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Pastors’ Column

photo showing part of a bible.

Each week one of our pastors or staff members writes a column observing what is going on in our congregation, the Church and the world, and offering reflections on the Christian life and faith. Through this series of columns, we hope to connect your and our story to the enduring story of Christ; to offer pastoral reflections on our ongoing congregational life and mission; to report on news of the Presbyterian Church and Church universal; and to invite further reflection and deeper discipleship. We welcome your comments and suggestions. In other words, our words here are an invitation to continue the conversation.

Congregational Meeting May 5

The Rev. Dr. Agnes W. Norfleet

Dear BMPC Friends,

With great joy I am happy to announce that the Session has called a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, May 5, following the 10:00 a.m. worship service for the purpose of acting upon the recommendations of our two Associate Pastor Nominating Committees: Leigh DeVries as Associate Pastor for Youth and their Families and Brian K. Ballard as Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care and Senior Adults.

Gratitude for Sabbath Renewal

The Rev. Dr. Agnes W. Norfleet

What a privilege to serve a congregation that recognizes the heavy demands of pastoral ministry by offering a Sabbatical for extended time away every seventh year! As I prepare to leave for the Discovering our Presbyterian Heritage tour of Scotland with 41 church members on Friday, April 26, followed by my Sabbatical leave through August, I want to share the plans for coverage of my primary areas of responsibility.

A Building, but More

The Rev. David B. Smith

“It’s just a building, but it is more than a building.” These are the first words that ran through my mind when my colleagues,  Frank and Drew, and I gathered around a computer screen to watch and lament as flames engulfed Notre-Dame de Paris on Monday. 

Borrowing by Bach

Jeffrey Brillhart

We invite you to observe Good Friday with us as we present J.S. Bach's St. Mark Passion on Friday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The performance will feature the BMPC Sanctuary Choir, Bryn Mawr Chamber Singers, and The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, with soloists Elizabeth Weigle, Misoon Ghim and Andrew Burgmayer. A free-will offering will be received.

What Are We Supposed to Do?

The Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick

On the bulletin board in my office I have a short poem by Wendell Berry, a farmer, environmental advocate and writer, entitled “Real Work.”

It may be that when we no longer know what to do
we have come to our real work,
and that when we no longer know which way to go
we have come to our real journey.
The mind that is not baffled is not employed.
The impeded stream is the one that sings.

Celebrating Our Annual Meeting

The Rev. Dr. Agnes W. Norfleet

The Annual Meeting of the congregation will be celebrated this Sunday after the 10:00 a.m. worship service. Why do I use the word celebrated to describe what takes place at a congregational meeting? It’s because this meeting and the distribution of the written Annual Report invite us to look back and look forward and take stock of the ministry of this vibrant congregation and the deep investment of its members.

Lent in Pieces

The Rev. Rachel Pedersen

You may have heard a click or a clack during the Sunday morning Children’s Moment. It always amazes me how the sound of wood on stone echoes in the Sanctuary and can grab the attention of almost any child.