Presbytery of Western New York
E-Newsletter

March 16, 2010

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE PRESBYTERY

Buffalo’s Westminster Presbyterian Church is exploring the question of religious pluralism in a Wednesday-night series during Lent, “Beyond Tolerance:  Building Bridges of Religious Understanding and Cooperation in our Community, Nation, and World.”  Dinner is at 6 PM; conversation begins at 6:30 PM.  The Rev. Dr. Lance Brown is leading a Sunday morning series on the book of Exodus (9:35 AM in Parish Hall).  Future Habitat for Humanity dates at March 13, 24; April 10, 22; and May 8.  An Artist-in-Residence, Carol Beckley, is painting murals on the halls of the Westminster Early Childhood Programs building.

At 9 AM on Sunday mornings in March, Michael Weyand will lead a study of the movie, Amazing Grace, at Hamburg Presbyterian Church.  The movie examines one man’s passion and perseverance to end the British slave trade.  The re-scheduled Haiti mission trip is on the calendar for March 20th-27th.

Third Presbyterian Church – North Tonawanda has formed a new church committee, Hospitality and Evangelism.  The new pictorial church directory is a program guide and a blessing to church members and shut-ins providing a visual tool to recognize new members.
Lenten activities include is taking weekly collections and preparing hygiene supplies and first–aid kits for Haiti, and Wednesday soup suppers ($5).  A youth outing will be held on March 20th at Skateland Family Center. A celebration luncheon in honor of Third Presbyterian’s 103rd Birthday, hosted by the Deacons, will be held on Easter.  The Sunday radio program, “Taste of New Wine,” features Rev Dr. Jeffery L. Grove’s sermon every Sunday on WJJL, 1440AM, at 9 AM.

Sunday services at the Franklinville Presbyterian Church are broadcast live, at 11 AM, on 106.9 FM.

Lockport’s First Presbyterian Church sent out several thousand postcard announcements about and invitations to the church.  This effort will be repeated several times in the coming year.

Lewiston’s First Presbyterian Church is having a St. Patrick’s Day dinner tonight (March 16th) just prior to the Bible study:  “Tastee Tuesdays:  Feeding the Body and the Soul!”

The Youth Group of North Tonawanda’s Third Presbyterian Church is going to Skateland, Saturday, March 20th, from 8 to 11 PM.  Lenten Soup Suppers are held on Wednesdays at 5 PM ($3.50; children free).

Fredonia’s First Presbyterian Church is recommending that everyone avoid bottled water, in order to minimize waste plastics and take better care of water resources, locally and globally.  A money-saving measure, as well:  bottled water is more expensive than gasoline, often costing $10 a gallon.

Springville’s First Presbyterian Church is starting Home Bible Studies.  It is a more-informal way to study the Word of the Lord through small “Home Groups.”  This provides flexibility of scheduling and location.

The adult program at North Presbyterian Church (Williamsville) for Sunday mornings in Lent offers two choices:  a study of Eclipsing the Empire:  Paul, Rome, and the Kingdom of God, coordinated by Mary Mohlke; and The Lost History of Christianity, with Rebecca Krawliec (March 21st).

First Presbyterian Church – Allegany is inviting the Cuba church to join in a Maundy Thursday pot luck dinner and worship service.  The Allegany Ladies Guild held a one-day “Women’s Clothing and Shoes Sale,” Feb. 13th, with no item priced more than $2.  The sale and subsequent contributions netted $555 toward the purchase of 111 cinder blocks for the Hope Orphanage in Haiti.

Clarence Presbyterian Church has a Wild West Family Night from 6-7:30 PM, March 25th.  Youth will be involved in a retreat at Camp Duffield, March 19th-21st.

First Presbyterian Church – Tonawanda will house “Harmony in Hope,” a benefit concert for Haiti, Sunday, March 21st, at 2 PM.  Mary Alice Demler, from Channel 2 News, will host the event, which is sponsored by Matt’s Music Store.

On Sunday, March 14th, the combined choirs of University Presbyterian Church - Buffalo and Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, East Aurora presented a special service of music during the 11:00 worship service. The choirs sang music of Ralph Vaughan Williams and John Rutter that weaved throughout the service.  On Sunday, March 21st, at 10:45 AM, the choirs will travel to East Aurora to present the same service.  For more information contact John Novak or the church office (836-7660).

Faith United Presbyterian Church (3150 Elmwood Avenue, Kenmore) has scheduled a Lenten Breakfast and Baked Goods Sale on Sunday, March 21st, from 8:30 - 10:00 AM.  The menu includes pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, juice, tea, and coffee.  Tickets (pre-sale) are $5.00 and may be obtained by calling the Church Office (875-9550).  Tickets at the door are $6.00.  The event is sponsored by the Christian Education Committee.

More great eating at the United Presbyterian Church in Randolph.  The Deacons will hold their annual pancake breakfast on Saturday, March 27th, beginning at 7 AM.  All the pancakes you can eat:  local maple syrup, sausage, eggs, and beverages.  Price is your donation.  Orders are being taken for the spring pie sale.  Deadline is March 21st, and you
may pick up pies on Sunday, March 28th, around noon.   Pie choices are fruit pies,
peanut butter, pumpkin, lemon and pecan,  Prices are $10 and $12.  Call Mary at the
church office for more information.  This event supports the building fund.  Last year
our bakers made 76 pies!   WOW!  QUESTIONS?   Call Donna Chubon at 358-2521.

SNEAK PEEK AT HAMBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH’S NEW ELEVATOR AND CHURCH ENTRANCE

More on this later, but here’s a look at the completed construction project at Hamburg Presbyterian Church, including an elevator and a new façade.

NEW RESOURCES AT RESOURCE CENTER

Click here for a complete listing of new resources at the Resource Center.  The following, new resources are ideal for study groups, pastors and people who like to check out what's new. 

50 Ways to Help Save the Earth, by Rebecca Barnes-Davies.  Useful ways that your congregation and community can help fight global climate change.  Each of the 50 ways has a desciption, a how-to, a walking-the-talk and a faith-matters section.
99 Things to Do Between Here and Heaven, by Kathleen Long Bostrom. Each entry contains a description, what to expect, something not to do, what you are most likely and least likely to think, a quote, a scripture, and a place to journal.
Mark's Gospel from Scratch, by Donald Griggs.  A 6-session course of the first canonical Gospel that includes study text and leader's guide.
The Worshipping Body, by Kimberly Bracken Long.   By focusing on what worship leaders do with their bodies, eyes, ears, lips, hands, feet, and heart, Long describes an attitude and style of worship leadership that is firmly rooted and blessedly free.
Enough, by Adam Hamilton.  A 5-session DVD with leader's guide provides an invitation to rediscover the Bible's wisdom on financial practices. Find the keys to experiencing contentment, overcoming fear, and discovering joy through simplicity and generosity.

The Resource Center is open Mon.-Thurs., 9 AM-Noon. Email mmohlke@gmail.com or call 716 631-0979 for more information.

NEWS FROM CAMP DUFFIELD

Camp Duffield’s summer schedule is set for 2010.   Camps are available for all ages.  Camp registration and summer brochure can be found online at www.CampDuffield.org.  Registration is on a first-come basis.  All children are welcome.  Check out the hundreds of pictures on the website.

Duffield’s Minute Man for Mission, Chet Seymour, is available for the next fifteen Sundays to make a presentation to your congregation for recruiting volunteers for construction projects at the camp.  We are building a list of trades and available people who would like to spend some time communing with nature and people from throughout the Presbytery. Usually, we find that each church has in the neighborhood of ten people interested in helping out.  Looking forward to seeing you.  Contact Chet Seymour at 716-662-5593 - Home or 716-863-7623 - Cell or e-mail Chetseymour@msn.com

PLANNING WAY AHEAD

Teams from Niagara Falls’s Riverside Presbyterian Church are planning to participate in a fund-raising bicycle ride for Roswell Park on Saturday, June 26th. 

The Mission/Outreach Committee at Westfield’s First Presbyterian Church, is sponsoring a Music for Mission Concert, featuring solo handbell professional Sue Garton, Sunday, April 18th, at 7 PM. 

ONLINE BUFFALO NEWSLETTER FEATURES A STORY ABOUT RECOVERING TEEN

Click here for the Buffalo News story about Laura Pearman, who fought her way back from addiction.  Laura is the daughter of Maryvale Drive Presbyterian Church pastor, Rev. Dorothy Pearman.

THE PRESBYTERIAN LEADER

Click here for the latest edition of the online resource, The Presbyterian Leader.com, for pastors and worship and congregational leaders.