Old Dutch Church Steeple Chimes

Old Dutch Church Steeple Chimes
June 2016
.....from the pastor.....
Several weeks ago as I stretched out my arms to give God’s benediction at the
close of worship, it occurred to me that this stance, this single
gesture—standing with your arms outstretched—captures the essence of
who God is. This is Jesus’s stance on the cross. He died just as he lived every
day of his life—with arms stretched out wide. Jesus is literally God’s “benediction.” He is God’s “good word” in the flesh. In Jesus’ open-armed life and
death we see God’s unconditional love and wide welcome. It is a vulnerable,
defenseless, unprotected, totally receptive stance. Before actually giving the benediction, I
said all of this about God, then went on to say, “we are blessed by God and called to live our
lives in this open-armed way.”
Several days later Peter said to me, “I’ve been thinking about what you said, and about that
picture of God standing with arms outstretched. It makes God feel like a wall you walk into or
something. I want those arms to wrap around me and hold me, not just be outstretched.”
Peter’s comment was, first of all, a reminder that communication is always complicated. His
sense of wide-open arms and mine are not the same. But second, Peter made me think more
about the reality of what it is like for God to welcome and embrace the world, and each of us
as individuals. Then third, it made me think about Old Dutch Church and what we have learned
about offering God’s welcome—both opening our arms wide and then wrapping them around
those who are drawn into our life.
When God receives us, we are changed and God is changed. We sometimes say that God never
changes. This is a statement about God’s never-changing love and never-ending faithfulness. But
God’s experience and being are changed by God’s reception of us. When God opens God’s self to
creation and to the world, God opens to both suffering and joy, good and evil, abundance and lack.
For God, and for us, fully embracing another person means receiving everything that the person
is. Stuff you love. Stuff that drives you batty. Stuff that makes demands on you. Stuff that
delights you. Stuff that eases demands on you. Other persons are gifts, not because they are
completely wonderful, but just because they ARE. And in our being with them and their being with
us our worlds get bigger and our lives become more textured and complicated and interesting.
Which means that God has the most textured, complicated, and interesting life imaginable.
Because God is perpetually offering wide open arms and eternal embrace to the whole creation,
and to every body in this vast universe. When you open your arms to receive God’s benediction,
you get a hug and a holding that change your being and way of living, for good!
Peace and joy to you,
Pastor Renée
***************
PRAYER CORNER
Hospitalized - Galen Kelly, Abigail Williams (Pat Hall; infant), Julia Laycon (request),
Mary Ann Milczarzyk, Annie Milczarzyk (Dee’s daughters; Annie scheduled for surgery
June 6), Anne Glass (Lois Every; Anne has had her 2nd surgery and sends her thanks for the
prayers and concern on her behalf)
Nursing Homes - Ed Ford (now at the Thompson House in Rhinebeck for rehab), Mary
Markle, Collette Sonnenberg, Don & Audrey Hornbeck, Edna Atkins, Dorothea Clearwater,
Donald Bell (for rehab; Galen Kelly)
At Home – Howard Hopkins, Dee Milczarzyk & Anthony (grandson), Sylvia Van Etten, Marion
Ostrander, Linda Foster (Liz Kelly), Patricia Pick (Joel & Gisela Brink), Jill Sleed (Julia Ramsay), Liam
Lezniak (age 4, by Matt Hall), Hannah Little (Hannah sends her thanks for the prayers on her behalf,
feeling that they provide an invisible umbrella of comfort & peace to her), Michael Flynn (Joanne Flynn’s
brother)
Missionaries - Doug Leonard (Oman), Jim & Beth Harrison (Bahrain)
Military Service - James Bonestell (son of Ken & Rebecca Rosier)
Church Life Committee of Classis of Mid-Hudson encourages our congregations to pray for one
another and our shared ministries. This month please pray for General Synod, June 5; MidHudson Commissioned Pastors Candidates, June 12; Mid-Hudson Certified and Commissioned
Preaching Elders, June 19; Classis and Contemplative Retreats, June 26.
Our prayers and sympathy go to the family and friends of Travis Sheeley on his recent passing.
Prayers were requested for Travis during one of our worship services last month.
Congratulations to Ryan and Julia Johnson on the birth of Theodore Charles
DeForest Johnson on March 12th. Teddy is the 3rd grandchild of Pat Johnson,
former Director of Choirs at Old Dutch. Ryan & Julia have been living in Omaha
for the past few years.
Congratulations to Matt Hall on recently receiving the Pride of Ulster County Award for “heroic
effort, courage and quick thinking to save the life of an infant in respiratory arrest”. Matt is an
EMT volunteer with the Sawkill Volunteer Fire Department and, as such, responded with a
crew to the call last August. Matt is the older son of Gene & Pat Hall, a CPA by day, former
Consistory member, and an active member of Kiwanis, as well as several other organizations.
We Have A New Organist!
Last month we announced that our Organist, Michael
Golzmane will be stepping down from his position at ODC.
We are delighted to announce that Justan Foster has
accepted the call to become our new Organist beginning in
September. At six years old Justan began playing the piano.
He liked it! And before long decided to add organ playing to
his repertoire and came under the tutelage of Lonnie Kulick
of the Kingston Conservatory of Music.
Justan Foster at the organ he
designed for the 1st Reformed
Church of Scotia, NY
You can hear Justan play by
going to this website:
Justan holds the B.A. in English and History from SUNY
Albany and a Certificate in Liturgical Music from the College
of St. Rose. Currently serving at the First Reformed Church
of Scotia, New York, Justan has also served congregations
in the Methodist and Episcopal traditions. He regularly
performs through-out the Eastern United State, both alone
and accompanying other musicians, and released his first
solo album in 2015.
https://youtu.be/aWcnF8i_hyQ
- Bach "Nun Komm, Den Heiden
Heiland"
Shortly before joining us in the Fall, Justan will be married
to Paige Convis, a minister in the RCA, serving two
https://youtu.be/pvIe6aNHIQs - congregations in Rensselaer County. When not playing the
piano and organ, Justan works for the DMV in Albany. We
Jenkins "Deo Gracias"
are eager to have him join us. He is a superb organist and,
https://youtu.be/Yda1g3r6vkE - as one of his colleagues said, “a really nice guy!” We give
Fedak "Lyric Suite" (WBTN Music thanks to God for bringing Justan into our life at ODC.
from Waller Hall Episode)
Thanks and a Partial Farewell to Musician Michael Golzmane – Sunday, June 19, will be
Michael’s last Sunday as our regular organist and pianist for worship. In God’s good
providence, Michael came into our life about one year ago following Pastor Ken’s move to
Florida. Michael’s intention was to stay with us for just three months. That stretched into a
year. And now, with his own healing practice expanding, Michael is will step down from his
regular position at the Old Dutch Church. During his time with us, Michael has blessed us with
wonderful gifts for improvisation along with skill for classical organ and piano playing, and has
shared his own compositions with us. He has also engaged us in lively conversations about
God, worship, healing, and life. Although Michael will no longer be with us for Sunday worship
and choir rehearsals, he has offered to keep playing for our regular Healing Services, and
intends to stay engaged as we continue to give shape to our healing ministries. On Sunday,
June 19, together we will celebrate and express our thanks to Michael.
Children’s Day and Church Picnic—Sunday, June 26
Every Sunday is “children’s day” at Old Dutch Church, but once a year we celebrate our
children by celebrating one day on which our Sunday Worship service is specially designed for
the children and led by the children. On Children’s Sunday, we will also say “thank you” to our
faithful teachers, and award a scholarship to Francis Smith who is graduating from Kingston
High School and will head off to D’Youville College, Buffalo, NY, in the fall.
Immediately following worship, we will have a Church Picnic with all the usual picnic food, a
Photo Booth and other fun and games. This is a great day to bring friends to worship with us,
share in a festive meal, and celebrate all of the ways that God nourishes us and gives us what
we need to live in peace and joy!
If you are able to bring buns or chips for the party, please add your name to the sign-up sheets
(or call the Church Office, 845-338-6759)
************
Food Bank Farm Stands Re-Open - Every Tuesday, 9:30a - 12 noon at
People’s Place, beginning on May 24; 2nd & 4th Thursday, 10a - 1p at
Community Action, 70 Lindsley Ave., May 26-Dec. 22 (except Nov. 3 & 17).
FREE fresh fruit & vegetables, just bring a bag!
The Pregnancy Support Center’s Baby Bottle Fundraiser
will run through Father’s Day, June 19. If you would like
to take a baby bottle to fill, they are available in Bethany
Hall. Please let Adam Kudlo know if you are taking a bottle.
Crafts on Wall Street have returned during the 1st & 3rd
Saturdays of the Farmers’ Market. We would like to
have the Sanctuary open for visitors from 10 - 2 on
these Saturdays. If you are interested in acting as a host to the
vendors and/or greeter to visitors, please leave your name in the
church office, 338-6759.
Sunday, June 5 - The Annual Pride Day Parade will be held in New Paltz,
sponsored by the LGBTQ Center. The Parade will step off from the
parking lot of the high school at 1 p.m. Please speak to Pastor Renee if
you are interested in participating.
**********
Family web
Genealogy research turns up some intriguing relations; for example, Barack Obama and Sarah Palin are 10th
cousins, and Britney Spears and Prince Albert of Monaco are 17th half-cousins. In the Bible, Jesus is linked to
Rahab and Ruth, members of nations that were enemies of Israel.
Searches for family connections quickly reveal not only roots but also a web. Only a few generations up in the
branches of each family tree are so many people that trees intersect. Scientists speculate that most people living
today are related through a recent common ancestor. So there’s a “web-like tapestry” rather than a “tree that
fans out exponentially,” according to writer Carl Zimmer.
DEACON’S CORNER
“Whenever you find you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform.”
Mark Twain
Submitted by Elder Maxson
Realizing we’re all connected should affect how we treat others. After all, we’re related to people with diverse
backgrounds and opinions. In terms of genealogy, as well as living as Jesus’ disciples, we belong to one
another.
****************
Spring Fine Arts Recitals will conclude on
Thursday, June 9th with a performance by the
Kingston Community Singers, directed and
accompanied by Lonnie Kulick.
************
Sunday, June 19th