Presbytery of Western New York
E-Newsletter

August 31, 2010

Griffins Mills Celebrates 200 Years
 
On Sunday, August 15th following worship service, Moderator of Presbytery Connie Lockwood read a Proclamation from the Presbytery of Western New York celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Griffins Mills Presbyterian Church.  There was also a Proclamation read by the Aurora Town Historian, Rob Goller, on behalf of the Town of Aurora.  The picture shows Connie Lockwood and Rob Goller along with Clerk of Session, Alan Davis, and Church Moderator, Rev. Nancy Bassett. Cake and refreshments were enjoyed afterwards by those in attendance in the Meeting House.
 
A Living History Celebration Day is planned for Saturday, September 11th.  On that date, a number of events will re-create some of the Anti-Slavery sentiment that existed at the Church and in the Griffins Mills community in the years leading up to the Civil War.  Beginning at 10 AM, events will include a Civil War Encampment, Underground Railroad Re-enactments, Fashion show, Quilt Display, Music by Fiddlesticks and more.  There is an evening program with Underground Railroad Stories "From the Eyes of a White Woman" by Denise Reichard, Sojourner Truth re-enactment, Spiritual Choir, Sojourner Truth meets Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation.  Click here to view the promotional flyer.
 
Not only is Griffins Mills Church the oldest Presbyterian Church in Erie County, it may be the oldest church of any denomination in Erie County.  Help us celebrate this historic event!

Around the Presbytery

North Presbyterian Church at 168 Payne Ave., North Tonawanda is hosting a special Missions evening on Saturday, September 11th.  Denise Sciuto, area representative for Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship, will be speaking at a 5 PM service and this will be followed by a pot luck dinner.   Everyone is welcome.   If you are interested, please call the church office at 693-7030 or Martha Francis at 695-1022.

Popular Financial Peace University Series Offered Again This Fall

Concerned about your family’s finances in today’s economy? Looking for a structured, thoughtful way to get back on track?  Consider attending Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University to help you.  

Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University is a biblically based, 13-week accountability class that trains individuals to manage their resources.  Via DVD, Dave Ramsay presents each lesson, followed by small group discussion, which will be lead by Orchard Park resident and Financial Peace University graduate, Deb Galloway.

Classes will meet on selected Mondays and Tuesdays beginning on September 20th through December 13th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in Orchard Park Presbyterian Church.  A free preview class will be held on Sunday, September 12 at 11:45 am in the church’s Meeting Place room to learn more about the course and to answer questions.

Participants or families are required to purchase a membership kit in order to take the class.  Cost of the kit is $99.51, which includes workbook, forms and all 13 weeks of Dave Ramsay’s class on CD.  “This is a lifetime membership that allows individuals to attend any of Dave Ramsay’s classes or to refocus or review their financial plan,” explains facilitator, Deb Galloway.

To attend the free preview class or to register for the course, call Deb Galloway at 662.9348 or email deb@oppchurch.org by Sunday, September 12.

Constant Caregiver Sought at Deerhurst

Deerhurst Presbyterian Church is looking for a Constant Caregiver in the nursery on Sunday Mornings. This would mean someone that is available every Sunday from September through the beginning of June to provide care for our birth-3 year olds. Must love working with this age group and be responsible. They would be needed from 9:30-11:30. The pay is $20 a week.
If you or someone you know would be interested, please feel free to give me a call at 830-2967 or e-mail me at jsersing@gmail.com

“Eleanor Roosevelt” to Open Fall Silver Foxes Series

Performance artist, Denise Reichard returns to Orchard Park Presbyterian Church in the role of beloved First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, as the 2010 Silver Foxes Luncheon Series kicks off its fall series on Thursday, September 9th at 12:00 pm.

Last year, Ms. Reichard wowed the Silver Foxes audience with an interpretation of Dolley Madison, one of several historical women she portrays.  “Each performance reveals many historical accounts, often starting with childhood memories and closing with end of life legacies,” she explains.  In addition to Dolly Madison and Eleanor Roosevelt, Reichard has enacted the lives of pilot, Amelia Earhart, women’s activist, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, athlete, Babe Didrikson, first female, American doctor, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell and Civil War nurse and American Red Cross founder, Clara Barton.

The popular Silver Foxes Luncheon Program series is designed for active adults in the community, providing seniors and others interested an opportunity to socialize with current friends, while making new acquaintances.

In addition to September 9th, two other luncheons presentations are scheduled:

•    Thursday, October 14, 2010:  The History of Orchard Park, Presented by Joe Wales & Tom Morrow
•    Thursday, November 18, 2010:  The Joy of Music, Featuring Greg White, Orchard Park Presbyterian Church Music Director

Cost of each luncheon program is $8.00. Cash or checks made payable to the Orchard Park Presbyterian Church will be accepted at the door on the day of the program.  However, persons interested in attending must call 662.9348 one week prior to each program to make a reservation. Registration deadline for the presentation on September 9th is September 2.

Programs are nondenominational and all adults in the community are invited to attend!  Facilities at the Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, located at 4369 South Buffalo Street are fully handicapped accessible.

Denise Reichard