Community Church of High Falls: The High Falls Messenger

Community Church of High Falls: The High Falls Messenger
Sept /Oct. 2016
Sunday School
and
Youth Group
News...
Sunday School officially
starts on September 18th,
but there will be a special
Children's service on September 11th. Sunday
School is open to all children from Kindergarten 6th grade.
Youth Group will again be
meeting the 1st and 3rd
Fridays of each month. The
1st meeting will take place
on September 16th at the
Community Church. Youth
Group is open to students
6th- 12th grade.
For more information,
please contact Pastor Aaron...contact info on page
2.
HAM
DINNER
OCTOBER 15TH
A Word from Our Pastor...
This month I wish only to express my gratitude for all of those who helped with Vacation Bible School 2017. It is incredible how
much time and dedication it takes from multiple hands to make a week of VBS work.
And as someone who loves VBS, I’m always
profoundly moved by those who are willing
to help. After all, Jesus himself said, “Let
the little children come to me, and do not
hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven
belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).
Which is really incredible when you consider
what a bunch of little monsters children are.
do, they make it easy. Until, of course, they
are tired, or hot, or bored, or hungry, or
need to use the bathroom, or over stimulated, or…
Ok, I take it back, children are not easy. I go
back to my original claim: children are a
bunch of little monsters.
And therein lays the truth of the matter. We
pin a lot of different ideas about humanity
on children. Sometimes we use children as
the symbol of what is totally pure and innocent about humanity. Other times, disillusioned with the reality of actually dealing
with children, we may be more convinced of
the doctrine of total depravity than ever before. But, Biblically speaking, children are
not totally one thing or another. Like the
Personally, my role at VBS typically includes rest of us, they are a mess of guilt and innoleading the singing. I love singing, and I
cence. What sets them apart, Biblically
think I especially like singing with kids bespeaking, is their vulnerability. It’s what
cause they’re an easy audience. Most chilmakes them part of the list of the marginaldren enjoy a fun or silly song and can dance ized, the “least of these,” as Jesus would call
to the music like no one is watching. I don’t them.
have to work very hard to convince them to
get-up and start participating (unlike teenag- Vulnerable, not innocent. I believe Jesus
ers who believe people are watching all the expected all of his followers to care about
time – but that’s a different topic). Kids are children. And when I watch others around
(A Word from Our Pastor is continued on page 2)
fun, or at least, so used to being told what to
Page 2
The High Falls Messenger ~ Community Church of High Falls
For Your Information...
OFFICE HOURS
Pastor Aaron does not hold specific office hours at either church but is available
by appointment. Please do not hesitate to
call him if you would like an appointment
at either church or if you would like a
home visit.
845-594-2214
[email protected]
CLASSIS DUES
We, as a church, have an obligation to the
larger denomination. For the year, 2016,
our obligation is $92.75 per active member. If you are able to contribute even a
portion of this amount, it is much appreciated. Some people opt to pay a portion
each week or even monthly...just indicate
the amount on your offering envelope or
in the memo portion of your check.
PARISH NURSING PROGRAM
Volunteers: Jim Nerone, RN & Anne Marie Kitchen, RN
(A Word from Our Pastor is continued from page 1)
me do just that – make space in their lives for children, I am profoundly
moved. So, again, thank you. Thank you to everyone who helped with VBS
2017. I hope and pray you understand a bit more of the kingdom of God
after the experience.
God bless,
Pastor Aaron
Consistory …

Congregational Life...We will try to plan our 2017 calendar of events at
our next consistory meeting on September 8th. Do you have an event
that needs to go on the calendar? Let us know.

Bible Study...Pastor Aaron is planning an adult Bible Study series; to
beginin October.

Shared Ministry...the next meeting will be at 10 am on September 10th
at CCHF.

History Committee...So far, we have agreed on 2 events in 2017: The
first being a special Sunday service on January 15th (commemorating
the service of dedication 150 years ago of this church building). Our
second event will happen sometime during the summer of 2017 (date to
be decided) and will be a “homecoming” celebration and will include a
pot-luck luncheon, historical displays, etc. We have some other ideas as
well but no specifics to report as of yet. If you have ideas or would be
willing to help in anyway, let us know or come to our next meeting on
September 25th, following the Sunday Service.
Woman’s Guild…
The blood pressure check total for July
and August is 33.

The Women’s Guild has purchased 20 new chairs for the Fellowship
Hall to replace some of our older, falling apart chairs.
The dates for the next blood pressure
checks here at the church are September
11th and October 9th.

The Women’s Guild will again hold the Election Day Soup Event (Nov
8th). This year it will run from 3-7 pm and the soups will be “prepackaged” in jars. A sign up sheet will be available as we get closer to
Election Day.

Our Christmas/Holiday Bazaar will be held on November 12th. New
ideas for the bazaar are always welcome. If you are already working on
projects at home, let us know. Our co-chairs for this event are: Lorna
Schimmrich and Kathy Walbert.
Articles regarding Church Life and
Church family events are always welcome!!
Next due date is: October 23rd
The High Falls Messenger ~ Community Church of High Falls
Page 3
Our Church Family
New Baby? The Women’s Guild
will place a rose on the baptismal font whenever a new baby
is born into our Church Family.
Julie Boice is the contact person.
Sanctuary Flowers….
Mary Ann Wright is
our Flower Chairperson. If you have
questions or if you
wish to place flowers in the
sanctuary for some special occasion, please contact her at
687-9409.
Someone is needed to provide
sanctuary flowers for the
month of September—please
let Mary Ann know if you can
help.
Remember, if you would like a visit
from the Pastor or from one of the
Elders, just let us
know and we’ll
make arrangements.
Anne Kitchen
sends out cards to those who may be
ill or unable to attend church. If you
know of someone who is in the hospital or who may enjoy a friendly
greeting, be sure and give Anne the
information so that she can send out
a card.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays
9/7
Roy Hornbeck
9/13 Paul Giordano, Sr
9/13 Gary Kitchen
9/13 Jaxsen Reuss
9/20 Savannah Avery
9/22 Bill Wilkins
9/22 Cheryl Hassett
9/27 Kevin Buboltz
10/3
10/5
10/10
10/11
10/13
10/14
10/17
10/17
10/30
9/12
9/18
nandez
9/23
9/27
9/30
Herb & Joan Gahn
Kelly Hassett & Oscar HerFay & Bill Wilkins
Dawn & Ken Letus
Gail & Paul Wikane
Joe Hassett
Lynette Keator
Lee Potter-Paashaus
Amy Greene
Joseph Serrecchio
Stanley Brooks
Mike Burlarley
Alexander Angyal
Sammy Serrecchio
Anniversaries
8/3
Carol & Charlie Kolodziejski
8/10 Lee & Dan Paashaus
8/23 Ron & Kristin Bogart
8/25 Carmella & Mike Burlarley
8/26 July & Paul Giordano
CCHF Shawl Ministry…
Did you know that this is now our 10th year of
knitting & crocheting shawls here at the Community Church? This past year we have seen an increasing number of requests for shawls, usually for
someone who is going through a hard time but keep in mind that we
will also give shawls in celebration of happy occasions.
We meet on Wednesdays from 10-12 in the Fellowship Hall and we
invite YOU to join us...this is a ministry that blesses both the creator
and the recipient of the shawl.
PRAYER CONCERNS? - Call Pastor Aaron to start the prayer chain. 845-594-2214
Page 4
The High Falls Messenger ~ Community Church of High Falls
Rondout Valley Food Pantry…
We are one of several area churches that support the Rondout Valley Food Pantry. The Pantry is located behind Christ the
King Episcopal Church on Rt 213 and is open on Tues & Thurs from 9-11 am or by appointment. If you are aware of anyone in need, please have them call the Pantry at 687-4013. Your donations of foods and/or monies are greatly appreciated.
There is also a need for donations of personal items such as shampoos and toothpaste as well as pet foods.
There isn't much new news for or from the Rondout Food Pantry. There was no meeting this month. But, there are still
hungry people in our valley, especially children. The donation of food items in our red baskets has been rather sparse this
summer. I think there is an angel who is occasionally putting certain items in them and I gratefully thank whoever it is. If
every person in our congregation brought just one item, those baskets would be full.
Schools will be starting up soon and there are some children that will be part of the backpack program that helps to feed
them over the weekends. The people involved with that program would prefer money donations since they can buy items at
cost. If donating, send it to the Christ The King Church and note on the envelope that it is for the backpack program.
Remember that if you cast your bread on the waters, it will return to you seven-fold. I truly believe if you give out, you receive blessings in return.
Update from Lorna Schimmrich, our Food Pantry Representative
The North Marbletown Mission…

OPEN on Saturdays 9am-2pm

It is hard to believe that we are already putting fall and winter clothing out.

We are no longer open for business on Wednesdays. However you may drop off donations from 4pm to 6pm on that
day. Donations may also be dropped off in the bin outside in the Mission parking lot.

I am still looking for 4 sturdy long racks 6 or 8ft long

I would like to thank Patty, Pat, Nan, Nanc, Ginger, June, Annamarie, Nikole, Charlotte (Nikole's) friend, Gloria, Bridget
and her daughters and Tina for sorting. Also would like to thank Jessie, Sandy, June, Gloria, Tina, Lynette and Gay for
doing the register on Saturdays. Hope I did not leave anyone out.

Join us on Facebook to see when the sales are happening.

My phone number is 687-7043 and my e-mail is [email protected]
- Martha Lischinsky, NM Mission Chairperson
Sunday School officially starts on September 18th, but there will be a special Children's service on Sunday, September
11th. ALL are invited to join and stay for the entire Church service which will be geared toward the children. Sunday School
is open to all children from Kindergarten - 6th grade. The children start in Church for the first 15 minutes. After the children's sermon they go downstairs to the fellowship hall where they will use materials and activities from David C. Cook series to learn about different stories of the Bible and how they are applicable to everyday life.
Youth Group will again be meeting the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month. The 1st meeting will take place on Friday,
September 16th at the Community Church. Youth Group is open to students 6th- 12th grade.
The High Falls Messenger ~ Community Church of High Falls
Page 5
A History Lesson...a series by Gary Kitchen
THE FACTS AND FOLKLORE OF POMPEY'S CAVE
journalist, who is credited with coining the term
"spelunker". Perry, in the chapter entitled "Some
First the facts, nothing but the facts ma'am. The historical Shawangunk Hideouts," relates the following story about
main entrance to Pompey's Cave is located about 100 yards the origin of Pompey's Cave.
west of Lucas Turnpike, located in the village of Kyserike,
which is within the township of Rochester. The place to
Perry writes: "Pompey's Cave was discovered by a Black
park along Lucas Turnpike in order to visit the Cave is di- farm hand, in the 1850's. It served the dramatic purpose,
rectly across from the Benton Bar Cemetery. It is located
later, of sheltering a woman and child and this escaped
on private property belonging to the Neff family; however, slave from raiding Confederates in the Civil War.
it appears the landowners do not restrict access to the cave
entrance by visitors. This main entrance is found by walking The story is little known and, in fact, never has been pubwest along the dry Kripplebush Creek stream bed from the lished, but it has been preserved in a manuscript that was
Rondout Creek. This opening has a ladder used to ascend
written by Miss Margaret Atkins, while a student at New
down to the cave floor, which is usually covered with at
York State College for Teachers, in Albany. Professor Louis
least shin deep water. There are no less than five entrances C. Jones, her instructor and editor of New York Folklore,
to the cave with the historical main being the most often
handed the manuscript to me on my first visit to him. Miss
used and possibly the only one that is passable.
Atkins became a schoolteacher in Schenectady, and a good
one, and indications of her success as a pedagogue are obviThe Kripplebush Creek, which flows from the Rondout
ous in her student essay.
Creek, makes a brief loop through the Town of Rochester,
flowing from Marbletown and then back again.
Miss Atkins got the story of Pompey's Cave from her
grandfather, Henry Neff, who owned the estate on which
Right about where it leaves Rochester it flows underground the cavern is located and who was the first to examine the
through the limestone Pompey's Cave. The cave runs from history and scientific features of the cave.
East to West for about 3788 feet, which makes it the longest cave in Ulster Country. During heavy flow rates, the
John Green beamed as he gazed at his wife, knitcave is completely submerged with the water and then flowting in the peaceful light of the fireplace. "Her
ing overland into the normally dry streambed. Because it
graceful movements are symbolic of our future
fills with water during heavy rains, there is no evidence of
life," he thought. "Easy, comfortable and care
bats.
free." Pompey, the [Black] farm hand whom he
had hired that very morning would do the work
In 1987, five enterprising spelunkers surveyed the entire
and keep this, his farm, in shipshape condition
length of Pompey's Cave and identified notable features by
and he (Green) could spend the remainder of his
the names: Cricket Crawl, Coffin Crawl, Kilroy Room,
life in rest and quietude. This was in 1848 and
Snake Hole, Wigger's Way, Candle Falls, Catfish Junction
Green's life continued as he had planned. His
among others. Looking at the historical maps, Brink (1853),
huge farm flourished under Pompey's hand.
Tillson (1854), only the French (1858) map shows the word
Though Pompey was working very hard, he en"Cave" in the area of Pompey's Cave along the Kripplebush
joyed life, immensely, and extended his work into
Creek.
the further end of the estate that had not thus far
been cultivated. Green didn't know what lay beSo much for the facts. Let's talk about the folklore of Pomyond the north pasture, himself. One day as
pey's Cave. Was it part of the Underground Railroad? ProbPompey was taking the cows to pasture; they
ably not, as there is no evidence indicating this. Was it
stopped to drink at the brook that ran through
named for a Black farmhand named Pompey who discovthe field. The sound of a turbulent rush of water
ered it in the 1850s? Possibly, but the most commonly accame to Pompey's ears. He was terribly frightcepted derivation is from the Indian Munsee word "pompened for he never had wandered this far on the
ey-lay-oo", which means, “it is in a dry stream bed", which
vast estate before nor had he, on the other hand,
accurately describes the cave’s juxtaposition.
seen anything particularly odd about the behavior
of the brook, nearer the house, even though he
In 1948, Underground Empire: Wonders and Tales of New
had visited it every day. But as he stood there,
York Caves was published by Clay Perry, a novelist and
waiting for the cows to finish drinking, he pon-
Page 6
The High Falls Messenger ~ Community Church of High Falls
dered on the strangeness of the noise. His fright
was overcome by his curiosity and he ventured
further along the bank. About six feet in front of
him he saw the brook disappear with a thunderous splashing into a huge pit in the rocks composing the bank.
Pompey was not satisfied that the brook ended
there. "It couldn't," he decided, and intelligently
enough, "just go no where." Pompey decided that
this must have been meant to be his own, personal secret, and accordingly he told Green nothing
of the incident. Sunday morning found Pompey
exploring that part of the farm that lay beyond
the pasturelands. He found that the brook's disappearance was the cause of the excessive moisture in the cave and on the rocks that lay before
him. A rock floor containing a cave with two
mouths and one exit presented itself in the very
center of the extreme end of the grazing fields.
Scenically, the cave proper is unsurpassable, often providing advertising material for Kyserike. The picnic spot just
above it resembles a well-furnished room. Along one side is
a row of aged spruce trees. The section under them is carpeted by a soft covering of beautiful green moss. At the end
of the "room," just above the cave, is a natural fireplace
worn out of solid rock by floodwaters. The area surrounding the mouth of the cave is as beautiful as the cave itself.
For many years after the discovery of the cave it was not
penetrated nor was it carefully explored. It was not until
1919 that the proprietor realized that it could be a profitable landmark. Accordingly, he turned his home into a summer resort and prepared the cave for scouting and sightseers. A ladder was placed in the entrance and lanterns were
provided to light the interior. Visitors enjoyed the short,
interesting journey through the cave immensely.
Where the brook seemed to drop into infinity,
the level ground and the banks met with an extensive rock floor and steep rock ledges. On
these ledges there were many peculiar lizards,
snakes and curious plants that today constitute a
great deal of the legend and beauty of the spot. A
great snake seemed to be guarding the entrance
to the cave. The mammoth reptile is named Big
Pompey because of his seeming protection of the
cave.
Entrance is possible, to this day, through only one of the
two mouths that are very close together. The stream flowing through the cave makes passage impossible in the annual spring flood season. In the bottom of the stream are
many beautifully colored and curiously shaped pebbles.
Their almost luminous qualities are fascinating and are quite
parallel to those found in the Grand Canyon in Colorado.
The floor itself is the bed of the various fossils that serve as
an introductory study in the paleontology, also to a certain
extent in the geology of the region. The walls of the cave
are covered with moss. From the cracks in the walls trickles
a constant stream of water that forms icicles in the fall and
late spring.
This legend lives on. The trees and grass on the ledge provide homes for the numerous grass and tree snakes and
various lizard types. A lynx, a very rare animal, is supposed
to have some fantastic connection with the weirdness of the
cave.
So the next time you drive down Lucas Turnpike and see
several cars pulled off the roadside across from Benton Bar
Cemetery, you know the occupants are probably wading
knee deep through history in the subterranean waters of the
Kripplebush Creek.
Guild Christmas/Holiday Bazaar Chairpersons
Co-Chairs: Kathy Walbert & Lorna Schimmrich
Silent Auction: Julie Boice
Christmas: Kathy Walbert
Grandma’s Attic: Jessie Feth
Lunch: Lee Potter-Paashaus & Lynette Keator
Baked Goods: Jane Williams
Home Goods: Merry Oakley
Christmas Crafts: MaryAnn Wright
Elves Needed:
We welcome new ideas and
creations.
The High Falls Messenger ~ Community Church of High Falls
2016 LITTLE ONES LEARNING CENTER FALL
SCHEDULE
TRUCK DAY
Saturday, September 17, 10 AM - Noon
Come and see, learn about and climb on all kinds of
trucks—Free—at the Rochester Reformed Church in
Accord
TOWPATH RUN/WALK - 6K
Sunday, September 25
Support Little Ones by running or walking along beautiful Tow Path Road from Alligerville to Accord. Walkers
start at 9 AM, runners at 9:15. Registration begins at 7:30
at the Accord Community Center. Participants will be
bussed to the start in Alligerville. $20 race fee, $18 if registered by Sept. 22
HUGE INDOOR YARD SALE
Friday and Saturday, October 14th and 15th
Page 7
The Little Ones Learning Center (LOLC) is a free early
literacy program, with books to lend, operated by the notfor-profit, Friends of Little Ones, Inc. It is the mission of
Little Ones to bring the joy of reading to children and to
improve literacy in the home. The program is geared for
children ages 0-6, but is open to all. Little Ones rents
space in the Rochester Reformed Church in Accord.
Program Coordinator: Debby Skogman
Phone number: 845-626-4112
Mailing Address:
Little Ones Learning Center
5142 Route 209
Accord, New York 12404
Program Address:
inside the Rochester Reformed Church
5142 Route 209
For more information please call 845-626-4112, visit our
website: littleoneslearningcenter.org or look for us on Facebook.
10 AM - 4 PM
ODDS AND ENDS
Fall is almost here. It's time to start thinking about what's ahead in the coming months. Is there an Apple Pie
Sunday? Question is, will you bake a pie or buy one?
And how about our annual Ham Dinner in October. Time to start thinking about that. Will you volunteer or
wait to be asked. Kathy and Dan can certainly use some kitchen help, wait servers, clean-up crew, etc.
Then on election day, we are serving homemade soup. The Guild decided not to make a soup in our church
kitchen but to have volunteers make their own delicious recipes, to bottle them at home, to be given out in our fellowship hall. We will need volunteers for making the soup and also to hand them out to people. Will you volunteer for
making the soup and/or to donate a bit of time to give them out. They will be given per donation.
Last, but certainly not least, or last, is our annual Christmas/Holiday Bazaar. Most of the tables have chairpeople for them, but we will still need volunteers to fill in and relieve the chair-people occasionally when needed and as
extras. Is there something you can make or donate? We need items to fill the tables, for example, handmade crafts &
needle-work items, & homemade bake goods and jelly-jams, used items, used but not abused holiday items, and whatever
else you can think of. We need a lot of stuff.
Remember how fast time flies. Put your thinking caps on and think about, "What can I do to help?
- from Lorna Schimmrich
Community Church of High
Falls: The High Falls Messenger
Community Church of High Falls
PO Box 68
High Falls, NY 12440
[email protected]
http://churches.rca.org/highfalls/
www.facebook.com/communitychurchofhighfalls
Pastor Aaron Schulte
[email protected]
845-594-2214
Dates to Remember
Sept 8: Consistory—6:30 pm
Sept 10: Shared Ministry Mtg @ CCHF—10 am
Sept 11: Second Sunday Coffee Hr
Special Children’s Service
Sept 16: YG mtg at CCHF
Sept 18: SS begins
Guild Mtg following Sunday Service
Sept 25: History Committee meets after Sunday Service
Oct 1: Make apple pies
Oct 2: Apple Pie Sunday
Oct 7: Bonfire at RRC—7 pm
Oct 9: 2nd Sunday Coffee hr
Oct 13: Consistory-6:30 pm
Oct 15: Ham Dinner
Oct 16: Guild Mtg following Sunday Service
Oct 18: Classis Dinner Mtg @ CCHF
Shawl Ministry meets on Wednesdays from 10-12
Looking ahead:
Adult Bible Study series to begin in October
Election Day Soup—Nov 8th
Guild Holiday Bazaar—Nov 12th
Other:
Oct 18th: Fire Prevention Open House at the High
Falls Fire Company
Oct 23rd: Next Newsletter Deadline