Presbytery of Western New York
E-Newsletter

Christmas Lights

Photo credit: Jack Berger, Randolph

Special Giving at Christmas (continued)

In addition to these projects, many congregations are supporting their local food pantries and the PCUSA Christmas Joy Offering which supplements the pensions of retired ministers and Presbyterian racial/ethnic education. If your project wasn’t included last week or this week, send it in today!

Blue Christmas 
The following churches are offering services of hope and peace for those who have suffered loss this year or need a quiet time during a hectic season:

Special Concerts

Soul Feast at North, Williamsville
“Called to Carry the Light” is the theme for the Advent Soul Feast at North, Williamsville. There are hands on activities for adults and children. It is open on Sunday from 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.; Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. - Noon.

Cookie House Sells 150 Pounds of Cookies
When the Presbyterian Church Cookie House volunteers at Randolph United Presbyterian Church tell you they sold 150 pounds of cookies on Saturday December 5, one only has to do simple math to know they displayed 2400 cookies, averaging one ounce per cookie. They sold out within a matter of hours.  The Cookie House began with the idea of former Pastor Karen Anderson in 1997. "This Cookie House has defiantly been a wonderful addition to our annual Christmas weekends," said Tonia McAllister, director of the Randolph Area-Community Development Corporation.

Duffield Annual Meeting
The annual corporate meeting of the member churches of Camp Duffield will occur at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church on January 18th at 6 pm.  Dinner included.
New churches welcome.  Come out and join with the 20 member churches that are working together to provide a Christian Camping and Retreat experience to the youth of Western New York.  More information is available at www.CampDuffield.org.

Faithful Dialogue
Click here to read Faithful Dialogue, from the Presbyterian USA Interfaith Relations office.

PW Winter Gathering
Click here for a flyer about the PW Winter Gathering.

Permanent Lodging
Click here to read the monthly column from Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly.

What you can do to support climate justice while world attention is on Copenhagen!
Faith leaders from around the world are paying close attention to the UN Climate Conference taking place in Copenhagen, Denmark from December 7 to 18 (and many faith representatives are actually there). Officially known as the 15th Conference of Parties (COP15), this is the site of possibly the most important international climate change negotiations in history so far, as leaders from around the world struggle to craft an agreement and a roadmap on how to reduce the severity of global climate change. People of faith are taking action to call for an agreement that is powerful and true to the requirements of science and justice and to ensure the survival of those in poverty and those most vulnerable to the climate crisis.
Below are some ways you and others from your church, synagogue, etc. can:
• Get updates on what’s happening
• Take part and support the efforts for a just and powerful agreement.
GET UPDATES ON WHAT’S HAPPENING IN COPENHAGEN:

• Faith at the Summit: http://www.odysseynetworks.org/ Daily video updates from a faith perspective

• Sister Joan Brown, of New Mexico Interfaith Power & Light, is blogging from Copenhagen http://www.interfaithpowerandlight.org/category/whats-new/ (Sr. Joan Brown was featured in USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-12-06-climate_N.htm)

• World Council of Churches Countdown to Climate Justice: Information about Countdown to Copenhagen, the 350 Bell Ringing, and more WCC climate change resources. http://www.oikoumene.org/en/events-sections/countdown-to-climate-justice.html
  

• 350.org is attending Copenhagen and has a comprehensive page of info and updates at http://www.350.org/cop15/

Upcoming Events for 2010

• Pastors Retreat  “Make a Joyful Noise” - January 25-27 - Dunkirk Conference Center

• PW Winter Gathering - February 6 - Orchard Park Church

• Confirmation Retreat “Incredible Journey - February 26-27 - First Church, Buffalo Click here for a registration flyer.
  

• Clergy Day  “Pentecost: Celebrate the Church’s Birthday”  April 26  Place to be announced

• Youth Work Trip - June 25-30 - Local area mission trip

• Youth Triennium - July 20-24 - West Lafayette, Indiana

• Clergy Day - July 27 - “Summer Fun – The Long Season of Ordinary Time”

• Worship and Music Event - September 17-18 - Place to be announced

• Extreme Makeover - September 25 - Spiritual Formation

• Clergy Day -October 6 - “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!”

Keep watching for more information and possibilities for Christian growth.