Presbytery of Western New York
E-Newsletter March 23, 2010 CALLING ALL PHOTOS
All churches are invited to submit photos of Palm Sunday and Easter services for the PWNY e-newsletters for March 31st and early April. This will provide Internet browsers with colorful and descriptive views of our celebration of Holy Week events.
“VIRTUAL” LIBRARY SUPPORT MEETING TO BE HOSTED BY WAYSIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Wayside Presbyterian is hosting a FREE virtual library support meeting on Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at 10 AM. Anyone who is interested in church libraries is welcome to join us from your computer at home/church/friend's as we get together for our first meeting in cyberspace. A call-in number and instructions will be given at registration. No software is necessary but headphones with a microphone are needed (computer speakers/microphone won't work). Call or write Moe Conley at 716-627-7344 or moe@moeconley.com to register and/or test your sound.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN SPRING GATHERING The Presbyterian Women of Western New York will hold their Spring Gathering on April 24 at Randolph Presbyterian Church, with a theme of "My Story, Past, Present, and Future." Click here for a flyer. Also, click here for the Presbyterian Women's Spring Newsletter.
CRITTENDEN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SCHEDULES SPECIAL EVENTS
The Quilt Show and Chinese Auction are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 9th and 10th. The theme for this year is “Country Kitchen.” There will also be a boutique of handmade items, demonstrations, vendors, door prizes, and the popular Tea Room. Admission is $4. Scheduled for Saturday, April 24th, is the Women’s Prayer Breakfast.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF JAMESTOWN FEATURES RETIRED PASTORS IN WEDNESDAY NOON LENTEN SERIES
The title for the Lenten Mid-week Worship Series at Jamestown’s First Presbyterian Church is “Unhinged Sermons.” This refers to the employment status of the guest pastors: retired!
Speakers in the series were, as follows:The Reverend Wendy M. HeinzFather Daniel McBrideThe Reverend Dr. David PersonsThe Reverend Angus M. WatkinsAnd, speaking at the final session on Wednesday, March 24th is The Reverend Dr. Bruce Archibald. RESOURCE CENTER OFFERS A POLITY PROGRAM AND MISSION COURSE
A Polity Program and Mission course will begin Tuesday, April 27nd, on line and in person. This 15-hour practical course will help people understand how the Presbyterian Church works. Participants will examine its structure,and discover the wealth of help in the Book of Order and PCUSA resources for evangelism, worship, education, stewardship, mission, and much more. Presbyterian Polity is the day-to-day expression of our Reformed Theology in action. The in-person class will be held at North Presbyterian Church, Williamsville, Tuesdays, 6:30-9:30 PM.
People taking the online course will receive readings and assignments after participants register and pay for the course. The online course will have written assignments rather than in-person conversation. Teachers will respond to the written work online or by phone. Participants will receive a list of others taking the course online in order to compare notes and/or chat.
Send name, address, phone number, e-mail, and church name to Mary Mohlke at the Resource Center, 300 North Forest Road, Williamsville, NY 14221 or to mmohlke@gmail.com, Phone 631-0979, Monday – Thursday, 9 AM - Noon. Include a check for $50, payable to: Education Committee of WNY. Registration deadline is Monday, April 26th. For further information, click here for a flyer.
NORTH TONAWANDA’S THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CELEBRATES 103RD BIRTHDAY
A Spring and Easter Celebration Luncheon to celebrate Third Presbyterian’s 103 Birthday was held on Sunday, March 21st, hosted by the Deacons. The last Lenten supper and program will take place on Wednesday, March 24th. Christian storyteller, Carol Ann Gleason will present her message through stories and parables. The new church committee, Hospitality and Evangelism, is preparing to evaluate the church building, greeters, programs, bulletin boards, outreach to shut-ins, and the incorporation of new members. The church continues to take weekly collections and collect hygiene supplies and first–aid kits for Haiti during Lent.
BACON MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OFFERS SEDER MEAL
On Maundy Thursday, April 1st, Bacon Memorial Church will incorporate a Seder meal in Holy Week activities. Observing this Passover custom helps put the Last Supper in an historical context. Contact the church office at 283-5744, if you plan to attend.
THE BENT BRASS CLASSICAL ENSEMBLE TO PERFORM IN PORTVILLE
On Sunday, May 2nd, at 2 PM, in the First Presbyterian Church of Portville, the Bent Brass Classical ensemble will perform a tribute concert in honor of Dave Dunbar. Many selections arranged by Dave will be performed.
OUTREACH IN RANDOLPH
Congregations must be alert to the dangers of the ingrown factor of "being too involved in themselves," so-to-speak. In many respects that's not bad, but outreach to young people and their community must always be their priority. Randolph's ecumenical "Kids’ Klub" volunteers recognize the beauty and value of their efforts for six weeks of each school semester during their after-school fun time on Wednesdays in the basement of the Randolph United Presbyterian Church. Five area churches have participated in the program that has hosted 45 to 60 children from Pre-K to sixth grade for nearly ten years. Kids’ Klub offers a fast-moving hour-and-a-half of action songs, games, crafts, snacks, joy, tears, and love. Randolph Central School provides transportation from the school to the church and every child is carefully logged out to their parents following the activity. Director Stacy Halla points out that there is always a need for responsible volunteers. Please call 358-4255. 
MONTHLY E-MAIL FROM LINDA VALENTINE AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Click here for One in the Spirit, a monthly e-mail from Linda Valentine strengthening community between the General Assembly Mission council and Middle Governing Bodies.
EARTH DAY IN ALBANY
What will you be doing for Earth Day, this year? The 20th annual Earth Day Lobby Day will be held in Albany on Tuesday, April 20th. Hundreds of citizens from every corner of New York State will meet with their state lawmakers and show their support for legislation that cares for creation. The event is being sponsored by Audubon New York, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Environmental Advocates of New York, the New York Public Interest Research Group, Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, New York Interfaith Power & Light, and other organizations. The day in Albany is planned for 9:30 AM-4:00 PM. The day includes briefing on the specific items to be brought to legislators, followed by visits to legislators’ offices and a concluding rally. Anyone interested in traveling to Albany for Earth Day, please contact Gladys Gifford before April 6th. She will send in a group registration for Presbytery of WNY participants.
If you cannot go to Albany, but are willing to participate in Earth Day advocacy efforts, please contact Gladys Gifford, right away, at 836-2825, or gladys.gifford@earthlink.net. She will set up appointments with local offices of NYS legislators. She will also supply briefing information on specific legislation, after April 6th, to help guide our advocacy. Speak up, speak often, to care for God's good creation.
NET METERING BILL
The Net Metering Bill is a success! New York Interfaith Power & Light joined with several other organizations to push for this legislative fix to the Net Metering Bill. The significance of this bill for congregations is to encourage installation of alternative power generation, such as solar panels on appropriate buildings or even windmills - where appropriate. Power generated by such small installations can now be accepted by the power utilities. For more information on installing solar panels, contact Gladys Gifford, SCE, 836-2825. For more detailed information on the Net Metering Bill, contact Alliance for Clean Energy New York, info@aceny.org.
STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN BILL NEEDS SUPPORT
The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) has been introduced in the Senate and the House of Representatives. The bill, which was also introduced in the House and the Senate during the last Congress, has been reintroduced by 25 Senators and by 25 Representatives from both sides of the aisle. We now have a new opportunity to build support for the I-VAWA and make a difference in millions of women's lives. Violence against women is a human rights violation and aworldwide pandemic - approximately 1 out of every 3 women worldwide has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime. I-VAWA supports innovative approaches to ending violence against women globally by promoting services for survivors, holding perpetrators accountable, and challenging public
attitudes that condone such violence. Begin reaching out now - ask your Senators and Representative to cosponsor I-VAWA. Take action - send an email today. Go to http://capwiz.com/pcusa/issues/alert/\?alertid=14810266&type=CO. A sample e-mail is, as follows:
I am writing to urge you to co-sponsor the InternationalViolence Against Women Act. Approximately one out of every three women globally has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime. Rates of domestic violence are reportedly as high as 70 percent in some countries. Violence committed predominantly against women takes many forms, including rape, female genital cutting, domestic violence, acid burning, dowry related deaths and other harmful practices. Violence against women is a global health crisis, human rights violation, and moral outrage that contributes to instability and insecurity throughout our world.
I am asking you, my Senator/Representative, to co-sponsor the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) and take action to end the abuse.
The 208th General Assembly (1996) "recognizes the vital importance of public policy advocacy for women of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and commends the Washington Office for its legislative efforts to end discrimination against women... [and] urges Presbyterian women, women's advocacy networks, and other justice seeking committees in the PCUSA to give serious attention to the renewal of legislative efforts to eliminate discrimination against women."
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