Crossroads Notes:

From our monthly Newsletter

Annual Meeting -- It's a Matinee! January 17 (snow date January 24) 1:30 pm - Ice Cream Sundaes 2:00 pm - Call to Order BPC Fellowship Hall           (If weather appears to be a factor, there'll be a message on the answering machine by 11 am) The Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Corporation of our church is one of the most important times we gather outside of our regular Sunday worship. All members of our church family are most Presbyterian-ly urged to come, for business and fellowship!           According to church bylaws, the meeting is held on the third Saturday of January. It will again be in the afternoon. This is to make for easier winter traveling and avoid a late evening for families with young children. Childcare will be available.           Moderator Rod MacDonald will call the meeting to order. Following brief devotions there will be reviews of the life of our church in the year just past, election of officers (candidates for elders, deacons, trustees, and member-at-large to next year's Nominating committee will be presented by the Nominating Committee); review of the budget for 2004 and approval of pastoral terms of call. Chairperson of the Trustees, Steve Ross, will conduct the meeting of the Corporation.           Annual Reports will be available to the congregation on Sunday, January 11 thanks to the coordination of Session Clerk Colette Bombard-Greco. Nominees for office to be presented by the Nominating Committee will be included. Prayer at the Close of Day to be a Monthly Event Second Wednesdays (starting January 14) 7:30PM           Because it was found to be a source of spiritual support by many during the last Lenten season, Session has decided to offer services of evening prayer on a once-a-month basis. The emphasis will again be on quiet reflection and prayer, with opportunity for individual prayers for healing and peace. Music will be included, in the same spirit.           If you would like to be part of leading, or providing music for, these services, please contact Brenda Flynn, Joan Ross, or Rod MacDonald. Do consider bringing a friend who might be searching for the peace that God can give.

Training, Ordaining & Installing           On Saturday, January 24, 9:00-12:00, all active elders and deacons, and the officers-elect chosen by the congregation at its annual meeting, will meet at the church for a morning of orientation. We'll pay special attention to the Presbyterian understanding of ordination and a look at the current work of these two boards. Please let Rod MacDonald know if you are unable to attend.           The next day, Sunday, January 25, new elders, deacons and trustees will be ordained and installed to their offices during worship. This is an occasion for great solemnity and rejoicing for Presbyterians! Be sure to be there to prayer for and support those whom God and the church have called. School in Ghana to be Sent Pentecost Offering Funds           The Margaret Buechner Girls Vocational School in Duazaw-Nkwanta in Ghana will be a recipient of $200 from our congregation's share of the annual Pentecost Offering, according to a recent decision by the Session. We are especially pleased to be able to support this school which was attended by two of our members, Vida and Mercy Asiedu. On World Communion Sunday, last October, the school's principal, Dr. Christiana Boateng, spoke during our worship service.           The school, with strong Presbyterian connections, does important work in training youth for vocations. It currently seeks to open a restaurant to provide a continuing setting for training students, as well as to produce income for the school.           The Pentecost Offering of the PCUSA is designed to provide programs for children and youth at risk. Each year, a share remains with our church to be used as we determine. We are currently exploring other ways to put existing funds to use in mission.