Please pass on the information to your congregation regarding ongoing access to current and past e-newsletters.  They are linked through the “Newsletter” link on the PWNY homepage at http://www.pbywny.org/.

Reminder about Participating in Future Nixon Seminars

The Congregational Transformation Ministry Team is continuing its planning in support of spiritual and church growth and development.  One of its major efforts has been the sponsorship, with the support of a Presbytery Partnership Group grant, of retreats, plenary sessions, and update-reviews with Paul Nixon, author of I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church.  The next series of activities is scheduled for October 22-24, 2009.  Representatives from all congregations are invited to the plenary session.  Continuing cadres of church teams will come to share updates.  New church teams will be scheduled in this and future seminars.  If you are interested in how a team from your church might become a part of this successful intervention, contact Janita Byars (668-1995 or janitab@pbywny.org).

“Viewpoint” Editorial Piece by Rev. Rex Stewart in Buffalo Business First

Rev. Rex Stewart, president of Niagara Organizing Alliance for Hope (NOAH) and pastor of Youngstown’s First Presbyterian Church, wrote a feature editorial for the May 8-14, 2009, issue of Buffalo Business First, entitled, “WNY Economic Summit Targets Job Growth.”  The article describes the May 15th conference that brought together business, labor, education, government, and religious leaders to identify policies, strategies, and actions that will make a difference. 

A Sampler of Activities around the Presbytery

North Presbyterian Church (North Tonawanda)
 Mission trip to Dunkirk (Rural Ministries of Chautauqua County), June 26th-July

Kenmore Presbyterian Church
 Children have created monster-sized bugs in preparation for the What’s Bugging You unit in the 40 Days of Purpose program.

First Presbyterian Church (Tonawanda)
Preparations are beginning for the annual Vacation Bible School program that brings in children from around the town.  This year’s theme is “Discovery Canyon, Explore the Wonders of the World!”

Wright’s Corners Church
 Church Picnic is set for Sunday, June 14th, after Morning Worship.

First Presbyterian Church (Portville)
 The second “Pew Polishing Party” will be held on Wednesday, May 20th, from 1 to 5 PM.  A “Paint, Repair and More Festival”  will be held on Saturday, May 30th, beginning at 8:30 AM.

Clarence Presbyterian Church
 Baseball trip to Cleveland, Saturday, May 30th

Pentecost Resources from Mary Mohlke (Resource Center)

Click here for a description of projects from Mary Mohlke that teach about and celebrate Pentecost.

Texas Boys Choir at Westminster Presbyterian Church (Buffalo)

Click here for a flyer describing the performance of the Texas Boys Choir at Westminster, Saturday, June 6, at 7:30 PM.  Donations accepted. 

Harry Potter Drama at VBS at Kenmore Presbyterian Church

Click here for a flyer that describes the Vacation Bible School project at Kenmore PC.

Pastor David Persons (Wayside Presbyterian Church, Hamburg) Retirement Gala

Click here for a flyer describing the July 7th retirement dinner for Pastor Dave at Wanakah Country Club.

A Message from William Bauza

Click here for a forwarded clip from Bill Bauza in support of recycling.

Message from Tribal Church - Ministering to the Missing Generation

A Webinar will be led by Carol Howard Merritt on May 21, 2009.  A pastor in her mid-thirties, Carol Howard Merritt, author of Tribal Church, presents a vision of the "tribal church" that intentionally reaches out to the nomadic culture of young adults and responds to their special gifts and needs.  Merritt's metaphor of a tribe describes the close bonds that form when people of all ages decide to walk together on their spiritual journeys.  Merritt points out that mainline churches have much to offer young adults as well as much to learn from them.  The webinar is scheduled for 3:00 PM EST, and costs $49.99.  Merritt’s blog can be found at www.tribalchurch.org.

“Love in the Name of Christ” (LNC) in Springville Seeks Executive Director

Click here for a flyer that describes an opening for the executive director of Springville’s “Love in the Name of Christ.”

Protect the Great Lakes and Western NY's Drinking Water
Please Write in Support of a Full Cleanup of the West Valley Nuclear Waste Site

Help protect your drinking water, environment and community. Please continue to write your congressional representatives regarding the West Valley nuclear waste site cleanup plan (described in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement) released by the federal and state government.
The deadline for public comments is June 8, 2009. (Send to Catherine.M.Bohan@wv.doe.gov)  The Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Decommissioning Plan are at www.wv.doe.gov
Here are the Proposed Cleanup Options. Sitewide Waste Removal - Digging up or excavating waste with off-site disposal. Sitewide Close In-Place - Leaving buried waste on site. Phased Decision-making - (Preferred DOE/State Alternative). Very limited cleanup, and delay cleanup decision on most radioactive portions of site for up to 30 years.
Respectfully submitted, Gladys Gifford

Housing Needed

The annual International Student conference will be held in Buffalo, May 22nd through May 25th. International students from the Northeast will come to attend the conference and stay in American homes.  If you can help with housing for an international student, contact Don Manta, 631-0605 or 731-1311.

Walking in the Shoes of the Poor

Last year, the Homeless Alliance of Western New York challenged community leaders to live for two days on poverty-level income (no more than $9.25 a day).  Over two dozen leaders accepted the challenge.  They all admitted that they failed miserably.  There is a new challenge for 2009, from June 1st through June 3rd.  Contact William T. O’Connell, Esq., or Tim Munier at 853-1101, X401 for more information.  You may e-mail questions to munier@wnyhomeless.org.