Light from the Tower - First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo

Transcription

Light from the Tower
The newsletter of
new
The First Presbyterian Church
Buffalo, New York
“A community with Christ at the center.”
November 2009
Established 1812
The mission of historic First Church is to bring diverse people of metropolitan Buffalo together
to follow Jesus Christ through worshiping God, fostering spiritual growth and serving the community.
Dear Saints,
It seems the older I get the more I realize that time flies! My son, who is studying for his
doctorate at UB recently shared a journal assignment he was given in a class on grief and loss. He
and his classmates were asked to journal on five regrets they had in their lives and what they would
do if they only had 30 days left to live. Some sobering questions!
Of course I began to think of how I would journal such entries. While one regret surfaced for
me immediately, it was difficult to come up with four more. And, if I only had 30 days left to live, I
would be doing what I am doing right now…but with the additions of seeing my granddaughter every
day, making sure I let my family and friends know that I loved them, and eating more dessert!
I think that the issues of regrets and finitude are good ones to think about. Because we have
time right now “to live like we were dying.” We have time to be and to do and to try and to reach.
I think that this congregation did just that when two years ago we flung open our doors to our
Liberian brothers and sisters. What a time we have had! They became a nesting community within
our walls. We were able to write grants so that they could host their Liberian school in our building
on Saturdays. We were able to put them in contact with Westminster Presbyterian Church and their
WEDI (Westminster Economic Development Initiative). This group has helped the Liberian
community gain grants for the building of their dream– an African market and cultural center on
Buffalo’s Westside.
It has been good to entertain strangers in our midst! But, now as the seasons change, our
Liberian sisters and brothers feel called to unite with another congregation. This union will be the
union of two faith communities with the same theology. It will be the union of two into one. You can
read more about this exciting time in the life of the Liberian community on page 7.
I know that you will want to join with me as we say “goodbye and God’s speed” to our
brothers and sisters on November 15th in a joint worship service and celebratory coffee hour. Come
give thanks for endings and new beginnings.
Peace,
Rev. Dr. Geri Lyon, Pastor
1
Add beauty to our worship service with a fresh
flower arrangement dedicated to a loved one.
Please call the Church Office at 884-7250,
extension 10 to place an order, or sign-up on
the board outside the Blue Room in Allen Hall.
Arrangements are ordered from Maureen’s
Wholesale Florist, and the cost is approximately
$45-$50.
Sunday, November 1st
All Saints Day
9:30 a.m. Adult Christian Education
11:00 a.m. Worship & Communion,
Rev. Dr. Geri Lyon preaching
12:00 p.m. Fellowship Hour
Sunday, November 8th
Stewardship Sunday
11:00 a.m. Worship, Rev. Dr. Geri Lyon preaching
11:15 a.m. Special Children’s Activity
12:00 p.m. Special Coffee Hour
Childcare Hours
11:00 a.m. Joint worship with our Liberian friends
11:15 a.m. Sunday School
Sundays
9:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m.
in the Nursery
Sunday, November 22nd
11:00 a.m. Worship, Rev. Dr. Geri Lyon preaching
First Sunday of Advent
11:00 a.m. Worship, Quinton Meyer preaching
Don’t forget to “Fall
Back” an hour on
Sunday,
November 1st!
In this issue...
Christian Education ........................................... 3-5, 9
Advent ................................................................... 4, 9
A Letter from our Liberian Friends .......................... 7
Church Life ............................................................... 14
Stewardship ............................................................ 15
First Church History ................................................. 17
New Member Interviews ....................................... 20
News in the Family ............................................ 22-23
Calendar ............................................................. 24-25
Please note that First Church
will be closed on
Thursday, November 26th &
Friday, November 27th for Thanksgiving.
Enjoy your holiday!
2
W
e will celebrate All Saints Day on Sunday, November 1st. It is
a special time for us to recall all of those who are near to our
hearts and have died in the past year. First Church will recall these
saints during the service. We also remember deceased loved ones with our
dove/ribbon banners. You will find baskets of ribbons outside the Blue Room. Take a moment to write
the name of a family member or special friend on a piece of ribbon. These will be added to the many
ribbons already on our banners.
Robert Brown
Dorothy Cotton
Dorothy Espersen
Carletta Livingston
George Morse
Lawrence Potembski
Robert Rausch
Albert Sutter
Welcome Ellen,
Our new Associate for
Outreach and Christian Education!
If you have been at First Presbyterian Church more than a few weeks, you have
probably met, Ellen Henry. Ellen has just finish up a six-year term on the Session. Since
she, husband Mike, sons Colin and Ian, daughter-in-law Jess, and mother-in-law Eiliene
have joined First Church, Ellen has been involved in Christian Education.
Ellen came on staff last year as the part-time (10 hours per week) Director of
Outreach and has done a wonderful job with all of our programs. The added piece of
Christian Education will add another 10 hours of work per week, but Ellen is thrilled to take
on the challenge. “I am so blessed to have this job. Every time I drive down Richmond
Avenue I think about how happy I am to come to work. I am looking forward to
continuing the wonderful spirit in our CE program and working with our outstanding Sunday
School teachers, Nursery Staff and CE committee members.”
There are blessings to go around, as the CE
Committee, P&A and the Session are all thrilled to have Ellen
on board. Her official title is Associate for Outreach and
Christian Education. You can reach her at the office at
extension 16.
3
Beginning
Sunday, November 29th...
All Saints’ Day
Costume Parade
Our Giving Tree
will stand tall in the Blue Room
On Sunday, November 1, the
children are invited to come
to worship dressed as their
favorite Bible personality.
Who would you choose?
Design your costume at home
or come early to the CE wing
and browse through items
from the pageant costume
closet.
Stars will sparkle and glow...
offering suggestions about gifts to buy
for children and adults in our community
who are in need.
Take an ornament home!
Purchase and wrap the suggested gift.
Some ornaments suggest toys, some clothing,
some personal care products.
Please return the gift with the ornament
securely attached.
Place your thoughtful donation back under
the Giving Tree by
Sunday, December 13th
Thank you!
Sunday School Schedule for November
November 1st
Dress as your favorite Bible character!
November 8th
Special children’s activity from
11:15 AM—12:30 PM (Movies & pizza!)
November 15th
Sunday school
November 22nd
Sunday school
November 29th
Sunday school
4
Gathering Around the Table—
What do we believe?
By Rev. Dr. Geri Lyon, Pastor
“It was so great seeing the children gathered up front for communion.”
“When I was young, we had to wait until after Confirmation to receive communion. When
did it change?”
The Lord’s Supper is the sign and seal of eating and drinking with the crucified and risen
Lord. During his earthly ministry Jesus shared meals with this followers as a sign of community and
acceptance and as an occasion for his own ministry. (Book of Order W-2.4001 a)
Around the Table of the Lord, God’s people are in communion with Christ and with all who belong to Christ.
Reconciliation with Christ compels reconciliation with one another. All the baptized faithful are to be
welcomed to the Table, and none shall be excluded because of race, sex, age, economic status, social class,
handicapping condition, difference of culture or language, or any barrier created by human injustice.
(Book of Order W -2.4006)
So what is the background of this and when did changes take place?
In practice changes in the age when children received communion started to happen in congregations in
1970s, but did not enter the Book of Order until the 1980s. Because children were receiving communion, the
issue of whether or not the children had to be baptized has arisen. In 2006, in a pastoral letter to all
congregations in the PCUSA, we were encouraged as a church to revisit our sacramental practices. The
impetus for the letter and the booklet which developed around it, titled, Font & Table: A Guide to Sacramental
Practices, were two overtures. The first was sent to General Assembly in 1998. The other in 2004. At issue in
both overtures was the issue of whether or not a person needed to be baptized prior to receiving communion.
While the outcome of this discussion is that under ordinary circumstances, baptism should proceed
communion, “nevertheless, when this order serves to exclude rather than welcome people to God’s grace, then
perhaps it needs to be temporarily disrupted.”
Using this premise, we on the Christian Education Committee, decided to offer communion to all of the
children in the Sunday School – as they are being instructed in faith – as a way of helping them feel included
in our Church family especially on Communion Sundays when they remain in the sanctuary. It is difficult to
go to a special dinner and not be served! It is our sincere hope that all of our children will be baptized as
parents and children together come to learn more about the life saving waters of baptism. Our renewal of our
baptismal vows on New Life Sunday, is the first in a series of ways we hope to reach out to our entire church
family.
Thanks for the questions…and new month we are going to write about the theology of healing services!
In addition to the Book of Order, quotes are taken from Invitation to Christ – Font & Table: A Guide to
Sacramental Practices
5
As I considered what I might share with the First Church family as we become immersed in autumn, the word
‘transformation’ kept appearing in my mind’s eye. Now I was not altogether happy that this notion could not be dismissed
and hope that another, less politically charged term would present itself. I know that this is a word that irritates and
perplexes many, and that has some very specific meanings. Yet it insisted on its place in the forefront of my thinking.
Finally, I surrendered.
I trust the authenticity of the need to address this word, because it made it through my most rigorous test. Would
it withstand my time of reflection? I should explain that time away during the summer months is partly devoted to the thing
that soothes me most. My father instilled a love of the forest and mountain lakes and streams that has guided me for a
lifetime. Each year I feel the need to replenish myself with time spent in the woods and water of some forest, somewhere.
This year I was able to be in Canada, Germany and Poland. Each location offered a fresh opportunity and new hope for
renewal.
At any rate, the quiet and reflection I was blessed with this year continued to produce one word, ‘transformation’. I
was reminded of the learnings of the past year, and I believe that God provided me with some clarity. My involvement in
the journeys of several congregants and their families as they traveled to death permitted me to witness transformation.
Moving through change is never more dramatic or real that the change from life to death. It challenges us with the
greatest paradox we know, the paradox of death/resurrection. We are forced to straddle that uncomfortable place
between our faith and our feelings. We cling to the teachings of a hope-filled resurrection and eternity. But we are also
painfully aware of the depth of our grief and our unwillingness to let go.
We have lost a number of remarkable people in our midst over the past year. Even if you were not personally
touched by these individuals, their departure has everything to teach us about transformation. How do we deal with
change? It is, truly, the one thing we can rely on aside from God. I have been fortunate enough to share the stories of
people who have each responded as themselves to the prospect of transformation. Sometimes, we dig in our heels, busy
ourselves with details, and schedule ourselves into submission to avoid the inevitable change. It is a difficult and solitary
journey, and to deny our fears, discomfort and sadness about it is destructive. So, our passage through paradox relies on
a trust in God that we cannot measure or touch.
God’s grace is present in transformation. It is what allows us to surrender to the belief that new ways of being will
arise out of change and loss. Perhaps this is the greatest teaching that comes to us as a gift from those people and things
that change in our lives. From a pastoral care perspective, the grief and sadness that arise from both systemic change
and death are quite alike. We are invited to surrender to the change, swaddled in God’s love and grace, by trusting
through our fears. What transformative journeys await us this fall? My prayer is that we will each be able to share our
individual experiences in a real way as we move into newness.
May the blessing of transformation be yours,
inviting you to trust God’s mercy to give you all you need
to lift you through the challenge and learning of change.
With blessings and love,
Mary Lou George, Director of Pastoral Care
6
Our Liberian Friends Say “Goodbye” and
Begin a New Journey of Faith
Come and join us for our last joint service
together on November 15th!
Dear Friends,
We, the members of the Liberian Community extend our thanks and
appreciation to the Session, the staff and the membership of the First
Presbyterian Church. We thank you for the many kindnesses and services you
provided to us.
Pastor Geri we could not imagine the kind and wonderful person you
are in the Lord. We ask that Almighty God will give you, your family and the
First Presbyterian Church good life and prosperity so that you can continue to
receive many blessings for the good work that the church is providing to those
in need. We remember the time we were in need of a place to worship and
First Presbyterian Church provided a space for us. The time we needed a
place to tutor our children and First Presbyterian Church provided a place for
us. You opened doors for us to get help and other resources to build our
community. The Almighty God will bless your church and the blessings will
over flow on all of the members. May you always have the strength and
opportunity to bless people in need.
We are leaving First Presbyterian Church because we have decided to
merge with the International Church of the Nazarene in the United States. We
have found the Church of the Nazarene to have the same doctrine and the
same worship style as we do. We have met with their leaders many times and
believe them to be honorable.
We are looking forward to our joint worship service with you on
November 15th. We want to come and say “thanks” face-to-face.
Best Regards,
Dao Kamara,
Church Administrator
7
Pastor Elizabeth Toe,
Head Pastor
By Ellen Henry, Associate for Outreach and Christian Education
The outreach programs at First Presbyterian Church have been up and running for about a
month now. The Adult Literacy Volunteer Program meets two days a week, on Tuesdays and
Wednesdays. The Fight Back Aikido Program takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the
Partners In Compassionate Service Youth Tutoring Program is open on Wednesdays. These
programs provide essential services to adults and children in our neighboring community, most of
them refugees from Sudan, Somalia, Liberia and Myanmar. Altogether, about 120 individuals
come to FPC, including the children who are supervised while their moms receive literacy
instruction – that’s 120 people touched by the mission of FPC.
The people who have the greatest impact are the tutors who work directly with our adults
and youth. They are simply outstanding! They come week after week, working with patience,
compassion and dedication. Some are members of our own congregation – Nancy Barry, JoAnn
Doerr, Bill Rieth and Karen Frieder. They are joined by members of Orchard Park PC, North PC,
Amherst PC, Deerhurst PC and Trinity Lutheran, as well as others from the neighborhood. Their efforts
are bearing fruit – the adults all made progress when they were assessed at the end of the year by
Literacy Volunteers and the children are also showing gains on the all-important NYS Assessments.
More important, though, is the sense of community being built with our students and the feeling of
self-worth generated by the knowledge that they are acquiring the skills necessary to navigate the
country they now call home.
There are some truly wonderful things happening in our literacy programs. If you would like
to part of them, contact Ellen Henry, or stop by for a visit.
COLD AND FLU SEASON IS HERE
This year, H1N1 (“swine flu”) will be a special concern. If you or your child have:
fever
runny nose
cough
sneezing
vomiting
Please stay home until these symptoms are gone. The best way to
prevent illness from spreading is to keep anyone who is sick away
from other people. Thank you!
8
SCHEDULE
9:30 AM in
the Library
November
1, 8, 15 & 22
We will continue looking at important questions of faith through
the medium of film and Bible exploration. Join us for lively and
thought-provoking discussion.
See you in class!
Advent
This year, the first Sunday of Advent is November 29th. The
Giving Tree will be in place the in Blue Room (see page 4 for
details), and the Sanctuary decorated for the season. Much
more to come in the December newsletter on Advent!
Advent Devotional
This year’s Advent devotional and calendar will be mailed with
the December newsletter. If you are on our electronic
newsletter distribution list, then you may pick up a copy of the
Advent devotional on Sunday, November 29th on the table
outside the Blue Room or call the Church Office at 884-7250,
ext. 10 to have a copy mailed to you.
The New First Church Prayer Chain
The new First Church prayer chain is off to a great start! Each week a chain is prepared by Christina
Trachtenberg and distributed to those who wish to participate.
A prayer chain is simply a list of people, ideas, etc. to pray for. The items on the list a treated with
confidentiality.
If you are interested in being on the distribution list for the First Church Prayer Chain,
please contact Christina Trachtenberg at [email protected]
or 884-72580, ext. 11.
9
SHOW
YOUR SUPPORT WITH
FIRST CHURCH
SIGNATURE ITEMS
LOGO SHIRTS, HATS, NOTE CARDS
CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS AND MUCH MORE!
On sale November 15th & 22nd
after worship in the Blue Room.
For prices, sizes, or to place an
order, call the Church Office at
884-7250, ext. 10.
The “First Churches of Buffalo” Tour
takes place the second Saturday of
each month beginning at 10:00 AM
at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral,
moving to St. Louis Roman Catholic
Church, and finally here to First
Church. The tour is approximately
two hours long, including travel
time to each of the churches, and
ends at First Church, the first
religious organization formed in
Buffalo. This month’s tour is on
November 14th. For more
information, please call the church
office at 884-7250.
10
Ars Nova at First Church
at 6:30 PM
in the Sanctuary
The Royal Serenaders at First Church
Sunday, November 22nd
at 7:00 PM
in the Sanctuary
Friday, November 13th at 7:00 p.m.
in the Blue Room
Film to be announced.
11
Join the Men’s Fellowship Group for dinner
and conversation with featured speaker
BRUCE MCCAUSLAND
DISCUSSING FIRST CHURCH HISTORY
Thursday, November 19th at
6:00 PM in the Blue Room.
All men are welcome!
The cost for dinner is $6 per person.
Please RSVP to the Church Office at 884-7250, ext.
10 or [email protected] by
Tuesday, November 17th.
Can You Help?
On Sundays, November 15th & 22nd, we will be placing
small brown lunch bags in the worship folder – they are just
large enough for a can of soup or tuna, or a box of macaroni
and cheese. Take the bag home and fill it with a single item
– it’s just the right size to fit in your pocket or purse – bring it
back the following Sunday and place it in the basket at the
front of the church – we’re going to fill the Food Pantry
shelves a little at a time!
12

c ann ed v
eg

canned fr etables
u
it

s oup

tuna fish

pasta

spaghett
i s auc e

rice

oatmeal
pa

toilet pap ckets
er

granola b
ars
Women’s Association
Holiday Boutique & Luncheon
Saturday, November 14th
10:00 a.m. Holiday Boutique in Community Hall
Featuring Jewelry, Sterling Silver, Books, Fruit Cake,
Linens, Baked Goods, Glassware, Crafts and much more!
12:00 p.m. Luncheon & Program in the Blue Room
Tickets are $15 per person.
Please call the Church Office at 884-7250, ext. 10 to make your reservation.
Bring a friend and don’t miss this opportunity to get a jump on your holiday shopping!
New Thrift Shop
Hours:
Tuesdays
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
(except holidays)
For the time being, the Thrift Shop is not accepting
donations.
13
MARK THIS DAY ON YOUR CALENDAR!
MARCH 28, 2010
“Let Your Light Shine” Talent Exhibit
Everyone has a talent; some is hidden, some is
huge an some not as much. Greeting card designs,
jellies, poetry, woodworking, crocheting, painting,
drawing, sculpture, ceramics, sculpture, photography, computer created graphics, recipes, pastry,
etc., etc.!
You may have an undeveloped talent and will soon
be discovered. You will have your chance on March
28 right after Palm Day Services here at First
Church. So get out your spatulas, chisels, needles
and spoons now. There is no age limit.
14
Congregations that approach financial stewardship from a Biblical perspective do not view
the money Christians give their church merely as a way to pay bills. Rather, such congregations
see financial contributions as a way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by
supporting their church’s mission and ministry with a percentage of their incomes.
Our congregation’s Stewardship Committee is committed to stewardship based on Biblical
and spiritual principles of generous giving in our stewardship education emphasis this year.
Stewardship Sunday is based on the Biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for
his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of
treating people like members of a social club who should pay dues, we will treat people like
followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship. Stewardship Sunday
encourages people toward proportionate and systematic giving in response to the question, “What
percentage of my income is God calling me to give?” During morning worship on Sunday,
November 8th we are asking our attendees and members to make their financial commitments to
our church’s missionary, benevolent and educational ministries in this community and around the
world.
Every attendee and member who completes a pledge care does so voluntarily by
attending morning worship on Stewardship Sunday, November 8th. We urge people to attend who
feel strongly opposed to completing a card. The procedure is done in such a way that no one
feels personal embarrassment if he or she chooses not to fill out a card. During morning worship
Rev. Dr. Geri Lyon will conduct a brief period of instruction and inspiration, climaxed by members
making their commitments as a confidential act of worship.
Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation in Stewardship Sunday.
—Mark Armesto & Summer Flaherty, Stewardship Co-Chairs
15
* “YTD” = Year-to-Date
September 2009
Financial Items
Actual YTD*
Sept. 30, 2009
Actual YTD*
Sept. 30, 2008
Total Income
$401,820
$445,449
Total Expenses
$402,427
$510,599
Deficit support from the Endowment
$149,747
$169,277
Highlights
Actual YTD*
Sept. 30, 2009
Pledge Income
Plate Income
Actual YTD*
Sept. 30, 2008
$131,734
$152,909
$ 8,806
$ 11,808
PEACEMAKING
OFFERING
Special thanks to everyone who
participated in the Peacemaking
Offering on World Communion Sunday.
$262.00 was raised, and 25% will
remain with our congregation for
peacemaking activities.
Thank you!
Thanks to their generous bequests left to First Presbyterian Church, the
following names will be added to the Third Century Circle Sustaining
Members’ plaque located in the Narthex:
Dorothy Espersen
Albert Sutter
There are three ways to gain eligibility for the Third Century Circle: 1. Include First Presbyterian Church
in your will; 2. Make a gift of $5,000 or more to the Third Century Fund (separate from a stewardship
pledge); 3. establish a Charitable Gift Annuity of Charitable Remainder Trust with First Presbyterian
Church as the beneficiary.
16
FIRST HISTORY:
PREPARING FOR OUR 200TH!
Bruce McCausland, Chair of the Bicentennial Committee
THIS MONTH IN FIRST CHURCH HISTORY:
NOVEMBER










November 1, 1848: Rev. Matthew La Rue Perrine Thompson, D.D. installed as 5th pastor.
November 1, 1894: Miss Mary E. Remington of Haven, CT, starts her duties as Head
Worker of Welcome Hall, a small house then located at 307 Seneca St.
November 5, 1931: Rev. Ralph Blake Hindman, D.D., installed as 12th pastor.
November 14, 1835: Thirty-five members, mostly of First Presbyterian Church founded
Central Presbyterian Church and build their first edifice just north of Genesee St.
November 18, 1809: Rev. Matthew La Rue Perrine Thompson, D.D., 5th pastor, is born in
Broadalbin, NY
November 7, 1847: Rev. Asa T. Hopkins preaches his final sermon, becoming too ill to
preach; he would die about three weeks later.
November 21 1894: Opening of Welcome Hall, at 307 Seneca St. an important mission of
this church for nearly 40 years, with the first free Kindergarten in the city opening at the
same time.
November 27, 1847: Rev. Asa Theodore Hopkins, D.D., pastor of First Church dies in
Buffalo, NY at the age of 42 years old.
November 1918: First Church purchases the property at Angola-at-the-Lake, which had
been rented since the summer of 1902 and formerly organized in 1914 as a summer camp
as part of the Welcome Hall outreach.
November 6, 1960: Rev. Theodore T. Haas accepts the call and becomes the 14th pastor
of First Presbyterian Church.
17
Each Monday in November we will gather at Café Allegro
(1374 Hertel Avenue in Buffalo) to knit or crochet prayer
shawls for those with prayer needs.
Since we began the ministry, we have provided over 125
shawls for distribution during pastoral calls. But there is
always a need for more! We meet from 6:30 to 8:00 PM
and we are always thrilled to have new knitters join us.
Experience is not necessary as we can provide you with
yarn and needles and even lessons.
For more information, please see JoAnn Doerr or Ellen Henry.
The Women’s Book Club will meet
on Wednesday, December 2nd
at 6:00 PM .
Location and movie to be
announced.
We will gather for a potluck meal
and to watch a movie.
Browse Our Website!
Follow us on Twitter!
Are you on Twitter? If so, follow us
@1stChurchBflo.
Not sure what Twitter is? It's a social networking/
micro-blogging site on the Internet. You can view
our "tweets" at http://twitter.com/1stChurchBflo.
Other Twitterers include PC(USA) Moderator Rev.
Bruce Reyes-Chow (@breyeschow), Montreat
Conference Center (@montreat), and other
Presbyterian churches across the country.
It can be the answer to many of your questions. and
has the most up-to-date information. We hope that
you’ll check it out!
If you have any questions about the website, please
contact Christina Trachtenberg (Business Manager) at
[email protected] or 884-7250,
extension 11.
ww
FirstC w.
hu
Buffa rch
lo
.org
18
Remember the 4 R’s:
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN: To carry the work of conservation forward, the next
generation must absorb its lessons. Talk to your children about the issues,
encourage them to read on the subject, and persuade their teachers to include
ecological studies in their curricula. Above all, show them by example how to
reuse, recycle, avoid waste, and care.
MICROFIBER CLOTHS: Stop using paper towels! Instead, pick up micro-fiber cloth towels to use all
around the house. Thousands of tiny little fibers literally grip and hold onto the dirt and bacteria. They are
machine-washable, so you can use them over and over again. Just spray a surface with a non-toxic, allpurpose cleaner and wipe away with the micro-fiber towels.
DRY CLEANING: Commonly called perc, perchloroethylene is one of the main solvents used in dry
cleaning. This chemical, linked to a variety of health problems including nervous system disruptions, liver
problems, cancer, headaches, nausea, and dizziness, should not find its way into the environment. Many
clothes that are dry-cleaned could be washed by hand or in a washing machine’s gentle cycle. Or
sidestep the issue by simply choosing clothes that don’t call for dry cleaning.
The country’s dry cleaners use about 57 million pounds of perc each year, releasing about 12 million
pounds of it into the air. We are fortunate to have a dry cleaning business in Buffalo that uses no
chemicals. Check them out: Eco Friendly Custom Cleaners, 152 Elmwood Avenue.
COTTON CLOTHING: Organically produced cotton clothes are more expensive, but their benefits are
substantial. Conventionally grown cotton is drenched in pesticides and other chemicals; an average acre
of California cotton receives 13 pounds of pesticides and herbicides, plus hundreds of pounds of
synthetic fertilizer. Organic cotton growing avoids the runoff that this kind of agriculture produces.
To find suppliers of organic cotton clothing, see this link from Coop America: www.coopamerica.org.
Purchase organic-cotton tees. Cotton is the second-most chemically sprayed crop in America (corn is
first). Each traditional tee requires a third of a pound of synthetic fertilizers. Pull on an organic T-shirt and
feel as if the earth is giving you a little hug.
FABRIC TABLECLOTHS: Use real fabric tablecloths and runners instead of throwaways. They’ll look
better and last longer also.
SAY “IT’S VINTAGE”: Shopping at thrift stores like Goodwill or buying used goods on eBay can be
super-cheap, but it's also eco-friendly. Why? There's none of the energy consumed that would be used in
manufacturing and transporting something new. Plus, you're reusing furniture and clothing that might
otherwise get thrown away. No need to say it's a thrift-store find. Just call it "vintage" or "antique.
Don’t forget to use Freecycle.com to recycle unwanted items. Just type in your zip code and they will
connect you with your local group. You advertise what you have to give away and then the person comes
to your home to pick it up. This is a great way to dispose of large appliances, furniture and clothing. You
may also find a great bargain for yourself at no cost to you.
DODGE THE DRAFTS: Keep the blustery cold air outdoors by stopping drafts at windows and doors.
Place a draft dodger — a long fabric tube — along the edges where cold seeps inside to stop it in its
tracks. For smaller windows, you can make your own dodger. Just fill a large sock, such as an athletic
sock, with pebbles or sand and tie a knot at the end.
Don’t forget, ”together we can make a difference!”
Lesley Haynes – [email protected]
19
Jose Gomez
Brad Martinez
José Gomez and Brad Martinez united with First Presbyterian Church on
Reformation Sunday, October 25th. José is a long-time member of First who
moved to Atlanta years ago. Now, back in WNY, José has reunited with his
church family on Symphony Circle. Retired, José in interested in and has
previously labored in prison ministry, as well as street and youth outreach.
Brad loves music, skateboarding and computers, and hopes to put his talents
with the guitar to use in worship. Both José and Brad are joining the
Membership Committee and are ready to evangelize the area – especially our
Hispanic neighbors.
Welcome to both of you, we are blessed to have you!
20
The Jepson Library Proudly Presents:
Dickens’ Celebration of ‘A Christmas Carol’
on Saturday, December 4th at 7:00 p.m.
Diane Hinman will host this years’
celebration at her home located at
68 Marjann Terrace in the Buffalo.
Please bring a yummy snack to share!
Please RSVP to the Church Office at
884-7250, ext. 10 or [email protected]
Building Utilization Committee
The Building Utilization Committee, chaired by Jack Anthony, is at work as charged by
the Steering Team to examine creative ways to use the building to generate income. The
committee will meet on November 11th at 4:45 PM in the Library. If you would like to
learn more about this committee, or are interested in joining, please call the church office
at 884-7250, ext. 11 or attend the November 11th meeting.
CELL PHONE DRIVE
DONATIONS NEEDED!
The 2009 Budget shows a reduction in the
Hospitality line. Help support Fellowship Hour
after church with a donation of the following
items:
Paper products:

Hot & cold cups

Napkins

Small paper plates
Orange juice
Ground coffee (must be unopened)
Plastic utensils
Donations may be left in the Blue Room Kitchen.
We are still collecting old cell phones,
which will be sent to a company that
recycles phones and pays non-profits
anywhere from $1 to $50 per phone! By
dropping your old cell phones in the
Church Office, you’ll be
clearing out your drawer
space, and helping us raise
money. So keep us in mind
whenever you want to get rid
of a old cell phone!
Questions? Call the Church
Office at 884-7250, ext 10.
Many thanks!
Thank you!
21
Sig Art
Illustrated by Sig Potembski
Ramona Brown
Elizabeth Cheatham
Summer Flaherty
Rev. Donald Garrett
Thanksgiving from the kids at First Church
Heidi Genrich
Jesse Larson
WOW!!!
Chasi Martin
What a great time was had by all who
attended the First Annual Family Fun
Fest! Special thanks goes out to the
Youth Group, their advisors – Erica and
Jeff and Jess and Colin. Thanks also to
JoAnn Doerr and the Church Life
Committee who supplied fabulous
pasta, and the members of the
Christian Education Committee who
lent their hands where ever needed!
Maria Murphy
Marvin Riegle
William Rieth
Donald Standart
If we missed your birthday,
we do apologize.
Please call 884-7250
at let us know.
22
Congratulations are
in order for:
An Email from Our Dear Saint,
Beth Cheatham in Arizona
It's been a long 10 months since I
left. I'm going to school full-time now
this is my second semester. I'm
having fun in the classes I'm taking
this semester learning things I never
knew. How are things going in the
library and in church?
Rev. John Long and Teresa
Maciocha who were married on
October 16th in a surprise ceremony.
Rev. Geri was able to be there to help
officiate.
Congratulations and best wishes for
many happy years together!
When I'm not doing schoolwork or
studying I'm working on my 3rd book.
I set the poetry aside for a while. this
new book is a book of fiction called
Ravena's Story; about a young
woman warrior in an army of men
and the things she has to cope with
set in a world that I created and it is
quite an undertaking creating the
entire world and everything that goes
along with it. It stretches my
overactive imagination at times. My
second book of Poetry entitled
Together: Children of Promise is
finished I'm saving up the money to
get it published with a different
publisher. Well I could go on for a
long time but I'll stop for now. Take
care and tell everyone hello for me.
••••••••••••••
Lauren Cooper, daughter if Ilsa
Cooper and granddaughter of Jane
Hansen, who graduated from the
University of Alaska in Anchorage,
cum laude, with a Bachelors degree in
nursing. Way to go!
A BEAUTIFUL THANK YOU
Dear Members of 1st Church,
The cold grey days of autumn are
upon us and we find ourselves looking to
the things which will give us comfort, such
as a fire in the fireplace, a hot cup of tea,
or a cozy warm favorite sweater or wrap.
Not only do these things warm our bodies,
but they warm our thoughts as well.
[Recently] my church family brought
to me a most beautiful prayer shawl that
enveloped me in loving caring thoughts as
well as providing a physical warmth and
softness. Thank you for being my “soft
place” where I know I can be thought of in
kindness, and treated with care. Thank
you for prayers always.
Love, Priscilla Pfenninger
Love,
Beth
23
First Church Calendar
SUNDAY
MONDAY
November 1
All SAINTS DAY
Children dress in costume (see page 13)
9:30 AM — Adult Christian Ed.
11:00 AM — Worship & Communion,
12:00 PM — Fellowship Hour
2
8
STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY
11:00 AM — Worship, Rev. Dr. Geri Lyon preaching
11:15 AM — Special Children’s Activity
9
BUILDING CLOSED
6:30-8:00 PM — Prayer Shawl
Gathering at Café Allegro on Hertel
BUILDING CLOSED
15
Children’s Food Drive for the Bread of Life Pantry
11:00 AM — Joint Worship with the Liberian community,
11:15 AM — Sunday School
12:00 PM — Everything 1st Gift Shop Open
6:30 PM — Ars Nova Concert
16
22
Children’s Food Drive for the Bread of Life Pantry
11:00 AM — Worship, Rev. Dr. Geri Lyon preaching
12:00 PM — Everything 1st Gift Shop Open
7:00 PM — Royal Serenader’s Concert
23
29
FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
Giving Tree
11:00 AM — Worship, Deacon Quinton Meyer preaching
30
BUILDING CLOSED
BUILDING CLOSED
BUILDING CLOSED
24
TUESDAY
3
ELECTION DAY
10:30 AM-12:00 PM — Staff Mtg.
11:00 AM—2:00 PM — Thrift Shop
3:30-5:00 PM — Fight Back: Aikido
4:00 PM — Spirituality Comm.
5:00-6:30 PM — LV Tutoring
5:30 PM — Worship & Music Mtg.
7:00 PM — Lands & Bldgs. Mtg.
8:00 PM — AA Mtg.
10
7:00 PM — CE Mtg.
8:00 PM — AA Mtg.
17
8:00 PM — AA Mtg.
24
8:00 PM — AA Mtg.
December 1
5:30 PM — Worship & Music Mtg.
7:00 PM — Lands & Bldgs. Mtg.
8:00 PM — AA Mtg.
November 2009
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
1:00-3:00 PM — Bible Study
2:00 PM — Church Life Mtg.
6:30 PM — NA Mtg.
6:30 PM — Oversight Committee
7
6
5
4
5:00 PM — Membership Mtg.
BUILDING CLOSES AT 8:00 PM
8:00 PM — AA Mtg.
13
12
11
3:30-5:00 PM — Fight Back: Aikido 12:00-4:30 PM — Ars Nova
4:45 PM — Building Utilization Mtg BUILDING CLOSES AT 8:00 PM Rehearsal
8:00 PM — AA Mtg.
5:45 PM — Trustees’ Mtg.
6:30 PM — NA Mtg.
7:00 PM — Deacons’ Mtg.
7:00 PM — P&A Mtg.
18
3:30-5:00 PM — PICS Tutoring
6:30 PM — NA Mtg.
7:00 PM — Session Mtg.
19
25
No Bible Study
3:30-5:00 PM — PICS Tutoring
6:30 PM — NA Mtg.
26
8:00 PM — AA Mtg
Building Closed
December 4
December 3
December 2
3:30-5:00 PM — Fight Back: Aikido 8:00 PM — AA Mtg.
2:00 PM — Church Life Mtg.
BUILDING CLOSES AT 8:00 PM
5:30 PM — Budget Committee Mtg
6:30 PM — NA Mtg.
6:00 PM — Women’s Book Club
25
10:00 AM—First
Churches of Buffalo
Tour (see pg. 10)
9:00 AM — Ars Nova
Rehearsal
10:00 AM —
Women’s Assoc.
Holiday Boutique
10:00 AM — PWNY
Mtg. in Franklinville
28
27
THANKSGIVING
Building Closed
14
21
20
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
6:00 PM — Men’s Fellowship
Program & Dinner
SATURDAY
Building Closed
December 5
December 6th is the
Church Life
Christmas Family
Dinner & Sing-a-long!
VIVE Freedom Bowl
SUNDAY, NOV. 15th 12:00-3:00 PM
at Canisius College’s Student Center
For tickets call
(716) 892-4354.
Visit www.vivelacasa.org
for more information.
Enjoy a fabulous Fall Feast of international foods prepared by
refugees of the world, served in a one-of-a-kind,
handmade Freedom Bowl.
The event also features multi-cultural music,
auctions and door prizes.
MID-WEEK BIBLE STUDY
WITH REV. DR. LYON
*Wednesdays 1:00-3:00 PM
in the Pastor’s Study.
*No Class on
Nov. 25th
All are
welcome!
26
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
OFFICERS
SESSION AND TRUSTEES BY CLASS AND TERM
Clerk of Session
Janet Hill
Associate Clerk of Session
Joan Close
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Tuesday through Friday 9 AM to 5 PM*
*Please note the office closes from 12:00-1:00 PM daily.
When calling, please leave a message on the appropriate staff
member’s voicemail or ext. 10.
Class of 2012
Jack Anthony (2)
JoAnn Doerr (2)
Jean Hess (1)
Janet Hill (1)
Don Houck (1)
Roger Woodard (2)
Our fax number is (716) 884-7253.

BUILDING USE
Class of 2011
Molly Anthony (T) (1)
Hilary Bradford (1)
Carlton Brownell (T) (1)
John Darby (T) (1)
Lauren Hill (1)
Marv Riegle (1)
Please arrange use of building space for meetings and other events in
advance with the Church Office by calling 884-7250, ext. 10 to add
your meeting to the church calendar. All building use is subject to
approval.
Class of 2010
Mark Armesto (T) (2)
Summer Flaherty (T) (1)
Norm Gibbon (1)
John Gulick (T) (1)
Henry Porter (T) (1)
William Schulz (1)
12-STEP MEETINGS
HOSTED AT FIRST CHURCH

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
8:00 p.m. every Tuesday & Friday
(except holidays) in Community Hall.
(T) indicates that the Elder has also been elected
to serve as a Trustee while on Session.
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
BOARD OF DEACONS BY CLASS AND TERM
Class of 2012
Gregg Borland (2)
Jessica Laudisio (1)
Madeline Mason (2)
Judith Paradzai (1)
Lovelace Quarshie (2)
Phil Sims (1)
Denis Wettlaufer (1)
Class of 2011
Russell Carlson (1)
Jennifer Doerr (2)
Mary Field (1)
Karen Frieder (1)
Jessica Henry (1)
Maria Murphy (1)
Jim Pennington (1)
Class of 2010
Debra Byrne (1)
Colin Henry (1)
Alan McCausland (2)
Tsitsi Paradzai (2)
Olga Rico-Armesto (2)
Brent Shabacon (1)
Suzanne Snyder (1)
6:30 p.m. every Wednesday
(except holidays) in Community Hall

BREAD OF LIFE FOOD PANTRY
Bags are distributed at 12:30 p.m. every Tuesday on the
Wadsworth St. side of the building (except holidays).
Available to all, first come, first served.
To reach Rev. Dr. Geri Lyon in an emergency, call:
884-7250, ext. 13 (Office)
884-4617 (Home)
To reach Mary Lou George, Director of Pastoral Care,
in an emergency, call:
884-7250, ext. 12 (Office) / 316-6968 (Cell)
27
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
One Symphony Circle
Buffalo, NY 14201-1213
(Across from Kleinhans)
Phone: (716) 884-7250
Fax: (716) 884-7253
www.firstchurchbuffalo.org
[email protected]
FIRST CHURCH
STAFF
The Reverend Jack Smiley, Pastor Emeritus
The Reverend Dr. Geri Lyon, Pastor
[email protected]
Voicemail extension: 13
.
The Reverend John Long, D.D.
Parish Associate for Community Outreach
[email protected]
The Reverend Donald Garrett,
Parish Associate for Pastoral Care
Mary Lou George, Director of Pastoral Care
[email protected]
Ellen Henry, Associate for Christian Ed. & Outreach
[email protected]
.
Dr. David Bond, Organist/Choirmaster, Bookkeeper
[email protected]
Christina Trachtenberg, Business Manager
[email protected]
Tim Neaverth, Building Supervisor
[email protected]
Tom Hollfelder, Custodian/Security Guard
Church Office, extension 10
28

Light from the Tower - First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo

Transcription

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