Presbytery of Western New York
E-Newsletter March 2, 2010
NEWS FROM ACROSS THE PRESBYTERY
Lay leaders of Kenmore Presbyterian Church (see photos below) met in a special training session, Saturday, February 20th, to prepare for a church-wide survey using “Appreciative Inquiry.” Training was led by Rev. Lance Brown and Poet of Transformation Janita Byars. The project will culminate in strategic planning and lead to a design for the future, “Kenmore 2013.” 
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Randolph United Presbyterian Church has restructured the committees of the session, in order to carry out their mission, reduce the number of meetings, and enhance communication and coordination. The five new teams include Worship, Spiritual Growth, Business/Finance/ Facilities, Outreach Ministries, and Mandates. Ad hoc groups that are continuing include Catalyst, Going Forward and Git’R Done teams.
JACK BERGER’S TIPS FOR PHOTOGRAPHY WITH A MESSAGE
A famous photographer once said "A good photograph is the result of many footprints around the base of your tripod." Simply, take photographs from different angles in all kinds of light and weather and you will sooner or later find the Great One above rewarding you with a nice and well balanced photograph, that will have a personal and spiritual impact you won't believe. That's when you share with your congregation in your newsletters, bulletin boards and even a special bulletin cover giving your church a more "personal" touch. Try it! And...to your surprise they might like it. The photo below shows the Randolph United Presbyterian Church with threatening clouds of an oncoming storm.
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NEWSLETTER FROM GA MISSION COUNCIL
Click here for the link to the monthly e-newsletter from Linda Valentine. This month’s issue includes information about disaster relief in Haiti as well as about material on evangelism and church growth.
MARY MOHLKE’S TIPS FOR RESOURCES FOR YOUTH
Have you seen the new website for kids! Kids4Kids - This site helps kids find info about children around the world! AND shows them how they can help other kids. Kids will find: GaMeS, sToRiEs, AcTiViTiEs; IdEas for Mission, and other fun stuff. Check it out! www.presbykids4kids.org; Created by the PCUSA Office of Child Advocacy.
BEREAVEMENT COUNSELING AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - YOUNGSTOWN
A trained bereavement counselor from Hospice will be offering 8 weeks of support for those who are in grief due to the death of a loved one. These sessions are open to all people and free of charge, but registration is helpful in advance. The meetings will be held at First Presbyterian
Church of Youngstown, 100 Church Street, Youngstown, NY 14174 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM each Tuesday, beginning on March 16. To register or for more information, phone 716-745-7067.
Charles Lamb
INFORMATION FOR CHURCHES PREPARING KITS FOR CHURCH WORLD SERVICE
There will be two drop-off sits for CWS Kits that may be helpful:
AMHERST:
April 20, 21, 22
from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Amherst Community Church
77 Washington Hwy
Amherst, NY 14226
Contact: Jean Haller at 716-633-9178
FREDONIA:
March 9, 11, 12, 16, 18, 19, 23, 26
from 9:30 to 2:20 PM
First Presbyterian Church
219 Center Ave.
Fredonia, NY 14063
Contact: Susan Pepe 716-679-9929
BOX THEM, PLEASE! Please box your kits before taking them to the drop-off site.
The truck cannot accept kits in bags (paper or plastic).
FUNDS FOR PROCESSING/SHIPPING Funds are needed to cover processing and shipping kits to their finial destination. Please, if you can, give at least $2.00 for each school-, hygiene-, or baby-kit you send and $3.00 for each emergency clean-up bucket. DO NOT put shipping fees inside kits. You will receive a receipt and an envelope to send your shipping fees directly to Church World Service.
MESSAGE FROM CARLTON TANNER ABOUT DUFFIELD 2010
Friends of Duffield! I know that maybe it is early for you to be thinking about summer camp, but over here at Duffield Inc., we are already started. We are putting together the schedule, but have a few gaps. We would really like to hear from anyone that would like to consider being a director, counselor or nurse, this summer! If you feel called to fill any of those roles (or if you feel called to help in any other way), call 716-706-9086, or e-mail me [carlton.duffield@gmail.com]. If you prefer a slower form of communication, you can write to: Camp Duffield, 6 Lenox Ave., Lancaster, NY 14086. Either way, be sure to head to the website at: http://www.campduffield.org/ to see what's going on! If you can't make it yourself, but know someone else who might be able, please send this message on to him or her. For the love of Duffield, Carlton
SAVE THE DATES FOR STONY POINT CENTER 2010 PROGRAMS
March 21-23 - Ministering to the Missing Generation:
The Reverend Carol Howard Merritt, pastor at Western Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C., is the author of Tribal Church: Ministering to the Missing Generation. Join us as she shares her insights and thoughts on evangelism of those who are leaving the church as they leave their parents' home. Sunday dinner through Tuesday lunch. For more information and registration click on this link: Missing Generation
April 25-27 - Religious Leaders' Retreat - David Frost "Becoming Grounded Again"
Get away for a time for rest, renewal, and informal conversation with colleagues about the challenges of ministry. Begins Sunday at dinner, ends Tuesday at lunch. Feel free to come for only the first night if that is what your schedule will allow. David Frost will lead “Theological Reflections on the Land and the Justice Issues that Surround It.” Look for more pastors’ retreats in winter, summer, and autumn.
David Frost has been serving in a small community church in Patterson, NY, for many years, He received his Master of Divinity degree from New York Theological Seminary in May of 2009.
This program is heavily subsidized by the SPC Governing Board as a gift to pastors and their congregations.
Cost: $50.00/person/day**
For more information, please click this link: Leaders' Retreat
May 16-17 - Energy Stewardship for Congregations: A Practical Guide to Taking the Next Steps
This is a seminar for faith communities and non-profits who already know they want to do more to conserve energy, lower costs, and care for creation. It will be facilitated by Nikki Coddington, Executive Director of New York Interfaith Power and Light, and Rick Ufford-Chase, Co-Director of Stony Point Center. There will be an opportunity to create small groups around topics that interest the participants, as well as workshops on Monday morning that cover specific, practical guidelines for how to take the next steps with your buildings.
Presenter: Nikki Coddington, New York Interfaith Power and Light
Contact us if need more information: 845-786-5672.
SOUL FEAST AT NORTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - WILLIAMSVILLE
You are invited to experience the Lent prayer centers throughout North Presbyterian Church - Williamsville. The theme is "Receive God's Lavish Love.” You will find 47 drawings and short prayers, questions for reflection, and symbols to take home. You may visit when the church is open (8:30 AM-3 PM) or call the church for another time so we can open the church for you.
Click here for the flyer.
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