Presbytery of Western New York
E-Newsletter

January 26, 2010

Help Provide Hygiene Kits for Haiti – Bring items to Presbytery Meeting

North Presbyterian Church, Williamsville is attempting to assemble 500 Hygiene Kits for Church World Service as a part of its response to the Haitian Disaster. You can help by bringing items for the kits to the Presbytery Meeting at North Church on Saturday, January 30th.

The items needed are:
    1 hand towel (approx. 16”x28”) – no bath or fingertip towels, please
    1 wash cloth
    1 wide-tooth comb
    1 nail clipper (no files or emery boards)
    1 bar of bath soap in its wrapper
    1 toothbrush in the original package
    6 Band-Aids

The above items are packed into 1-gallon-size plastic bags with zipper closures (donations of these are also appreciated). Only the above named items can be included.

Thanks for your help.

KITS FOR HAITI IN RANDOLPH
 
At Monday night’s Session meeting at Randolph United Presbyterian Church, Elder Dick Chubon came prepared with a Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) hygiene kit to send to Haiti.  Fellow elders quickly pledged all necessary items for 24 kits, which guest “pastor-exchange” preacher Howard Boswell (from Kenmore Presbyterian Church) will dedicate during Sunday’s worship.  Regular pastor Leslie Latham will be in Deerhurst, also participating in the pastor exchange.
 
Session has challenged the rest of the congregation to meet or beat the number of kits, and RUPC challenges the rest of our Presbytery of Western New York churches to do the same!

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!  Duffield administrators are seeking to improve and focus on some of the ways in which they go about the ministry and mission of Duffield.  Your input is greatly appreciated.  Thank you!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DSZV8ML

TOLLE STUDY AT ORCHARD PARK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Are looking for a drug-free way to help you cope with life's challenges? This may be your answer!
 
The popular WNY Eckhart Tolle study group will be offering its winter semester of bi-weekly meetings starting Sat., Jan. 23rd, at 6:30 PM, and Tues.. Jan 26th, at 7:15 PM, at the Orchard Park Presbyterian Church (4369 South Buffalo Rd.).  The meetings are free to anyone who is looking for a supportive and caring group dedicated to helping individuals and the world at large to find inner and outer peace!
 
The hour-and-a-half meetings will include watching #1 New York Times bestselling author Eckhart Tolle videos such as “The Secret of Happiness” and “Finding Your Life’s Purpose,” with time for discussion and meditation. These “can’t-miss” sessions hold great promise as the initial meetings were enthusiastic and well-attended!
 
You may e-mail or call organizers, as follows:  Dan Hay at dhay1@verizon.net or telephone 812-0179; or Carol Murphy at 662-6138 or visit http://www.meetup.com/WNYEckhart-Tolle or http://www.oppchurch.org/ for more information or registration!

FULL PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES AT WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Click here for a schedule of program activities at Westminster Presbyterian Church (Buffalo).

ADOPTION POSSIBILITIES
 
There is an opportunity for those considering adoption through Baker Victory Services and FANA of WNY.  There is a summer Host-to-Adopt program that matches waiting families and orphaned children from Bogota, Colombia.
 
Over 18 children have already made their homes in WNY, and manymore are waiting.  This program is open to both singles and couples.  Click here for a flyer that details information about the upcoming initial meetings.  For more information, call Baker Victory Services at 828-9636.

NETWORK OF RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES FOOD PANTRY NEEDS YOUR HELP

The holidays are over but the need for food continues.  Food and cash donations are encouraged and volunteers are welcome.  For information, call 716-882-4793.
 
6:35 PM FRIDAY JANUARY 15, 22, 29
KALEIDOSCOPE BROADCASTS OVER TIME WARNER NETWORK CHANNEL 20

Kaleidoscope, a program of the Network of Religious Communities, will be broadcast on Time/Warner Channel 20, on Fridays, January 15, 22, and 29, at 6:35 PM.  The programs focus on religious holidays and the religious communities of WNY.  They are co-produced by the Center for the Global Studies of Religion and the Video Institute of Canisius College.  The first segment features Rev. Carlos L. Malvabe, Assistant Stated Clerk, Presbyterian Church USA, who talks about ecumenical relations in 2010.  The next segment features Dr. Surjit Singh, Sikh Societies NF, in conversation about the 10th Guru Gobind Singh.  The host, Imam Yahya Luqman, is from the Ahmadiyya Muslim community.  For information or to comment on these broadcasts, call 716-882-4793.

CALENDAR EVENTS

JANUARY 18- 25
CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
 
JANUARY 19TH
BAHA’IS CELEBRATE TEACHINGS OF UNITY FOUND IN ALL RELIGIONS
 
JANUARY 19TH
FEAST OF THEOPHANY (Old Calendar)  Eastern Orthodox Christian Celebration of Manifestation of Jesus Christ
 
LOOKING AHEAD - SAVE THE DATES
 
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM, A FESTIVAL OF FAITHS
An opportunity to learn about your neighbor’s religious tradition.  Small group presentations by many different religious traditions.  Participants my choose two.  Old Main Hall, Canisius College, Main Street, Buffalo, NY.  For information, call 716-882-4793.
 
TUESDAY, MARCH 23, ANNUAL COMMUNITY INTERFAITH PASSOVER SEDER Temple Beth Am, 4660 Sheridan Drive, Williamsville.  $25.00 per person, Includes full Seder Dinner (Kosher dietary laws observed).  For information and reservations, call 716-886-7750, or email jbutler@jfedbflo.com

MUSIC AT ORCHARD PARK

Music and the Arts of Orchard Park Presbyterian Church is pleased to announce a series of concerts that are open to the community beginning in January through June 2010.  These concerts feature a variety of local musical arts ensembles and artists.  We would appreciate your support and encourage you to share this information widely.  The community is welcomed and encouraged to join us for these programs.  Click here for a Music and the Arts Program listing.  We look forward to seeing you at these programs.  For more information, please feel free to contact us or visit us on the web at: http://www.oppchurch.org/

HOUSING FOR WORK CAMPS

Habitat Buffalo has opportunities to host out-of-town work camps during the year.  There are times when the requests to come to Buffalo outstrip the housing we have been able to secure.  If your church has facilities to sleep 25 persons, a kitchen for preparing food, and perhaps showers, you could help Habitat Buffalo to utilize some work camps.  Please be in touch with Bob Henderson from North Presbyterian Church, Williamsville, Work Camp Coordinator, Buffalo, NY, 688-8054, or e-mail tefnorma@yahoo.com.

THEATRE OF YOUTH
 
Debbie Houck is on the Board of Theatre of Youth (TOY), a professional theatre in Buffalo that presents plays for children ages 3 through high school.  Later this month, TOY will present The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and, in March, it will be performing a play about Amelia Earhart.  Many in WNY are not aware of TOY and, to address this, TOY has put together a brief program for presentations at lunch meetings for Lions Clubs, Rotarians, and other like organizations.  The presentation would also be appropriate for PTAs, Home School Associations. Senior Groups, etc.  TOY presents shows to school groups but it also has public performances.  Parents like to take their children and grandparents like to take their grandchildren.  It is great entertainment for youth groups.

Many community groups are constantly looking for speakers for their weekly or bi-weekly meetings.  If you know of such a group – maybe it’s your own group – please have the person contact Don Houck at donald@houckins.com to schedule a date.  I would also be the person to answer questions about TOY.  The theatre web site is: http://www.theatreofyouth.org/

GENERAL ASSEMBLY MISSION COUNCIL (GAMC) NEWS

Click here for information from the General Assembly Mission Council, including information about how to work for GAMC.

CHARITIES YOU CAN TRUST

The site is worthy of letting you know "who's minding the store," as far as distributing donated funds: http://charitynavigator.org/

NEWS FROM THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NORTH TONAWANDA

The Presbyterian Women’s Association will be preparing a delicious spaghetti dinner on Sunday, January 31, 12:00pm., after church.  Ticket cost is $6.00.  Please call church for reservations by Monday, January 25. The dinner will raise money for migrant workers.
 
A Valentine Party will take place on Saturday, February 13 at 5:00pm.  A delicious catered dinner will be available for $10.00.  Please make reservations by calling 754-1245 by January 2.
 
The church hosts the Sunday radio program, “Taste of New Wine," every Sunday on WJJL, 1440AM, at 9:00 AM.  Rev Dr. Jeffery L. Grove delivers a weekly sermon on this station which reaches all of Western New York and Southern Ontario, Canada.

WNY BIBLICAL STORYTELLERS SEEK INPUT

To help us discern what direction we should go next, please follow the link below and take the survey from Survey Monkey. It's a reputable site that has been used many times before for other organizations: they will not keep your information and access is regulated.  If you would prefer not to take the survey, please feel free to send Barbara Wallace your ideas about the guild and future workshops, meetings, conferences, etc.  Please complete the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C69WCDW or send your comments to Barbara at wnynobs@gmail.com by Feb. 14.

WINTER MESSAGE FROM RANDOLPH

Beautiful on the outside and beautiful, warm, friendly, out-reaching and believing on the inside!  The Randolph United Presbyterian Church was built facing the corner of Main and Church Streets in the mid- sixties and has been an eye-stopping beauty to motorists, pedestrians and members - winter or summer, night or day. Yes, beauty is there even from an airplane.  Should the building have faced Church Street or Main Street, it would have been pretty, but, well... just another nice ho-hum church building. God certainly had a hand in pointing this church  in the right direction.

Photograph and article by Jack "Ol' Dad" Berger   (just turned age 88)

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE REQUESTS HELP WITH BLANKETS

The “Blankets + Program” is one way congregations can provide warmth and protection to victims of disasters.  It also provides seeds, tools, water, and health care.  Congregational kits are available, by request.  To make individual donations, go to www.churchworldservice.org/blankets and select “Donate to Blankets+”.  For kits, call the CWS Regional Office in Syracuse, at 888-297-2767.

NEWS FROM CRITTENDEN

The Crittenden Youth Group won 2nd prize of $75 in the Alden Chamber of Commerce Tree Trimming Contest.  The Youth Group decorated the tree at Firemen’s Park in Alden.  Looking ahead:  The Quilt Show is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 9th and 10th.  Contact Judy Geyer for more information.

PRESBYTERIAN LEADER

Click here for the latest online edition of Presbyterian Leader.  It features Sharing Authority
and Responsibility, by Louise Weeks.

ONE IN THE SPIRIT

Click here for the monthly e-mail from Linda Valentine, strengthening community between General Assembly and middle governing bodies.

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