June 2014 - First Baptist Church
Transcription
June 2014 - First Baptist Church
the Visitor June, 2014 First Baptist Church 607-273-5800; www.firstbaptistithaca.org; email: [email protected] An Invitation to Discern: June 8th — Pentecost by Alison Coluccio Contents 1 • An Invitation to Discern: 1 June 8th — Pentecost • First Baptist Steps Up to the Plate for Feinstein Challenge 1 • Let’s “Beat Our Feet to the Rhythm of Heaven’s Street” 2 • First Baptist and the Backpack Program 2 • The Baptist Student Forum (1938-42) by Naomi Hollister 3 • Not Much Sleep, but 5 Fabulously Fun Fellowship • Ducklings Connect with Rose Boys 5 • Bogomil — A Christian Heresy 5 5 • Who We Are at First Baptist • Crabapple in Bloom 6 • Staff / Elected Leaders / Ministry Teams 6 Special Events Calendar “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them My Three Sons: Elizabeth Pia-Miller celebrates Mother’s Day were filled with the Holy Spirit and surrounded by her three sons Kasieum, Cooper and Cristian. began to speak in other languages, as You Are Invited the Spirit gave them ability.” Acts 2:1-4 We invite everyone to gather with us on Pentecost morning, June 8th, at the normal On the Jewish feast of Pentecost, th worship time in the Sanctuary, 10 am. the 50 day after Passover, a time of Let us explore what has emerged for us gratitude for the harvest, those who as a community through our work with loved Jesus met together. Our walk the CDRC in a time of worship, prayer, with the CDRC (Community Dispute sharing, celebration and welcoming the Resolution Center) began well before Spirit’s transformative breath through Passover, and we have worked and prayed long in these fields of the Spirit, us all. Please bring food to share for our brunch meal together and plan to stay a hoping to foster healing, to learn ways bit after the meal so we may conclude our to listen to one another and to discern gathering together. what it is that we are called to next. First Baptist Steps Up to the Plate for Feinstein Challenge Thanks to our great response to the Feinstein Challenge in March and April, First Baptist donated almost 600 items to Ithaca Kitchen Cupboard, at $1 an item equivalency, along with $1,537.64 in cash. • Ithaca Festival Parade, May 29th 6:30 at West Jay & Cayuga St. • First Baptist Spring Clean-up Saturday, May 31st. • ACT Annual Meeting: June 3rd, 7 pm; St. Catherine of Siena Church; Speaker, Josh Swiller (Hospicare) introducing Personal Attention to Health (PATH) • Pentecost, June 8th: Special Congregational meeting • July 6th: Annual FBC picnic at Taughannock Falls Sate Park. • November 8th: Craft and Talent Fair for Parable of Talents Of course, the need for our ongoing food support does not go away. We particularly welcome contributions of rice, tuna, peanut butter, fruit, vegetables, canned entrees and toiletries. Debbie Novelli reported at the May 6th ACT meeting, that a total of $13,600 in cash and $5,000 in food items had been donated toward the Feinstein Challenge. The total was similar to other years where totals Feinstein donations ranged between $17,000 and $20,000. In April, the Kitchen Cupboard served 533 people from 239 households, including 340 adults, 169 children and 24 seniors, typical numbers for April. Photo by Tony Lister Page 1 (Continued on page 6 Let’s “Beat Our Feet to the Rhythm of Heaven’s Street” in the Ithaca Festival Parade Thursday, May 29th by Alison Coluccio Please kept in your thoughts and prayers: • Alphea Schneider • Nancy Sokol • Frank Mudrak • Ramona Brown • Emily Young • Gladys Diemond • Naomi Hollister • Sue Kilgore • Ossie Heath-Crump • Steve Hilsdorf ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Spring Linda Pastan First Baptist will again be participating in the Ithaca Festival Parade, Thursday, May 29th. Urging full FBC participation, Vice-Moderator Alison Coluccio observes, “Stepping into the midst of this event is a precious opportunity for First Baptist to blow stereotypes out of the water and show some of our best qualities: We are joyful, We are unpretentious, We are creative, We are playful, and We are radically inclusive.” Ace Creative Artist Team at Work An ace team of creative artists, fearlessly led by the intrepid Marlene Sack and Emily Nedrow (Sandy MacArthur’s older daughter), will be creating props for the parade’s Rhythm and Rhyme theme. Just as we lose hope she ambles in, a late guest dragging her hem of wildflowers, her torn veil of mist, of light rain, blowing her dandelion breath in our ears; and we forgive her, turning from chilly winter ways, we throw off our faithful sweaters and open our arms. We will be “Beating our Feet to the Rhythm of Heaven’s Street” - which means noise! Let’s beat drums, clap hands and sticks together. All while wearing enormous cardboard “shoes” or carrying large musical notes with heavenly words on them: Heroes in Disguise. © Norton, 1991. This fall we hope to form a group of 15 to 20 people to pack meals for the Backpack Program run by the Food Bank of the Southern Tier in the Ithaca City School District. This is a one-off opportunity on a date to be announced, probably a third Wednesday of the month between 4:30 and 6pm. We will meet at Boynton Middle School to do this under the supervision of the Food Bank coordinator and learn more about this program in the process. Altar Table Offering from Barbara Fry LOVE, JOY, JUSTICE, SHARING, INCLUSION Let’s Beat Our Feet: In true original First Baptist fashion, our David Caughey composed First Baptist’s theme song for the Ithaca Festival Parade. Come March for First Baptist Join our group at the corner of W. Jay and Cayuga Streets at 6:30 pm, Thursday, May 29th to gather our cardboard feet (shown above) and signs. Let’s be there together and let’s have fun! For more info, email: [email protected] First Baptist and the Backpack Program by Amanda Ufford We have a core of 4 or 5 volunteers already and will be looking for more people to give hands-on support. Some may also come from sister congregations serving Ithaca Kitchen Cupboard and we hear this is a nice community-building activity. It is deliberately held late in the work day so that business people can participate and Page 2 might be a neat activity for high school students wanting to do a community service project. Watch the noticeboard in the Community Room for further details and let me know if you are interested in joining in. Amanda Ufford [email protected] The Trustees invite you to the Social Event of the Season: (as Andrea Mooney used to call it) “Spring Cleanup at First Baptist” May 31st at 9 am. We need Your help! Forgot the time for your meeting & want to check the Church Calendar? Look online at: www.firstbaptistithaca.org The Baptist Student Forum (1938 - 1942) He Asks So Little and Gives So Much Helen Steiner Rice What must I do to ensure peace of mind? Is the answer I’m seeking too hard to find? How can I know what God wants me to be? How can I tell what’s expected of me? Where can I go for guidance and aid To help me correct the errors I’ve made? The answer is found in doing three things, And great is the gladness that doing them brings. “Do justice”— “Love kindness”— “Walk humbly with God”— For with these three things as your rule and your rod, All things worth having are yours to achieve, If you follow God’s words and have faith to believe. (Submitted by Naiomi Hollister) Forgettable? Never; Influential? Amazingly so; Helpful? Always; Fun? The Most. This was the place to be Sunday night for the young people of Ithaca. What? Worship, food and fellowship; Who? All young people; Where?In the basement of the First Baptist Church where the dining room and kitchen were located; When? Every Sunday evening from 6-9 pm when Cornell was in session; Why? To become acquainted and to worship together. Our advisors were the Reverend Dr. John D.W. Fetter, the First Baptist student pastor and his wife, Mrs. Bess Fetter. Volunteers Planned Food and Program A group of six to nine volunteers each week prepared a simple meal and planned the program. We had devotions, shared discussions, and occasionally had a speaker. Working in the kitchen together was certainly a good way to become acquainted. I was only 17 years old when I moved to Ithaca and started attending First Baptist Church. I knew no one so was delighted to belong to this group. I met my husband there and I know of other couples who met there and were married — Myra Fincher’ parents Myron and Evelyn, Rob and Barb Fellows, George and Vicky Manning, Bob and Winnie Fowler, and Ed and me. When Cornell had a break, we would not have the usual Sunday night supper, by Naomi Hollister but instead would meet at the Fetter’s home. We would relax by the fireplace and have lively or stimulating conversations, play games in an adjoining room, or join the boisterous Naomi Hollister games at ping pong in the basement. Mrs. Fetter usually served popcorn, apples, and/or cake with a beverage. Taughannock Picnics Occasionally, in the fall or spring, we had a picnic at Taughannock State Park on a Saturday afternoon instead of our usual Sunday supper. Many times we had a rousing softball game, walked back in the gorge to see the Falls, or just enjoyed watching the boat traffic on Cayuga Lake. The ballgame showed Rev. Fetter’s love of sports and his amazing athletic ability which was often better than the youths’. Later we had our worship service on the lake shore. Rev. Fetter (or “Jack” as he was affectionately called) was the Student Pastor at our church. In addition to the students on the hill, he counseled the young people of Ithaca in our church downtown. He took a personal interest in everyone and made them feel welcome. The youth who had just graduated from high school might be adjusting to their first job or maybe trying to find work so he met them at Continued on next page. Communion Table: The stunning arrangement by Andrea Staffeld of pussy willows, daffodils and forsythia created a beautiful backdrop to the communion table at the May 4th service. The chalice and pitcher used for the intinction communion service was a gift to First Baptist from potter Mark Klammer. The worship committee recently moved to the more frequent use of intinction as a more personal, intimate way to receive the bread and juice during communion. The small cups will continue to be used three times a year, at the beginning of Lent, Advent and Pentecost. Photo by Susan Eymann Page 3 Psalm 27 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. Second Sunday Mother’s Day Brunch: Again, the Fellowship Hall was filled to capacity as First Baptist members and friends enjoyed good flood and fellowship at the second Sunday brunch. Photo by Tony Lister The Baptist Student Forum continued from page 3 church. He had an office on campus at Cornell so it was convenient. He helped the homesick freshman who were overwhelmed by the enormous amount of homework, or the international students feeling lonely, trying to study in English and adjusting to a new life-style. Endearing Qualities of Advisor Jack had two endearing qualities that attracted the youth. He had a marvelous sense of humor. Also, he was vigorous and athletic so was a challenge in games of softball and ping pong. He and Bess had children of their own so they could easily relate to this age group. Mrs. Fetter (known as Bess) was a great help to her husband. Being caring and understanding, she made the youth feel welcome and, frequently, she and Jack would have them for lunch or dinner. Cake Disaster One Saturday morning disaster struck! Bess had just finished frosting four large two-layer cakes for the Sunday night gettogether in their home. She then noticed a glass with a chip of glass missing on the kitchen counter. She couldn’t take the chance of anyone being cut, so, regretfully, she had to throw the cakes away. Jack and Bess were excellent role models, an inspiration to all and had much influence in our lives. We would always remember the Sunday night supper with them. We had meaningful worship, made lasting friendships, embraced new and different ideas and thought, and have happy memories of the good times and the Christian Fellowship. I am now 94 years old, but I can truly say I’ve never been part of such a caring, fun-loving, and friendly group. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27, on the left, inspired David Caughey to compose the song that the New Ceation Singers, from left to right Marlene Sack, Shella Chace and David Caughey sang in early May for Special Music during the service. Page 4 “From Our Youth” Not Much Rest but Fabulously Fun Fellowship by Mark Lawrence Mark your calendars for the Parable of Talents Craft and Talent event on November 8th when the Noah’s Ark quilt raffle will take place. Contact Marlene Sack or Judy Kennison for more information. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ Whoever believes in the good in people, draws forth the good in people Jean Paul Twelve FBC youth and friends gathered on Friday May 16 for our first Teens and Jr. Youth Sleepover. Renee Rose coordinated a full evening of broom hockey, a fabulous dinner, movies, and late-night conversations. Breakfast came early for all, but the youth were happy and anxious to begin planning their next adventures. Many thanks to Renee and her intrepid support crew: Jill Ewing, Mark Lawrence, Sarah Schneider, and Gina Smithson. Ducklings Connect with Rose Boys After the sleepover, we had a pleasant surprise in Sunday’s service – Rich said that nine abandoned baby ducklings imprinted on Owen and Emerson in DeWitt Park. They followed the boys around the park for a while. After consultation with experts, Rich and Renee initially decided to help raise them. Meg Gillard provided an update on the following Thursday and said that the mother to the ducklings was found and babies were reunited with their true mother. Ducklings receive nurturing and warmth at First Baptist. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ Photos by Mark Lawrence Bogomil — A Christian Heresy by Dick Fielding What does the Lord require of you? To do justice, Love mercy and Walk humbly with our God Micah 6:8 Great food, fun and fellowship were the memories formed at the first Teens and Jr. Youth Sleepover May 16th. The Bogomil faith, a dualist Christian heresy, originated in the Balkans in 930 CE. Its founder, Bogomil, a village priest, taught that God created two sons: the good Jesus and the evil Satan. The religion’s only valid prayer was the Lord’s Prayer. True believers avoided meat, alcohol, marriage and procreation. Bogomil didn’t believe in a hierarchy of priests. Consequently, Bogomil men and women confessed their sins to each other and absolved one another. The Bogomil religion survived for several centuries and spread, ultimately reaching as far as Italy and France. It disappeared and organized Bogomil ended when Turkey overran the Balkans in the 15th century. Source: Encyclopedia of Heresies and Heretics, by Chas S. Clifton. Page 5 Who We Are at First Baptist ~~~~~~~~~ First Baptist Church, a member of the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists, is a community centered in Christ, bound by grace, and called to model God’s vision of inclusive love. Our ministry begins at First Baptist as we move beyond all barriers of race, gender, sexual orientation, background and creed to be a community of faithful worship. God’s ministry continues through the lives of each person who carries his or her faith back into the world. Visitor Submissions As our Baptist tradition calls all of us to be ministers of the church, each of you is invited to be a contributor to our Visitor. Please send announcements, news articles, features, pictures or other items of interest to: [email protected] by the 20th of each month. July/August Visitor: by June 20 September Visitor: by August 20 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ First Baptist Staff Pastor: Rich Rose Secretary: Shella Chace Christian Education Coordinator, interim: Renee Rose Choir Director, interim: Dr. Baruch Whitehead Organist: Christopher Morgan Loy Custodian: David Hopkins Elected Leaders Moderator: Tim Dean Vice-moderator: Alison Coluccio Membership Clerk: Tina Hilsdorf Recording Clerk: Shella Chace Treasurer: David Caughey Assistant Treasurer: Marlene Sack Financial Secretary: Julie Costie Board of Trustees Steve Hilsdorf: chair; Bill Fry, Mark Lawrence, Bronwyn Evans, Steve Farrell, John Harty, Tim Dean, Alison Coluccio, Tony Cotraccia, David Caughey, ex officio Delegates Rochester Genesee Region: Ossie Heath-Crump Kitchen Cupboard: Amanda Ufford, Sue Hemsath ACT: Susan Eymann Protestant Ministry at Cornell: Sarah Schneider Pastoral Relations Josie Zanfordino: chair; Steve Farrell, Rich Barron, Jan Butler, Susan Eymann Nominating Committee Debbie Allen, Susan Eymann Personnel Anne Farrell, Dave Putnam, Tim Hembrooke Ministry Teams Close-up pf crabapple sprig. Photo by Bill Abeles Crabapple in Bloom: The crabapple tree that graces the corner of the church was in full bloom May 11th. Photo by Susan Eymann Worship Ministry Finance & Endowment Barbara Fry: chair; Andrea Mooney, Bill David Caughey, Marlene Sack, Abeles, Debbie Allen, Bill Staffeld, Josie Lynette Rayle, Curt Ufford Zanfordino, Edie Reagan, Michael Clark Hospitality Ministry Education Anne Farrell: chair; Shella Chace, Meg Gillard, Renee Rose, Carol Meg Gillard, Alice Grow, Tina Hilsdorf, Flemming, Janet Cotraccia, Leslie Barbara Noyes Schultz, Michelle Williams, Laurel Hester, Sarah Schneider, Mark Lawrence, Sarah Circle of Care Zipfel, Jason Wilson, Lou Carlucci, John Sue Hemsath, Louise Mudrak, Amanda Ufford, Lou Carlucci, Harty, Michael Clark, Joseph Rayle, Elizabeth Pia-Miller Debbie Allen Flower Committee Christian Concern Ministry Steve Farrell: chair; Bill Phelan: co-chair; Barbara Fry, Marianna Morse, Tina Hilsdorf, Andrea Staffeld Sandy McCarthy, secretary; Louise Mudrak, Baruch Whitehead, Lynne Library Glase, Susan Eymann, Tony Lister, Ange, Sarah Murray Jameson & Izzy Romero-Hall, Amanda Parable of Talents Ufford, Beth & Matt Wolfer, Dana Shella Chace, Marlene Sack, Murray-Cooper Janet Cotraccia Creation Care Facility Planning Louise Mudrak: chair; Linda Nicholson, Tim Dean, Dan Lamb, Anne Farrell, Barbara Noyes, Lynne Louise Mudrak, Mark Lawrence Glase, Tony Lister Page 6 Myra’s Ministry Myra Fincher Interior Decoration Barb Fry, Julie Dean, Tina Hilsdorf, Bill Abeles, Anne Farrell, Andrea Staffeld, Susan Eymann Library Refurbishing Team Anne Farrell: chair; Julie Dean, Barbara Fry, Andrea Staffeld, Linda Caughey Kitchen Liz Wilkinson, Mary Rollins YardWorks Incarnation Team Louise Mudrak, Nancy Menning, Tony Lister Visitor — June Issue Editor, publisher: Susan Eymann Proof readers: Alison Coluccio, Judy Kennison, Tony Lister, Sarah Schneider Contributors (articles): Alison Coluccio, Amanda Ufford, Naomi Hollister, Mark Lawrence, Dick Fielding; (photos): Bill Abeles, Tony Lister, Susan Eymann