August 1, 2009 by Larry Resch.

The 2 week church-wide sabbath will be starting on the 9th of August. Here are the details from one of Andy’s Ponderngs

Glen Mar’s Church Council, on June 23, approved a church-wide Sabbath beginning after worship on August 9 and continuing through the beginning of worship on August 23. During the intervening two weeks, there will be no church meetings. Worship and Christian learning will continue to take place as usual on Sunday, weddings (I have one) and funerals (if any) and pastoral care for those in need will be provided. But most other church activities will be rescheduled to either before August 9 or after August 23. The purpose for the church-wide Sabbath is to follow Jesus’ example–both as individuals and a congregation–by taking time out for reflection and renewal. Sabbath is different from vacation in that it represents not only ceasing from work (in this case church work) but using one’s time instead to engage in activities that renew one’s spirit and enable one to grow in relationship with God.

Members of the staff who are not already on vacation during the Sabbath will continue to be engaged in the reading, studying, visioning and planning that normally occupy them in preparing for the start up of full activities when school begins. Like members of ministry teams, however, they will not be attending any church meetings. In addition, they will be working from their homes in order that the building might experience a Sabbath as well. Essential maintenance work that is difficult to complete while the building is in use will be conducted during the two-week Sabbath, but the church office and building will be closed for activities.

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July 19, 2009 by Andy Lunt.

Dear Glen Mar Friend,

I wanted to let you know that, in addition to the community meeting about a traffic signal, Glen Mar will also be involved in another important public hearing next week.  On Monday, July 20, the Howard County Council will consider a resolution authorizing the issuance of economic development revenue bonds that would enable Glen Mar to finance construction of Phases 1 and 2 at a lower interest rate.  The Columbia Bank has already committed to loan Glen Mar up to $10.1 million for the total project.  Only a portion of that amount would be financed by the revenue bonds. That portion is determined by the Howard County bond counsel in accordance with a formula that takes into account the amount of space and time allocated to community service rather than to religious functions.  The Columbia Bank would purchase the bonds and then extend that portion of the total $10.1 million as a loan to Glen Mar at a reduced interest rate.

Some in the county have raised concerns about issues of separation of church and state or fairness relating to County Resolution 64 that authorizes the issuing of bonds.    The county’s bond counsel has issued an opinion that there is no violation of the separation of church and state.  Other religious institutions have previously benefited from similar bond issues, that are made possible by the Maryland Economic Development Revenue Bond Act so that non-profit groups can be helped to provide services to the community that would otherwise not be available or have to be provided by the county.

In Glen Mar’s case, we seek to serve the world by offering Preschool, Day Care, Summer camps, and after school programs for middle school youth.  In my testimony before the County Council on Monday night, I will indicate that these are needs identified by the county and community groups during community hearings held by Glen Mar even before we hired an architect to design our new facility.  I will also point out that the vast majority of children and youth currently served, or to be served in the future, are not from families related to Glen Mar.  This summer, for example, more than 75% of the young people enrolled in one of our six summer camps come from non-Glen Mar families and from many different faiths.

Actually, Mandy Sayers will read my testimony on Monday, since Joan and I will be out of state that day.  In that testimony, however, I will make the point that, “The members of Glen Mar Church believe that our congregation exists to serve the needs of people in our community and around the world.  In fact, our church’s mission is Praising God, Growing Disciples, and Serving the World.  This facility and the services we offer the community by expanding represent just one way we can serve better.  A significant portion of Glen Mar’s time and energy and the largest portion of building use are devoted to programs that serve the world in Howard County and beyond.”

My testimony will also say that, “The members of Glen Mar Church have been, are, and will continue to be committed to serving the needs of the surrounding community.  Approval of CR 64 will help us to devote more resources to providing services and less for buildings–a real benefit to Howard County citizens and families at no cost or risk to the county.”

In conclusion I will remind council members that, “in these tough economic times, governments at all levels have called upon churches to step up and provide more services.  Glen Mar has done that, and is committed to continue….The bottom line for me is this: CR 64 represents no cost or risk for the county.  At the same time, it offers additional services to meet critical needs of Howard County families.  As such, it represents a proverbial ‘win-win’ situation and a significant net gain for everyone.”

Glen Mar will be represented at the County Council hearing by Mandy Sayers, Pastor Mary Ka Kanahan, Pastor Al Hammer, Dan Kagey, and Phil Enstice.  You are certainly welcome to attend the meeting, which will be held in the Howard County Board of Education Board Room, 10910 Route 108, Ellicott City, on Monday, July 20, beginning at 7:30 pm.
Most importantly, though, I ask that you join me in praying for those who will represent Glen Mar and its ministries and for the members of the County Council who will make this important decision.  As always, I continue to trust God to provide the resources that will enable God’s people to do the things God calls them to do.

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October 1, 2008 by Andy Lunt.

Dear Glen Mar Friend,

Like many of you I have been extremely troubled by recent events affecting the economy. I’m concerned both on a professional level–knowing there are many families facing increasing struggles–and on a personal level with retirement looming.

It’s beginning to look as if Joan and I will be starting retirement the same way we began marriage–exploring “101 Ways to Prepare Hamburger,” the book that sustained us through the first few years of our married life.

I’ve been troubled as well by the inability or unwillingness of those in both the financial sector and in government to take  responsibility for their actions or to make hard decisions.

In the midst of these troubled times, though, I wanted to assure you that you are well represented by the lay leaders of Glen Mar Church. In particular, members of our Building Team have demonstrated an ability and a willingness to make the hard decisions so necessary to carry
us forward.

Members of the Building Team recently rejected as unrealistic the Guaranteed Maximum Price for construction of Phase 2 presented to them by our contractor.

We had hoped to realize certain economies by continuing to work with the company that oversaw construction of Phase 1. When it became apparent this was not going to happen, though, members of the Building Team made a decision to seek additional bids for Phase 2.

The result of this decision is to delay the start of construction on Phase 2, making it very unlikely the education building will be ready for occupancy by September 1 of 2009.

Because of implications for the Glen Mar Preschool, as well as plans for day care and before and after school care, this was a very difficult decision to make. However, members of the Building Team felt it was the right decision, and I agree.

Seeking additional competing bids will add time to the construction process for phase 2. But it
will help to assure that the best possible facility is provided for Glen Mar’s future needs while making the most effective use of available resources.

One of my bedrock beliefs is that God will always provide for what God wants God’s church to do. Often God provides through the leadership of folks like those on Glen Mar’s Building Team–who have put in countless hours over the past few years.  Sometimes God provides in a fashion and on a schedule different from those we would have chosen. But I’m grateful that God always provides.

You might want to know that God continues to provide growing opportunities for more people to experience God’s presence through our new building. Worship attendance for September averaged 646 per Sunday, the highest average ever for that month. And, since our move in mid July, more than 150 persons have visited Glen Mar for the first time. Give God the glory!

This week in worship we will attempt to do just
that, while joining with Christians around the world in observing World Communion Sunday. And we’ll be continuing our sermon series on “Downsizing Your Life,” built around the idea that we can achieve greater joy and fulfillment by getting rid of the Seven Deadly Sins and the power they hold over us.

See you in church!

In Christ,
andy

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September 25, 2008 by Andy Lunt.

Dear Glen Mar Friend,

The transition of settling into our new facility continues with lots of activity each week. This Sunday you may notice panels have been put in place on some of the rear walls in The Spirit Center. These are designed to improve the sound during worship. Work is continuing on the kitchen, and we hope to have it ready to use by sometime next month. And quite a bit of effort is going into getting the heating and air-conditioning systems better balanced in order to provide more even temperatures throughout the building. Members of the Glen Mar Trustees and Building Team are continuing to work with our contractor on the “punch list” of items that need to be completed/repaired/improved before we “sign off” on the building.

Even the re-aligned New Cut Road is showing signs of progress. You may have noticed paving completed to the intersection with existing New Cut Road. All that stands in the way of opening the new road (literally) at
this point is a utility pole from which Verizon still needs to move fiber optic wires.

While all these physical changes are continuing, several groups are beginning to shift attention to another major transition represented by my retirement. Just to reiterate what most folks already know, I am planning to retire after 42 years in ministry on June 30, 2009. Glen Mar’s Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) has already begun working on the process that will lead to the appointment of my successor, who will begin July 1, 2009.

Since Glen Mar has not experienced a change in lead pastors for nearly 30 years, and since many folks have come to Glen Mar from other faith traditions, I thought it might be helpful to review the United Methodist process for appointing pastors. The key is that pastors are appointed to particular churches by a bishop, in consultation with district superintendents who oversee a number of churches in a particular region.

Bishop John Schol, whom you may recall from his preaching for our Easter Services, will appoint Glen Mar’s next lead pastor. Unlike some other denominations, the congregation does not get to “choose” their pastor, nor visit other churches to hear potential pastors. Glen Mar’s SPRC does play a part in the appointment process, however, by preparing a “profile” of the congregation along with a statement of the particular gifts they believe will be helpful for the next lead pastor to possess.

Members of the SPRC will be meeting with our district superintendent, The Rev. Vivian McCarthy, this fall to go over the profile and discuss many aspects of Glen Mar and the kind of leader desired. This information will then be shared with Bishop Schol and the other superintendents by Rev. McCarthy.

Soon after the beginning of the new year, Bishop Schol and the superintendents will begin comparing Glen Mar’s profile with the personal profiles of all pastors who may be available for appointment. By February or March, Bishop Schol is likely to have made a selection. District Superintendent McCarthy will then bring that individual to a meeting with Glen Mar’s SPRC. After that meeting, both the SPRC and the individual pastor will have the opportunity to accept or decline the appointment. If both agree, Rev. McCarthy would then announce the appointment to the Glen Mar congregation during worship on the next Sunday.

You will be hearing much more about this process as it develops over the next 6 months. However, I wanted to outline at least the basics of the United Methodist appointment system and give some idea of how it will serve Glen Mar.

In the meantime, Joan and I continue to cherish our time with you and the excitement of all that God is doing in and through the members and ministries of Glen Mar Church.

See you in church!

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July 9, 2008 by Andy Lunt.

I am grateful for the honor and blessing of sharing with so many last Sunday our last full worship services at our current site on Glen Mar Road. We had the opportunity to remember with joy and thanksgiving the many saints of Glen Mar whose faith and commitment have meant so much. And we were able to reflect on the way God, the Prodigal Sower, has sown seeds that have produced fruit that resulted in nearly 5,000 members, 1,500 baptisms and 500 weddings at Glen Mar over the last 54 years.

Now, I’m grateful for the honor and blessing of sharing with you our move to the new site on New Cut Road this Sunday, July 13. While I regret that some will be, unavoidably out of town and unable to participate, I’m looking forward to joining with many in this historic occasion.

Remember, we will gather for a single brief service of leave-taking at our current site beginning at 9:15 am. Following conclusion of the service, all who want to walk to the new site will assemble on the upper parking lot in preparation for the walk.

At exactly 10:00 am, the walk will begin. Our plan is to be led by the cross, carried by 8 persons at a time, with individuals stepping in to relieve others along the way so everyone who wants to will have a chance to carry the cross. We will also be carrying hymnals, paraments, candles, and other elements that we use for worship. Our procession will be led by a bagpiper. After all walkers and drivers have arrived at the New Cut Road site, we will have a service of celebration in the Spirit Center. This service will begin at 11:00 am. Refreshments will be available prior to the service time. Because of the central role youth play in the Glen Mar congregation, and because ministries with youth and children have been such a high priority in our decision to relocate, I have asked a team of individuals representing our youth ministry to deliver the first sermon in the Spirit Center.

There are several options for parking. You may want to drop other family members off at the Glen Mar Road site, then drive to New Cut and park, taking the shuttle back for the 9:15 Service of Leave Taking. Or, you can leave your car at Glen Mar Road and take the shuttle back there following conclusion of the 11:00 service.

Please be aware that–as exciting as it will be to worship in the Spirit Center for the first time–the building is not yet fully ready. Over the coming weeks the work of finishing and furnishing will continue as we prepare for our grand opening on Sunday, September 7. It will be a bit like the first night in a new house with just a mattress and card table, while still waiting for the rest of the furniture to arrive, curtains to be hung and pictures put on the wall. Nevertheless, it will be a great joy, after all the years of praying and preparing to be able to worship in the Spirit Center.

I know you will want to be part of this day of celebration. So that you will have all the details regarding timing and logistics of the walk-especially information about parking and transportation-today I mailed a first-class letter with this same information and I’ve enclosed with the letter a detailed description of logistics for Sunday prepared by members of our Transition Team. Please call the church office or email me with any questions.

See you in church!

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