Presbytery of Western New York
E-Newsletter

July 6, 2010

CTMT FORMS NETWORKS FOR NIXON RETREAT PARTICIPANTS

The Congregational Transformation Ministry Team (CTMT) is working to support follow-up activities by church teams who participated in the Nixon retreats of 2008 and 2009.  Teams are assigned geographically to North, Central, or South networks.  Bob Beach and Guy Hummel convened the Central network at Hamburg Presbyterian Church, on June 28th  (see photos below).  Participants included representatives from West Seneca, Hamburg, Kenmore, and Orchard Park Presbyterian churches.  They discussed progress, problems, and plans for the future.

SUMMER SCHEDULE FOR RESOURCE CENTER

The Resource Center is not staffed regularly in July.  You may come in and use it on your own when North Presbyterian Church is open (tel. 632-1330). To set up an appointment with Mary Mohlke, director, please call her at home at 688-8699.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN JAMESTOWN OPENS PIAZZA TO CITY RESIDENTS

Each Thursday from 5 to 7 PM throughout the summer, members of Jamestown’s First Presbyterian Church provide a free hot dog supper for anyone who stops by the outdoor piazza.  Dave Anderson is coordinating this year’s effort. 

DEACONS’ FLEA MARKET IN SPRINGVILLE JULY 14TH

Deacons of First Presbyterian Church in Springville are planning their annual Deacons’ Flea Market, Wednesday, July 14th, from 9 AM to 3 PM.  You may rent a table or contribute items for the sale.  Hot dogs, pop, and goodies will be available.

MISSION AND OUTREACH BY CONNECTIONAL CONGREGATIONS

Members of the Haitian Relief team from Hamburg Presbyterian Church presented a program at First Presbyterian Church of Springville describing their work in the earthquake-devastated areas of Haiti.  A special collection and a pie sale netted a total $377 that Springville presented to the Hamburg Church for Functional Life Ministry. First Presbyterian Church of East Aurora and Maryvale Drive Presbyterian Church are sending a twenty-member Youth Mission Team and four adults to Cortez, CO, whether they will work with Youthworks in home repair and at a VBS-type “Kids Club.”

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE PRESBYTERY

Allyn Foster has begun his work as acting head of staff at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church.  He writes that “…our faith is grounded in mystery…of a God whose power working through us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.”  OPPC will have “Worship in the Woods,” with communion on July 4th, August 1st, and September 5th.

The Catalyst Team of Randolph United Presbyterian Church is collaborating with Randolph Character Counts and Community Cupboard to install a roof on the home of a local family.  Members of the church will join Heritage Ministries to attend Faith and Family night, Saturday, July 24th, for a Jamestown Jammers baseball game.  The 5th Annual Pig Roast will be held on Saturday, August 21st, from noon until 1:30 PM.  Tickets are $10.

The First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston is not only running VBS for children (the week of July 19th) but also offering a series of events for adults (August 16th-19th).  The “Adult Summer Information Series” will include possible topics such as re-sale of a home, fall planting, cooking demonstrations, elder care, etc., and will be held from 6:30-8 PM each day.  A summer outing is scheduled for July 16th at Sal Maglie Stadium for a Fellowship of Christian Athletes game.

Maryvale Drive Presbyterian Church is sponsoring a Flea Market, Saturday, July 17th.  Tables are available (call Jackie Reynolds at 897-1022 or 553-0486).

Clarence Presbyterian Church is planning a youth mission trip from August 1st to 7th to the Adirondack region for a rural housing rehabilitation project. 

Amherst Presbyterian Church will have a day at Duffield, Saturday, August 21st.  Outdoor activities are planned, as well as lunch!

First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown is scheduling an Ethiopian missionary presentation and pot luck supper on Friday, July 16th, at 6 PM.

News from First Presbyterian Church of Tonawanda (149 Broad St.):

PHOTOGRAPHER JACK BERGER CONTINUES TO SHARE PHOTOS

Although currently battling his way back to health, Randolph United Presbyterian Church’s Jack Berger continues to take photos of birds, news events, and moments of natural beauty.  The following photo was taken from Benson Road, near Randolph.

LOOKING FAR AHEAD

Sunday, August 29th:  Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, Doug Yeomans in Concert, 7 PM
Saturday, September 18th:  Randolph United Presbyterian Church, Lord’s Acre (a sale of garden items planted “extra” for this event)
Sunday, October 24th:  200th anniversiary of First Presbyterian Church, Fredonia

SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP AND EVENTS CONTINUE AT LOCKPORT’S SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Pictured below is the June 26th concert with the MacKenzie Highland Pipe and Drum Band at Second Presbyterian Church of Lockport. The gathering moved inside for worship and dinner because of the weather, but moved outside into the open air to enjoy the bagpipes and drums when the weather cleared.

OFFERING OF LETTERS GUIDANCE RE: ERIE COUNTY HOLDING CENTER

At the June 8, 2010, Presbytery meeting, Rev. John Long presented a statement protesting conditions at the Erie County Holding Center.

How shall we respond?

The Outreach Ministry Team suggests that congregations conduct an offering of letters campaign this summer, directed to Erie County legislators. Letters should ask the legislator to support a proposed Community Advisory Board. A model letter is posted on the presbytery website, along with a list of current Erie County legislators. See:
www.pbywny.org/outreachministry.html

How to do an offering of letters?

An offering of letters can be organized in whatever way that best suits your congregation, by a small team of volunteers. Notices in the bulletin, a minute for mission during the worship service, plus copies of the model letter available during fellowship hour -- all should be part of the effort. Since this effort is directed to Erie County legislators, individuals must address the letter to their own Erie County legislator and then sign the letter and include their mailing address.

Once the letters have been filled out, they should be collected and brought before the congregation for a blessing. Volunteers then check the letters for clarity, address envelopes, stamp and mail. Later, the volunteer team will report back on developments in the effort. Also, OMT would appreciate a brief report to share your experiences with the whole presbytery.

Blessings on everyone who takes on this vital work!