Messenger The
PASTOR’S MESSAGE
Like most of you, I love Christmas.
I love every aspect. Baking gifts for friends conjures up childhood memories of my mother making Scottish shortbread and fruitcakes. Hers were “white fruitcakes” without the booze, but you could cut a thin slice, hold it up, and see through the candied fruit like stained glass. I love the worship, poinsettias, and candlelight. I admit I also love the commercial aspects: carols resounding in public places, shopping, wrapping, giving, and still making magic for my grown children.
I am also deeply aware that the way the church celebrates Advent and Christmas is profoundly counter-cultural. We tune our hearts to ancient words of hope and promise. We look toward a future of heaven and earth changed by God’s glory. We know that the light that illumines our mangers is a light that emanates from the cross. That’s not likely the Christmas cheer we experience in public places, but it is the message of Advent as we prepare for the coming of God.
When he was Harvard University’s chaplain, Peter Gomes cast the message of Advent against America’s cultural celebration of Christmas by saying, “The Lord is coming, not in retrospect, not in a rehearsal of things that happened long ago. The Lord is coming in a way and in a form that we have not yet experienced.
We wait for that which we have not yet seen. We work for that which has not yet been accomplished. That is the Advent agenda, and it is so often thrown off course by Christmas as simply a recollection of something that happened long ago and far away. The world is welcome to Christmas; we Christians hardly have any claim on it at all anymore; but Advent and its expectations, its call for patience, its earnest waiting – that belongs to us, and how we reconcile the patience of Advent with the impatience of human, modern living is the problem and the opportunity of the moment.”
Thank God for the season of Advent, which enables us church-going folks to probe the depths of God’s incarnation long ago in that little town of Bethlehem. Thank God for the promise of a future redemption when all will be well. The opportunity to celebrate both is the good work of the church at Advent. Join us for all our opportunities for worship, for giving, for service, for singing, for hope.
Fostering Civil Discourse in a Polarized World: BMPC’s Fall Series on Democracy and Dialogue
As the nation entered another contentious election season, Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church recognized the growing need for constructive dialogue amid widespread political division. This fall, BMPC's adult education programming focused on promoting civil discourse, helping congregants engage with others who hold differing political views in a spirit of understanding and respect.
At the heart of this effort were thoughtful conversations and educational events aimed at healing political divides and equipping participants with the tools to foster meaningful dialogue.
The church hosted a screening of the documentary Purple: A Short Film Uncovering the Humanity Beneath Our National Conflicts. Facilitated by the Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick, the event featured group and table conversations that examined how we can engage in respectful dialogue, even with our loved ones, across sharp political divides.
Facilitators from Interfaith Philadelphia led a workshop on Navigating Difficult Conversations with over forty participants. The workshop provided vital skills, especially for conversations that give us anxiety or that we worry might be fraught with conflict. The facilitators reminded all participants that authentic dialogue will always include challenges, that working on relationships takes time, and that, ultimately, we must be willing to hold space for things to be left unresolved.
The Rev. Dr. Agnes Norfleet provided additional insight by leading discussions on Robert Putnam's recent book , The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again. Putnam's exploration of America's past provided a hopeful lens through which congregants could understand the importance of social connections and community ties in overcoming political divides.
A highlight of the fall series was the Community Forum, featuring Dr. Robert Talisse, W. Alton Jones Professor of Philosophy and Political Science at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Talisse is known for his work on democracy, political polarization, and the ethics of citizenship. His keynote presentation, "Sustaining Democracy: The Task Within Us," encouraged attendees to think critically about their roles as citizens in a democratic society and how they can contribute to a healthier public discourse.
Dr. Talisse emphasized that political and belief-based polarization poses significant challenges to democratic engagement. However, he offered practical steps for countering these divides, urging participants to acknowledge polarization without letting it define relationships. He also recommended engaging in non-political activities with people whose political views remain unknown, creating opportunities for deeper, more personal connections that transcend partisan identities.
One of the most powerful insights Dr. Talisse shared was the need to step back from the political "noise" and reflect on complex issues outside the pressure of opposing sides. This intentional pause, he suggested, can create space for thoughtful consideration and more nuanced conversations.
As the congregation moves past the election season and beyond, the hope is that the lessons learned from these discussions will extend beyond the church walls, helping individuals engage more constructively with others in their communities and families.
In a world marked by increasing division, BMPC's commitment to fostering open and respectful dialogue reminds us of the values central to democracy and faith—the courage to listen, the humility to learn, and the willingness to engage in difficult conversations with grace.
Transformative Power of Art: A Journey from Incarceration to Artistic Freedom
For most visitors, Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church’s fall gallery exhibit was a celebration of artistic talent. But for Cody Stuhltrager, one of the featured artists, the collection represented something much deeper: a testament to the life-changing power of the prison program from Mural Arts Philadelphia (MAP).
Cody’s introduction to MAP came during his incarceration at Graterford State Prison in 2013, marking the 12th year of what would become a 20-year sentence. By then, he had spent a decade simply getting by—reading, working out, playing sports, and making greeting cards. But something shifted in him as he turned 30, and he began to pursue art and education more seriously.
“I found MAP soon after I started to focus more on my art,” Cody recalls. “It was a game-changer. From 2013 until I was paroled in 2021, I worked with around 15 other incarcerated men, most of them serving life sentences.”
The MAP program at Graterford brought in muralists and artists from the outside world to conduct workshops and collaborate with the men on creative projects. Over the years, Cody met many talented individuals, some incarcerated and some visiting artists, and his skills as a painter grew significantly.
“I learned a hell of a lot about painting and making murals over my eight years in that program,” Cody says. “It wasn’t just about art—it was about learning, friendship, and rediscovering my potential.”
Now free for almost three years, Cody continues to use the skills he honed in prison, building a career as an artist in Philadelphia. “It’s surreal to be making good money and doing what I love. MAP gave me tools that helped me turn my life around.”
While the exhibit was a personal triumph, Cody admitted to mixed emotions when viewing the
works in the gallery. Many of the artists whose work hung alongside his remain incarcerated.
“I feel a kind of survivor’s guilt,” Cody confesses. “I got to know those men well. They’re talented, good people who made the same kinds of mistakes I did when we were young. But our justice system is arbitrary—some of us get second chances, and some don’t.”
Cody’s words reflect the complex emotions of someone who has not only found personal redemption but also a profound awareness of the inequities that persist. His journey from incarceration to the gallery walls serves as a reminder of art’s transformative power—and the many lives that remain behind bars, waiting for their own redemption.
Through this exhibit, Bryn Mawr’s gallery invited us to reflect not only on the beauty of the artwork but also on the stories it told—stories of struggle, hope, and the human capacity for change.
Frida Kahlo & the Art of Portraiture
Exhibit Open through December 29
“A self-portrait is a powerful form of selfexpression that allows someone to connect with their most intimate form of creativity,” says teaching artist George Apotsos, who just wrapped up a 6-week painting course on Frida Kahlo and the art of portraiture. The class explored how Frida Kahlo used the self-portrait as a means of self-discovery and personal mythmaking and how to draw inspiration from one’s life story to depict thoughts, emotions, and identity.
The course began with an academic study of face proportions, using a table mirror to draw a self-portrait in charcoal pencil. The class also explored how to arrange objects and images that best help narrate a story, idea, or theme and created dream-like characters in their
paintings full of symbolism and imagination. Our new gallery exhibition for November and December features works entirely created by class members. The gallery opened on Sunday, November 3. Class members were present in the gallery that day to answer questions about their work and explain the inspiration behind their portraits.
Sister Helen David Brancato’s “Feminine Energy” Exhibit
Exhibit Opens - Sunday, January 5
This exhibit features the courage and strength of women of various ages and backgrounds who have lived with passion and compassion. Hildegarde of Bingen, mystic and visionary, suffered exile for the doing of right. Others, like Dorothy Day, gave their lives to the poor and embraced the stranger by founding the Catholic Worker Movement. Brancato’s painting, “Song Over the Waters,” depicts Eve and all creative women who continue to release their energy through writing, painting, teaching, healing, and helping others. Frida Kahlo, who painted her pain, also depicted her hopes and dreams. Fidelity and endurance characterized these women, and these portraits honor the many ways that they expressed their talents and gifts.
Sister Helen’s exhibition is on view in the BMPC Gallery starting Sunday, January 5.
Sister Helen will also give a gallery talk following the 10 a.m. worship service on Sunday, January 12.
Youth Lead the Way: BMPC’s Kylie Liggett on Environmental Justice & Faith
While the call to care for creation goes back to the book of Genesis, environmental issues are especially pressing for youth today. Kylie Liggett, a senior at The Shipley School, formed the Youth Environmental Justice Committee to start a conversation about how to follow God in light of pollution, environmental degradation, and worrying climate news. The committee has helped organize several intergenerational hikes, including this October
in Overbrook’s Morris Park (pictured here). This spring, the committee will support a Children’s Ministry screening of The Lorax and sponsor a Youth Gathering visit from The Rev. Dr. Christy Lang Hearlson, a Villanova University professor specializing in environmental theology, for Earth Care Sunday. Kylie hopes to see the committee take on postdisaster mental health issues in young people and learn more about air and water equity
issues in the Philadelphia region.
Kylie credits the BMPC Youth Ministry with allowing her to “see firsthand the hope, creativity, optimism, and faith that youth bring to conversations around the environment and their faith.” We all have a role to play in caring for creation, and it is a blessing to be led by young people who take these issues so seriously.
Addressing Needs in Our Local Community
This past summer marked an all-time high for the Ardmore Food Pantry’s (AFP) outreach to the local community, serving 158 families in one day. Over the past five years, BMPC has deepened our connections and support of AFP first through the work of our Hunger Committee, as we have encouraged our members to return to pre-pandemic donation trends of non-perishable items to help meet the needs at AFP. Additionally, the Mission Council, which has spent significant time coming to better understand the needs here in Lower Merion, has granted AFP funding to increase their staff resources and add creative arts opportunities for guests seeking food, personal connection, and encouragement.
This fall marks a new facet to our connection to and support of the Ardmore Food Pantry as they experiment with serving dinner to guests who come on Monday evenings to receive pantry support.
These meals help provide a growing sense of welcome and community among guests who often feel isolated. Food insecurity is a hidden problem within our township, but its presence is real. The social/
emotional support that AFP has prioritized is making a small but significant difference in the lives of pantry guests.
To connect to this growing opportunity, BMPC has committed to providing and serving the Monday night meal once a month, primarily through the mission activities and focus of Children and Family Ministries this school year.
In September, members of the Mission Council prepared and served a simple meal of Chicken Caesar salad and dessert. Moving forward, each month, families in the congregation will come together to prepare meals, and then a small delegation (the kitchen at AFP is very small) will stay in the pantry for dinner to serve and provide hospitality.
We hope to continue this simple but personal and consistent support of the work of building community and hospitality at the Ardmore Food Pantry beyond the efforts of our children and their parents. If you would be interested in volunteering, providing food to be served, or simply connecting with the work of AFP, contact RebeccaKirkpatrick@bmpc.org.
Honoring a Legacy of Faithfulness: BMPC Celebrates 50-Year Members
At Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, we are blessed to have 183 members who have been part of our congregation for 50 years or more—a remarkable testament to faith and commitment. Every two years, we gather to celebrate their long-standing dedication with a special luncheon, recognizing those newly inducted into this distinguished group.
This year’s luncheon, held on October 13, was a time of fellowship and reflection. Attendees enjoyed looking through old church newsletters and photographs that captured church life as it was five or more decades ago. The Senior Adult Council, who graciously organized and served at the luncheon, helped create a meaningful event that honored both the past and present.
In the larger cultural landscape of the 1960s and 1970s, many began to move away from traditional church membership. However, these 50-year-plus members did not follow that trend. Instead, they joined BMPC during that time and have served our congregation and the Lord with dedication ever since. Whether through teaching, outreach, leadership, or behind-the-scenes work, their gifts and service have helped sustain and strengthen the ministry we enjoy today.
These faithful members are not just a link to our church’s rich history; they continue to inspire and support the present and future of BMPC. Their steadfastness, even in times of cultural change, speaks to their deep faith and commitment. We are grateful for their enduring presence.
Observe A Holy Lent Join A Connection Group
At the start of Lent each year, we are all invited to “observe a holy Lent” through prayer, fasting, and the study of scripture. For the 2025 Lenten season, you are also invited to observe the season of Lent by joining a Connection Group, our BMPC small group ministry.
New Connection Groups will be offered for participants to intentionally meet weekly in March and April 2025, discussing the scripture and personal reflections included in the BMPC Lenten Devotional. In 2025, the devotional will focus on the parables of Jesus found in the Gospel of Luke.
Connection Groups provide the opportunity to “connect” with fellow church members weekly through conversation, study, and the sharing of joys and concerns. One longtime member of a Connection Group describes her experiences in the group:
“I look forward to the Connection Group meeting each week as a time of deepening friendships and discussing what it means to live as a Christian. Listening to others and sharing our thoughts is a meaningful way to lighten our burdens and magnify our joys. Having a regular opportunity to reflect on God’s unconditional love and how we are called to respond is a lovely journey in faith. Remembering that we are never alone is a particular comfort and foundation.”
More details will come in the new year about how to join a new Connection Group during Lent 2025, but you are invited to consider today how a Connection Group might not just help you observe a holy Lent but to feel more closely connected to others in our church community.
To Learn more about Connection Groups Contact Dottie Bowen: dabowen25@gmail.com
For the past year, the BMPC Anti-Racism Committee has been thoughtfully working to create a statement on Belonging and Inclusion to help our entire congregation, especially our leaders, celebrate the ways we value diversity and provide guidance and direction for living more fully into that value.
In the spring of this year, the Session approved this Statement on Belonging and Inclusion. Then, it encouraged all the committees and councils of the church to consider how this commitment can be lived out in their particular areas of ministry. The full statement can be found on the next page or on our website at www.bmpc.org/welcome/belonging-and-inclusion.
If you would like to join us in this work of Belonging and Inclusion, please reach out to RebeccaKirkpatrick@bmpc.org.
The Work of Belonging & Inclusion Volunteers Needed for This Winter’s Code Blue Shelter
Opening Shift 8:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
Closing Shift 1:30 a.m. – 6:30 a.m.
BMPC will host the Lower Merion Code Blue Shelter in January 2025. Volunteers are needed to fill two shifts each night when the real-feel temperature is 32° or below. The shelter has space for five adult men who are sleeping outside in our community.
Volunteers are also needed to help with regular set-ups, laundry, and food shopping. To receive detailed information about signing up to host at the shelter, please get in touch with JenniferMcArthur@bmpc.org.
As members of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and inheritors of the legacy of its preceding denominations, we acknowledge and confront the reality of systemic racism and implicit bias within our community and the broader world. We recognize that these injustices have disproportionately affected marginalized communities, perpetuating inequality. We repent of our complicity and recognize that past wrongdoings have resulted in exclusivity, most notably impacting people of color. Historically, our church has opened our doors and hearts to create a welcoming community. Knowing our journey does not end there; we have a responsibility to further that tradition as we commit to ensuring a place of belonging and inclusion for all. We trust in God’s mercy and capacity to renew our common life.
We understand that addressing these issues requires introspection, education, dialogue, and meaningful action. We commit ourselves to the work of dismantling systemic racism, acknowledging our own biases while promoting inclusivity within our congregation. We will be a church where all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background, feel valued, heard, and embraced as part of God’s diverse creation. We can only fully express our identity as the Body of Christ when all are welcomed and recognized as beloved children of God whose belonging is unquestioned.
We strive to be agents of positive change, creating a more just and compassionate world inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose words and actions embraced the disenfranchised, crossed cultural and social boundaries, and challenged all to love both neighbor and stranger.
The Bible teaches about the reconciliation of humanity with God and with each other. Therefore, BMPC and its leadership have a responsibility to address systemic issues that intersect with inequality and injustice in all aspects of our work and society at large. To ensure that our commitment to promoting belonging and inclusion remains a priority, we must be transparent and establish mechanisms for accountability by regularly evaluating our progress.
Glory be to God, who created everyone equal in God’s image, to Jesus Christ, who broke down the walls that divide us, and to the Holy Spirit, who encourages us to work together for justice, freedom, and peace. Amen.
BMPC Weekday
School: Enrollment for Next Year’s Classes is Open!
For over 60 years, the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church Weekday School has provided a nurturing and enriching environment for young children in our community. Grounded in a play-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum, the Weekday School fosters growth in every aspect of a child’s development—social, emotional, academic, and physical.
We offer a range of classes tailored to different age groups:
• Seedlings (Mon., Tues., Thurs.): Age 2 years, 7 months by the first day of school
• Sprouts (Mon. - Fri.): Age 3 by Sept. 1
• Sunflowers (Mon. - Fri.): Age 3 by Sept. 1
• Pre-K (Mon. - Fri.): Age 4 by Sept. 1
Enrollment for the upcoming school year is now open! To learn more about our program, schedule a tour, or begin the application process, visit our website at bmpcweekdayschool.org, or call us at 610-520-8840.
For additional questions, contact Weekday School Director Robin Macon at weekdayschool@bmpc.org.
Advent & Christmas Calendar
Advent Labyrinth Walk
Open daily during Advent, Chapel
First Sunday of Advent
@ 8:00 a.m., Chapel
@10:00 a.m., Sanctuary
Harpsichord Recital
@12:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Second Sunday of Advent
@ 8:00 a.m., Chapel
@10:00 a.m., Sanctuary
Live Nativity & Advent Workshop
@ 4:00 p.m.
Evening Worship
@5:30 p.m., Sanctuary
Harpsichord Recital
@12:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Third Sunday of Advent
@ 8:00 a.m., Chapel
@10:00 a.m., Sanctuary
Rainbow Reindeer Games
@11:00 a.m., Gymnasium & Lawn
Christmas Lessons and Carols Service
@4:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Harpsichord Recital
@12:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Weekday School Pageant
@11:00 a.m., Sanctuary
Wee Christmas
@4:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Longest Night Labyrinth Walk
@5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Candlelit on the Ed. Bldg. Lawn
Longest Night Service
@7:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Fourth Sunday of Advent
@ 8:00 a.m., Chapel
@10:00 a.m., Sanctuary
Caroling @11:15 a.m., Atrium
Christmas Eve
@4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Family Service with Nativity Tableau, Sanctuary and Livestreamed at www.bmpc.org/livestream
@8:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Service with Communion, Sanctuary and Livestreamed at www.bmpc.org/livestream
First Sunday of Christmas
@10:00 a.m., Sanctuary
@10:00 a.m., Sanctuary 1 1 8 3 22 29 5 24 10 17 1 5 8
Second Sunday of Christmas
Christmas Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 15 at 4:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
With the passing of Thanksgiving comes the season of Advent, one of the few seasons of the church year that has yet to be co-opted by the secular world to help drive sales in shopping malls! The word “advent” comes from the Latin “adventus,” meaning “arrival” or “coming,” particularly of something of great importance. For Christians, it marks the beginning of the church year. For believers, it is a time to have our calendar dominated not by the swift current of consumerism but rather by the venerable rhythms of redemption.
To mark this coming of great
importance, on December 15, at 4 p.m., the Sanctuary Choir, Bryn Mawr Brass Ensemble, readers, and carillonneur Lisa Lonie will bring a century-old tradition of Lessons and Carols into Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. The Festival of Lessons and Carols is a service of Scripture and song that dates to the late 19th century. In this service, we will listen to nine Scripture lessons that recount the Fall from Grace, the promise of a Messiah, the Incarnation, and the Great Commission to preach the Good News. Each lesson is followed by a carol sung by the choir or congregation that reflects on
the lesson’s message.
Journalist Malcolm Muggeridge once suggested that “all happenings, great and small, are parables by which God speaks. The art of life is to get the message.” Advent reminds us to listen for the message that God is speaking, even in the waiting. We invite you and your
Tuesday @ Noon Advent Harpsichord
For the past number of years, the Music and Fine Arts Department has planned a noontime series in the Sanctuary to feature and enjoy wonderful music on BMPC’s Robert Hauptfuhrer memorial harpsichord. These 30-minute programs are sure to bring you moments of peace and reflection during the busy Advent season.
Recital Series
Silvanio Reis
Gabriel Benton 3 DEC. 10 DEC. 17 DEC.
Edward Landin Senn with Brandon Dooley, flute
Longest Night Service
Wednesday, December 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the
While the holidays are filled with good cheer for many, for others, they can bring a sense of grief and longing. Our Longest Night Service is designed for those of us who may be feeling this way. Whether you have lost a loved one whom you especially miss at Christmas, or you shoulder worry for those who bear a heavy load, or you ache with concern for the many who live in the darkness of warfare, displacement, hunger, and need, this service is a time for us to come together, lift these concerns before God, and find comfort in each other’s presence.
The history of observing the Longest Night takes us back thousands of years to the Bronze Age when places like Stonehenge were built to align with the winter solstice sunset to mark the longest night. Our ancestors gathered on the longest night around fires in such holy places; they danced and chanted to awaken the sun again.
The sun would rise, the days would gradually lengthen, and the rhythm of darkness turning toward greater light would return.
Later, sometime in the 4th century, the celebration of the birth of Jesus was placed in the calendar after the winter solstice to acknowledge the light of God breaking into the darkness. At BMPC, we commemorate the Longest Night with a simple service of scripture readings, a brief homily, prayer, and the singing of Christmas carols while we light candles to illuminate the darkness. Join us for this meaningful, beautiful service and invite others for whom the Longest Night might be a welcomed worship opportunity of grace and peace.
Bryn Mawr Gives Light Stewardship 2025
One of Bryn Mawr’s quintessential moments each Advent season is during the Christmas Eve services. It comes as we sit together, candles in hand, and watch the sanctuary—once full of darkness—begin to glow with hundreds of tiny flames. It’s a beautiful and powerful image, a reminder of how one small light can grow and multiply, filling the space with light.
This moment reflects so much of what our church represents. Just as the light from those candles spreads from one person to the next, so does the work of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. Through our ministries, outreach, and missions, Bryn Mawr Gives Light not only to our congregation but to our wider community. It’s a light that shines brighter through each Sunday School lesson, every mission trip, and every act of discipleship among us.
As we enter this Advent season, we invite you to reflect on the ways we can help this light grow even brighter.
Our theme for this year’s stewardship campaign, Bryn Mawr Gives Light, reminds us that we are part of something much larger—something that extends well beyond our own candles.
That’s why we ask you to consider increasing your pledge for this year’s stewardship campaign to help our light shine brighter in our communities. Just as a single candle can set off a wave of light, your increased support makes a meaningful difference in the life of our church and our ministry partners. Whether it’s supporting our mission work, music programs, youth education, or pastoral care, your pledge is a way of ensuring that Bryn Mawr continues to be a beacon of hope and light in the world. You may make a pledge by returning the pledge card you received at home, dropping a pledge card in the offering plate during worship, Scanning QR code above or pledging online at www.bmpc.org/pledge.
Give Gifts That Make An Impact & Build Relationships
For thirty-two years, the Advent Gift Market at BMPC has been a thoughtful and impactful way to support our mission partners locally and worldwide and share their good work with friends and family. This year, there are 25 different gift options to help celebrate the joy of the holiday season with others.
The Advent Gift Market is also a way to directly support some of the vital mission and ministry that take place within the work of our congregation. Giving alternative gifts through AGM is also a way to share with family and friends the work of compassion, justice, and transformation led by our church members.
Gifts given to support the work of our Hunger Committee help fund not only the grants made to almost twenty local food pantries but also the making of over 1,300 casseroles each year that are vitally important to several feeding programs around Philadelphia. In addition to the ways the work of the Hunger Committee impacts our partners, they also provide regular opportunities for members of all ages (starting at five years old) to build intergenerational relationships at their monthly casserole blitz events.
Gifts given to support the work of the Refugee Support Committee provide a vital tool for the BMPC members who build relationships with
local refugees and asylum seekers and their families. Small financial assistance grants can make all the difference for a family struggling to adapt to our culture, build English and technology skills, prepare children for school, and pay for medical and dental needs.
Gifts given to support the work of our Tuesday Night Tutoring program support the work of hospitality offered by adult and youth volunteers who welcome over 40 children from the William Dick Elementary School to our Education Building each week to participate in a literacy-focused curriculum. Each week, children are greeted with a hot dinner and the joy and grace of high school tutors who often build such strong relationships with their students that they work together as partners multiple years in a row.
You can purchase gifts to support all of these important ministries of our church and gifts to support our partners' remarkable work starting on Sunday, November 10, online at www.BrynMawrAGM.com or in person each Sunday through December 22 to help you support the work of mission once again this Christmas Season.
Christmas Joy Offering
The Christmas Joy Offering is a unique way for the Presbyterian Church (USA) to embody the spirit of giving during the holiday season. Your generous contribution supports two critical areas: caring for church workers and investing in future leaders.
A portion of your gift provides critical assistance to church workers—pastors, missionaries, and educators—who have served faithfully and now face financial or health challenges. This offering provides them with the support they need during difficult times.
Additionally, your donation helps fund scholarships for students attending Presbyterian-
related schools and colleges, especially those equipping communities of color. By supporting these students, you help shape the church’s more inclusive and vibrant future.
As we celebrate the birth of Christ, the Christmas Joy Offering allows us to share His love in a meaningful way. Your generosity makes a real impact—caring for those who serve and building a stronger church for tomorrow.
You can give to the Christmas Joy Offering directly at pcusa.org/christmasjoy or use the envelopes in the pew racks this December to place your donation directly in the offering plate.
Christmas Flower Donations
Christmas Angels
The holidays are a magical time at Gemma Services. Nothing warms one’s heart like seeing a huge smile on a child’s face when they open a gift or hearing a parent say, “I would not have been able to do anything for my kids during the holidays if I didn’t have this help.” With the support of caring friends like you, Gemma can extend the warmth of the season to hundreds of children and families each year.
With friends like you, Gemma created a special holiday season last year for hundreds of youth and families. Will you help Gemma once again create a memorable holiday season?
You can help make this Christmas special for children and their families in several ways.
1 - Donate a gift card for a child or parent to choose their own gifts. The most useful are $25 gift cards to Amazon, Giant, ShopRite, Target, Visa, and Walmart. Please indicate the amount on the card.
2 - Sponsor a child’s Christmas: bit.ly/BMPCXmasAngels2024
Gift cards and unwrapped gifts must be delivered to BMPC by Sunday, December 8. Gifts may be dropped off in designated locations in the Ed. Bldg. or the church office.
Thank you for making this Christmas special! For more information, contact Betty Wu at BMPCAngels@gmail.com.
3 - Buy a general gift for a child such as Legos, toiletry sets, Rubik’s Cubes, art kits, card games, board games, fidget toys, basketballs, or footballs.
4 - Purchase from Gemma’s Amazon wish list: bit.ly/Gemma Needs
Contributions for Sanctuary Christmas Flowers may be given “In memory of,” “In honor of,” or “In celebration of (marriage, retirement, birth, baptism)” and will be listed in the Christmas Eve bulletins. Forms are available in the Ministries Center, in the back of the Sanctuary, or bmpc.org/giving/christmas-flower-donations. Donations received will be used for our floral decorations and Deacons’ flower ministry. Deadline: Sun., Dec. 1.
The Messenger
Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church
625 Montgomery Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
The Messenger (USPS #341840) Volume #126, Issue #4, is published quarterly by the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. Periodical postage paid at Southeastern Pennsylvania and additional offices.
Postmaster: Send Address Changes To
The Messenger
Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church
625 Montgomery Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Christmas Eve Schedule
4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Family Service with Nativity Tableau, Sanctuary and Livestreamed at www.bmpc.org/livestream
8:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Service with Communion, Sanctuary and Livestreamed at www.bmpc.org/livestream
Inclement Weather Policy
If the church closes due to inclement weather and unsafe travel conditions, notice will be provided on our website, www.bmpc.org, on our social media channels, and with a recorded message at our main church phone number: 610-525-2821. Decisions to cancel scheduled BMPC programs will be made by the person in charge of the ministry area. For information, contact the person in charge.