Ministry Updates

AiM Ministries

AiM Ministries has experienced much growth and opportunity to serve in its first full year of existence. AiM is based on the principles of spiritual growth and health found in Ephesians 4, I Corinthians 12, and Romans 12, where we are told that Christ has uniquely equipped each of us for ministry to others. As we seek to serve using our gifts, our personal faith is matured and our community of believers grows stronger and more effective in our impact on the world. Accordingly, AiM Ministries introduced the "Exploring Your Spiritual Design" Course this year, which gives members the opportunity to explore their own unique spiritual design, to prayerfully seek God's call on their life, and to begin exercising their gifts in service to others. The class is being offered quarterly during Sunday morning Adult Christian Education. In 2001, over 60 members completed the course. Early in 2002, a video-based module of the "Exploring Your Spiritual Design" course will be introduced for use by small groups. AiM has also contributed to rethinking our church's structure and operation to best support members being active in ministry. AiM has met with ministry leaders, the PNC, and the Session to build awareness of this new ministry and how it can support the body. Central hosted Dr. Charles Arn for a seminar on assimilation last spring and this March will host Dr. Greg Ogden for the 3rd Annual Christian Growth Speaker Series. This year's focus will be on "Discipleship Essentials." This fall, AiM sponsored a series of Spiritual Design classes specifically targeted toward leadership, which was attended by almost 50 of Central's elders, deacons and ministry leaders. A series of fellowship opportunities recently kicked off with potlucks and game nights, designed to foster relationship building in a casual atmosphere. The AiM Ministries team looks forward to serving Central's membership in the year ahead, moving others toward Christ through gift-based ministry and faith-building fellowship.

The Diaconate

The Diaconate is the service arm of our congregation made up of 15 active deacons each serving a 3-year term. You may not see us in action, but our duties are diverse and far reaching. We visit the sick and homebound, make phone contacts with the elderly, provide transportation for doctor's appointments, take flowers and homemade soup to our infirm and recuperating members. For several years, we have been offering Blizzard Boxes to our members who are over 60 to be used as emergency food in the event of an icy, snowy winter. We do simple home repairs and will lend medical equipment to use in your home. The Deacons supply the coffee you might enjoy at our Hospitality Center. It is our privilege to prepare a luncheon or reception for family and friends following a funeral at Central. We may ask you to be a Greeter one Sunday to welcome people into the sanctuary. The communion elements are supplied by The Diaconate, and appropriate cards are sent to members on special occasions. Families in difficult situations find us supportive and caring. All of us on the Deacon board attempt to serve our congregation and beyond our walls with compassion and understanding, demonstrating the love of Christ to everyone.

Currently our officers are:

• Chairman - June Comegys
• Vice Chairman - Miriam Trader
• Secretary - Evelyn Hardesty
• Treasurer - Cora Edwards

Call on us if you have a need. We are here to serve you.

Worship Committee

"The Mission of the Worship Committee is to advance the vision for worship at Central through prayerful, creative and informed reflection and planning by developing, enabling and shepherding ministry teams for all aspects of worship and music."

In order to better serve the congregation with meaningful worship for everyone, we established worship planning teams for the services at 8:15 am, 10:00 am, and 11:30 am so that three different styles of worship could be developed. In addition, the committee continues to be a "think-tank" for the pastors regarding seasonal theme development and the planning of supplemental worship experiences. This year we offered the Feast of Tabernacles celebration in October, the Taize service of meditation at Thanksgiving, and a Mourning Service during the Christmas season for those within the community who were adjusting to loss in their lives. All services were well received.

We continue to work with the ushers; assist in the maintenance of the sanctuary sound system; and supervise the radio tape ministry. A new outreach endeavor, the 2001-2002 "Sundays at Central" Concert series was launched in November and it became an instant success. We continue to pray that this open door to the community will be fruitful in moving people toward Christ.

Small Group Ministry Team

The year 2001 was filled with many blessings for the small group ministry. Seven new groups were formed and more than 40 new participants joined groups throughout the year. The total participation now exceeds 250. We also conducted one training event for small group leaders.

We purchased a Small Group booth late in 2000 and used it regularly in the Concourse throughout the year. The booth, along with the response cards in the pews and close collaboration with the AiM, has enabled us to provide regular reminders to our members and visitors that this ministry is available. This effort has also enabled us to add additional members to the Small Group Ministry Team.

The highlight of 2001 for us was the Small Group Leaders Picnic held in September at Blessing Hill, the home of John and Joyce Sackett in Timonium. Despite the fact that it was opening day for the Baltimore Ravens, more than 75 people joined us for a time of celebration and witness to the importance of this ministry in the lives of our members.

Our plans for 2002 include at least one training event for Small Group Leaders and additional functions within Central's Web Site.

Central Lights

The Central Lights is a community of men and women 50+ of Central Presbyterian Church committed to Jesus Christ and called to the ministry of outreach to fellow seniors through fellowship, education, caring and service.

We had a very busy 2001. Our programs which are held on the second Monday of every month are very diversified and we offer lunch or dinner. In 2001 we took a day trip to Longwood Gardens and one to Allenberry Playhouse. We sponsored a multi-generational program which was an excellent presentation by Anita Gutschick who portrayed Women of the Bible - Sarah, Esther and Martha.

Our ministry supports the Christian Community Center Scholarship Fund. We welcome seniors 50+ from Central and the community to join us for our monthly time of fellowship.

Paraclete Ministry

WOW...what a year 2001 has been in terms of changes and growth for our church! I am pleased that the Paraclete Ministry is here to serve all of you during times of stress and renewal. We were able to "come alongside" many in this congregation through the following ministries:

Mom's Support Group~ This group meets weekly on Wednesday mornings and is now part of Women on Wednesdays. During Fall 2001, we discussed the book "What Every Mom Needs" and saw much closeness grow among our moms through Bible study, prayer, and sympathy for this unique stage of a woman's life.

Stephen Ministry~ This one-on-one caring ministry touched the lives of several who have been struggling with different issues ranging from depression to spiritual drought to just needing someone to talk to on a regular basis. We had 4 faithful Stephen ministers serving in 2001, and hope to double the number through training over the next year.

Marriage Mentoring~ This ministry seeks to come alongside those in our congregation who are just starting out in their marriage, or those who want to make their marriage better! It is a couple-to-couple ministry that meets regularly to discuss such topics as resolving conflict; how to have better communication; dealing with past hurts and disappointments, finances, etc. A "Marriage 101" Sunday school class was also offered to help young marrieds have a solid foundation for there developing

Women's Ministries

Presbyterian Women

The Deborah, Dorcas, Ruth and Priscilla Circles continue to fulfill the purpose of Presbyterian Women "through prayer and Bible Study" based on Romans. They continue to "support the mission of the church" by supporting missionaries of choice financially and with prayer. Julie Hindmarsh, PW Mission Coordinator, led a field trip to several mission centers in the city and school kits and supplies were distributed to children's centers. Presbyterian Women worked "to build an inclusive, caring community of women" by offering to support the Women on Wednesday both spiritually and financially.

In December, Gail Seward organized an enjoyable evening for all ages where several women shared their family Christmas traditions. Patti Richardson, with the assistance of others, created counted cross stitched ornaments with Bible verses which were placed in local hospital waiting rooms for parents of hospitalized children. Women interested in being part of a Bible Study group contact Maria Scharrer.

Women On Wednesday

WoW is a gathering of women of various generations and stages in life who come together on Wednesdays to praise, worship, fellowship, pray and study God's word. WoW was launched in September, 2001 with the goal of reaching beyond our walls and welcoming those wishing to grow deeper in faith. Whether one is brand new to their walk with the Lord or a mature believer, relationship development is a main goal, both with our Lord and with women as we come alongside each other. There are two meeting times: the daytime group meets from 9:30 am to 11:30 am and the evening group meets from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm. God has richly blessed WoW with many new faces and with a variety of subjects to study. The opportunities change with each semester and there are always several offerings, including a Bible study, a life application study, a Christian book to read and review, a prayer group and a new moms support group.

Adult Christian Education

This was quite a year for Adult Discipleship. With the advent of EPIC, we were called to provide not one, but three separate Sunday School hours. While we experienced some growing pains, God provided a number of dedicated, committed teachers to fill the needs of this church.

Last year also saw continued attendance at Central's ongoing Christian Growth Lecture Series. This intensive week-end series provides Central Church and the community at large an opportunity to learn about an issue facing the Christian community from a nationally-known Christian leader. Ron Sider's lectures on poverty and the Christian response challenged all of us to action.

We also started a new visioning process for restructuring the Adult Discipleship ministry. After extensive interviews and surveys of members and attenders, we formed a new workgroup to put into place a series of classes designed to meet the needs of every person attending Central.

We expect even greater and more exciting things in the upcoming year. The Christian Growth Lecture Series features Greg Ogden. Pastor Ogden is a nationally-known teacher and author, whose books on ministry are consistent with Central's newly adopted philosophy of ministry. Dr. Ogden's teaching will help each Centralite more fully understand how lay-driven ministry actually works.

Consistent with our new lay-driven approach to ministry, we also expect to continue providing classes such as Exploring Your Spiritual Design, that will help everyone find their spiritual passion and use that passion in the service of the Christ's Kingdom. We also hope to begin offering more Sunday School and other weekday classes that will help each person at Central better understand how to best serve Jesus Christ.

Our prayer is that God will give every person at Central the Sprit of Wisdom so that each of you will know him better and that you all will be enlightened in order to know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance, and his incomparably great power for all who believe. (Ephesians 1:17-19)

This has been a wonderful year, and we pray that God will continue to use Adult Discipleship to move people toward Christ so that they then serve Baltimore and the world.