Presbytery of Western New York
E-Newsletter July 14, 2009
Church News Briefs
July 13-17 – Alden Presbyterian Church is sponsoring this year’s VBS program: Crocodile Dock – where Fearless Kids Shine God’s Light. The program begins daily at 6:30 PM.
July 20-24 – First Presbyterian Church of East Aurora joins with St. Matthias Episcopal, Immanuel Lutheran, and EA Christian churches in sponsoring a community VBS: Camp Edge: Experience + Discover God Everywhere.
Note Correction in Time: July 26th Hamburg Presbyterian Church’s Praise in the Park starts with music at 10 AM and worship at 10:30 AM at Village Memorial Park. There will be a picnic “Hamburgers & ‘Hotdawgs’” at the church, following the service.
July 26 - Amherst Presbyterian Church, Worship in the Park, 9:30 AM
July 27 - Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, 2-7 PM, UNYTS Blood Drive, in Fellowship Hall
August 10-14 - First Presbyterian Church of Allegany will hold Vacation Bible School from 5:00-8:00 PM at the church at 44 N. Third St. in Allegany. Supper will be provided each evening. Call 716-372-2912 to register or for more information.
Installation of First Presbyterian Church of Niagara Falls Pastor David W. Crapnell Set for August 2
The installation of Pastor David W. Crapnell will take place on Sunday, August 2nd, at 3 PM. Presbytery members are invited to join the Niagara Falls church family at this celebration of Pastor David’s service to the church. Representatives from the Presbytery and other churches will be participating in the installation. A reception will follow. Click here for a flyer.
First Presbyterian Church of Tonawanda Continues Ten-year Tradition of Whole-church Involvement in VBS 
Click here for photos of First Presbyterian Church of Tonawanda’s “Discovery Canyon” VBS adventure. Over sixty adults were commissioned to work in the week-long program that began on July 6th. Over 80 children participated each evening from 6:30-8:30 PM in worship, Bible storytime (drama), music, snacks and games, and arts and crafts. Peggy Brown led the teams of teachers, builders, and other support roles.
News at Louisville Seminary
Click here for LPTS News: July 2009 Headlines, Opportunities, and Campus News.
“60-Second E-News for You” - from Presbyterian Media Mission (PMM)
Click here to read how the Presbyterian Media Mission (PMM) in Pittsburgh won a Gold Remi Award at the prestigious 42nd annual WorldFest of the Houston Film/Video Festival and briefs about other news.
You Are Invited!
Bethel Presbyterian Church
682 Ridge Road
Lackawanna, NY 14218
CHRISTMAS in JULY
Saturday, JULY 25, 10 AM TO 2 PM
Flee Market Tables
Baked Goods
Christmas Crafts
Clothing and More Thrift Shop
Lunch Counter
LIVE MUSIC PROVIDED BY "LAST DAYS COUNT."
CALL Sarah Leek at 830-7881 with questions.
News from Gladys Gifford about Peace and Justice Programs
Click here for information from Gladys Gifford regarding opportunities for outreach in the areas of peace and justice.
Celebrations and Milestones
Click here for celebrations and milestones for people across the presbytery in July and August.
Faithful Dialogue -- Interfaith Team Visits and Events
Click here for the monthly newsletter, Faithful Dialogue, focusing on interfaith events.
Ecumenical Worship Service in Randolph Park Featured in Jamestown’s Post Journal
Click here for the article in Jamestown’s Post Journal, describing Randolph United Presbyterian Church’s participation and leadership in the area-wide ecumenical outdoor worship service. Mission Book Order Request Information
The Presbytery is once again placing a bulk order of mission yearbooks and children’s mission yearbooks. The order form is being mailed to each church and is also available on our website. The deadline for ordering is September 15, 2009. The books typically come into the presbytery office early/mid-November. Payment must be made when the order is placed. Call Jan, at 668-1995, if you have questions.
November 7, 2009 – Save The Date
Why, you might wonder? It’s not Advent yet; it’s not even Thanksgiving yet! However, this upcoming day is a day when the whole family can come and be revitalized by the word of God. It will be a great day of fun, where you will have to opportunity to:
Worship
Pray
Study
Be creative
Make music
And so much more!\
Click here to download the flyer; then, post it in a prominent position on your church bulletin board. Tell your friends, neighbors, and pastor about this day!
Keep watching the newsletter for updates! Newsletters Feature Presbyterian Sisterhood
Click here for the monthly newsletter, Rooted in Sisterhood, that features opportunities for young women to lead, serve and grow in faith with other racial ethnic young women. Click here for the monthly newsletter, Sisters Together, that features opportunities for leadership development, service and growing in faith for college-age women.
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Event
Susan and Bob Vande Kappelle will host a luncheon for PTS President Bill Carl on Sunday, July 26, from 12:30-2:30 PM. All alumnae/i and friends are welcome. The Vande Kappele’s live in Chautauqua Shores next to Chautauqua Institution, 4553 Canterbury Drive. RSVP to Rev. Carolyn Cranston at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, 412-362-5610.
Webinars on Church Growth
Click here for registration information on church transformation and growth.
Farewell (to Old Sanctuary) Service Held at Clarence First Presbyterian Church
On Sunday, June 14, at the 10 a.m. worship service, the congregation of Clarence First Presbyterian Church was reminded of the various events that have taken place in the current sanctuary since its dedication in 1957. A special commemorative booklet was included in the weekly bulletin from photos submitted by the congregation as well as taken from the church archives. At the end of the farewell service, the congregation sang "We Are Marching in the Light of God," while processing to the new sanctuary, where they received the benediction. Click here for photos of the service. The formal dedication of the new sanctuary will take place on Sunday, September 13, at 10 a.m.
Retiring Wayside Pastor Dave Persons Hits Hole-in-One
On Monday, June 22, Wayside (Hamburg) Pastor Dave Persons hit a hole-in-one on the twelfth hold of the Willowrun Golf Course, near Chautauqua. Witnessing his luck was his 89-year-old father, who had accomplished the same feat almost exactly fifteen years ago, to the day. After attesting to the feat, the course owner gave Pastor Dave passes for two free rounds of golf. The hole was 122 yards long; the ball was hit with a 9 iron.
Clarence Presbyterian Church Appoints New Director of Music
Kotoe (Koto) Shimojo will begin her work as Director of Music Ministry for the Clarence Presbyterian Church on August 2nd. Koto has degrees in English, music, and organ performance. She has served two Presbyterian churches, previously, as organist or music director. Koto is a member of the American Guild of Organists.
Work Group from University Presbyterian Church (Buffalo) Guts Ferguson Avenue Home 
A team of workers from University Presbyterian Church (Buffalo) worked on Saturday, June 27th, to prepare a Habitat for Humanity home on Ferguson Ave. for the next stage in renovation. The crew included Grace Agbemenu, JoAnne and Jim Bartlett, Ginna Coon, Jude Hammer, Janet Mazzaroppi, John Swaine, Untae and Priscilla Kim, Eileen Braungard (Jamestown guest), and Janita Byars, Poet of Transformation. Click here for photos of the work in progress.
An Invitation to Participate in the New Presbyterian Hymnal Project
The Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song is inviting submissions of materials (new AND old) for consideration for inclusion in a new hymnal. This could include hymns, psalms, spiritual songs, praise choruses, texts, and specific tunes. Authors and composers are encouraged to submit their own original works. The deadline for submission is June 2010. For more information, go to www.presbyterianhymnal.org. Click on the link: “Submitting Materials.”
News from Helen Sommer
Helen Sommer reports that her son, Barry McCaskey, passed away Tuesday morning, July 7, at Hospice. Funeral arrangements are still being made.
PC News Weekly Headlines - June 29-July 2, 2009
Click here for the weekly headlines from PC(USA). WNY Apologetics Roundtable Event -- July 12 You are invited to the next WNY Apologetics event to be held on Sunday, July 12 at 6:30pm at First Baptist Church of North Tonawanda (530 Meadow Dr, North Tonawanda , NY 14120 ).
Our speaker will be Mr. Dick DiTullio. Dick is a trained Christian apologist and co-founder of WNY Apologetics.
He will present a talk entitled, "Explaining Away Your Faith." The presentation will focus on the need for humility in the area of Christian evidences. 1 Corinthians 13:9-12 explains that "for now we know in part." What impact should that have in our discussions and interactions with one another in these areas? Questions and discussion from the audience will follow. Free refreshments will also be available.
See the attached flyer for further details. The event is open to all, so feel free to bring a friend.
Thank you,
Tom Wanchick
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