Presbytery of Western New York
E-Newsletter

October 13, 2009 

International Peacemaker
The Presbytery of Western New York hosted Dr. Nazeli Vardanyan of Armenia from September 25-28.  She stayed with Pat and Bill Townsend.  Dr. Vardanyan is an international attorney working with a non-governmental organization (NGO) that is trying to reforest Armenia from damage done after the fall of the Soviet Union.  She took a tour of Reinstein Woods, spoke at a potluck at Amherst Church, attended an ecological summit at Daemon College and spoke at North, Williamsville and Riverside Salem UCC church where Cathy and Jon Reilly Goddard are pastors. Gladys Gifford and Mary-Diana Pouli also provided hospitality. In the photo below from left are Gladys Gifford, Pat Townsend and Nazeli Vardanyan.

Interfaith Journey to the Holy Land
Join Temple Beth Zion & Westminster on an interfaith journey to ISRAEL-The Holy Land, January 14 - 25, 2010. Forms and complete information are available on Westminster’s website www.westminster-bflo.org

Presbyterian Women of WNY Fall Gathering
God Will Do Wonders Among You: Winds of  Change
Saturday October 17, 2009  10:30 - 2pm,
MacAlpine Presbyterian Church, 2700 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo
$5 (includes Lunch)
Janis Quinn, Keynote Speaker
 “How Things Have Changed on the Reservation,”
Presbyterian Women Churchwide 
Racial Ethnic Member at Large, Native American.
Worship includes The Motion Choir from Kenmore Presbyterian Church.
Phone your reservations to Sylvia Volk, 881-1424.

SUNDAY MORNING ADULT LEARNING AT WESTMINSTER
Sundays, 9:35AM -10:45AM
Offerings for October:
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
September 20 - October 25 
Encounters with Jesus: Studies in the Gospel of John by Frances Taylor Gench 
Calvin argued that the gospel of John  "is a key to open the door for understanding the rest."   Many people love the gospel of John because it is the most christocentric of the gospels, that is, when we read it, Christ seems more up close and personal.  We can find ourselves in direct encounter with him. 
Oct. 11:  Images of Life
(John 6; 8-9; 10; 14; 15)
Oct. 18:A Journey to Sight: The Man Born Blind
(John 9)
Oct. 25: Sovereign in Life and Death: Jesus Passion (18-19) and Encounters with the Risen Lord (John 20)
SPIRITUAL LIFE
October 11, 18, & 25
Discovering Your Motivational Spiritual Gifts
Led by Joan Lehman. How does the Holy Spirit empower everyday people to do the work of God?  We will use a questionnaire developed by Presbyterian Minister Larry Selig, D. Min, to focus on the seven spiritual gifts. A video will help us to understand these gifts.  Discussion and personal reflection will help us to see how an awareness of our own "gift-mix" can enable us to be more effective and fulfilled in serving God at home, work and through the church.
CASE LIBRARY CONVERSATION SERIES
Community Speaker Series
October 11: Downtown Housing – A Growth Industry? Mr. Rocco Termini, President, Signature Development. Come and hear one of Buffalo’s most famous housing developers tell us about his work to revitalize downtown and preserve our historic architecture.
October 18:Reducing Local Government & Increasing Citizens’ Voice: Are We On The Right Track? Presenter: Mr. Kevin Gaughan, Attorney & Civic Leader. Come and hear the prominent civic leader who has visited every city, town and village in Erie County.  He is leading a charge to reduce the cost of local government.
WOW (Women of Westminster) Horizons Bible Study
Joshua:  A Journey of Faith, 2nd Thursday of the month,
starts November 12th at 12:30 pm in the Case Library and concludes Thursday, June 10, 2010. WOW  invites all interested women to join our brown bag Bible study.  Beverages  provided. Purchase of this year's study is $6/large print $10.  Please sign up in the Holmes Room.  For more information about this year's study, go to www.pcusaorg/horizons or contact Debbie Katz at ext. 329.

Dollar Dinners at Lockport First
During the month of October, First Presbyterian Church of Lockport will sponsor a Wednesday night gathering for dinner and fellowship followed by discussion of a religious topic. There was an error in last week’s newsletter about the day of the week this event will be held. Click here for a poster about the event.

News from Faith United:
1)  Apple Festival, Saturday, October 17, 2:00-5:00 p.m.  Come and enjoy the day with us.  We will have roast beef sandwiches, beverages and apple desserts, as well as plenty of delicious apple creations to take home!
 
2)  Flu and Pneumonia Immunizations - The Visiting Nursing Association will be at Faith Church on Sunday, October 25, Noon-3:00 p.m. You must bring your insurance card.  No appointment is necessary.  Enter through the parking lot door and follow the signs.

Senate climate bill & National Call-in Day October 15
If the struggles to clean up West Valley teach us anything, we must learn that nuclear power is not "clean" energy. Please participate in this national call-in day, October 15. Click here to read more.

Irish Music at East Aurora
The Irish music experience, Kindredduo will appear at First Presbyterian Church of East Aurora on Sunday, October 18th at 2 PM in the Assembly Room. Felice and David Meyer are multi-talented playing several instruments, singing and also sharing their own songs in the folk traditions of Ireland, American and other Celtic lands. From preschool to nursing homes, these performers delight their audiences with their musical gifts and good humor.
The program is designed for all ages and will be free.  Free will donations will be accepted.

The First Presbyterian Church of East Aurora is on Main Street (20A) at Paine Street. There will be a reception immediately following. For more information, call the church at 652-0160.

Returning to the Order of Love at Wayside
Wayside Church Presents "Returning to the Orders of Love" based on "Rising in Love by Bert Hellinger.  This six-week course will be presented by Jill Gannon, RN, BC, BS, QHP, Reiki Master, and Brennan Healing Science Practitioner.  This study/healing group will be Monday evenings from 7-8:30 PM on October 19, 26, November 2,9, 16, & 23 at Wayside Presbyterian Church, 5017 Lake Shore Rd, Hamburg NY.  The cost is $15 per session.  Child Care Available.  This class will provide you with tools to use in your daily life to help yourself and your family: learn self healing and do some family constellation work.  You will get a new outlook on life and will learn how to receive, not just be a giver.  Learn this and see how your life takes a turn for the better.  Please preregister:  Call 627-2150 or e mail lou2700@hotmail.com for a registration form by October 15th.

Integrity in Worship: Using the Arts Worshipfully
St. John's United Church of Christ in Dunkirk, NY will be sponsoring a workshop called Integrity in Worship: Using the Arts Worshipfully.  The workshop will be conducted by Dr. Robin Knowles Wallace, professor of Worship and Music in the Taylor Chair at Methodist Theological School in Ohio.  Dr. Knowles Wallacer is author of six books and over 75 articles on worship and church music.  Her most recent book is Worship in the Small Membership Church (Abingdon Press, 2008).  She holds her PhD from Garret-Evangelical Theological Seminary/Northwestern University, an M.T.S. From Candor School of Theology/ Emory University and an MA in Church Music Education from Scarritt College.

The workshop will be held Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 9:30 -2:00.  The workshop will be held at St. John's UCC, 733 Central Ave., Dunkirk, NY.  Park off 728 Eagle Street.  Cost is $10.00 and includes morning goodies and lunch.  If you are interested in attending call the church office at 716-366-0710 to reserve a seat or send an email to stjohnsucc3@verizon.net.

This workshop is made possible through a Worship Renewal Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.

Halloween Festival at First Buffalo
First Pres in Buffalo (One Symphony Circle) is hosting a Halloween festival on Saturday October 24th from 4-7pm.  There will be a spaghetti dinner, crafts, games, candy, and lots and lots of fun!!  Kids can come dressed in costume.  The cost is $5 a person and money will go to the youth group as they raise money for the Triennium. Contact Erica Wichtowski at the church for more information.

Music and the Arts of Orchard Park Presbyterian Church announces Vocalis In-Concert 
Sunday, October 18, 2009 - 4:00 pm in the Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, 4369 South Buffalo Street, Orchard Park, NY.
This concert is open to the community and all are welcome to attend this program. "Vocalis voices are incredible and beautifully balanced."  "Their phrasing is so exquisitely sculpted as to sound seamless."  "This choir is impeccably rehearsed, and the singers all sound completely in tune with each other, in every sense of the word."  " . . . hauntingly"  ". . . otherworldly."  - Buffalo News, December 7, 2008. 
Please feel free to share this concert information widely.  Click here for a concert event flyer of biographical information and photos.  Admission by tickets available at the door: $15 Adult, $10 Student. We hope you will join us for this concert event.

Fall Activities at First Presbyterian Lewiston

• First Pres Lewiston will be holding its annual fall Rummage Sale on Saturday, October 24th from 10an - 2pm.  Lunch will be available. 
• There will be a Red Cross Blood Drive in the church social hall on Wednesday, October 28th from 2pm - 7pm.  
• Angel Food orders are due into the church by Wednesday, October 14th, delivery will be October 24th from 10am - 11:30am in the blue room off the main front entrance .

Alternative Holiday Gift Fair
An Alternative Holiday Gift Fair that will be held on Sunday, Nov 1st, from 12:00 noon until 2:00 PM at University Presbyterian Church, 3330 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214. Click here to read more about it.

News from Union Presbyterian Church of Blasdell:
Southtowns Wellness Fair and Blood Drive
Southtowns Wellness Fair & Blood Drive Co-Sponsored by Upstate New York Transplant Services, Union Presbyterian Church, & Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company
Saturday, November 14th
Big Tree Fire Hall
South Park Avenue
Blasdell, New York
12-6pm
Over 25 tables of Information & UNYTS Blood Drive
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Lunch Served by Food Ministry of Union Presbyterian Church To Benefit the Food Pantry & Soup Kitchen in the 14219 Zip Code
Fun for Kids While Moms & Dads Browse
Samples & Small Prizes
Demos & Speakers from :
Fire Companies, Planet Smoothie, Police, Gilda’s Club, Angel Flight, Hospice Buffalo, Gentle Dentistry of East Aurora, Erie Co. Home Care Agencies, Just to Name a Few.
Please RSVP to blu46angl@aol.com by 11/1/09

Sponsorship of Closed Captioning for Kaleidoscope TV Program
Dear Friends:
We are looking for persons and or organizations who are willing to sponsor the closed captioning of the Network of Religious Communities TV program Kaleidoscope. The program broadcasts over WGRZ TV 2, Time Warner Cable Network channel 20 and is available on-line through iTunes U. The program is produced in the Media Center of Canisius College, in
collaboration with the Department of Religious Studies and the Video Institute at Canisius College. Kaleidoscope is a program of and about the Religious Communities of Western New York with special focus on religious holidays, commemoration and special events. Each month a representative of a different religious community hosts the program. While WGRZ TV 2 broadcasts the program without charge they do require us to pay for the cost of the Closed Captioning; a requirement of the FCC. The cost of Closed Captioning for each program is $100.00. Sponsors of the closed captioning will be acknowledged in the credits of the program. In the past persons have taken this opportunity to sponsor the closed captioning in memory of a loved one. Local businesses have also sponsored the closed captioning. Please email or call me if you wish to sponsor the closed captioning for a single month or more. Feel free to contact me if you would like additional information or have questions.

Stan Bratton

Dr. G. Stanford Bratton
Network of Religious Communities
1272 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY
716-882-4793 ext 201
ecustan@earthlink.net

Conference for Men to be held at Wesleyan Church of Hamburg
"Iron Sharpens Iron", a conference for men, will be held Saturday October 24 from 8:30 am to 4:55 pm at the Wesleyan Church of Hamburg, 4999 McKinley Parkway. Guest Speakers include Ken Canfiled of the National Center for Fathering and Chuck Stecker, president of "A Chosen Generation", Tim Chambers, Paul Decker and Cal Kern. Sales end October 14, with individual price including lunch of $56. Group rates are available. Many local vendors, retreat centers and mission opportunities will be on display. Small-group 'break-out' sessions will be held throughout the day on a variety of topics relating to Faith, Witness, and men's topics. Online registration at http://www.ironsharpensiron.net or phone Sam and Aaron Richbart 716.631.3498, the conference hosts from CSB Ministries/Camp Hickory Hill http://www.CSBMinistries.org

Women’s Fall Retreat at Duffield
Click here to read about the women’s fall retreat at Duffield October 30-November 1.  The keynote speaker will be Susan Puff, author & founder of www.walkinginpeace.com.

NEFOSA Series of Seminars
The Northeast Forum on Spirituality and Aging (NEFOSA) - www.nefosa.org - is sponsoring a series of seminars that feature Rachael Freed (www.life-legacies.org). Contact Patsy A. Glista, AIM, LDR Coordinator - Upstate NY LutheranCare, 108 Utica Rd., Clinton, NY  13323, (315) 235-7106, (315) 289-2686 (cell), pglista@lutherancare.org for more information.

Clarence First Presbyterian Church celebrates the completion of the columbarium

The long awaited columbarium is in place in the outside (west) wall of the walkway between the original and new sanctuaries! As we watched the installation of the final granite square, we realized that this addition to our church is indeed fit and proper, tasteful and altogether a fulfillment of our dreams and plans. We know the congregation agrees, as only 21 niches remain of the first 56 spaces installed. Of course, expansion is planned for on either side of the central unit. The first internment took place on October 6th.