that await Peggy in her retirement endeavors and adventures.

During the Retirement Program for Rev. Peggy & Bill Groseclose,

the following announcement was made and a plaque was presented:

PRAYER CHAPEL dedicated to

Rev. Marguerite B. (Peggy) Groseclose

in appreciation of 21 years of ministry to and caring

for the congregation of Bel Air United Methodist Church

1987 – 2008

A second plaque was also presented:

In appreciation of The Groseclose Family

G. Stuart Groseclose

September 22, 1910 – August 2, 1985

Sunday School Superintendent and Founder of Boy Scout Troop 777

F. Elma Trego Groseclose

August 12, 1911 – April 30, 1982

Church Secretary

William T. Groseclose

Bookkeeper

Renovation of the existing Prayer Chapel will begin soon. These two plaques,

and the “awesome” Iron Nature cross, will then be displayed.

Dear Congregation and Friends,

To say the least, Bill and I were blown away by all the activities of the weekend. Alice Archer and the Hospitality Committee put together a great meal. The Chocolate Fountain was the hit of the evening! The Pastor Peggy Party Planning Committee outdid themselves with the theme of hearts. So did you with your gifts. For those who couldn’t get there, you -- the congregation -- presented me with a beautiful diamond heart necklace, Bill with a wonderful glass cabinet for his salt and pepper shaker collection, and both of us with a very nice check (the “Love Gift”). In addition, a cross that Bill and I had admired at a conference several years ago and decided would be wonderful for the Prayer Chapel amazingly appeared for the Prayer Chapel, which will be dedicated to God in the name of the Groseclose Family. Bill’s late Aunt Elma (former Bel Air UM Church Secretary) and Uncle Stuart Groseclose (founder of Boy Scout Troop 777 and Sunday School Superintendant for many years at the old church on Main Street) would be exceedingly pleased, too, I’m sure. There were so many other gifts -- too many to mention here. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

Yes, the Chancel Choir, too, outdid themselves on the last Sunday I preached with “Total Praise,” which I have loved ever since they sang it after 9-11. All of your well wishes have been so great. Bill and I can’t say “Thank You” enough for all that you are, for your friendship and care over the years, as well as for the gifts and great send-off. We will miss you.

Like the Energizer Bunny that keeps on going, Bill and I will be around until the end of June. Bill will even be in the office a little in July to help Phyllis Kordek [our new Bookkeeper] close out the June books. Our plans are evolving for the summer, and it’s already getting busy. About a year ago we started planning a retirement cruise (we leave in late September), and your gifts and your love will be going with us. May God’s richest blessings and grace abound and shine on you.

All our love,

Peggy and Bill Groseclose

LETTING GO IS HARD.

No one told me how hard it was going to be walking down the aisle of Bel Air UMC. How many times have I done that over the last 9 years? I think I have made that trip over a thousand times, and it was never so hard and so short when I walked down that aisle with my daughter Rachel on Saturday evening, June 21. The night before, at rehearsal, it was beginning to sink in that I was walking her down to begin a lifelong relationship to the one person that would now be the center of her life. I have known that Justin was the one that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. I knew that there is a reason a daughter shall leave her father and mother and be united to her husband. Marriage is a good and wonderful gift and I want her to be married to the “half that makes her whole.”

Still, knowing all of that didn’t make it easy. So on Saturday, I was ready to present Rachel to Justin. When Doug hit those first notes of “Trumpet Voluntary” and Cheryl motioned for me to walk through the doorway, I gave God the thanks for the blessing of Rachel and moved towards the center aisle. Then the walk down that aisle was way too short. I wanted to live in the moment. I wanted to celebrate all the good things that were happening and were going to happen. We made it the front, I gave Rachel a kiss and put her hand into Justin’s and sat down. God is good.

Letting go is hard. I don’t know how many times I have walked down the aisle of Bel Air UMC with The Reverend Peggy Groseclose. I would think that most of my thousand trips down that aisle have been with Peggy. There have been some wonderful times. We walked with Bishop May and celebrated the dedication of the Armstrong Center and the building renovations and the installation of the balcony. We have walked down the aisle for the great celebrations of Easter, Christmas, Confirmation, Ash Wednesday, or just a hot old summer Sunday morning. Peggy and I have walked down that aisle with a heavy heart for funerals, memorial services, and 9-11 prayer services. We have walked down that aisle to celebrate hundreds of baptisms, over 700 receptions of new members, and the installation, commissioning, and graduation recognition of over 1,000 people.

It didn’t matter what was going to happen at the end of the aisle, we never went down that aisle without being at peace with each other and knowing that we had the other’s full support for whatever the service would bring. I have been blessed in so many ways, to share these 9 years with Peggy. We have laughed and cried together. We prayed and planned, schemed and complained, struggled and celebrated together. There is no one person that I have been in ministry longer with than Peggy. And so walked down that aisle this past Sunday with both sadness and thanksgiving. Sad, because I will miss the daily support and interaction that I have become so used to. Thankful, for all the many blessings that she has brought to me and my family. Thankful that she gets to retire and enjoy the time with her half that makes her whole and not have to watch the clock or worry about when she needs to run off and care for one more person or deal with another church crisis.

Letting go… We all have to do that. Rev. Matt Hall made it very clear in the ceremony that parents need to let go of their children and the United Methodist Church makes it very clear that we need to let Peggy go. It will be hard. I know that many of you will be sad (or are already) and will miss Peggy. It won’t be easy for some, but we know that we need to let Peggy go, so that she can enjoy all that life holds for her and Bill. We can pray for her, we can still consider her a friend. It’s just she won’t be our pastor anymore.

So Thank You, Peggy, for the blessings that you have given to so many of us! You have been there for us -- at our hospital beds, at our baptisms and weddings. You have held our hands as we have cried at the loss of someone that we didn’t know how to let go of. You found a way for us, when we didn’t see the way. You made us laugh and smile. You always loved us, even when we were not all that loveable. Simply, you were Jesus to us.

So Thank You, Peggy! You will be missed by us all!

In Jesus,

Barry

Celebrate the 4th of July with your church family!

Make a donation to the Volunteers In Mission (VIM) Team and get a great parking spot here at the church.

Enjoy a picnic supper on the church lawn. Buy a hot dog and soda or water from the VIM Team in support of Habitat for Humanity, and then have a snowball or milkshake to benefit the Exit412 Student Ministry.

The Bel Air Parade route goes right down Linwood Avenue past the church, so we’ve got front row seats!

REV. STAN CARDWELL

will officially begin his ministry

with Bel Air UMC on July 1, 1008.

Come to an Ice Cream Social on Sunday, July 13

at 12:30 PM in McComas Hall

to welcome Stan and his family to Bel Air!

July Sermon Series

The Forgotten Ways

We welcome Rev. Stan Cardwell to our staff.

He will be preaching this series.

July 13 - What I Remembered (Ephesians 4:1-13)

July 20 - What We’ve Forgotten (Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20)

July 27 - Great Expectations (John 15:1-8)

What is the Off-Site Ministry?

The Off-Site Ministry (OSM) is an outreach of Bel Air United Methodist Church created to serve in the mission’s fields of Harford County, Maryland. It is a bold mission to transform hearts, lives, and communities through relational and hands-on ministry. Our mission begins with our neighbors in Abingdon, Maryland.

Guiding Goals

OSM will be a continuation of the Mission, Vision, and Core Values of Bel Air UMC. Guided by our mission to “Show, Know, and Grow,” we are committed to building a community that shows Christ to the world, increases in the knowledge of truth, and grows into a life-changing, outreaching, and contagious presence in Harford County. After the example of Christ and the model of community in Acts 2:42-47, we will:

▪ Build a network of small groups designed for discipleship, ministry, and outreach.

▪ Engage with non-Christians in Abingdon and invite them to participate in OSM activities.

▪ Prayerfully select ministries where we can meet the deepest needs of the broadest population in the community.

▪ Build a faith community that will value and engage all members as ministers, helping them grow and equipping

them to serve.

▪ Make leader development and multiplication a priority for all our ministries.

Building Community

With the help of the Holy Spirit, OSM seeks to create a community that invites people into God’s presence. We will pursue a standard of excellence in providing community experiences that are relevant, well organized, and open to the movement of the Spirit. We will invite all people to take new steps of faith toward Christ. The values that we hold in community are:

▪ Welcoming people at all levels of seeking and believing.

▪ Providing a place of acceptance and belonging.

▪ Offering hope, prayer, and practical help for those in crisis.

▪ Connecting participants with resources that meet their needs.

▪ Providing easy, inviting steps into small groups.

▪ Helping people learn and grow in faith.

Reaching Out

OSM believes disciple-making is about relationships. We are committed to planting seeds of faith by showing Christ’s love through hands-on mission and ministry. We plan to nurture spiritual growth through mentoring, modeling, and teaching, and to continually invite new people into the life and ministry of OSM. Small groups will be resourced as outreach arms that connect from non-Christians and invite them to explore questions of faith. Ultimately, OSM plans to launch additional off-site ministries to reach new communities for Christ.

Building Our Team

We believe God is already preparing members of Bel Air UMC and residents of Abingdon to join us in the Off-Site Ministry. If you would like to learn more, contact the Church Office (410-838-5181) or talk with one of our team members: Rev. Stan Cardwell (OSM Pastor), Michelle Cardwell, Jay & Lisa Wohnlich, Mac & Cindy Caldwell, Jen Lewis, Bridget Steg, and Tony Pitrat.

☼ THANK YOU to all the marvelous volunteers who served in POWER LAB Vacation Bible School. Over 300 children attended to discover the miraculous power of Jesus! Please pray for the seeds of faith that have been planted in the hearts of the children, that they would be watered, nurtured, and grown.

☼ Children’s Summer Sunday School – This special program begins on June 29. 9:20 AM: Ages 2-4 will have classes as usual. Kindergarten through Grade 5 will begin in worship with their parents, be dismissed for an active time of learning following the Children’s Message, and then return to the Sanctuary on the last hymn for dismissal. 11:00 AM: Classes for Kindergarten through Grade 5 will remain the same, but there will be NO CLASS for Ages 3 & 4. They will be lovingly cared for in the Childcare Room 108.

☼ THANK YOU to the children of the Sunday School who during March, April, and May collected $630.14 for our Mission Project: Heifer International. Throughout the school year, our children have collected over $1,200 for community and international missions! Congratulations!

Bel Air United Methodist Church Scholarships

The Bel Air UMC Scholarship Fund came about by the generosity of Ben and Rachel Tobin, because of their love for this church and its youth. Rachel was a math teacher in Aberdeen, and her husband Ben worked for Harford Mutual Insurance Company. This was a love gift, given in 1980, that has turned into a memorial that continues to live, continues to give yearly, lifting up the youth of this church who embrace Jesus Christ and support its programs and missions.

Ben and Rachel had a vision and they valued education. Over the years, members of our church family have added to the Tobin’s original gift of $10,000 so that today it has increased to $11,200 of principle. The scholarship money comes from the interest and principle, memorials, our special offering for scholarships, donations from the Bel Air High School students who use our church parking lot, a yearly gift from the United Methodist Women, and this year’s Dining to Donate fundraisers at Applebee’s (we made $141) and Baja Fresh (we made $74). Thanks to all of you who supported these efforts.

The criteria used to determine the scholarship awards are Church Involvement, Academic Achievement, and Character. Serving on the committee this year were Sandy Conway, Sally Moen, Lou Sedlak, Tom Hodges, Dr. Brad Undem, Nancy Undem, Carol Sherman, Carol McCormack, and Connie Schepers (Chair).

This year’s recipients are, as in years past, very impressive young people. They are involved in church – confirmation, confirmation mentors, Vacation Bible School assistants, on the Youth Council, TNT, Fuel, and Ignite Worship. They have helped on mission teams to Louisiana and Baltimore, including Saturday School. They have volunteered at the Toy Workshop, Manna House, and Habitat for Humanity. Outside of church, they have coached cheerleading for Parks and Rec, become an Eagle Scout, walked in Relay for Life, been an Earth Day volunteer, been a Girl Scout. In school, we find them active in Student Government, Young Life, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the National Honor Society, Future Educators of America, and as sports managers. On top of all these activities, these young people have also held down part-time jobs. They are all well rounded, very energetic, gifted young people.

Here are the 2008 scholarship recipients:

● Stephanie Foley graduated from C. Milton Wright High School. She will attend Liberty University, majoring in Elementary Education

● Andrew Graham graduated from Harford Technical High School. He will attend Harford Community College and work in the HVAC field.

● David Hughes graduated from C. Milton Wright High School. He will attend Harford Community College and then transfer to a university to study Business Administration.

● Austin Langenfelder graduated from Bel Air High School. He will attend Harford Community College, majoring in Criminal Justice.

● Emily Mize graduated from C. Milton Wright High School. She will attend the University of Maryland, majoring in Business.

● Joshua Tenerowicz graduated from John Carroll School. He will attend Mississippi State and major in Meteorology.

● Kimberly Young graduated from Bel Air High School. She will attend Shippensburg University, majoring in Elementary Education.

NEIGHBORS IN NEED CANNED FOOD FOR SENIORS

Needed: Senior Food is delivered monthly,

Soups & Broths on the last Thursday of every month,

Fruits to 225 seniors in Harford County.

Vegetables

Coffee Our ministry is running critically short

Meats & Pasta of canned food. Prayerfully consider

(Spam, Vienna Sausages, donating any of the items listed.

Spaghetti-O’s, etc.)

Fish (Tuna, Salmon, etc.) Bring canned food to the collection barrels

at the McComas or Armstrong entrances

by Sunday, July 27.

BLOOD DRIVE NEWS

♥ May Results… A total of 50 willing donors came out in support of our Blood Drive on May 12, 2008. The donations collected included four “Double Red” donations and 33 individual units. On behalf of the Red Cross and the many blood recipients it supports, we express sincere thanks to everyone who supported our Blood Drive.

♥ Summer Safety… Historically, as our outdoor and recreational activities increase during the summer months, our accident rate – and the need for blood donations – also increases. However, because of vacations and many other activities, blood donations tend to decrease, resulting in critical shortages. Please do your part to help in reducing both of these problems. Take the time to exercise caution and be safe as you and your family enjoy your summer activities. And take the time to be a blood donor at our next Blood Drive.

♥ Our next Blood Drive will be on Monday, July 14. The signup sheet for appointments is located across from the Church Office. Please consider donating to help those whose health – and possibly life – depends on willing donors.

TAKE THE LIGHTNER LIBRARY WITH YOU

ON YOUR SUMMER VACATION

Are you facing a long, boring drive to your favorite vacation spot this summer?

Why not listen to a new audio book from the Lightner Library during the drive?

Here are just a few of our NEW selections:

Beyond Tuesday Morning and Redemption Collection (includes 5 books in series), by Karen Kingsbury

The Englisher and The Brethren, by Beverly Lewis

A Sister’s Secret, by Wanda Brunstetter

90 Minutes in Heaven, by Don Piper

Same Kind of Different as Me, by Ron Hall

Cross and the Switchblade, by David Wilkerson

And the Shofar Blew, by Francine Rivers

Don’t forget to take along a videotape for the kids. Our selection of Veggie Tales tapes will please even the most restless traveler!

COME SEE US AT THE LIGHTNER LIBRARY BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR VACATION!

Mountain Christian Church will offer the Financial Freedom Class for anyone who is single, separated, or divorced. This money management seminar, based on scriptural financial principles, will be held on four consecutive Saturdays from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM, beginning on August 16. Topics include financial pitfalls to avoid, income tax issues, estate tax and insurance matters, fundamental Biblical financial principles of money management, and short-range financial planning. The cost is $25 to cover a workbook and materials. You can register on-line at www.mountainchristian.org. For information, contact Mary Bach at 410-877-1842, ext. 131. Space is limited.

Youth With A Mission

To the Bel Air United Methodist Congregation:

My name is Donny Warfel. Some of you may know me while others may not. I served as a worship leader for the TNT Youth Group for the four years of my high school career. The Lord has presented an opportunity for me to attend Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Honolulu, Hawaii, to complete a Discipleship Training School (DTS). As you can imagine, the costs for this trip are quite expensive, and the leadership of Bel Air UMC gracefully decided to sow $500 from the mission fund for this trip. I am grateful to the congregation and leadership of Bel Air United Methodist for this.

YWAM is the world’s largest mission organization, with around 16,000 full-time missionaries serving nearly anywhere you can think of in the world. A DTS is an entry level school of training for missions and, at completion, will qualify me to become a full-time missionary under YWAM. The school is split up into two phases, the first being a lecture phase where I will spend time in a classroom for 3 months, learning from leaders within YWAM. The second phase is called the outreach phase, in which I will travel to an assigned YWAM mission base and spend 3 months serving. As of now, I do not plan on doing that, but Honolulu’s DTS will prepare me for what the Lord is calling me to do.

So once again I want to thank the leadership and congregation of Bel Air UMC for sowing into what the Lord is doing in me. If you would like more information about YWAM or want to sow into me in a personal way, please feel free to contact me by phone at 443-910-4289.

Blessings,

Donny Warfel

DONATE YOUR EMPTY INKJET AND TONER CARTRIDGES

AND HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR

Bel Air United Methodist Women

Please donate your empty inkjet and toner cartridges to help raise much-needed mission funding. The Bel Air United Methodist Women are taking part in a unique fundraising program designed to assist in preserving the environment and enabling our organization to earn additional dollars for each empty inkjet and toner cartridge donated during this collection.

According to current statistics, only 5% of empty printer cartridges are being recycled. This means that 95% of these items are simply discarded and end up in landfill sites. Dumping these no longer used items into our landfills could possibly add contamination to our soil. The United Methodist Women can turn these used devices into cash. Don’t throw them away, recycle them today!

Plastics used in printer cartridges can take over 10 centuries (over 1,000 years) to decompose. It also takes 2½ ounces of oil to make one new inkjet cartridge. Besides taking up room in our already limited landfill sites, this is bad news for the environment! Fortunately, there’s a simple solution to it all – all cartridges we are taking will be 100% recycled, saving valuable space in landfill sites and also on oil reserves.

Please join the United Methodist Women in the effort as we collect and recycle empty inkjet and toner cartridges for our organization. Your help with this recycling program will benefit the Bel Air United Methodist Women, as well as the environment. There are collection bins at the Welcome Center and under the UMW’s “Go Green” bulletin board (located just across from the side exit door from the Sanctuary).

Three Steps to Membership

At Bel Air United Methodist Church, our commitment to you begins on the day of your first visit. We aspire to help you grow in discipleship, and to be there for you in the joys and sorrows of life. Membership is about your commitment. It is where you confirm your faith in Christ, and your partnership in the mission and ministry of our church. If you would like to become a member, the steps to membership are easy and can be completed in any order. We’ve outlined them below so you can decide what your next step will be.

1. Attend a Discovery Luncheon. We invite you to join us for an informal lunch with our pastors. Whether you are a newcomer or a regular attender, Discovery is a unique opportunity to hear our pastors tell their story, and learn more about our church. The next Discovery Luncheon is Sunday, September 14, 12:30-2:00 PM. Sign up for Discovery by contacting Lisa Wong Wolf at 410-838-5181, ext. 17, or wolfl@baumc.com.

2. Get connected. Join a home fellowship group, an adult class, or an on-going ministry in our church that puts you in connection with other members. We believe the church is made of people, growing and serving together to reflect Christ’s love in the world. To learn more about ways to serve and grow with us, check out our website at www.baumc.com, or call the Church Office.

3. Come to our 2-session Membership Class. You’ll get an overview of what it means to be called United Methodist, and how you can continue to grow and serve at Bel Air UMC according to your unique, God-given design. You’ll also make some new friends! Our next Membership Class will be held in the Fall, and we receive people into membership about twice a year. Please register in advance by completing the New Member Profile, or by contacting Lisa Wong Wolf.

Bel Air United Methodist Church

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES

8:00 AM (Communion), 9:20 & 11:00 AM in Linwood Sanctuary

9:20 AM Ignite Youth Worship in McComas Hall

7:00 PM Evening Worship at Mt. Carmel Chapel

MORNING FELLOWSHIP in McComas Hall – 8:45-9:15 AM and 10:30-11:15 AM

SPIRE SCHEDULE:

Deadline

August 2008 Friday, August 1

SPIRE Editor - Alice Archer

SPIRE Mailing - Sandy and Palmer Paules

SPIRE Circulation - Bruce Allen, Margaret Browning, Audrey Tolston Coale,

Shirley Cooney, Phyllis Cooper, Elaine Crowe, Lloyd & Kathleen Fry, Bob & Sue Gillette,

Pat Grahe, Nellie Graybeal, Betty Hartsock, Jean Henderson, Garner Jones, Elsie Kaste, Mary Ann Keele, LeRoy Knepper, Jane Knode, Glenn & Edith Leydig, Irene Littleton,

Shirley MacLean, Wayne & Jane Mason, Jean Moore, Duke & Nancy Paris,

John & Shirley Renshaw, Doris Scholl, Norma Smith, Ruth Smithson, Carole Vangrin,

Mary Walker, Marguerite Ward

BAUMC ON-LINE... The SPIRE is posted on our webpage at www.baumc.com.

The e-Spire, a weekly update of information, devotions, upcoming events and activities, and a printout of the previous week’s sermon, is distributed via e-mail (usually on Fridays). If you would like to receive the e-Spire, please send your e-mail address to info@baumc.com. If you do not have e-mail and would like to read the e-Spire, copies are available at the Welcome Center.

Here are the e-mail addresses for the church staff. Please use these addresses for information, announcements, prayer concerns, etc. Use e-mail for any questions you have or to sign up for any church activities.

Archer, Alice archera@baumc.com

Behrendt, Joni behrendtj@baumc.com

Caldwell, Cindy caldwellc@baumc.com

Cardwell, Rev. Stan cardwells@baumc.com

Firth, Cheryl firthc@baumc.com

Groseclose, Bill grosecloseb@baumc.com

Hidey, Rev. Barry hideyb@baumc.com

Hodges, Tom hodgest@baumc.com

Hollida, Rev. Doug hollidad@baumc.com

Jones, Judy jonesj@baumc.com

Pazdersky, Rev. Carol pazderskyc@baumc.com

Schepers, Jim schepersj@baumc.com

Wolf, Lisa Wong wolfl@baumc.com

Children’s Christian Center ccc@baumc.com

Tiny Tots School tinytots@baumc.com

Bishop – Rev. Dr. John R. Schol

District Superintendent - Rev. Dr. C. Anthony Hunt

Lead Minister - Rev. Barry Hidey

Associate Minister – Rev. Carol Pazdersky

Off-Site Minister – Rev. Stan Cardwell

Director of Worship & Arts – Rev. Doug Hollida

Director of Children & Family Ministries - Joni Behrendt

Director of Adult Discipleship - Cindy Caldwell

Director of Student Ministries – Tom Hodges

Church Administrator - Jim Schepers

Bookkeeper – Bill Groseclose / Phyllis Kordek

Pastoral Administrative Assistant – Judy Jones

Office/Facility Coordinator - Alice Archer

Congregational Care Coordinator - Cheryl Firth

Membership/Data Base Coordinator – Lisa Wong Wolf

Building Superintendent/Custodial Supervisor –

Don Sandefur

Custodians – Stephen Kenly, Thureen Drake,

Jeff Shimek

Chair, Administrative Council – Tony Vinciguerra

Secretary, Administrative Council – Jen Evans

President, Board of Trustees – Rick Schulte

Chair, Finance Committee – Tony Ciampaglio

Chair, Staff-Parish Relations – Jane Russell

Secretary, Lay Leadership Committee – Dina Willard

Lay Leader – Beverly Talbot

Our theme is “Aprons” -- so we encourage you to bring your most well-worn apron,

or a handmade apron, or someone special’s favorite apron, and be prepared to tell us about it!

A picnic supper will be provided. Besides your apron, all you need to bring is a lawn chair or blanket. Please RSVP by July 6 if you will be attending. Call Lisa Foley at 410-838-8893.

June 30, 2008

Dear Friends,

This year is shaping up to be one of highs and lows. The highs include record participation in Youth Ministries and Vacation Bible School. They include the excitement of beginning a new Off-Site Ministry and the celebration of Rev. Peggy and Bill Groseclose’s retirement after 21 years of faithful and dedicated service to Bel Air UMC and the surrounding community. The highs also include the opportunity to help more people than ever through our Pass It On Ministry and Manna House, as more and more people feel the pinch of the current economic hard times. But this is truly a mixed blessing.

This year is also bringing us lower lows than many of us have experienced before. The high price of energy has hit us at the local gas pump, in our utility bills, and in food prices as suppliers are forced to pass on the higher costs of doing business. More people are looking for ways to stretch their paycheck, and some no longer even have a paycheck. The church, too, is feeling the crunch as the staff and volunteers struggle to help the additional families in need, while experiencing our own economic crisis. The same tough times facing all of us have caused significant financial shortfalls as our regular giving has fallen well behind expectations and needs. Since the beginning of the year, giving has been running about $2,700 per week behind what is needed to carry on the ministries and business of the church. We were able to hold our own through the early months of 2008, only because we started the year with a surplus.

Our internal financial controls require that we maintain a minimum balance in our current expense fund equal to two weeks of our operating budget, or about $62,000. Yes, it takes a lot of money to manage the missions, ministries, and obligations of the church. While this has normally not been a problem, we reached that mark at the end of April.

At the end of May, we were about $20,000 below our minimum required amount. When this occurs, we are obligated to implement whatever financial controls are necessary to recover from the cash flow shortfall. As a first step, all non-essential spending has been frozen and those payments that can be deferred will be. As some bills must be paid, the impact is being felt in our ministry areas first.

The Board of Trustees, who manage our buildings and property, have already begun to take steps to cut costs in the operating budget. Thermostat settings will be raised to the extent possible and, where safe to do so, lighting will be cut back. The Trustees would also like to explain to the congregation that many of the planned building renovations (like McComas Hall and the Prayer Chapel) and equipment purchases (the new copier and duplicator in the Church Office) have been made possible due to the availability of capital funds. We know it’s confusing, but as specified in The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, capital funds can only be used for property improvements and equipment items – not for on-going ministries or missions or operating costs.

We are investigating other, more creative ways to cut expenses wherever we can and still try to meet the increased needs of our church family and community. But this won’t be enough. Receipts have fallen way off as our members and their families try to manage their own personal finances as best they can. This is compounded by the fact that we’re entering the vacation season, where we typically see a drop-off in weekly giving as families are away.

We need your help, and here’s what you can do.

“Tithe Your Tax Rebate” – Consider using the envelope provided in the monthly mailing to donate a portion of your rebate check. Or consider making an extra donation over and above your normal weekly giving and using the “Tithe Your Tax Rebate” envelope for tracking the response to this call. The leaders of the Administrative Council and Finance Committee, along with the Staff, have already overwhelmingly committed to giving a portion of their rebate check or other donation to help with this shortfall. If only 300 people gave $100, that would bring in an additional $30,000 – which will help close the current gap. However, it won’t solve the problem of continued less than forecasted giving.

Use EFT Giving – If you aren’t already using automatic withdrawal for your regular giving or weekly pledge, you can contact the Church Office or go to the church’s website for an application form. This makes giving easier for you and, as more people use it, helps to ensure regular weekly receipts even when you are away.

Building Fund Envelopes – At the end of June, we shared the good news that our mortgage is now paid in full! Your faithful contributions have helped us to become mortgage free for the first time in 12 years. Although the mortgage has been paid, after much consideration, the Finance Committee would like for those who regularly give to the Building Fund to continue their current level of giving – but allow us to redirect it to our current operating budget needs. Starting July 1, 2008, all Building Fund gifts received will be earmarked for the budget. As the work of our Compass Task Force committees continues, we will be better able to identify the need for additional growth of our church facilities and the possibility of launching a new Building Fund appeal.

Special Gifts - If you have been especially blessed and are not feeling the economic pressures as badly as some others, please prayerfully consider using the “Tithe Your Tax Rebate” envelope (or an envelope so marked) to make a larger gift or consider increasing your pledge or regular weekly donation. Remember Jesus’ words in Luke 12:48 where He tells us that “From everyone who has been given much, much will be expected and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

Finally, we recognize that this is a lot to ask of you. Please pray about this and follow your hearts. Ours is a strong church with a caring and loyal congregation. Together, we’ll work our way through these tough economic times. With your help we will be able to continue and to grow the ministries of this church, helping as many as we can in the service of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

On behalf of the Finance Committee,

Tony Ciampaglio

Phone 410-879-5123 , E-mail TonyCiampaglio@comcast.net