Presbytery of Western New York
E-Newsletter November 17, 2009 NAME THIS OBJECT PHOTO CONTEST
To the first individual who submits the correct location and comes closest to the price will go this week’s prize: a globe.
RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK’S “NAME THIS OBJECT PHOTO CONTEST” The winner of the first Name this Object Photo Contest is Ruth Kelly. The photo was of the new furnace at Lackawanna's Bethel Presbyterian Church. This writer is glad to hear that North Tonawanda is also installing a new furnace! Lance Brown correctly identified the object, but missed the location. Lance wrote:
Dear Whomever:
The object is a high-efficiency furnace to be installed at North Presbyterian Church in North Tonawanda.
Lance
PS Keep the hand-warmers -- I've got my wife.
For the most-creative try, a consolation set of handwarmers goes to F. William Gray, who wrote:
Is it a generator?
Or, better yet, a time machine?
Or a bad news to good news converter?
Note to Readers: Making a bad news to good news converter sounds like a great project for a Sunday School group. Therefore, to the first group or individual who submits a photo of said converter will go a prize (TBD). Deadline for submissions: January 15, 2010.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE PRESBYTERY:
Bethel Presbyterian Church (Lackawanna) is holding its annual bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 5th, from 10 AM-2 PM. To rent table space, call 830-7881.
Hamburg Presbyterian Church has a rotating monthly schedule of worship music styles, as follows:
• 1st Sunday – piano arrangements of familiar hymns
• 2nd Sunday – traditional/arranged organ pieces
• 3rd Sunday – jazz on piano and instruments
• 4th Sunday – classical organ works
• 5th Sunday – an extended organ selection for prelude/postlude
Robert Bellingham is serving Lewiston’s First Presbyterian Church as temporary supply pastor until at least the end of the year. The Lydia Society of the church is selling fresh pies for Thanksgiving. Orders are due by Nov. 22nd. Volunteers from the church are also running a tutoring program, “Homework Hall.”
North Presbyterian Church (Williamsville) is running an adult education program, “What’s So Amazing about Grace?” through Nov. 22nd, on Sundays at 9:30 AM.
Faith United Presbyterian Church (Kenmore) is recognizing and thanking community leaders during the worship service on Nov. 22nd, at 10:30 AM.
Franklinville Presbyterian Church is holding a movie watching and discussion on Nov. 20th, at 7 PM, at the church.
The First Presbyterian Church (Cuba) is holding a potluck breakfast, Sunday, Nov. 27th, at 9 AM.
Riverside Presbyterian Church (Niagara Falls) is setting up three task groups to work on different areas of their faith life: Outreach and Visibility, Christian Education and Youth, and Leadership. An Advent Prayer Service and Soup Lunch will be held every Tuesday during Advent at 12:30 PM.
First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown sponsors a divorce support group on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM. Their Candlelight Carol Concert is scheduled for Sat., Dec. 12th.
Third Presbyterian Church (North Tonawanda) is presenting “Scrooge’s Christmas Carol,” Sunday, Dec. 20th, at 10:45 AM. A luncheon prepared by Deacons follows at noon.
The Seniors of North Presbyterian Church (North Tonawanda) are sponsoring a trip to Riverside Inn, Cambridge Springs, PA, on Nov. 22nd, where they will see a luncheon theatre presentation, “Whatta Wedding.”
First Presbyterian Church of Allegany is looking for an office secretary and church cleaning person. Submit applications to the church at PO Box 160, Allegany, NY 14706.
First Presbyterian Church (Tonawanda) has a Singles and Doubles 2009 Christmas Dinner scheduled for December 13th at Pane’s Restaurant.
First Presbyterian Church (Fredonia) is running a calendar of events in 2010 leading to its 200th anniversary. These include special worship services, dinners, clean-up activities, music programs, a revue with skits and music, a Mark Twain sermon, and caroling.
MISSION & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (BUFFALO)
The ENERGY After-School Tutoring Program is in need of Tutors! If you are interested and would like additional information, please contact Rebecca Severson, ENERGY Program Coordinator at 884-9437, ext 322.
WEDI Mentoring Program: Experience the excitement that comes from helping people from Buffalo's West Side who want to start a business or improve their current business. Contact Bonnie Smith, WEDI Economic Development Director, at 884-2405, 870-6843 or boncsmith@yahoo.com
Join us to help Habitat for Humanity in Buffalo. Thursday, November 19, 9:00-3:00 PM. Come for one hour or stay for a whole shift. No experience necessary. Habitat experts will help you! We also need volunteers to supply refreshments. Call Betsy Mitchell at 868-9008 or email betsmitchell@aol.com .
PILGRIMAGE TO BETHLEHEM – A WALK-THROUGH LIVING NATIVITY
Randall Baptist Church, 6301 Main St., Williamsville, is holding it 14th annual “Pilgrimage to Bethlehem.” It runs from Dec. 3rd – 5th, from 6:30-8:30 PM. Admission is free. Call Diane Sharpe at 759-2192 for more information.
CLOSED CAPTIONING PROGRAM AT KENMORE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
In September of this year, Kenmore Presbyterian launched a pilot project called Capturing the Word. It is a modified captioning for the hearing impaired and deaf communities. Modified caption means that unlike closed-captioning, our projection will not have the video display normally provided with closed-captioning services. It will, however, be produced live from the spoken word. If Kenmore is able to move forward from the pilot project stage, they would purchase the necessary equipment to present full captioning.
Most people do not realize that only about 10 percent of the hearing impaired and profoundly deaf know sign language. That leaves 90 percent of that community with no live access to the services many of us take for granted. Most of these times, we have someone available to answer questions and address concerns if needed.
The services for Capturing the Word are being provided currently by a local court reporter who is volunteering her time to help during this stage. This program could eventually provide a training opportunity for court reporters and court reporting students to work towards providing these services to others in the future.
Capturing the Word is provided the first Sunday of every month. Service begins at 10 a.m., Kenmore Presbyterian Church, 2771 Delaware Avenue (one block North of Kenmore Avenue). For more information, contact David Sisson through email at kenprescapture@aol.com or by calling 864-4203.
FRANKLINVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SEEKS INPUT REGARDING SOFTWARE
The Franklinville Presbyterian Church is currently using Creative Church Information System (CCIS) as their database and accounting software. They are contemplating changing to another software and would like recommendations from other churches. What systems does your church use? What is good and/or bad about it? Would you recommend it to Franklinville? If so, where will they get it from? Is there a system you would NOT recommend they use?
Please send your feedback/comments to Nancy Baker at presbych@verizon.net.
ARTISAN FAIR AT ORCHARD PARK
Orchard Park Presbyterian Church at 4369 South Buffalo Street in Orchard Park presents
International Artisan Fair
Saturday, December 5 ~ 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 6 ~ 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Plan to begin your holiday shopping here first for the gift that gives twice!! We offer gifts from around the world from SERRV; The OPPC Mission Workshop will feature handcrafted items from our local artisans; fairly traded coffee, tea, & hot chocolate from Equal Exchange; chocolates, fairly traded and supporting families in West Africa, from Devine Chocolate; olivewood ornaments, direct from the Holy Land from Pal Craftaid; a lovely selection of scarves from Central America as well as food items (soups, cornbread, and cookie mixes) from Heartbeats; and bracelets and earrings from Piece of the City, on the West side of Buffalo. This is a unique experience that is NOT a fundraiser but a different way to shop for the holidays. Give a gift to someone you love and that in turn brings hope to others, a world away!
Christmas Eve worship services will be held at 7:00 and 10:00 p.m., Thursday, December 24. Both services will include candle lighting and communion. Please call the church office at 662-9348 with any questions.
FREE BREAD FROM PANERA BREAD
Nader Awad reports that IPC receives weekly end of the day bread donations from Panera Bread on NFB. Panera bread just opened a new cafe in Williamsville on the corner of Main and Union across from Spot coffee shop. The manager said that they have free nights when they would welcome churches or charitable organizations to pick up bread donations. If any church in the presbytery is interested, call:
800-301-5566 and ask for Abi Glosser. The Cafe number is 1397.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS PROGRAM
Poet of Transformation Janita Byars has been giving a program during which participants identify their spiritual gifts (talents) in the context of the needs of their communities. Pictured below is a working sub-group from Alpha Circle of First Presbyterian Church in Jamestown. Circle members are going to continue work in the following areas: world hunger (a fund-raiser), facilitation of access to 12-step programs of all types, and support for needy families (with a special focus on tutoring or homework assistance). If your church group would be interested in offering this program, contact Janita at janitab@pbywny.org.
|
1st Pres –Jamestown Alpha Circle Members,
Kathleen Crocker, Sylvia Faust, and Karin Johnson,
as they plan a world-hunger-awareness fund-raising project
"GRANDMA'S TREE" by Lynn McConnell
At the presbytery meeting at Franklinville on Saturday, November 21, Lynn McConnell's brief book, "Grandma's Tree," will again be available for purchase. The book is comprised of 21 watercolor paintings with a brief but informative text which portrays the yearly cycle of the crabapple tree that grows outside her kitchen window, a tree planted by the McConnells in memory of their parents more than twenty years ago. The aim of the book is to awaken in the reader and the children to whom the book may be read and shown a keen appreciation for the wonders and mysteries of God's marvelous world. In our technological world so dominated by electronic devices many young people are growing up without an awareness and knowledge of the wonders of the natural world. This little book opens one's eyes to the interdependence of nature, of how the life of the crabapple tree is interwoven with the creatures who visit it. The lovely,colorful paintings and text follow the yearly life of a crabapple tree from its rising sap in the early spring to its dormancy in winter and how it supports the life of other living creatures. It is a book
relevant to Christian education and to valuing our environment.
The book sells for $12 (checks may be made out to Lynn McConnell) and Lynn can be found in the meeting to autograph it. Reviews of the book are on her website: www.lynettemcconnell.com and also on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com . (In reference to the latter two sites, type in "Grandma's Tree" by Lynn McConnell).
MAKING USE OF CAMP DUFFIELD
Keeler Lodge and the six cabins are available for weekend rental this fall, winter and spring. A great deal of firewood has been cut and is ready to be used in the Keeler fireplace whose interior is being rebuilt. The Board of Directors of the Duffield Camp and Retreat Center has reduced the rental rates to make the facilities more affordable for small churches and small groups. The use of Keeler Lodge or the cabins will be calculated at $20 per person per night. Instead of paying $800 for the use of Keeler Lodge for two nights, a group of ten persons, for example, would pay $200 for Friday night and $200 for Saturday night.
Please call Glenn Tanner (683-0523) or his cell phone (912-5441) or email him at vze4c5gn@verizon.net to make a reservation for the use of Keeler Lodge or one or more of the cabins.
RESOURCE CENTER OPEN HOUSE AND NORTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH’S SOUL FEAST
The Resource Center will be open 5 –8 PM, Wednesday, December 2nd. You may visit to preview and borrow resources including new Nooma short DVDs for adults and older youth. Come, make a Christmas ornament, and pick up instructions for several projects. Visit North (Williamsville) Presbyterian Church's Soul Feast - an Advent Spirituality Center with over 20 stations for reflection. Enjoy some refreshnments. Click here for a flyer about the open house. Click here for a Soul Feast poster.
|
