WEEKLY 12-STEP PROGRAMS AT LIGHT STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Every Monday
7:00 PM S.L.A.A.
8:15 PM Underearners Anonymous

Every Wednesday
6:45 PM Overeaters Anonymous
8:00 PM Debtors Anonymous

Thursday, June 3
7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, June 6
9:30 AM Bible Study - Christian Education
11:00 AM Worship/Communion, Rev. Powers preaching
12:15 PM Potluck Lunch & Book Discussion (Chapter 6, "Keeping Sabbath")

Thursday, June 10
7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, June 13
9:30 AM Bible Study - Christian Education
11:00 AM Worship, Rev. Powers preaching
12:15 PM Session Meeting

Thursday, June 17
7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, June 20
9:30 AM Bible Study
11:00 AM Worship, Rev. Powers preaching

Thursday, June 24
7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, June 27
9:30 AM Bible Study - Christian Education
11:00 AM Worship, Rev. Powers preaching
12:30 PM Membership Exploration Class
S.O.B.E.R. Sunday

PASTOR RETURNS FROM PHILIPPINES ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION

In May, I was privileged to serve as an election observer in the Philippines. I was one of 86 people from 11 countries to participate in the People's International Observer's Mission (PIOM), which was convened by a coalition of Philippine religious and human rights groups, including the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) and the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP).

It was hoped that the presence of international observers would help to deter acts of fraud and violence, which have long been part of elections in the Philippines. Where we witnessed election fraud or violence, we were to document it. We were also to monitor the implementation of the new Automated Election System, as this was the first election in the Philippines to use electronic machines to scan ballots, count votes, and transmit vote tallies.

After a day and a half of orientation in Manila, we divided into nine teams and fanned out across the Philippines archipelago. I was part of an interfaith, multinational team to observe the May 10 election in the agricultural province of Lanao de Sur. Located in Western Mindanao, Lanao del Sur is home to the Maranaos, which means "People of the Lake" - one of the 13 ethno-linguistic tribes of Muslim Filipinos, collectively known as the Bansamoro (a term which means "Moro nation"). Lanao del Sur is one of the five provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindano (ARMM), and it is one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines.

As election observers, we were impressed by people's tremendous desire to exercise their right to vote, some walking or driving long distances and waiting for hours for their turn to cast their ballot. We were also pleased to hear election results being reported on the national level so quickly after Election Day - a development made possible by the automation of vote counting and canvassing.

On the other hand, we were deeply disappointed in the conduct of the election in Lanao del Sur, where violations of election laws and procedures were so widespread that the province could be declared " democratic disaster area." Precincts opened late. Polling places were disorganized. There were numerous problems with the ballot-scanning machines. Electioneering restrictions in and around polling places were no enforced. We commonly observed poll watchers, family members, and others discussing the ballot with voters, in some cases filling in the ballot for the voter. Ballot secrecy was often compromised. Minors were allowed to vote. Vote buying was rampant. And in one municipality, gun violence between supports of rival mayoral candidates disrupted voting for more than an hour, leaving one person dead and another injured. It was reported to us that two more people were killed later in the day.

Unfortunately, our observations in Lanao del Sur were not unique. Intimidation, vote buying, corruption, and violence were reported in other parts of the country as well, leading us to conclude that the Philippine election was far from being fair, honest, or peaceful. The PIOM report and recommendations will be made public in the hope that lessons can be learned to make future Philippine elections freer and fairer.

The Sunday after the election, I was part of a church delegation that visited 43 health workers, (the "Morong 43") being held in a Manila prison. They were arrested illegally on Feb. 6, 2010, and have been detained illegally by the Philippine military and police ever since. The 43 were attending a Community First Responders' Health Training, sponsored jointly by the Community Medicine Development Foundation and the Council for Health and Development, when they were arrested. The arresting authorities claim that they were learning how to make bombs and that firearms and explosives were found on the premises where they were staying. We listened to their story, shared sandwiches with them, sang with them, and prayed with them.

The campaign "FREE THE 43" demands their immediate, unconditional release and the dropping of the false charges against them. To learn more about their plight, and how you can help, visit the web site for more information.

HOPE FOR THE 219TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY (2010)

By Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly

The Stated Clerk of the General Assembly has released his greatest hopes for the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), to be held in Minneapolis from July 3-10,2010.

Prayerful decision-making -- The spirit in which decisions are made at the assembly will be a prayerful and careful witness of decision making for the entire church.

Deeper awareness of the whole PC(USA) -- Commissioners and advisory delegates will gain a deeper awareness of the length and breadth of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), realizing they are part of something much larger than themselves.

Issues facing congregations -- Commissioners and advisory delegates will discern with the whole church the issues and challenges facing congregations.

Common calling to a changing church -- A clear, common calling will emerge to actively and hopefully engage with the reality of a church in change.

Attention beyond ourselves -- Attention will move beyond ourselves to a world in great need, committing ourselves to gospel work: making disciples, feeding the hungry, welcoming the outcast, encouraging the fainthearted, working for peace - all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Enthusiastic sharing of the faith -- Those who are part of the assembly will be first in line of Presbyterians to talk about their faith with a contagious enthusiasm.

Furthering the mission of Christ -- At the end of the assembly, commissioners and delegates will have a deep sense that what they did will further the mission of Christ in the world.

HOUSE OF RUTH - SUMMER OFFERING

The House of Ruth, Maryland, is one of the nation's leading domestic violence centers, helping thousands of battered women and their children find the safety and security that so many of us take for granted. Light Street Presbyterian Church has committed to making quarterly donations to the House of Ruth Maryland. We collect gifts at Christmas, personal hygiene products in the spring (around Easter), school supplies in the fall, and work to provide a family fun day in the summer. Our summer donations are earmarked for purchasing gift cards and vouchers to allow parents to take their children to the Baltimore Aquarium, Science Center, and museums. If you would like to participate, please contact the church at 410-539-0125 for more information, or mail checks to the church, 809 Light Street, Baltimore, MD, 21230. Checks should be made payable to Light Street Presbyterian Church, earmarked for the House of Ruth. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

FIRST SUNDAY POTLUCK LUNCH AND BOOK DISCUSSION - JUNE 6

On Sunday, June 6, we will have our First Sunday Potluck Lunch. Please bring a dish to share. We will also continue our discussion of Dorothy C. Bass' Practicing Our Faith: A Way of Life for a Searching People . We will look at chapter 7 on "Testimony."

BALTIMORE PRIDE FESTIVAL - SUNDAY, JUNE 20

In an effort to reach out more intentionally and directly to the LGBT community, Light Street Presbyterian Church will be tabling at the Baltimore Pride Festival, which takes place on Sunday, June 20, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Druid Hill Park. We want everyone there to know about our welcoming and inclusive congregation! Volunteers are needed to staff our church's table. If you can help, please contact David Lascu or Mike Tinley.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A MEMBER OF LIGHT STREET?

Come and find out! Roger will offer a Membership Exploration Class on Sunday, June 27, beginning at 12:30 p.m. The class will offer an opportunity to have your questions answered, particularly: What does it mean to be a Presbyterian? Please let Roger know if you plan to attend by email or by phone (410-539-0125.)

HOUSE OF RUTH'S 8TH ANNUAL CRABARET BENEFIT

Here's a fun way to help support the House of Ruth. Enjoy a sultry evening that will take you from the waters of the Chesapeake Bay to the streets of Rio, and all to benefit the House of Ruth Maryland. Enjoy crab dishes by chef extraordinaire, John Shields, vino from The Wine Source, beer from Clipper City, and a smorgasbord of mambo, chachacha, and rumba, live in the BMA's Sculpture Garden. The annual fund-raising event will take place on Thursday, July 15, 6:30-10:00 p.m., at Gertrude's at the BMA. Tickets to the benefit are $90 before July 1, $125 after July 1. Call 410-554-8449 or visit the House of Ruth web site.

COME SING WITH US!

We have fun singing together on Thursday nights from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. On Sunday mornings we rehearse again before worship from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. Please join us! New voices are welcome!

SOBER SUNDAY JUNE 27

As a socially engaged presbyterian church, we believe that faith leads directly into action; therefore, to believe is to do. One of the many ways in which Light Street Presbyterian Church gets involved in the community is by collecting non-perishable and canned goods on the last Sunday of every month, which are given to South Baltimore Emergency Relief (S.O.B.E.R.) for the hungry in our community.

South Baltimore Emergency Relief is in need of:
- For the Homeless: Men's gloves, Socks, Pop-top canned meals, tuna packs, etc.
- For Walk-In Clients: Food supplies to make up kits of (3) days of meals -- canned meats, soups, fruit, veggies, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, crackers, etc.
- Financial contributions are always welcome. Make checks out to LSPC, earmarked S.O.B.E.R.

Special re-usable shopping bags are available at church for this purpose. Take a bag with you and fill it up with canned and non-perishable goods (pop-top canned meals, tuna packs, spam, corned beef, soup, crackers, peanut butter up to 48 oz., spaghetti sauce up to 26 oz., canned fruits and/or vegetables, etc.) - however much or as little as you want. You can keep the bag in your car and fill it up with "goodies" the next time you go to your favorite supermarket. Another idea is to take the bag to work and have a can drive with your co-workers. Invite them to come to worship with you at Light Street when you return the bag on SOBER Sunday!

Financial contributions are also welcome. Make checks payable to Light Street Presbyterian Church, clearly marked for SOBER (South Baltimore Emergency Relief).

NOTE: Please do not donate food that is past its expiration date. It cannot be used, and, by law, it must be thrown away.

SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY & CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

On Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m., a small group of church members and friends gather for coffee and Bible study. The group uses a variety of curriculum materials, and our focus for the upcoming weeks will be to read selections from the Bible, perhaps an entire book at a time, and discuss what meaning we find there. The group is open and newcomers are always welcome. For more information, contact Bonnie Cosner or Debbie Szostak.

VIRTUAL BIBLE STUDY

Interested in weekly Bible Study but don't feel like getting up earlier on Sunday mornings? Light Street has an ongoing experiment in on-line Bible Study. Each week the scripture passage for the next Sunday's sermon is posted to the group with a few comments and questions to consider. During the week, participants post their comments, questions, and responses to the rest of the group. Only those who want to be part of Light Street's Virtual Bible Study receive the emails from it, so if you are interested in participating, you need to let Roger know to include you in the on-line group.

BREAD MINISTRY

Each Sunday after worship, we offer visitors to our church small loaves of bread as a way of thanking them for joining us for worship. If you would like to help out by baking some small loaves of bread for this ministry, please sign up on the church bulletin board.

HELP LEAD WORSHIP!

Volunteers are needed to help lead worship each Sunday. This usually involves leading the congregation in the "Call to Worship" and "Prayer for Illumination" and reading the scripture lesson(s) for that Sunday. There is a sign up sheet on the downstairs bulletin board.

FELLOWSHIP HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

It's wonderful each Sunday morning, following worship, to be able to gather downstairs for a time of fellowship and refreshment. But, it means someone needs to take responsibility each week for making coffee, providing refreshments, and cleaning up afterwards. If everyone in the congregation signed up to do this just a few Sundays a year, we would have it covered. Many hands make light work! Please sign up on the downstairs bulletin board.

SERMONS AVAILABLE

Copies of Roger's sermons are available on the downstairs hall table. Please feel free to pick one up if you missed a Sunday. Or, pass one on to a friend!

DEADLINE FOR JULY NEWSLETTER: June 15
Send all newsletter material to John Ginovsky at jginovsk@aba.com