Presbytery of Western New York
E-Newsletter June 23, 2009 Wayside Sunday School dedicates Peace Pole to retiring Pastor, Rev. David Persons
On Sunday May 3rd, the Sunday school in conjunction with the Character Committee dedicated the Peace Pole. The children worked all year to raise the money to purchase the pole. There is a sign on each side saying, “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” One sign is in English, one in Seneca, one in Spanish, and one in Aramaic. There is also a plate with the saying in Braille. Pastor Dave blessed the pole and the crowd. Connor Jensen, Pastor Dave’s grandson then dedicated the pole to “Rev. David G. Persons, a promoter of world peace from the children at Wayside.” Pastor Dave has taught all of us so much about working toward world peace. We concluded with the release of seven doves with their symbolic flight carrying our wish for peace into the world. The Sunday school thought the pole was an appropriate remembrance of Pastor Dave as he prepares to retire in July. Earlier in the year, the children had painted individual peace poles. These were handed out to each family so that everyone would be able to have a peace pole in their yard at home. PW Meets in Lockport
The leadership team of Presbyterian Women of Western New York held a planning retreat on June 15. In addition to planning the gatherings for fall 2009 and winter and spring 2010, The Rev. Mary Lee Talbot led the group in a spiritual gifts inventory. Click here to see photos of the meeting. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
To learn how your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing have been used by Presbyterian Diaster Assistance go to www.pcusa.org/pda for the latest news on what was accomplished in 2008. “Joy for the Journey” is theme for POAMN Conference
2009 is the 25th anniversary of the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network and they will hold their annual confrerence in Tucson, AZ from September 29-October 2. For information and to get their newsletter e-mail Ginny Nyhuis at gnyhuis@verizon.net. Link2Lead
If you want to find out about who is living around your church and how you might minister to them, got to www.Link2Lead.com for the latest demographic information. Janita Byars, poet of transformation, and commissioned lay pastor Barbara Wallace recently attended an event on how to use this tool for ministry. Rummage Sale This Week
Amherst Presbyterian Church will be holding a rummage sale on Saturday, June 27, 2009 from 10:00am-2:00pm. If you have any rummage that you would like to contribute, let the church office know from 9-12 on M, W, F. or if you are looking for good buys come visit us on the 27th. Candlelight Vigil for Torture Abolition and Healing
June 27, 2009 - 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at University Presbyterian Church at Main Street and Niagara Falls Boulevard Buffalo, New York
June is "Torture Awareness Month." We are all wounded by torture: the victims, most cruelly, but also the torturers, the policy makers, the rulers who ordered torture-and the rest of us, the bystanders, who were not able to prevent it.
We, too, have all been disfigured.
The Sisters of St. Mary of Namur and members of University Presbyterian Church have planned a one-hour, candlelight vigil against torture and for the healing of victims. Several actions are taking place around the country in support of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) and to say "NO" to torture and to seek healing (physical, spiritual, moral) for the damage caused by torture. Our hope is that this event will serve to heighten awareness of torture and its terrible effects. All are welcome. Small candles will be supplied or bring your own, if you wish! We will have a receptacle for used candles at the close of the vigil. For more information, contact: yes2peace@roadrunner.com. World Mission Challenge Speaker and International Peacemaker
From September 25-28 the Presbytery of Western New York will host Nazeli Vardanyan, an international Peacemaker from Armenia. Then from October 2-9 we will host Rev. Leith Fujii, a mission worker in Thailand. Click to read about Rev. Fujii and about Dr. Vardanyan. Stay tuned for information about how to host one or both of these visitors. PCUSA Interfaith Newsletter
Click here for the latest edition of Faithful Dialogue, the newsletter from our denomination’s Interfaith Relations Office. Resource Center
New resources for worship, study, leader development and children's ministries are available to borrow from the Resource Center which is open Monday-Thursday, 9-noon in June. You may visit the Center other times. Please check to make sure North Presbyterian Church is open. Call or email Mary Mohlke, director at 631-0979, mmohlke@gmail.com. Click here for previews of some of the new resources. Evaluation Team Plans Collaborative Review of PWNY Restructuring
Richard (Dick) Redington convened the PWNY Evaluation Team on June 10th to look at the processes of strategic planning, feedback, and ongoing assessment for all committees and teams. In conjunction with this review, a work session is planned for leaders of all committees and teams on Wednesday, June 24th, from 5 to 7:30 PM, at the West Seneca office. Click here for photos of the team at work. Installation & Ordination of Eileen Borduin Vanderzwan at First Presbyterian Church, Olean
Click here for photos of the service of worship and celebration in the installation and ordination of Eileen B. Vanderzwan at Olean’s First Presbyterian Church. Vanderzwan chose a theme, “The Tree of Life,” and coordinated scripture, music, and readings around that theme. A sculpture, Tree of Life, was created by Dave Vander Molen, artist and brother-in-law of Vanderzwan, in celebration of the ordination. Ecumenical Heads Meet at PWNY West Seneca Office
Click here for photos from the luncheon meeting at PWNY’s West Seneca office of PWNY staff and heads of other denominations. The group meets quarterly to discuss matters of interest and concern. VBS at Deerhurst
Click for a poster and a brochure about Crocodile Dock Vacation Bible School at Deerhurst Presbyterian Church. “Borders and Beyond” Theme for Worship Conference
Click here for information about the worship and the arts conference at Louisville Theological Seminary, July 22-25. Lockport Home Celebrates 50 Years
Click here for information about the 50th Birthday Bash at the Lockport Presbyterian Home. Buffalo News “Next” Section features Presbyterian Teen
Click here for a story about Laura Pearman, daughter of Rev. Dorothy Pearman. News from Cleveland Drive Presbyterian Church: - Crocodile Dock VBS will be held from 6:30-8:30 P.M. Monday July 6 - Friday July 10
- Missionaries Greg and Chris Callison will be in the pulpit at both 8:45 and 10:55 A.M. services Sunday, July 26
Mission Trips: - First Presbyterian Church, Youngstown is going to Pittsburgh, PA June 28th through July 3rd to participate in a GROUP Work Camp Mission Trip.
- The Youth from Clarence Presbyterian Church will be taking a train to NYC the first week of August to participate in Project Hospitality. They will be staying at a local church while serving at a Drop-In Center, soup kitchen, food pantry and Hospitality House, an emergency homeless shelter. They will be preparing and serving meals, sorting
food and clothing, painting and cleaning, and participating in recreation programs. They will also have several learning sessions about poverty, homelessness and HIV/AIDS in NYC.
Following in the Footsteps of Bach Program and Tour
Gregory White, music director at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church will host a program on July 12 after the 10:30 a.m. worship service. “Following in the Footsteps of Bach” is a tour White will lead in April 2010. Click for information about the music program and the trip to Germany. One in the Spirit
Click here for the latest e-mail from Linda Valentine, head of the General Assembly Council. Presbyterian World
Click here for the latest newsletter from the International Missions area of the General Assembly. Presbyterian Leader
The Presbyterian Leader is the latest tool designed for pastors, elders, deacons and trustees in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). |
