Dear Friends, FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TIDINGS NOVEMBER 2009

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1 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH TIDINGS NOVEMBER 2009 Dear Friends, A number of us with gray hair or, at least, longer memories, recall a time when Halloween was a day, not a season. As a kid I went out with a shopping bag, a paper bag large enough to collect plenty of candy. We ran from house to house. If there was someone to drive us, we piled into the car, and, perhaps, traveled to a more bountiful neighborhood. After this, we came home, ate our fill and went to bed. Of course, those who stayed home were at the ready to distribute what they had bought for the other Trick or Treaters. There were no bright orange lights decorating houses to the extent we see these days, no RIP tombstones, no inflatable skeletons or mutilated figures hanging from nooses in front yards. Talking with little children, they can t wait to tell me what their costumes will be weeks in advance, and parents tell me that their children have heightened expectations akin to waiting for Santa Claus. Beyond children, there are Halloween parties for adults advertised on the radio, parties too ghoulish and terrifying for the younger set. I know some Presbyterian adults who really get into this stuff, with children or without. But some of us recall a simpler celebration. The Rev. James W. Hulsey Pastor Ms. Janice Moore-Caputo Assistant to the Minister The Rev. William H. Edwards III Pastor Emeritus Dr. Joanna Kaczorowska, Director of Music Dr. Pablo Lavandera, Organist Ms. Bette J. Adams, Administrative Assistant Mr. John Weisman, Facilities Manager TIDINGS is the newsletter of The First Presbyterian Church us at: fpcs@optonline.net 175 East Main Street Phone: (631) Smithtown, New York FAX: (631) and is published eleven times a year. Web Site: FPCSMITHTOWN.NET Lest anyone is expecting a Jeremiad against the current practices of Halloween, you will not be getting one from me. As with most anything we can buy and sell, we can and do get carried away. Not being a person who ever enjoyed getting scared, I still settle for the more sedate practice of pumpkin carving and lighting. As I write I haven t bought one but plan to. But I confess to looking beyond the orange and black, the arched-back cats and dangling skeletons to a season of more substance. Thanksgiving, though it ushers in the Christmas holiday shopping rush, has deep roots in our biblical faith. Aside from the Pilgrims, the Native Americans, the Macy s parade and, of course, football, Thanksgiving is more than a national celebration, it is a way of life. All good things around us are sent from heaven above, so praise the Lord for his love. The bounty of that first autumnal harvest that the Native Americans shared with the starving settlers is not a bad image for how to receive the bounty of this land. It is most important for us to recall who was on the giving and who on the receiving end back then. 1

2 As a matter of truth, Thanksgiving is always about our remembering who is on the giving side and who in want of the gifts. Were more American hands beholden to God in grateful praise, we might find freedom to release our tightfisted control on what we imagine is ours by right of possession. Unfortunately, we have taken the fun of Halloween too seriously and been frightened into keeping the candy all for ourselves. Let s allow God s grace to lighten up our fears that we may take more notice of all we ve been given to share. Grace and peace, Jimmy ************************************************************************ THE MEMBER CARE COMMITTEE is dedicated to having every member of our church family included in our next directory, so we know who we are and how we can support each other! If you have not already sat for a photo, please let one of our in house photographers take a quick shot of you on November 8, 15, or 22 in or around the Parish hall during Fellowship Hour. No appointments necessary! For more info, call Janice Moore-Caputo at COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE SET - The annual Thanksgiving Eve Service in the Smithtown/St. James area will be held at St. Patrick s RC Church on Wednesday, November 25 th, beginning at 7:30 p.m. A fellowship hour will follow the service. THEY WANTED TO WRITE a book for children on their commonalities, but first they had to address their differences. Please join us for our Book Club discussion of The Faith Club (A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew Three Women Search for Understanding), led by Pastor Hulsey on Sunday, November 22 nd, from 7:30 to 9:30 in the Narthex. All are welcome and light refreshments will be served. PW IS SEEKING THE RETURN of two round burgundy tablecloths used at the Victorian Tea in the spring. Will the person who took them home to launder kindly return them to the Church Office as soon as possible. Thank you! CHURCH WORLD SERVICE NEWS Our congregation has collected enough school supplies to assemble 75 School Kits!!! Last year we sent 51. We have not quite met our goal for the Hygiene Kits and are in need of small nail clippers, wide-tooth combs and individually wrapped toothbrushes. Please see the updated shopping list. It is through your support of these program that CWS is able to respond so quickly to disaster, both overseas and here at home. Thank you! THANKSGIVING BASKETS Each year, the Deacons collect non-perishable food, supermarket gift cards and vouchers for turkeys to make up baskets for needy families. The baskets are the makings of Thanksgiving dinner. We ask your help in gathering food, supermarket gift cards and turkey vouchers for the baskets. A box will be placed in the front lobby of the church for collection in November. Gift cards and vouchers can be given to Deacons directly or put in the Church Office with a note. We appreciate your help and support for this mission. CANDLES, CAKE and CALVIN CELEBRATING A LIFE AND LEGACY OF AMAZING GRACE Join the Adult Education Committee on Sunday, November 8 th, from 7:30 to 9:30 for an interactive workshop discussing John Calvin s teachings, which provide the foundations of our Presbyterian traditions in Christian faith. Topics will include: The glory and grandeur of God in our lives, grace and gratitude, and our call to leave a better world than we have found. Birthday cake will be served! Please sign up on the clipboard on the Adult Education bulletin board in the hallway outside the Narthex. SAVE THE DATE We are getting ready for the PW Holiday Shopping Extravaganza, Saturday, November 21 st, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Home party consultants are lined up and ordering inventory for your special holiday gifts. Flyers have been prepared and are available if you have neighbors, friends and family you d like to invite for the day. Willing to bake? We need bakers for the bake sale which adds to our revenue that goes to our many PW mission projects. Want to help that day? Come shop, take home baked goods, participate in the silent auction and have fun and fellowship with others in our church and community! 2 3

3 WESTMINSTER YOUTH aka 1PCSUth LAUNCH As the academic year begins, our students return to the activities that keep them involved in Christian education, community service and friendship. Those are goals of 1PCUth which are supported by the entire program and calendar events planned. The Youth Leadership Team includes, but is not limited to: Dianne Lean, Linda Goodwin, Kyla O Brien, Janet Vollkommer, Pastor Hulsey, Janet Moore-Caputo, Karen Colby and Amy Fortunato. We hope parents will consider joining us and assisting with youth ministry because there are plenty of opportunities to get involved!!! For more information, please call Amy at The Annual Beach Clean-up was awesome! Over 700 lbs. of trash were collected which is less than the previous year. We hope this indicates that people are leaving less trash and respecting the beaches of Long Island. Thanks to all of you who picked up in an effort to bless and maintain God s creation. The Praise Band from Port Washington rocked our worship that night! Church School has begun and we ve been exploring our part as Presbyterians to be green and care for the earth. Through prayers, scripture, music and the confessions of our church, we re learning ways to protect and enhance our planet. We re looking forward to Rake for a Day a fundraiser which has been approved by Session. Sign up if you would like to have our young people rake your yard on Saturday, November 7 th, for a donation toward Westminster Youth Events. MONDAY, NOV. 2 nd WEDNESDAY, NOV. 11 th NEWS FROM THE PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN PWCT meets at 7:30 in the Narthex. The Early Bird Circle meets in the Narthex at 10:30; bring your lunch, dessert and beverage will be provided. Circle Leaders: June Auer ( ) and Lorraine Bird ( ). THURSDAY, NOV. 19 th NEW BEGININGS CIRCLE meets at 7:45. Please call Circle Leader: Karen Schilling ( ) for location. TUESDAY, NOV. 17 th MONDAY, NOV. 30 th The New Horizons Circle meets at 11 a.m. in the Narthex; bring your lunch, dessert and beverage will be provided. Circle Leader: Trudy Engel ( ). FRESH START CIRCLE at 7:45. Circle Leader is Lori Scarlatos ( ) please call her for location. PLANNING AHEAD!!! Sunday, December 5 th Saturday, December 12 th Sunday, December 13 th Sunday, December 20 th - Preparing the Presence, 2 p.m. - Church School Christmas Worship Rehearsal - Second Saturday Worship, 5 p.m. - Church School Christmas Worship, 9 a.m. - Choir Special Christmas Music Service, 9 & 11 a.m. - Return all Angel Gifts 4 5

4 FROM THE BOARD OF DEACONS Join us during Fellowship Hour on the second Sunday of each month as the Deacons gather all those celebrating their birthdays and honor them by singing Happy Birthday. The following who have signed up have recently celebrated their birthday or will soon be celebrating. Please add your name on the sign-up Birthday List outside the Narthex if it is not already on the list. October November December 1 st Daniel Riley 1 st Patricia Heins 1 st Elsa Craig 3 rd Jackie Buturla Lori Kenney 3 rd Caitlin Heath Diane Franzese 2 nd Robert O Brien Jen Agostini Debbie Gambin 3 rd Louis Riley, Jr. 5 th Sophia Langella Maribeth Siskind 7 th Kim Vollkommer Russ Dalba 4 th Lorraine Bird Kate Zvokel 6 th Linda Goodwin Taylor Morozowski 8 th Andrew Jones Martha Ryder Louis Perri 9 th Gwen Johnston Calvin Sanford 5 th Peter Auer Sue Nunziata 7 th Louis Riley Emily Heath 11 th Heather Kern 11 th Ethel Kraft 6 th Sandy Castaldi 14 th Karen Schilling 15 th Carol Miller 7 th Kelly Vollkommer 15 th Kimberly Ednie Darryl Shiffler 10 th Terry Miller Tracey Femminella 21 st Lois Netter Danny Pedersen Alexis Heins 23 rd John Krastel 11 th Pam Farino 16 th Michael Drechsler 24 th Kathryn Stovall Elena Faverio 17 th Phyllis Oakes 25 th Lillian Munro 12 th Michele DiGiacomo Nathaniel Rosengrant 27 th Richard Heath Charles Bonczyk 18 th Shaun La Peter Kimberly Pedersen 14 th Christian Fay 19 th Gloria Jones 28 th Marie Brenner 15 th Matt Lipinsky 23 rd Danielle Fay 31 st Paul Agostini 16 th Elliot Yates 24 th Terry Meaney Harold Carson 21 st Patrick Falk 25 th Tiffany Schneider 23 rd Tamara Siskind 30 th Claudia Falk 25 th Karl Kraft 30 th Cynthia Dietz 6 SPOTLIGHT ON STAFF Here are two notes on our musical staff (sorry for the terrible pun!) Dulcie McLeod Our Director of Music is Dr. Joanna Kaczorowska. A native of Poland, she is an internationally-acclaimed violinist who has performed at Carnegie Hall, in the Tanglewood Music Festival, and in numerous European venues, as well as with such musical luminaries as Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman. She received a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Violin Performance from SUNY-Stony Brook, where she currently teaches. Her enthusiasm for interpretation and performance is obvious to anyone who has ever seen her play or conduct. The choir and the entire congregation feel blessed to have Joanna leading the musical portion of our worship. Our Organist is Dr. Pablo Lavandera. Pablo came to the United States from his native Argentina as a Fulbright Scholar, earning a Master s Degree from Boston s New England Conservatory. He became a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance this past spring at SUNY-Stony Brook, where he is currently Visiting Scholar/Artist in Residency. Pablo has performed around the world and in American venues such as Carnegie Hall and Steinway Hall; he has six CD s to his credit. We are privileged to hear his artistry at the keyboard each week in worship. Anyone who attended the concert series featuring Joanna and Pablo is well aware of how incredibly gifted our musical staff is. Here, however, are two additional thoughts on these two exceptional people: Joanna and Pablo, for all of their tremendous gifts and international acclaim, are two genuinely kind, caring individuals. They have shown time and time again their concern for church members. They have wonderful senses of humor, as choir members will affirm. And they feel embraced by this church family. Finally, we have received truly wonderful news of their professional careers. Pablo and Joanna have just received a number of extremely prestigious awards for their work as a duet First Prize in the 2009 Liszt-Garrison Piano Competition (Duo Ensembles with Piano) Bayreuth Recital Prize (Wagner Festival) Best Interpretation (outstanding performance of works of Liszt Performance Award (Chamber Music on the Hill Series, in Maryland) How blessed we feel to have such individuals on our staff! 7

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