Presbytery of Western New York
E-Newsletter January 12, 2010 PASTORS' RETREAT DEADLINE - JANUARY 14TH
Click here for the registration flyer for the PWNY Pastors' Retreat at Dunkirk's Clarion Hotel, January 25-27. The deadline for registration is January 14th. HELP! YOUR ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED!
What are you doing with regard to stewardship? Churches around the Presbytery designed new and invited stewardship materials, last fall. We are assembling a “stewardship resource table” for the January 30th presbytery meeting at North (Williamsville). Please e-mail (janitab@pbywny.org), bring, or send in hard copy (2060 Union Rd., West Seneca, NY 14224) an example of your stewardship/outreach letter and related materials. Hopefully, this sharing will be of continuing benefit. Also on the topic of stewardship, we will display books, DVDs, or other materials, along with a summary review. You are invited to share your favorite book or other materials on stewardship, along with a summary description. We will make copies of your descriptions/reviews for distribution. Please forward them to janitab@pbywny.org for duplication. Your participation and sharing are invaluable. Thank you.
HANDCHIMES PROJECT AT WRIGHTS CORNERS
Pictured below is a rehearsal of the handchime ensemble at Wrights Corners Presbyterian Church, under the direction of Jean Walsh. The group performed several carols at holiday and Sunday services. The newly-acquired instruments are part of the battery of percussion instruments whose purchase was made possible by the worship music grant from the Synod of the Northeast and the Presbytery Partnership Group. The instruments, available on loan to PWNY churches, include djembe drums, rain sticks, an assortment of small ethnic instruments, and the handchimes.
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NEWS FROM ACROSS THE PRESBYTERY
The Cozy Quilters Ministries of Allegany’s First Presbyterian Church has completed 37 quilts since last April to give to people with cancer. There are 29 quilters who have participated.
Niagara Falls’s First Presbyterian Church is collecting samples of the favorite hymn or hymns of members of the congregation in order to incorporate them into services. The church has a continuing food drive in which worship participants are requested to bring a can every Sunday to lay it before the altar.
Westfield’s First Presbyterian Church was featured in a photo article in Jamestown’s Post Journal describing a $500 donation to the Chautauqua County Habitat for Humanity. Pictured were Marjory Fritz and Hank Lynn presenting the check to Ann Weidman. Each monthly newsletter features an historical and musical description of a “Hymn of the Month.” This month’s hymn is “Jesus Shall Reign.”
North Presbyterian Church (North Tonawanda) is hosting a Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre Comedy, January 16th, at 5:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Tickets are $12 and are available at the church office. Call 693-7030 for more information.
Hamburg’s Wayside Presbyterian Church schedules a Soup-A-Thon for Super Bowl Sunday (this year: February 3rd). All-you-can-eat soup tickets cost $6. Last year, there were 27 different kinds of soup. The book club has selected The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein for their January 25th meeting (7 PM in the Library). Discussion questions are available in advance. A quilt made by the Tuesday Morning Quilters will be raffled off on May 3rd, benefitting Wayside’s church programs. The CD of the musical tribute to Pastor Dave Persons at the time of his retirement is available for $10.
First Presbyterian Church of Portville is beginning a new hands-on mission project. Members are requested to purchase personal care items to donate. (If one is on sale, purchase two and donate one!)
Rev. Cynthia Wickwire-Lundquist of First Presbyterian Church of Fredonia is continuing her doctoral studies. Course work is focusing on the church in the world today and covers such topics as ecumenicism, global Christianity, religious diversity in America, the theology of our built environment, and current trends in the church. Her next course focuses on culturally-relevant ministry in the world today.
The book study club at Clarence Presbyterian Church is focusing on a book entitled Say Yes to No. The book addresses priority-setting at home and in the workplace.
First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston has a book discussion group that meets on Tuesdays, at 6 PM, at Siro’s. The group will read Mary Connealy’s Gingham Mountain, Karen Kingsbury’s Like Dandelion Dust, and Michael Phillips’s Angels Watching Over Me.
Click here for a flyer from the First Presbyterian Church of Tonawanda that describes the Real Life Academy, mentioned in last week’s newsletter. The Tonawanda church, in collaboration with the Red Cross, is hosting a disaster preparedness event on January 16th. Click here for a news release about this opportunity for our congregations in WNY to participate in disaster preparedness.
First Presbyterian Church of Springville is scheduling an overnight on January 22nd at the Niagara Aquarium (call Christy at 592-0735 or Janine at 592-5580 for more information). A preview of a program from Financial Peace University will be held on January 17th at 6:36 PM. The program facilitates debt-reduction and saving. Book study on Rick Warren’s Purpose-driven Church is scheduled on Saturdays at 8:45 AM or Wednesdays at 5:30 PM.
A message from Randolph United Presbyterian Church: Folks in Randolph are keeping up their reputation as a lively congregation. On January 17, the church will baptize one new member, and receive 3 new confirmands (ages 13, 18 and 26) and 2 more by letter of transfer. Two weeks later, two of those new members will be ordained into the office of Deacon, after which the congregation will enjoy their annual Roast Pork and Sauerkraut dinner. On Transfiguration Sunday, aka Valentine’s Day, the congregation invites all to come for a day of Wii Fun! Folks of all ages can compete in the 2nd annual bowling tourney, a rather ruthless competition that has taken the place of the community’s ecumenical bowling competition, gone by the wayside when Randolph’s only bowling alley closed.
DUFFIELD SURVEY
Please take just a few moments to click on the link below and complete the survey. All questions (save one) are multiple choice - it will take no more than five short minutes of your time! We are seeking to improve and focus on some of the ways in which we go about the ministry and mission of Duffield, and your input will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DSZV8ML
AUGUST TRAINING PROGRAM PLANNED IN PITTSBURGH
Click here for more information and click here for a flyer about a mission-focused Christian Education option being offered at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary!
FEBRUARY 6TH MEETING OF PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN OF THE PRESBYTERY OF WESTERN NEW YORK
PWNY Presbyterian Women will meet at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church (4369 South Buffalo St.) on Saturday, February 6, at 10:30 AM. Speakers include Molly Anthony (Family Promise of WNY) and John Harbison (Journeys End). The worship leader will be Dr. Pat Townsend. Call Joyce Bailey (662-7380) by January 27th.
DINNER WITH INTERFAITH FRIENDS FEATURES ARUN K. JAIN IN “GETTING YOUR MESSAGE OUT”
On January 21, at 6 PM, Arun K. Jain (Professor of Marketing at SUNY Buffalo) will speak on “Getting Your Message Out” at St. Stephens-Bethlehem UCC Church. A ticket for dinner and the program costs $25. Call 882-4793 for a reservation.
WESTMINSTER WINTERFEST TO BENEFIT THE WEST SIDE BAZAAR
The 2nd annual Westminster Winterfest will be held at Buffalo’s Westminster Presbyterian Church (724 Delaware Ave.), on Friday, February 5th, at 6:30 PM. Music by the Sugar and Jazz Orchestra will begin at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $15. For and evening of music, refreshments, and fun, RSVP by January 30th at 884-9437. Raffle tickets and gift items will be available for purchase.
CAMP DUFFIELD NEWSLETTER
Click here for the latest news about Camp Duffield and its program opportunities.
CAMP DUFFIELD UPDATE
Camp Duffield has had a busy year improving the camp. This past year, we have added a new roof and sky lights to Keeler Lodge. We have had the fireplace in Keeler Lodge repaired. Roof repairs to Cabins 2, 5, and 6 have been completed. A new ceiling has been installed in the Outpost bathroom. The leaks in the roof for Janeway, Son Shine Shack and Craft Hall have been repaired. The major road repairs have been completed. The property has been reposted to keep out the hunters.
Projects for 2010 include a climbing wall, an archery range and brush-clearing on the sled hill. Plans are in the works for the New Seymour Center, a multi-purpose building near the cabins for year around retreats and meetings. There are a few weekends left in April and May for your retreat. Visit the website at www.CampDuffield.org.
PRESBYTERIANS TODAY RESOURCE
Click here for information about ordering the 2010 Lenten Study Guide from Presbyterians Today.
SOUL SEARCHING: THE GAY AND LESBIAN RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE
A series of classes will be held at First Presbyterian Church on the corner of Paine and Main Streets in the Village of East Aurora, entitled Soul Searching: The Gay and Lesbian Religious Experience (2nd in a series). The classes will be held at 9:30 AM on Sundays in the Lounge, led by Pastor Buddy Hubbard.
One of the great reminders of Epiphany, in the Western tradition, is that the Star of Bethlehem led Magi from the East and Gentiles (therefore, outsiders to the Jewish faith) to worship Christ the Lord. With Jesus’ appearing comes a call to widen our horizons beyond our own religious and cultural experience, in order to understand and appreciate the faith journeys of others (especially those we may not know well). Last year (the first year of this Epiphany series), participants in the series examined the African-American religious experience.
More and more, the Church of Jesus Christ is dividing over the issue of what to do about gays and lesbians in the church. Should they be welcomed as members? Should they be ordained? Should the Church sanction marriage or bless their unions? It doesn’t appear likely that the Church will answer these questions with any semblance of unanimity. Division seems inevitable. But does it need to be?
Throughout the month of January, the group will examine what the Bible says and does not say about homosexuality. They will look at their own personal feelings and share their own stories, exploring cultural, scientific, and historical information in order to understand God’s children who are gay and lesbian. Will the doors of the church swing wide to welcome gays and lesbians or remain shut? Epiphany, Jesus’ appearing to the whole world, is a call to explore these vital questions. For more information, call 652-0160. INVITATION TO STEM CELL RESEARCH PRESENTATION ON JANUARY 10TH AT EASTERN HILLS WESLEYAN CHURCH You are invited Sunday, January 10 at 6:30pm at Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church for our next Apologetics Roundtable. Our guest speaker will be Dr. James Delaney, philosophy professor at Niagara University. Dr. Delaney, a foremost expert in the area of biomedical ethics, will present a lecture titled, "Exploring the Moral Issues Surrounding Stem Cell Research."
This talk will examine some of the most important ethical questions of our time: Should embryonic stem cells be used for medical testing and procedures? Does such usage end the lives of unborn humans? How should Christians think about these items and how can their voice be heard? Dr. Delaney's lecture will be followed by discussion and questions from the audience. Free refreshments will be on hand, as well.
For more information, click here for the attached flyer or visit www.wnyapologetics.com.
FORUM ON DOMESTIC DISASTER MINISTRY, APRIL 17-20
Click here for the brochure on the Church World Service Forum on Domestic Disaster Ministry which is scheduled for April 17-20, 2010, at the New Windsor (MD) Conference Center, a Church of the Brethren facility at New Windsor, MD. Under the umbrella theme, "Equipping Disaster Ministry for Tomorrow. . . .Changing Times. . . .Unchanging Mission," the event will explore the modern not-for-profit landscape in disaster management and relationship with government and associated practical issues. Church World Service is pleased to open the Forum to the wider not-for-profit community beyond constituent denominations. Fee is $650.
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS FROM GLADYS GIFFORD
Erie County Recycling Event: Computers/Electronics, Textiles and Bikes
A recycling dropoff day is planned for Saturday, January 16, 2010 from 9am-1pm at Buffalo State College, Lot G which is located off of Rockwell Road which runs from Grant Street to Elmwood Avenue. The event is for Erie County residents and only household items will be accepted. Electronic items which can be brought to the site for free, proper disposal include: Computers, Monitors, Keyboards, Mice and Computer Accessories, Modems, Printers, Cell phones/MP3s/PDAs , Fax Machines, VCRs, CD & DVD Players, Game Systems, TVs, Rechargeable Batteries, Cables and Wiring and Fluorescent Bulbs. Bicycles collected will be utilized by the Blue Bicycle and Recycle-A-Bicycle programs to teach all ages the skills associated with bicycle repair, maintenance, and safety. Recycle your unwanted clothes and textile products. All items will be reused or recycled at AMVETS’ retail locations. For more information: 858-6996 or visit www.erie.gov or www.BuffaloRecycles.com. Volunteers are also needed for the event, contact Gary.Carrel@erie.gov if you can help.
Niagara Greenway Proposals-Opportunities for Public Comment
If you are interested on the current proposals for Niagara Greenway funding, you can check them out and submit comments on their website at www.niagaragreenway.org.
US Department of Energy Denies Funding to Jamestown Coal Burning Plant
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced its second installment of Round 3 Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) funding. Three projects received almost $1 billion in federal funds, but a hotly debated proposal in Jamestown, NY, was not among the projects funded. Environmental, health and energy groups have been fighting plans for the “clean” coal plant for years, noting the prohibitively high cost of power from the plant and the fact that the community can meet its energy needs more cheaply and cleanly. The proposed plant would have been the first new coal- fired power plant built in New York in more than 25 years. “Coal plants contribute to global climate change and have an adverse effect on health due to the emissions of mercury, SOx, NOx, particulates and other hazardous air pollutants,” said Alan H. Lockwood MD FAAN, Professor of Neurology, University at Buffalo, and Co-Chair, Environment and Health Committee, Physicians for Social Responsibility. A number of regional and national organizations are promoting a green
plan proposal for Jamestown which can be viewed at http://daemen.edu/~byoung/Jamestown Green Proposal.DOC.
QUALITY HEALTHCARE IN A RELIGIOUSLY DIVERSE WORLD
Click here for information on a conference on quality health care, co-sponsored by the Niagara University Department of Nursing and the Network of Religious Communities, will be held Wednesday, January 13, 2010, from 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM (registration begins at 8:00 AM) in the Castellani Art Museum on the Campus of Niagara University.
STUDY CATECHISM AVAILABLE
Click here for an eight-session study catechism, Foundations of Faith, available through The Presbyterian Leader.
CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Click here for a listing of continuing education opportunities through Princeton University.
Children's Lenten Activity Books
Click here for information about a new publication for Lenten activities for children.
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