FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Transcription

1 FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of Troy, New York Feeding the Hungry in Body and Soul SPIRIT SERVICE COMMUNITY VISION NEWSLETTER August 2017 SPIRIT SERVICE COMMUNITY Spirit, Service, Community In This Issue: Immigration and The Biblical Journey Desert Crossing Ninth Sunday After Pentecost August 6, Communion Based on Genesis 32:22-31 Lemonade Lull Literacy Volunteers Thank You and Fare-Thee-Well Human Trafficking and The Holy One Tenth Sunday After Pentecost August 13, 2017 Based on Genesis 37:1-4, Lemonade Lull Remittance and Repentance Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost August 20, 2017 Based on Genesis 45:1-15 Lemonade Lull Prophet s in Pharoah s Court Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost August 27, 2017 Based on Exodus 1:8 2:10 Lemonade Lull Page 1 August Worship Themes Page 2 Vibrant Worship and Spiritual Life: Children s Ministry Small Groups August Birthdays Page 3 Caring, Inclusive Community: Session Updates Celebrating Philip Tenant Relations Building Visionaries Building Sale Process Page 7 Passionate Mission and Advocacy: Deacons Updates Environmental Tips Page 8 Calendar CONTACT US Web: info@unitedprestroy.org Phone: (518) Fax: (518) First United Presbyterian Church th Avenue Troy, NY :00am worship with nursery care available. 1

2 VIBRANT WORSHIP and SPIRITUAL LIFE Children s Ministry Please pray for our six children Gabby, George, Greg, Irene, Jessi and Rufus who will be off to Camp Fowler this month. May they have a wonderful spiritual adventure and faith growing fun. Also, please search your hearts and consider being a teacher and/or helper this year with Children s Church. If we can add to our team, we ll be able to rotate so you would only be giving up one sermon a month! Please look at your calendars and Sue Steele at sjwsteele@aol.com with your September November availability. Soul Feast Small Group Monday, August 7, :00pm 9:00pm McCarty Room Chapter Nine: Putting It All Together Developing a Rule of Life Pastor Gusti and Dana Parker invite others to join us in a monthly small group study of Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life by Marjorie Thompson. Books are provided by a generous donor. Contact the church office to obtain your copy. Monthly drop-ins are welcome. August Birthdays 2 nd Brenda Westbrook; Serge & Sergio Zweou 3 rd Breanne Crobok; Laura Rogers 12 th Chandlee Gill 18 th Kristine Wohlfahrt; Greg Dzikunu 26 th Jean Miller 2

3 CARING, INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY The Session did not meet in July. Our next stated meeting will take place Tuesday, August 29, 7pm, at the home of Peg Savchik. Philip Wentworth Shown here receiving his volunteer award from In Our Own Voices - an LGBT People of Color organization in Albany 3

4 CARING, INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY Tenant Relations and more We wish Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer County the very best as they begin a new chapter in their new home on the Russell Sage College campus. The move will allow them to more conveniently coordinate their programming with students and faculty - while remaining in downtown Troy, on the bus route. LVORC began at First United many decades ago thanks to the generosity of our members. Some continue today to volunteer and bring English as a second language to newcomers to our city and country. We will begin looking for a new tenant once the space has been revamped. Lead Remediation In late June, we were informed that two children in the EcoBaby Daycare tested positive for high levels of lead in their bloodstream. Follow-up testing discovered the need for lead remediation in portions of our rental property, mostly in the soil, but also in some peeling paint areas. 5 of our 7 elders were able to meet directly with Mark Vincent to discuss a plan to meet our obligation in a timely manner. We also contacted Jim Conroy to make sure our plans would not impede sale of the property. Remediation has already begun in several areas: the iron fence and gate; the courtyard near the parking lot entrance; and internal areas of peeling paint. Remediation of the soil in the front courtyard will commence as soon as possible. Please be advised that some temporary and permanent fencing will be required around the various areas to be remediated. Temporary Handicap Ramp Regrettably with the lead remediation plan required by the County Health Department, we ve had a setback to installation of the temporary ramp at the southeast entrance near the church office. Once the fencing and landscaping are completed as part of the plan, we hope to proceed in time for handicap accessibility by Fall. Calling all Goats! Without a goat to graze on our lawn, we are in need of volunteers to mow/weed-whack the green space on either side of the church s main entrance and around the trees on Fifth Ave. Other outdoor gardening projects include trimming of shrubs around the church complex especially the parking lot area along Fulton St. and the alley to the rear. We have an historically beautiful complex and as good neighbors, it s important that we keep up our grounds. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Sue Steele sjwsteele@aol.com or

5 CARING, INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY Building Visionaries Update Next Meeting TBD The Building Visionaries have contracted with Jim Conroy of Berkshire Hathaway to serve as our realtor for sale of all non-sanctuary property. The building is on the market and potential buyers are touring the facility. For Sale signs will be posted near the rental property. A sign has also be placed in front of the sanctuary building, reading First United Here to Stay! The Renovations Sub-Group has met with architect Barb Nelson, from TAP, to discuss next steps in re-purposing the sanctuary. Our next steps are: July August Beginning Sunday, July 9, we invited the congregation to assist us in continued de-cluttering and re-organizing in preparation for additional renovations. Members of the Renovations Sub-Group will guide you each Sunday in ways you may be helpful. Autumn With the Architect September/October Our process for engaging the congregation in conversation with Barb Nelson will begin September 9. Stay tuned for information about how you may participate in this conversation. --Pastor Gusti, John Husson, Fred Miller, Judy Moyer, Bill Moyer, Sue Steele, Peg Savchik, Trudi Wybour 5

6 CARING, INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY Sale of Building Process As we look ahead to finalizing a sale of the rental property, please be advised of the following process, as per Presbyterian polity and the laws of the State of New York: 1. Realtor Jim Conroy has been contracted to market the facility. Because we may wish to entertain a buyer for the entire complex (including the Sanctuary) and remain as long-term tenants, we have been advised to list the entire property for sale and negotiate terms directly with any interested party. The entire property has been listed for $1.5 million All issues related to parking, courtyard access, possible separation of heating system, etc. will be negotiated directly with the buyer. 2. Negotiated Sale Agreement Comes to Session While the session does not have authority to agree to the sale, the members will want to ensure the terms of sale are in keeping with their vision for leading the congregation into the future. 3. Session Calls a Special Meeting of the Congregation All Special Congregational Meetings require the session to advertise the meeting in worship on two Sundays (one of which may be the day of the meeting). All official members of the congregation are entitled to vote on the Sale Agreement. A fifty percent, plus one, majority is required for the sale to be approved. 4. Albany Presbytery Board of Trustees Approves the Sale (This may occur simultaneously with item 2 or 3) In legal terms, the congregation holds the facility in trust for Albany Presbytery, which officially owns it. The Presbytery has commissioned the Board of Trustees to approve sale of property, according to terms acceptable to the presbytery. 5. New York State Court/Attorney General. (This may occur simultaneously with item 3) Religious corporations in the state of New York must apply for and obtain leave of the court or the attorney general. This will be handled through our attorney and realtor, once sale has been approved by the Board of Trustees. 6

7 PASSIONATE MISSION and ADVOCACY A Message from the Deacons The Deacons would appreciate continued support of the TLP Food Pantry. The jars with the pink labels are available for donations. Even with the warmer weather the need is still great, especially at the end of each month Environmental Theme Program Tips for the Month Return plastic signs/labels (for example: yard signs) to the grocery store with plastic bags Buy local products reducing the use of long distance transportation. Turn off lights that are not currently needed. If you work out at the gym such as a YMCA, Planet Fitness., when you empty your shampoo, conditioner, body wash take the bottle home and put it into your recycling receptacle for pick up. 7

8 CALENDAR Tuesday, August 1 Wednesday, August 2 NO TEACH THE PREACHER IN AUGUST Monday, August 14 2:00 pm Worship Team (McCarty Room) Tuesday, August 15 Tuesday, August 29 7:00 p.m. Session Meeting- Peg Savchik s home Wednesday, August 30 Thursday, August 3 Friday, August 4 Saturday, August 5 Wednesday, August 16 Thursday, August 17 10:00 am Albany Presbytery Immigration Task Force (Ballston Spa) 1:30pm Branding Team meeting (McCarty Room) Thursday, August 31 Sunday, August 6- Communion 10:00 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m. Nursery Care 11:15 a.m. Lemonade Lull 11:30 a.m. Deacon s Meeting Literacy Volunteers Fare-Thee Well (Courtyard) Monday, August 7 Friday, August 18 Saturday, August 19 Sunday, August 20 10:00 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m. Nursery Care 11:15 a.m. Lemonade Lull Tuesday, August 8 4:30 p.m. More Light and Mission Joint Meeting (McCarty Room) Wednesday, August 9 2:00 pm Renovations Sub Group meeting (McCarty Room) Monday, August 21 Tuesday, August 22 1:30 p.m. Book Study- McCarty RM Wednesday, August 23 Thursday, August 10 2:00 pm Finance Team (church office) Friday, August 11 3:00~ 5:30 p.m. Wedding Rehearsal Saturday, August 12 3:00 ~5:30 p.m. Wedding Sunday, August 13 10:00 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m. Nursery Care 11:15 a.m. Lemonade Lull Thursday, August 24 Friday, August 25 Saturday, August 26 Sunday, August 27 10:00 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m. Nursery Care 11:15 a.m. Lemonade Lull Monday, August 28 7:00 p.m. Soul Feast- McCarty RM 8