W. CN. RENSSELAER COUNTY LUTHERAN PARISH NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2017

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1 W. CN. RENSSELAER COUNTY LUTHERAN PARISH 470 Winter Street Extension, North Greenbush, NY Church Office: Website: sttlc.org 2017 NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2017 Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father s glory; blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy; send forth your Word, Lord, and let there be light! (ELW #671) The season of Pentecost is upon us as we celebrate the power of the Holy Spirit. While Shine, Jesus, Shine isn t a Pentecost hymn, strictly speaking, I find it appropriate for the season. It is one of those hymns filled with energy and movement and inspiration. As our parish is growing together, we bear witness to the creative influence and strength of the Spirit. On a personal note, I wish to thank each of you for your support and positive attitude as we creatively play with the worship service (be it introducing chanting, Communion variations or prayer and announcement modifications). This parish is an ever-changing, adapting, living creation and as such, we are free to experiment to see what works best for our current community inside our walls as well as thinking about what would be welcoming for visitors. That being said, please continue to submit your announcements to the Parish Secretary for the bulletin and please read your bulletin for these announcements. The prayer cards will continue to be available in the seat pockets for you to write down your prayer requests for submission in the bulletin and newsletter and place in the offering plate. I will continue to leave room in the prayers of the church for you to offer your own petitions for healing, joy and anything else on your hearts. You may have noticed that Lent and Easter seasons have passed and we are still joyfully celebrating Holy Communion each Sunday. Having received mostly positive feedback, we will continue to celebrate Communion each week from now on. Martin Luther speaks of the importance of offering Communion in his Smalcald Articles (part III, section 6) and never withholding Communion for any reason. That being said, I understand that there are some in the parish who do not wish to receive Communion every week, and that is perfectly acceptable. Rest assured, Holy Communion will always be offered, but never forced! If you do not wish to receive Communion, I invite you to use that time for prayer or appreciation of our lovely music. Finally, we will be working through the Book of Acts this summer for a Bible Study. I invite you to join us Wednesday Evenings at 6:30 beginning July 5th. As always, please let me know if you have comments, concerns or questions about anything, or if you would like a visit. Blessings and peace, Vicar Sam

2 RECALCULATING How many of us have taken a road trip and used our GPS to get to where we were going? We leave our house and listen for it to say turn left, turn right, follow the course of the road for 100 miles. At times during our trip we might even hear recalculating. What do we do? Do we get nervous? Do we pull over to find out where we are? Or do we continue to drive? No matter what we do, we have to do something. We have been worshipping together since March and have been working toward finding out what worship will look like. I am sure that some of the changes we have made may have felt like the words you hear in a GPS recalculating. As we try to be intentional in developing a new worship service, we are not only listening to God s voice but we want to know how you are feeling. Please let us know how you are feeling during this transition time. Thank you for your willingness to be flexible during this time. We look toward the future waiting where God will bring us. Although these times can be stressful not knowing where we will end up, it is exciting watching God work in each one of our lives. We are excited to announce that the Synod has sent us a Mission Developer Candidate. Her name is Jeniffer Tillman. She will be interviewed by the Trustees on June 25th and will come to our location for a Pot Luck Meet and Greet Dinner on July 6:00 PM. Please schedule your summer plans so as not to miss this opportunity to meet Pastor Jeniffer. Greg Whitney President It s Official!! We have received news from our Lawyer that the judge has signed our Petition to consolidate. A NEW MINISTRY Wee Care is a young ministry in Columbia County started by Amy Macris DeWeerd. Wee Care provides low income mothers with new handmade baby blankets, hats, socks and onesies. Jean Salisbury Elden has been a dedicated Wee Care volunteer since its inception. She has sewn over 300 blankets for new born babies! We are excited to announce our parish's involvement in spreading this ministry to Rensselaer County through the Head Start prenatal program. Our part in this ministry will be to donate new or gently used onesies 0-3 or 3-6 month size. Each month Jean, our church coordinator, will assemble the packages for 5 expectant mothers and deliver them to Head Start. Please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry with your donations! Any questions, contact Jean at jean1157@icloud.com. Please help contribute to this new ministry. If you go to Garage Sales, these items are plentiful and inexpensive. We would like to start this program off in July. Look for the donation basket soon!

3 Purse exchange at convention 2017 to benefit the Carol Grimes Scholarship Fund for first time convention attendees Do you have any funky, vintage, designer, or just plain interesting handbags that you once couldn t live without but now are just collecting dust in your overcrowded closet??? If so, get them out, dust them off, and get them ready to bring to the convention in Buffalo! Gently used/never used purses will be part of a purse exchange to raise money for the Carol Grimes Scholarship Fund which supports first time attendees at the convention! Not only are we honoring Carol, but we are providing opportunities for leadership growth in our organization. The event will be held as a silent auction. Purses will be on display in a designated area near our meeting spaces. You will have the opportunity to bid on them by placing your name and donation amount on a sheet of paper. Winners will be announced on Saturday evening at the banquet. Checks should be made out to: Women of ELCA.

4 A long time ago someone told me about the difference between Heaven and Hell, the story went like this: In Hell there is a tremendous banquet table. It is covered in all kinds of wonderful delights, fresh lobster, fruit platters, sliced prime rib, rice pudding, cherry cheese cake, grilled Tuna (no shortage of fire here), Antipasto Platter, Chicken Scaloppini, Ginger Glazed Baby Carrots and Snow Peas, Crab Stuffed Baked Flounder, Homemade Apple Strudel, Pan-Seared Chilean Sea Bass with Mango Papaya Salsa,: Chilled Jumbo Shrimp, Crab Claws, Smoked Oysters, Scallops, Mussels, Salmon and Trout, & Chocolate Mousse Cake. All the residents were crowded around the table. Each person had a plaster cast on both arms that ran from their shoulder to their wrist. Therefore being unable to bend their elbow they could only look at the food! In Heaven there is a tremendous banquet table. It is covered in all kinds of wonderful delights, fresh lobster, fruit platters, sliced prime rib, rice pudding, cherry cheese cake, grilled Tuna, Antipasto Platter, Chicken Scaloppini, Ginger Glazed Baby Carrots and Snow Peas, Crab Stuffed Baked Flounder, Homemade Apple Strudel, Pan-Seared Chilean Sea Bass with Mango Papaya Salsa,: Chilled Jumbo Shrimp, Crab Claws, Smoked Oysters, Scallops, Mussels, Salmon and Trout, & Chocolate Mousse Cake. All the residents were crowded around the table. Each person had a plaster cast on both arms that ran from their shoulder to their wrist. Here, however the residents could tilt to one side and reach the food and feed each other across the table! PROPERTY COMMITTEE NEWS Work continues on our church. We completed our spring clean-up day back in May with very small group of (only 5) helpers. Unfortunately, because of the low turnout, no deep cleaning occurred inside the church and only about half of the normal outside cleanup happen so we will plan a Second Chance Clean-Up Day. Neither skill nor tools required and all volunteers are welcome remember, no job is too small and any small amount of your time can help if we are to keep things looking good. We will announce a date. Now that the rains have finally stopped and the grass is really growing, our 6 volunteer mowers are in very busy working in pairs of two on a three-week rotation. More volunteers would be welcome, (This is the first year we can recall having fewer than 8 helpers.) If interested, see me or Bob Crowley. Training available. Other church property news: After our recent annual fire safety inspection, we were required to install new CO2 detectors, emergency lights and lighted exits and correct an overload power strip. I happy to say those items were purchased and installed and we now comply with all fire codes and more importantly, our church is a safety place for everyone. Also, we have been dealing with a wood bee issue on the outside of the church. Although this is not a new issue, Bob Crowley is attacking the problem with techniques that have worked on prior years. If this does not work, we may have to contract with one of the pest control vendors who have looked at it. Free to a good home: parlor grand piano (a little larger than a baby grand) Built around Needs tuning, but can be tuned (it will need tuning after transporting anyway). You move it, and it's yours. See Chris Nash, or her at humphreycat@ .com.

5 SCLERODERMA AWARENESS MONTH Sclero means hard and derma means skin. But hardening skin is just one of many symptoms scleroderma sufferers experience. Stiff joints, digestive issues, lung scarring, kidney failure all can result. And sometimes be fatal. Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease with no known cause and no cure. Research is vital, but because so few people are aware of the disease, our researchers don t always get the resources they need. Learn more about scleroderma. Help us get the word out. The Scleroderma Foundation has been fighting to spread awareness and help educate the public about this devastating disease for more than 15 years. Please join the fight and stand alongside us for June's Scleroderma Awareness Month. Help us put an end to "sclero-what?" GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN'S VISION Prevent Blindness recommends a continuum of eye care for children to include both vision screening and comprehensive eye examinations. All children, even those with no signs of trouble, should have their eyes checked at regular intervals. Any child who experiences vision problems or shows symptoms of eye trouble should receive a comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR CALENDARS Red Cross Blood Drive: June 24th 8AM-1PM *** Thank you to those who have submitted the Congregation Health Care Needs on-line Survey. Please do this if you have not so we have your input for programs and can address your needs and concerns. If you need hard copy, please let Darlene know. She will also assist you doing it on-line. Next Health Cabinet Presentation Fall 2017: Begins 10/8 with Motivational Speaker, John Robinson (well known to old Trinity ) during message time Vendor Fair 10/14, Saturday, 10 to 1PM includes information on services for older adults + children and adults with handicaps + help for caregivers + neighbors; also info on health insurance, + home care and more This fair is offered in conjunction with Tammy Childrose, Coordinator for Rensselaer County NY CONNECTS. Babies and Children need sun protection as well as adults The sun can damage our lens and retina, just like it can damage skin. ************************* SOME THINGS TO REMEMBER: *Use a hat and sunglasses to block the sun s rays when you are outside. *Take special care when th e sun s rays are strongest between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM *Don t be fooled by clouds. The sun s rays can pass through haze and thin clouds. Sun damage to eyes can occur anytime during the year, not just in the summertime.

6 THE CLOTHING SHED Many of you are aware of the clothing shed in the corner of our parking lot. Yet, many of you, I am sure are not totally aware of how the system works. The company (St. Pauly Textile) that provides the shed free of charge and the collection every week is based in Farmington, NY, just outside Rochester, NY. They collect and direct (or sell) the clothing to sources within and without the United States. Many times after natural disasters, clothing items will be in immediate need and the company can provide immediate relief with these items. Other times, it will be sent overseas to places in need. The parish receives anywhere from $ to $ each month from this endeavor. Although it was not entered into as a money making project, the funds have been helpful for minor expenses at church. However, this project could use additional help if you could offer one (1), yes, that s right, one (1) hour per week. Any person willing to help out with unclogging the deposit area and moving bags to the opposite end of the shed can do this! One of our minor frustrations has been finding items that are not accepted by St. Pauly (listed clearly on the signage). Unfortunately, we either have to recycle or trash these items. Sometimes, clothing is boxed and it needs to be transferred to bags which the company also provides free of charge. So if you are inclined to lend a hand (literally), see me or Bob C or Ken K who faithfully patrol the shed. Thanks and apologies to all if I missed anyone else who helps. REPORT FROM THE UPSTATE NYSYNOD S ASSEMBLY This past week, Maureen Hoffman and I represented our new parish at the annual Upstate NY Synod Assembly which was held in Rochester, NY. Our Vicar, Samantha Rossi also participates as she is a member of the Upstate NY Synod Council. Many of you were probably not aware of this as she journeys to Syracuse four times a year for meetings and decision making for our synod. Therefore, hint, hint, she is a valuable source of inside information! First and foremost, you and I are the synod! Decisions affecting all of us are made at meetings locally, through our Hudson-Mohawk Conference (meetings 2X a year), and synod wide at their periodic meetings. It was an enlightening experience to represent our parish at this event. Many entreaties, not speeches, were offered by eloquent people on the front lines of helping endeavors. Yes, routine business was carried out but an inspiration to act is the primary feeling you leave with. This year s theme of Building Living Bridges was reiterated many times during our time together. Dr. Joy Philip from the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary in Ontario humorously but truthfully mentioned that she represented the closest Lutheran seminary to where we were assembled in Rochester! Her major emphasis centered on the idea of converting the noun accompaniment into an action verb. We must transition from a passive form of being into an active form of support which involves real people to be present who will listen and then participate in enabling change to embrace those that are not at the table. Global Musician Educators provided challenging and enlightening music for all to participate in throughout the assembly. These talented and inspiring musicians presented music from around the globe for all of us to experience and share. Many workshops were offered. Pr Norma Malfatti, who has shepherded us into new life, asked Maureen and I to be present at one dealing with church closures to offer a firsthand account of our experiences and relate that there is hope and a future for where we are being led by the Holy Spirit. The Rev. Dr Stephen Bouman, Executive Director of the Domestic Mission Unit of the ELCA, exhorted all participants present to engage the world by (participating) in acts of mercy and economic development and advocacy. When we listen to others, we are called to accompany them as they struggle to build a sustainable life. Accompanying people in their baptismal journey is not about leaving them at the font, but about following them into the world. Friday evening s Service of Holy Communion was highlighted by Bishop Macholtz s plea to live out our command to love our neighbor as ourselves. As we closed at noon time on Saturday, it was announced that over $50, had been raised for World Hunger by our synod. This is the highest amount ever received at assembly for this ministry. You should also note that our new parish, WCRCLP, for this next year, is going to receive a grant from the larger church for our process of consolidation and mission development. We are the synod and you are represented well through Vicar Sam and all others who practice gratitude a memory of the heart! We are thankful for the opportunity to represent our parish and look forward to our future serving Christ as we accompany those in need and engage and build living bridges. Jon G and Maureen H

7 FREE MOVIE NIGHT Finding Dory Place: W. Central Rens.County Parish in the building formerly known as St. Timothy s Church When: Friday, July 6:30 pm FREE POPCORN AND BEVERAGES Our Parish will be holding a FREE community VBS! Aug 7-11, 8:30 AM 12:30 PM Water is the physical life source of our bodies and world. As campers discover throughout the week, water is also the source of Christian spiritual life. The Bible is filled with stories involving water as a powerful means by which God sustains, heals, revives, and saves us. The key verse for the week says it all: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. God surrounds and fills us with literal waters and spiritual waters that remind us how we are part of God s life. Songs, crafts, science, games, snacks and lots of fun round out the program. If you are around that week and can help out, that would be great! We can always use extra hands for snack prep and serving, crafts and general oversight of the children especially when we gather in the large group. Also, since VBS is free this year (thanks to an endowment grant) we may have more kids than usual! Please let me know if you are available even a day or two is a big help. More information and registration is available at under ministries/vbs or call Marilyn (home) or (cell). Make sure to leave a message if I don t answer! Thanks!

8 ONE GIFT = TWO MINISTRIES Yes, your one gift can help with two ministries! Please bring in any amount of worsted weight wool yarn in time for our Upstate NY WELCA Convention ingathering on September 22-24, Utica, NY! Our Upstate NY Women of the ELCA Ingathering at our September Convention in Utica, NY will be helping the women incarcerated in the Albion Women's Correctional Facility in Albion, NY who have been knitting hats for Seafarers! Seafarers is an ecumenical mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Seafarers International House is a multi-faith, multi-national harbor of hospitality seeking to nurture the human spirit and foster human dignity by providing pastoral and social assistance, advocacy and prayer. For more information about Seafarers check out sihnyc.org All the hats knitted by the inmates are placed in a gift bag along with other items and given to shipworkers at Christmastime by the port Chaplains. Thank you in advance for your generous contribution of yarn. UPCOMING EVENTS Tai Chi Classes: Tuesdays 7pm-8pm and Wednesday 3pm-4pm-All are welcome. 06/27 Meditation Class 6pm-open to all (Fourth Tuesday of each month) 06/28 Study/Discussion Group for The Shack continues this Wednesday at 6:30pm. 07/05 Bible Study begins We will be reflecting on the Book of Acts with Vicar Sam 6:30pm 07/08 Regional Food Bank Packing will take place on July 8 from 9 to 11 a.m. This time change is for July only, due to the July 4 holiday. Carpoolers will leave the church parking lot at 8:30. 07/17 St. Tim s Quilting Group 10am-noon (Third Monday of each month) 07/22 Potluck Meet and Greet 6pm with Pastor Jennifer Tillman (see Marilyn Dyer to RSVP and coordinate food) 07/23 Free Movie Night: Finding Dory (Fourth Friday of each Month) 08/07 Vacation Bible School: Aug 7-11, 8:30 AM 12:30 PM FREE FOR ALL!! WEST CENTRAL RENSSELAER COUNTY LUTHERAN PARISH 470 Winter Street Extension, North Greenbush, NY Samantha Rossi, Vicar Phone srossi@ltsp.edu Greg Whitney, Board of Trustees President Phone: askandwewillpray@aol.com Liz Macris, Parish Nurse Phone: L.MacPN@outlook.com Rebecca Gaudino, Secretary Phone: RenCoParish@gmail.com Church Office: Website: sttlc.org RenCoParish@gmail.com