Pastors’ Column

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.

Be Inspired by Bonhoeffer

Jeffrey Brillhart March 13, 2019

Through my more than 36 years as Director of Music and Fine Arts at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, there have been a handful of musical experiences among hundreds of concerts that stand out for their timeliness and spiritual power. Our 1985 B-Minor Mass (J.S. Bach), the 1987 anti-war concert (Vaughan Williams, Ives and Copland), a concert exploring tensions between Jews and Muslims (2000), concerts with jazz great Dave Brubeck (1989 and 2003), Missa Gaia (2010, 2012, and 2018), and now, Thomas Lloyd’s Bonhoeffer, to be presented this Sunday, March 17, at 4:00 p.m.

This Time, This Place Capital Campaign Exceeds Goal!

The Rev. Dr. Agnes W. Norfleet March 7, 2019

During worship on February 24, we officially celebrated the culmination of This Time, This Place: The Campaign for Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. The feasibility study leading up to the campaign suggested we could raise $15 million. Early leadership gifts inspired the Session to adopt a stretch goal of $17.5 million. To date, we have received gifts and pledges from 437 households, representing over 700 members, totaling $19.5 million!

Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Season of Lent

The Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick February 28, 2019

In 1998, Westminster Abbey in London unveiled a new set of sculptures over its western door - 10 modern martyrs who reflect a level of discipleship and devotion to the Christian faith that put them in harm’s way and eventually led to their death. Included are Oscar Romero, Martin Luther King Jr. as well as lesser known Christian martyrs from Russia, China, Africa, Pakistan, New Guinea and Europe.

Included in this group is pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Generous Discipleship

The Rev. Franklyn Pottorff February 21, 2019

Did you hear about the time a member of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, and St. Luke United Methodist Church all ended up stranded on a deserted island? The Episcopalian and the Methodist lit fires, waved flags, and began to draw large signs in the sand, hoping desperately to be rescued. The BMPC member meanwhile does nothing.

Our Next Symposium: Getting Unstuck

The Caring Ministries Team February 14, 2019

“I’m stuck in a rut.” “I know the steps I need to take, but I just can’t move forward.” “My partner and I are on different pages about what to do next.”

Learning, Reaching Out and Making Connections through Music

Jeffrey Brillhart February 7, 2019

This Saturday, February 9, at 7 p.m., the Music and Fine Arts program will offer a benefit concert to raise funds in support of the Sanctuary Choir’s 2020 tour to the Middle East – Israel and Jordan. Presented by the talented staff singers of the Sanctuary Choir, audience members will hear a feast of music by Debussy, Rorem, Rachmaninoff, Mozart, Strauss, Gershwin and more. Accompanying that feast of music is a feast of desserts from some of Philadelphia’s finest bakeries.

Voice

The Rev. David B. Smith January 31, 2019

When our senior preachers sat down a few months ago to develop a theme that would unite the various elements of this year’s Youth Sunday Service, they settled on one word: “voice.”