July 31, 2007 by Al Hammer.

This morning the Core Ministry Staff had their first Staff meeting since June. Afterwards they went to Old Ellicott City for a Staff Luncheon to celebrate the July Birthdays of John Nupp and D. C. Veale. On the way back to the office John, Al, D.C., & Debbie took a little detour to check out the new diggs.

Here D.C. and Debbie size up D. C.’s future office. Clean as you will probably ever see it again.

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July 26, 2007 by Al Hammer.

After meeting this morning for another thrilling progress meeting with the contractor, architect and all the subs, we take a tour of the job site.

Here Rob Wilkens surveys the lower narthex.

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July 23, 2007 by Al Hammer.

Spirit of Faith continues to renovate various areas of the current Glen Mar facilities. Today they began renovations of the Youth Hall. It will take them several weeks to remove old and put up new wall board. They are building a closet to house the exposed A/C unit. They are removing all ceiling tile and light fixtures and will replace with new. They plan to put down new ceramic tile on the floor. They are totally remodeling the two bathrooms in the Youth Hall wing.

Posted in Glenmar Road Building Renovations, Uncategorized | No Comments »

July 13, 2007 by Andy Lunt.

Those who were in worship last Sunday heard me announce my intention to retire on June 30, 2009. This date, almost two years away, was selected after consultation with both the Staff Parish Relations Committee and Strategic Planning Team, because it will allow me to provide leadership for the first year in the new facility.

I shared in worship that I have very mixed feelings about retirement. On the one hand, I love being in ministry and I love being in ministry with you in particular. However, the accumulated wear and tear of 40 years of 14-hour days and 24-7 responsibility have taken their toll.

More importantly, I want to be able to spend more time with family and pursue other interests while still in relatively good health.

It will be good for Glen Mar, too, I trust, to have the energy and insight that can come from the leadership of a new senior pastor. While some may have assumed that Pastor John will succeed me as senior pastor, that almost certainly will not be the case. The United Methodist church rarely moves associate pastors to senior pastor in the same congregation.

Your Staff Parish Relations Committee is already at work, however, developing a profile of the kind of leadership Glen Mar will require, and the particular strengths and gifts desired in the new senior pastor.

Over the next two years they will be working closely with District Superintendent David Argo and Bishop John Schol to identify the best individual to serve as Glen Mar’s senior pastor.

For all my 40 years in ministry, and especially during the 28 years with you at Glen Mar, I have believed and preached that God will provide. I’m convinced that God will provide the right person to succeed me as your pastor, and invite you to share that confidence.

A primary reason for announcing my retirement so far in advance is to allow us together to strategically determine how my remaining two years should look in order for me to focus on doing those particular things that will best strengthen Glen Mar and prepare for the next senior pastor. Having two years should also help us work through the natural transitions after what will have been 30 years together. As I said on Sunday morning, we have a lot of work to do together over the next two years!

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July 4, 2007 by Al Hammer.

Harry Rowell met me today up at the site to get some video footage.  Watch for it on Sunday mornings before worship starts.

Posted in New Cut Road Building Progress | No Comments »