Presbytery of Western New York
E-Newsletter October 20, 2009 WNY REGIONAL Public Meeting
October 22, 2009 (Thursday)
7:00 p.m.
St. Martin de Porres Church
555 Northampton Street, Buffalo A public meeting organized by VOICE-Buffalo, PUSH and NOAH
seeking commitment from local leaders to:
* revitalize WNY regional economy
* improve public transportation
* secure funding for green jobs and green housing
* promote local hiring and job creation For more information: call VOICE-Buffalo at 842-6571. International Day of Climate Action
24 October 2009 - 11:00am - 2:30pm
Sponsor the Western New York Climate Action Coalition and co-sponsors Catholic Care for God’s Creation Committee, Catholic Charities, League of Women Voters Buffalo-Niagara, Network of Religious Communities, Sierra Club, UB Environmental Network, WNY Peace Center and Western New York Sustainable Energy Association (list in formation) invite you to a public gathering to commemorate the International Day of Climate Action.
Join us in our call to US & world leaders to make peace with our planet by getting serious about climate change and returning to 350 ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere. Click here to read more about climate change. Details:
11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Saturday, October 24
D'Youville College Center, Porter & Fargo Avenues, Buffalo, NY
11 a.m. - gather at D'Youville College
• music • speakers • skits • kids activities • free refreshments/environmental information fair (keynote speaker: Sen. Antoine Thompson, chair of the NYS Senate Environmental Conservation Committee and sponsor of NYS climate protection legislation)
• introduction to the "Low Carbon Diet" and other climate action campaigns
1:30 PM March to La Salle Park & Riverwalk
• ceremony in honor of our lake, river, and natural heritage now at risk because of climate change To get involved with the planning effort or for more information contact Sandy Chelnov (chelnovs@gmail.com) or Nan and Walter Simpson (enconser@buffalo.edu). Treasure in Clay Jars
BOOK THE DATE - NOVEMBER 7TH - FAMILY FUN DAY!!
Join us for a day of Spirit-filled fun & fellowship.
Click here for the flyer & registration form today! Mission to Gowanda
The following is a report from Sue Adams, Westminster Church, on her team’s trip to help clean up after the flood. The team also included Brad Smith, Ray Herman and Joan Osborn. I was glad to be able to help with this mission trip, nice to have three other members from church there too. Some had not participated in a clean up of this level before; we just worked as a team. As soon as I saw the mold/ water line my first thought was this looks like D’Iberville, Mississippi again. We all took over and did what was needed to be done whether it was taking cabinets and counter tops apart, wheeling the water soaked debris to the dumpster, knocking down a front entry way , we accomplished a great deal.
As I was knocking out the cabinets I thought to myself what would I do in Roy’s position throwing ones life history away in a dumpster, who would I call to assist me? Like Roy I have no family living in the area, I know I would have called my church family to help me. Roy said he had no family; at least he was able to stay with friends. He asked me “are you from around here”? I said no we are from Buffalo and all members of the same church, Westminster Presbyterian.
I think it helped him in a small way when he told us how bad it was the night of the flood and the rains came and he was rescued. He was awakened in his bed floating in water. “Never had a water bed before” he was able to joke. The local fire company had to rig a harness on Roy and winch him over the water to higher ground. I think that he’s resigned to the fact that he won’t be able to keep most of his possessions that are still in the trailer.
I know he was very happy that we were there to help him, what bothers me now since he has no family left , how will he get through the winter? Where is he going to stay, with friends? I hope other volunteers will come in the coming weeks and months to help him, I’ll say a nightly prayer for him, with the thought that in the future we can go back and help again. Sales at West Seneca
West Seneca Presbyterian Church is having a garage, book and bake sale on November 7, 2009. Click here for a flyer. PWNY CONGREGATIONAL TRANSFORMATION MINISTRY TEAM (CTMT) PRESENTS REPORT ON SYNOD-FUNDED GRANT
Drew Ludwig (CTMT Chair), Barbara Wallace, Lowell Avery, Leslie Latham, Karen Sawicz, and Janita Byars presented an assessment of the congregational transformation initiative to a gathering of other PPG grant recipients (Genesee and Geneva Presbyteries) and Clint McCoy (Synod of the Northeast Executive for Partnerships). The cycle of funding is nearing the end and this program review is a part of the decision-making process for future grants. Click here for photos of the session. Click here for a summary report. PART TIME WORK AVAILABLE AT THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
First Presbyterian Church of Allegany is seeking part time secretarial help. The job involves roughly eight (8) hours of work per week. Candidates must be able to work independently and handle basic clerical tasks, including printing the weekly bulletins and monthly newsletter. Hours are flexible.
Go to our web page at http://www.fpcallegany.org for more information. If you are interested, please send a letter and your resume to First Presbyterian Church of Allegany, 44 N. Third Street, Allegany NY 14706 or email letter and resume to fpcalleganyusa@verizon.net. Due date is Friday, October 30, 2009.
If you have questions, please contact the chairperson for the Personnel Committee, Terry VanSickle, at 372-1041. She can be reached after 4:00 or leave her a message any time. Intelligent Design vs. Blind Evolution at WNYApologetics
You are invited to join renowned Cornell University scientist, Dr. John Sanford on Saturday, December 5 at the University at Buffalo (North Campus), Student Union, room 145 from 3-5pm, as he presents scientific evidence supporting the claim that biological life is the product of intelligent design rather than blind evolution.The event is free of charge and open to the public. All are welcome. Books on the topic will be available for sale and free refreshments will also be on hand. For more information, click here to see the flyer, call 716-957-6532, or email: tom@wnyapologetics.com. Events at Lewiston Presbyterian Church
Wednesday, October 28th Red Cross Blood Drive in the church social hall from 2pm - 7pm. Walk-in's welcome!
Tuesday, November 3rd the Presbyterian Women will be holding a bake sale during election hours.
Saturday, November 7th the Lydia Society will be hosting an outing to Viddler’s in East Aurora. Everyone to meet at the church at 10am. WORSHIP MUSIC LEADERS INVITED TO NOV. 2ND EVENT
Click here for a flyer describing the first meeting of a network of worship music leaders, Monday, Nov. 2nd, at Williamsville North Presbyterian Church, 300 N. Forest Rd. Dinner and fellowship begin at 5:45 PM. The program begins at 6:45 PM. All are invited. WHAT’S HAPPENING AT WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
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 The Freudig Singers at Westminster
Present Roland E. Martin’s Director’s Cut
October 24 at 7:30pm in the Sanctuary
The Freudig Singers of WNY will delight musical enthusiasts of all ages when they commence their 26th year of joyful music-making with Our Favorite Things, featuring a repertoire filled with Buffalo’s musical crown jewels from everyone’s perspective. Music Director Roland E. Martin, launches the season with a program celebrating the music he likes best, tailored to be performed in one of Western New York’s premiere musical venues. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door ($8 in advance, $10 at the door for students and seniors.) Call 667.7088 for advance purchase, or visit their website at www. freudigsingers.org. SUNDAY MORNING ADULT LEARNING AT WESTMINSTER
Sundays, 9:35AM -10:45AM 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. 25: Sovereign in Life and Death: Jesus Passion (18-19) and Encounters with the Risen Lord (John 20) SPIRITUAL LIFE
October 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 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. Passages: A Program for Older Adults: First Tuesday of the month 12:30pm: Lunch in the Oak Room, 1pm: Program in the Case Library. Friends are welcome. Please sign up on the Information Table in the Holmes Room.
November 3: Bonnie Smith, WEDI Economic Development Director will talk about the new West Side businesses mentored and sponsored by WEDI. Family Night at the Movies presents the film A Jihad for Love, Friday, October 23rd, 7-9 PM in the Case Library. Muslim gay filmmaker Parvez Sharma travels the many worlds of the dynamic muslim faith, discovering the stories of its most unlikely storytellers: lesbian and gay Muslims. Sign up in the Holmes Room on the Information Table or call the church office at 884-9437. Popcorn and pop provided. Donations for ENERGY After-School Tutoring Program and Scholarship Fund will be appreciated. WOW (Women of Westminster) Horizons Bible Study: Joshua: A Journey of Faith, 2nd Thursday of the month, starts November 12th at 12:00 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. | 
