Presbytery of Western New York
E-Newsletter August 10, 2010 MAKE YOUR PLANS: PRESBYTERY DAY (OCTOBER 2ND) IS JUST AROUND THE (SEPTEMBER) CORNER
You may download the brochure from the PWNY homepage or go to:
http://www.pbywny.org/announcements/pbyday2010brochure.pdf
It lists two dozen sessions and a worship service to be led by Rev. Bill Carter and Presbybop. A major part of the day will be the convening and performing of the PWNY Children’s Choir. Contact Janita Byars (jbyars@stny.rr.com or 716-720-5846) if children in your congregation would like to participate. Click here for a copy of the Children’s Choir flyer.
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GRIFFINS MILLS CELEBRATES 200 YEARS
On Sunday, August 15th, Griffins Mills Presbyterian Church will officially celebrate its 200th Anniversary. Worship service is at 9:45 AM, and, immediately following at 10:45 AM, there will be a Proclamation read by a Town of Aurora official. The Town Historian, friends, neighbors, and members will be witnesses to this milestone event. Anyone is welcome.
There will be cake, coffee, refreshments, and snacks following in the Session Meeting Hall. Griffins Mills Church is located at 1807 Mill Road, West Falls, NY 14170. For more information, you can call Alan Davis at 652-3384, or Pat Petrie at 652-5165.
As a side note and as a further celebration of its heritage, Griffins Mills Church is planning a Living History Day on Saturday, September 11, 2010. The theme will center on the Anti-Slavery Movement leading up to the Civil War. Plans include a Civil War encampment with blacksmith and General Store, Underground Railroad re-enactments, music by Fiddlesticks, fashion show, and more. An early evening program will include Underground Railroad stories, Spiritual choir, and visits by Sojourner Truth and Abraham Lincoln. More-specific information will be forthcoming.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE PRESBYTERY
Bacon Memorial Presbyterian Church (Niagara Falls) has “Bring a Friend Sunday” on the third Sunday of each month. Worship is followed by a luncheon.
First Presbyterian Church (Youngstown) has a “Youth Group Boat Day” for middle and high school students, Saturday, August 21st (rain date: Aug. 22nd).
First Presbyterian Church (Lockport) has VBS from August 23rd through the 27th, with a VBS worship service on the 29th. They included an order form for needed supplies in their newsletter.
First United Presbyterian Church (Silver Creek) sponsored a United Angels youth group totaling twenty-one people (including Pastor Thomas R. Burrian and Youth Leader David Mills) on a mission trip to Denver. They worked with the Denver Rescue Mission in VBS activities, meal preparation, cleaning, and unloading trucks. They also enjoyed sight-seeing in the Colorado Springs area.
Members of Deerhurst Presbyterian Church (Tonawanda) and Amherst Presbyterian Church (Williamsville) collaborated on a YouthWorks mission project at Camp Thorpe in Rutland, VT. The camp serves mentally- or physically-challenged adults from the ages of 18 through 88. Deerhurst volunteers also replaced a roof on the Jelenspergers’ garage.
North Presbyterian Church (Williamsville) is running an adult-education series after Sunday worship services. The topic is “Journeys through Revelation: Apocalyptic Hope for Today.”
First Presbyterian Church (East Aurora) is continuing to work through a contemporary mission study, including a review of its mission statement. The church sponsors recycling of paper, inkjet cartridges, and clothing.
DICK CHUBON SHARES A NOTE ABOUT FACEBOOK
A BUF area Catholic church's attendance and membership had been declining for a number of years. The parish was in danger of extinction. Traditional 20th century-type attempts to grow both attendance and membership were not working. (Surprise!) Someone suggested that they should try a 21st century approach and use Facebook as a tool. They did. Since using Facebook as a tool, attendance has reportedly more than doubled in a relatively short time and membership is starting to grow. Most of the growth has been in under age-50s - the Facebook savvy folks. Some were former members who had drifted away but were attracted back when they learned that the parish was making an attempt to enter the 21st century. Others came because they wanted to see what a Catholic church that dared to use Facebook was like and decided to stay, at least for a while. Facebook as a 21st century tool for growth? We can only imagine!
UPDATE ON TONAWANDA FROM CHET SEYMOUR
The Tonawanda Indian Church sustained severe fire damage to its sanctuary about two
weeks ago. All Seneca music and some banners were destroyed as well as doors and
windows. Sometime soon they will replace the damaged windows and doors and then
be ready to begin painting. The interior has been cleansed of smoke damage and is
paint-ready.
I suggested to the church that I would try and locate a substantial group
of painters to prime and finish coat the walls and ceiling. If you would like to participate
I would be happy to hear from you. We will need to have adventurous people that can set
up and move scaffolding, use rollers and trim brushes, and generally have a good time.
If you have access to scaffolding it would be a great help. We will provide carpooling
information, cold drinks and lunch for all. This probably will not happen for at least
three weeks. Chet Seymour, Orchard Park PC 716 662 5593, 716 863 7623 cell
Chetseymour@msn.com
LAFAYETTE AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PASTOR RECEIVES
BUSINESS FIRST RECOGNITION
Rev. Drew Ludwig was named one of Business First’s 40 Under Forty Award winners. See
the article in the July 30 – August 5, 2010 issue. The 2010 class will be honored at a
luncheon, November 9th, at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.
Click here for the full story.
NETWORK OF BIBLICAL STORYTELLERS MEETING AUGUST 24TH
On Tuesday, August 24th, the Network of Biblical Storytellers will meet at:
Church of the Nativity UCC
1530 Colvin Blvd.
Buffalo, NY 14223-1194
Call Carol with any questions at 626-5254.
CAMP DUFFIELD TRAVELS TO KINGDOM BOUND
As part of Camp Duffield ministry to the churches of WNY, we setup up an informational
booth at the Kingdom Bound Christian Festival in Darien, New York. We had the
opportunity to speak with hundreds of people from many churches. This high profile
Christian Festival provided a means to get the word out that Camp Duffield is alive and
well and flourishing in the woods of Delevan. More information at www.CampDuffield.org
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