Presbytery of Western New York
E-Newsletter

February 9, 2010

The Presbytery of Western New York
and
the New Hope Presbyterian Church of Clarence Center
invite you to attend the Installation of
Rev. Victor Kim
on Sunday, February 28th, 2010 at 5:00PM.
Reception to follow.

New Hope Presbyterian Church
6969 Strickler Road
Clarence Center, NY 14032

Go HUNGRY for HAITI FAST
The Network of Religious Communities is asking congregations and families to fast one meal each week for the next six months and send the price of the meal to help the Haitian Relief Effort.  “Go without a little..help a lot.”
Congregations and individuals can send send the funds to the relief agency associated with their particular religious tradition or to the Network of Religious Communities ad we will forward them to the American Red Cross on a regular basis.
Please let us know if your congregation and or family decides to participate in the Go HUNGRY for HAITI FAST.  Call 716-882-4793 ext 201 or email nrc@religiousnet.org.

Outpouring of Compassion
The Synod’s March Nor’E-News will be sharing information on the outpouring of compassion for the people of Haiti from Presbyterians within the Synod.  They are looking for one paragraph summaries of Haiti ministry being done through our presbytery.  Information and photos about hands-on ministry will be most welcome, as well as any information regarding future plans to be part of the long term recovery effort. 
Send news of your response or upcoming plans to the Presbytery office by February 11.

Preach-In on Global Warming, February 14
From New York Interfaith Power & Light:
     The Copenhagen Accord negotiated last month, though a far cry from the binding international commitments we need, does represent an important step forward. Now, the eyes of world are on the U.S. Senate to see if the world's largest economy will pass legislation to cap global warming pollution. To ensure the voice of the faith community is heard, we are inviting clergy from all over the country to join us in a national Preach-In on Global Warming on the weekend of February 14 in honor of Valentine's Day. If you are a lay person, you can organize an event in your congregation, such as a film screening, to educate your community about global warming and the religious response. We will provide you with all the materials you need. Valentine's Day represents a powerful opportunity to talk about loving our neighbors by protecting Creation, and we hope you will join us.
Learn more and register for the Preach-In today: http://interfaithpowerandlight.org/2009/12/february-preach-in/ . 

Fish Fry at Lockport Home
There will be a Fish Fry at the Lockport Home on Friday February 26 from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.  Cost is $8.00; $7.50 if you preorder by February 22. Questions, please contact Toni Parada at 434-8805 ext. 13. Click here for a flyer.

Events at Third Presbyterian Church, North Tonawanda
The little white church in the middle of Felton Street with the big, big heart.
Our church is preparing hygiene supplies and first–aid kits for the “House of David” medical clinic in Thomassin, Haiti. We will also be taking a weekly collection during Lent for Haiti.
A big thank you to the Presbyterian Women’s association for preparing a delicious spaghetti dinner to raise funds for the migrant workers in western New York.
A Valentine Party will take place on Saturday, February 13 at 5:00pm. A delicious catered dinner will be served. The musical group, Step and Time, will provide the entertainment. The cost is $10.00. Please make reservations by calling 754-1245 by February 5.
Lenten Soup Supper: Wednesdays, 5:00pm, February 24, March 10, 17, 24. Christian Story Teller Carol Ann Gleason will present Lenten messages through stories and parables.

Randolph's Assembly Line!

This past Saturday morning a team gathered in RUPC's fellowship hall to assemble 26 Baby Kits destined for Haiti. This is in addition to 38 Hygiene Kits that the congregation has shipped, for a total of 64 kits in just 2 weeks. When asked how such a small congregation could produce so many kits in such a short time, point person Dick Chubon replied "We might be small, but we try harder".

PWNY Pastors Join In Three-Day Retreat At Dunkirk
PWNY's Committee on Recruitment, Retention, and Retirement sponsored a three-day retreat at Dunkirk's Clarion Hotel, January 25-27. The retreat, attended by 25 pastors, focused on worship music leadership. Each area of the focus provided workshop topics. Janita Byars, Dorothy Pearman, and Drew Ludwig led activities based on the leadership book, Our Iceberg Is Melting. Langdon (Buddy) Hubbard, Steven Jelensperger, and Mary Lee Talbot led services of worship. Leslie Latham, Greg Hall, and Rex Stewart led an exploration of music excerpts in "Music as Spiritual Practice - Singing the Faith." Instrumental workshops were led by Janita Byars (hand chimes) and Rich Schuler (drumming circle). Dave Persons explored the "Nuts and Bolts" of presenting contemporary music. Bronwen Boswell led, "The Musical Experience as a Creative Response," during which several pastors shared original works (lyrics, music, and dance). Thomas Sweet and Cindy Lind Hanson led the final workshop, "Music as Worship Experience." The retreat concluded with worship that included a reprise of many of the workshops.

Possible Drilling For Gas In Presbytery Counties
From the desk of Gladys Gifford, Stewardship of Creation Educator...

The issue of drilling deep into the bedrock to extract natural gas has been simmering for several months in New York State.

Here in the Presbytery of WNY, the issue strikes home especially in the southern communities in Allegany, Cattaraugus and possibly Chautauqua counties. The geological formation which holds the natural gas is the Marcellus Shale formation. This is the same geological feature which yielded up the first oil wells in Pennsylvania during the 19th century.

Now, through a process known as "hydrofracking," the deeper reaches of the formation can be penetrated in order to bring up natural gas. However, the process involves huge quantities of chemical-laden water that is pumped into the formation in order to force the natural gas to the surface.

Landowners in Pennsylvania are already living with the consequences of this latest rush to extract carbon-based energy from the earth. Such consequences include contaminated groundwater. New York State has just finished an inquiry into whether hydrofracking should be allowed in the state.

Why do landowners allow this drilling? Usually there is a lot of money to be made and the companies pay generously for the privilege. Why might New York State allow this drilling? Well, the current state of the budget suggests that if such drilling were taxed heavily, the budget would benefit.

There are many sources to consult, to learn more about this issue. Here are a few commentaries: Baseline factual information is at www.dec.ny.gov/energy/46288.html.

What can we do?

Learn, discuss, and pray. Be aware of the issue as it arises among your congregations and in your communities, and be available to help resolve disputes. Once the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation issues a ruling, then there may be need for public action.

Camp Duffield and the United Way
You now can contribute to the Mission of Camp Duffield directly through your designated United Way Payroll Deductions.  The mission of Camp Duffield to introduce hundreds of youth to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is thriving.  Please consider being a contributor.

West Valley
The decision on the clean up process at West Valley Demonstration Project has reached a milestone. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Final Environmental Impact Statement for Decommissioning and/or Long-Term Stewardship at the West Valley Demonstration Project and Western New York Nuclear Service Center (EIS) (DOE/EIS-0226) is available for public review. The document can be viewed at the DOE website for West Valley, www.westvalleyeis.com. Also, Gladys Gifford has a copy of the material on a CD, and will be glad to share.
Included in the document are the 420 letters and emails and verbal testimony sent in by the public, printed side-by-side with the appropriate responses from the DOE. The contents of these 420 submissions broke out into 1,900 comments that required responses.
Many of those comments came from Presbyterians, and are greatly appreciated by Gladys Gifford, chair of the Peacemaking sub-team of OMT. The public stated clearly and forcefully that the nuclear waste at West Valley must be cleaned up and removed.
The DOE is expected to issue a Record of Decision thirty days after the final Environmental Impact Statement is accepted by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Duffield Camp And Retreat Center Needs You
As the camp picks up speed and is preparing for another winning year we are getting back into the construction business and will need the help of many individuals with assorted construction skills. If you are lacking in the skill department we will be happy to train you.

The greatest need at the camp is for a dining, worship, meeting hall adjacent to our cabins to feed about one hundred mouths. We have the basic plan designed and are currently working on a financing plan. To prepare for the construction we are beginning to compile a list of volunteers, abilities, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Trades that we are looking for include excavators, carpenters, trim carpenters, concrete finishers, plumbers, electricians, heating and ventilating, insulators, painters, laborers and food service personnel.
I would like to have anyone interested in giving us a hand to contact me directly. I will be visiting a number of churches individually fairly soon but would like to have a start to the basic list.
Please advise me of your particulars with special emphasis on your areas of expertise. My address is Chetseymour@msn.com, 6055 Armor Duells Rd Unit L Orchard Park, N.Y. 14127, 716 662 5593 or 716 863 7623 cell.  -Chet Seymour

Events at First Presbyterian, Tonawanda
Come for a special Mardi Gras weekend at First Presbyterian Church, 149 Broad Street in Tonawanda. 
There will be a Mardi Gras party Saturday February 13th 7:00pm-9:00pm with live music, refreshments, games and more.  This event is free and all are welcome.
Special Mardi Gras Worship ~ Will be on Sunday February 14th at 11:00 a.m. and will be a continuation of the celebration on Saturday night.
Ash Wednesday potluck dinner ~ February 17th @ 6:00p.m.  Please bring a dish to share and your own place setting.
Ash Wednesday worship ~ February 17th combined with a service of HEALING at 7:00p.m.

Scarves for GA Commissioners
More Light Presbyterians are preparing for the 2010 General Assembly by knitting rainbow scarves for every commissioner and advocate at the Assembly. They are expecting to make 1,500. For more information go to: www.mlp.org.

Interfaith Conference to discuss “The Concept of God in My Faith"
The Buffalo Chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will hold its fourteenth interfaith conference on February 28th, 2010, between 2:00 - 5:00 pm at the Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Avenue, Cheektowaga, NY 14225, across from the Walden Galleria Mall.
The discussion will be about "Concept of God in My Faith". Do we all worship the same God? What kind of God is described in our faith? Invited speakers will discuss the concept of God in their faith, and explore the role of God in the individual, social and global aspects of humanity as described in their own religious scriptures and traditions.

The speakers are as follows:
1. Dr. Vijayaraghavan Chakravarthy representing Hinduism
2. Ms. Agnes Williams representing Native American
3. Rabbi Drorah Setel representing Judaism
4. Rev. Dr. Arthur L. Davis representing Christianity
5. Imam Yahya Luqman representing Islam

Each speaker will speak for 15 minutes. The speeches will be followed by a question & answer session and a break at the end where refreshments will be served.

You are cordially invited to attend the session & feel free to pass the invitation to anyone else who may be interested. Admission is free and open to all. Please RSVP by Friday February 26th, 2010 via e-mail to buffalo@ahmadiyya.us or phone # 716-304-7025.

Montreat News
Click here to get the latest news from Montreat Conference Center’s on-line newsletter.

Resource Center Open House
Visit the Resource Center Open House on Wednesday, March 3, 4:30-7:30 pm to preview new DVDs, books, ask questions, and borrow resources. Instructions for some Lent activities will be available. Come enjoy the refreshments and bring along someone who hasn't used the Resource Center. Additional Lenten reflections will be available at North Presbyterian Church's Soul Feast "Receive God's Lavish Love" Spirituality Centers. Remember to bring back overdue resources. The Resource Center is in North Presbyterian Church, 300 North Forest Rd., Williamsville, NY 14221. For further information, call Mary Mohlke at 631-0979 Mon. - Thurs, 9-noon. or email her at mmohlke@gmail.com

Abuse at Erie County Holding Center
To the pastors and leadership of all Presbyterian Churches in Erie County,
In Erie County, people held in the County Holding Center and in the Alden Correctional Facility are being abused by guards and other prisoners, denied prompt and adequate medical care, and otherwise mistreated.  Several people have died in the Holding Center, and some have committed suicide.  I spoke with the mother of a young man who hung himself with his own shoelaces in the Holding Center.  She had told authorities that he was suicidal.
These are not wild allegations; they come from Federal and New York State law enforcement authorities.  The U.S. Department of Justice made charges in a July 2009 report and has filed a lawsuit with the County.  You can obtain and read the Federal investigation report online at: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/split/documents/Erie_findlet_redact_07-15-09.pdf.  There have been articles in the Buffalo News. Information is available in other media too.
These things are happening in OUR community, to people and families we are called to serve.  Thus far, the churches have been silent in the face of this obvious moral outrage.  It is not too late to take action now.  Please do not let your church ignore this serious human rights problem in our home county. 
Please:
•    Read the DOJ report.
•    Ask someone from your church to attend a meeting of the Erie County Prisoners Rights Coalition.  They meet every Wednesday around 6:30 pm at 14 Allen Street, Buffalo. 
•    Consult with other churches and with community leaders to see to it that this outrage is ended.  Churches will be taken seriously by the county leadership.
•    Write to the Buffalo News.  Contact judges, lawyers, elected officials to express your concern.  Lead your congregation in prayer every week until this situation is changed.
•    Share ideas you have for ending this situation with others.

Thank you.
Rev. John R. Long, DD

Alban Institute Webinar
Click here for the information on the latest webinar from the Alban Institute “High Impact Community Ministry” with Joy Skjegstad.

Presbyterian Communicator’s Newsletter
Click here for the latest Presbyterian Comminicatior’s e-newsletter.

Listen Up! The Response to Haiti
Click here for news about a webinar on the church’s response to the crisis in Haiti.

Presbyterian Leader
Click here for the latest edition of the Presbyterian Leader.

"Ol' Dad" Berger's formula for...'HOW TO"

    When I was younger, annual meeting Sunday meant sitting through a nice church service  plus a long and drawn out annual meeting, where the buns, shall we say, won the battle of boredom with many deciding they had stayed too long enough and left.
    The Randolph United Presbyterian Church tried something new this year and it fit "Ol Dad's" formula to a tee.  An excellent sermon on evangelism by Rev. Latham, with the annual meeting participants prepared, stating their point, the congregation voting and...nearly everyone staying for the free roast pork dinner.
    Here is the secret! The church's annual report was mailed to everyone a week early, the annual meeting was short, sweet and to the point and nearly everyone went down to the fellowship hall for dinner.  The amazing thing is all went home about 1:30 in the afternoon with a good message, a lot of work accomplished and a good roast pork dinner to boot.
  Try it sometime!   We had new people in church and others, who otherwise would have left early, stayed for all events and then went home for their Sunday afternoon nap.
  Photo shows Chef Tom Wade and his wife Kay with a committee member, Bob Sandberg, ready to serve roast pork, as Tom has done the past seven years.
Yes, even "Ol' Dad" stayed awake during all of Sunday's events. Photo by "Ol Dad" Berger
 

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