Reasons We Give by Pastor Michael Bos

Transcription

1 Newsletter Title January Closed for New Year s Day 2 Church, 4 p.m. 3 Men s Group, 7 a.m. AA, 7 & 8:15 p.m. No Taizé, 7 Adult Christian Ed, 10 a.m. 9 Church, 4 p.m. 10 AA, 7 & 8:15 p.m. 11 Writing Group, 6 p.m. 14 Adult Christian Ed, 10 a.m. 15 Office CLOSED in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 16 Church, 4 p.m. 17 AA, 7 & 8:15 p.m. Pub Theology, 8 p.m. 19 Kids Club, 5 p.m. The Book Club, 7 p.m. 21 Adult Christian Ed, 10 a.m. Social Justice Meeting, 12:30 p.m. 23 Church, 4 p.m. 24 AA, 7 & 8:15 p.m. 26 Kids Club, 5 p.m. 28 Adult Christian Ed., 10 a.m. Faith Forum, 12:30 p.m. 30 Church, 4 p.m. 31 AA, 7 & 8:15 p.m. February Kids Club, 5 p.m. 4 Adult Christian Ed, 10 a.m. 6 Church, 4 p.m. 7 Men s Group, 7 a.m. AA, 7 & 8:15 p.m. 9 Kids Club, 5 p.m. 11 Adult Christian Ed, 10 a.m. 13 Church, 4 p.m. 14 Imposition of Ashes, 7 a.m. AA, 7 & 8:15 p.m. ASH WEDNESDAY, 7 p.m. 16 Kids Club, 5 p.m. Youth Group, 6 p.m 18 Adult Christian Ed, 10 a.m. 19 Office CLOSED in observance of Presidents Day 20 Church, 4 p.m. 21 AA, 7 & 8:15 p.m. Taizé, 7 p.m Pub Theology, 8 p.m. 23 Kids Club, 5 p.m. Youth Group, 6 p.m 25 Adult Christian Ed, 10 a.m. 27 Church, 4 p.m. 28 AA, 7 & 8:15 p.m. Reasons We Give by Pastor Michael Bos I recently read an article by Ted Lechterman on An Ethical Guide to Responsible Giving. In it he cites five core approaches that guide our giving. Giving from the heart. This is the most common approach. We give to the things about which we re passionate and then find a trustworthy organization to support those who address these issues.. Giving to the neediest. Rather than allowing our passions to direct our giving, those who hold this view suggest that we should give to those who suffer the most in the world so that everyone can have things like food, water and shelter... Giving mindfully. In addition to responding to the neediest, this approach advocates that we should give to the people and places where our contributions do the most good. For example, it would be advocated that it is better to give money to build 100 houses in Sub-Saharan Africa than spend the same amount building one home in New York City.. Giving to heal and address injustices. With the growing disparity between the rich and the poor, this view sees giving as reparations to those who are living with greater economic insecurity. This stems from the belief that those with excess wealth have a responsibility to help with education and social services for those who lack access and opportunity.. Giving to overcome unjust policies. In this approach, rather than giving to the symptoms of the issue, e.g., racism, poverty, etc., it advocates that we should use our funds to dismantle the structures and policies that create these injustices. Lechterman isn t advocating that one approach is superior to the others, and the truth is that we mix and match motives in our giving. The proponents of these different approaches don t agree on many things. But they all agree, donors should reflect more on their giving decisions. We are in the midst of the Gratitude Campaign (a.k.a. the pledge campaign), and it is a time of reflection and prayer about our giving decisions. One of the thoughts I had as I reflected on this article is that when we combine our resources in our giving to the church, we aren t forced to choose one approach to giving. The church engages giving and the needs around us on multiple levels. Sometimes it is to the neediest. Sometimes it is to reflect our church s passions. Other times it is to do the most good or to address injustices and unjust policies. In our giving to the church, we do things together that we could never do alone! I think this is one of the reasons it gives me so much joy to give to West End. We gather the blessings God has given us and use it to impact people s lives in a variety of ways and for a variety of reasons. As you consider your pledge, I leave you with the words from 2 Corinthians: Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (9:7). May we all be cheerful givers this year! -Pastor Michael

2 Musical Notes by Cynthia Powell Pub Theology The Dublin House January 17 8 PM Three Kings Celebration: White Elephant Exchange Party! January is a month of great music at West End, beginning on Jan. 7 with the West End Choir in our annual Epiphany celebration with Melodia Women s Choir, an ensemble of twenty highly talented women singers, in a liturgy of readings, candle lighting and music. This dramatic ceremony culminates with the congregation encircling the sanctuary with candles. Melodia sings selections from the Harfenmesse (Harp Mass) by Johann Kaspar Aiblinger and a setting of How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place by Josef Rheinberger, with harp and organ Watch for the return of Taizé services on Wednesday, January 10 at 7 p.m. Fast becoming a neighborhood favorite mid-week choice, these 45 minute gatherings offer a peaceful time for reflection, beautiful instrumental music by some of NYC's finest players, and simple-to-sing or listen to chants. Come, light a candle for someone you love, and drink in the splendor of our sanctuary flooded in candlelight. Wishing us all a more peaceful and productive year ahead. I am so very grateful for all of you. Happy New Year ~ see you in Church! Cynthia Powell Director of Music Ministries February 21 8 PM Black History Month You get the drink of your choice and pizza is provided! Follow us on Want to keep up with what s happening with your WECC family? Go to Facebook : WestEndChurchNYC and It s a great way to stay connected to our community. It Was a Great Christmas On the Subway for Me! By Pastor Howard The week before Christmas, the youth and other volunteers of our church assembled Christmas gift bags for Taste of Heaven guests. After distribution, a number of the gift bags remained. Andrea Steinkamp, who organized the gift bag assembly, asked me if I knew others I could give the bags to. I couldn t think of any. Later, however, on my way out, on impulse, I stuck a few of the bags in my backpack. Soon after boarding the No. 1 subway train, a man, telling us he was homeless, walked through the car asking for money. I dreaded this happening for the guilt of not being able to give most of the time. But that night I reached into my backpack and handed the man a gift bag and said, Merry Christmas from the West End Collegiate Church! He clearly was surprised and asked, What church did you say again? He resumed his way through the car and I resumed my book.... The scene occurred again that night and many times the next few days (admittedly I spent two hours a day on the subway). Like the original St. Nicholas, I could offer my gifts anonymously with no thanks expected or even wanted.. St. Paul famously said, It is better to give than receive. Its true because the giver is gifted with more delight than the receiver. I am afraid that the older I get, the more Grinchy I am about Christmas. Yet, the opportunity to offer a surprise Christmas gift sparked anew my Christmas spirit. I propose, next year, we assemble many more of the bags so you too can have the same delight even fun I had on the subway this Christmas.

3 Now Begins a Season of Listening by Rebecca Stevens-Walter Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven Have you ever been the new person? Were you the new kid in school, the new kid on the block, the fresh face, the welcome, or not-sowelcome addition? If not, do you remember a new person coming into your life? How did these things make you feel? How did it feel to be new or to have someone new come into your life? Did it make you feel glad? sad? angry? scared? Here in this new year, I find myself as the new person here at West End and feel GLAD! In addition to my arrival, West End is set to experience some real and vital change this year and I know that for some of you this may bring up very dramatic feelings. As much as I am excited about jumping into implementing new ideas at West End, I would be remiss if I didn t take some time to learn more about us. In the initial months of 2018, I will be looking for ways in which the children and youth ministry at West End can best serve parents and the community, and most of all, the children and youth. My goal, as a new person, is to faithfully listen and learn. New people can bring the fear of change into an organization and while I don t believe that change is a bad thing, I do believe that changes made without intention and grace can be less helpful. I am grateful to my predecessors who served West End with such care and passion. I am also grateful to be the fresh eyes on this meaningful program. I pray that I will continue the spirit of care and passion and will work to integrate my leadership style, creativity, and vision in the best way possible. In the spirit of listening I want to encourage anyone who may need an individual listening ear is welcome to contact me. I am here to help with anything that concerns you in relation to children and youth and am happy to sit down one-on-one if that s what you require. Being new, in this case is so exciting and I thank you for inviting me on your journey toward growing and enriching the West End culture of loving and honoring children and youth. The Pledge Gratitude Campaign 2018 We are in the midst of our pledge campaign, which is focusing on the theme of gratitude. It is a time when we pause to count our blessings and also to prayerfully consider how we can make our blessings count through our giving to West End. At the time of this printing we 44 people who have pledged $82,290. It is through your generosity that we are able to touch and transform lives through the ministry God has entrusted to us all. In doing this we experience the reality of Jesus s words: You re far happier giving than getting (Acts 20:35, The Message). Therefore we ask that you prayerfully consider your commitment to West End in the coming year. You can fill out a pledge form, located in the back of the sanctuary, and place it in the pledge box. Or you can mail in your form or pledge online at westendchurch.org.

4 Spiritual Self Care in the New Year: Nurturing vs. Soothing by Pastor Jes Kast The New Year brings the chance for a spiritual check-in. The regrets of last year are met with the grace of God in the New Year. Mercy is yours, peace is yours, grace is yours. This is the gospel promise of Christ. The sins of last year do not get the last word into who you are, but they inform how we go forward. In the gratitude of forgiveness we gather each week and we practice what it means to be human. It s sometimes hard to be human! We need each other and we need to care for ourselves. A buzz word that is used a lot these days is self-care. I ve seen this to mean anything from manicures, ski retreats in Europe, to yoga. All of these things can be good, but I wonder if we are missing something of even greater depth? Is this nurturing for me? Is this soothing for me? Does this harm me? These are some of the questions I have begun asking to guide my self -care. Getting a manicure is certainly soothing, but it doesn t nurture me in the same way that our weekly Taizé service does or our monthly Pub Theology or ministering with a Taste of Heaven. Sometimes we need to be soothed and sometimes we need something more that nurtures us at the roots of our soul. This year, seek not just to soothe but to nurture. Fill your soul with truth and peace, courage and forgiveness, joy and hope. As we dig deeper into our spiritual roots this year, know that grace of God is with you always. In the grace of Christ Reverend Jes PUB THEOLOGY at The Dublin House 225 West 79th Street, backroom January 17 8 PM Three Kings Celebration: White Elephant Exchange Party! We will learn about the celebration of Three Kings as well as give a gift. Wrap up something in your house (maybe a Christmas gift you got that you don t use) and bring it to the Pub where we will celebrate Three Kings. February 21 8 PM This month we will celebrate Black History Month with reading selections from Black poets and theologians. Some of the writers we will be in conversation about are James Cone, Alice Walker, and Delores Williams. WECC is assembling a group to join the 2018 Women s March on NYC on Saturday, January 20. The march begins at Columbus Circle at 11 a.m. through 3 p.m. Please sign up in the back of the church or . Bring your pussy hats, your posters and your energy so that our voices will echo from the streets of New York City to the capital city. Show the world that red, white and blue are colors of tolerance. For more information, go to..

5 Consistory Corner The past few months have been packed with activity for the Deacons and Elders of West End as we have worked to gather your feedback, identify search committee members, and develop a strategy for hiring our next Senior Minister. We are grateful for all your support and input throughout this process, and we were thrilled to see so many in attendance at the Town Hall meeting on December 10 th. We plan to have more opportunities to join together throughout the search process in an effort to keep the entire membership apprised of the activity of the search committee and what to expect next. For those who were not able to attend the Town Hall, here is a bit of information to keep you up to speed. Members of the search committee were introduced: Andrea Steinkamp Cambridge Lynch Christa Scott-Reed Evangeline Benedetti Kim Yancey Moore Nathan Stilwell Priscilla Shanks-Chattah Sean McNamara Steve Cambor Susan Xenarios The search committee will be officially installed at service on Sunday, January 14 th. Please join us to lift them in prayer as they take on the important role of discerning the next Senior Minister at West End. We also introduced Kevin Chase of Kevin Chase Executive Search Group (kevinchasesearch.com), who is leading the effort to identify potential candidates, at the Town Hall meeting. Kevin walked us through a timeline of what to expect in the coming weeks and months. With much of the data gathering and the development of a candidate profile completed during the months of November and December, Kevin will spend the first 12 weeks of 2018 (at a minimum) developing a pool of candidates who match the criteria laid out by the search committee and the feedback we gathered from the congregation. We ask for you to prayerfully support Kevin in his important work as well. Should you have any questions or concerns about the process to date, or as it moves forward, please don t hesitate to reach out to Andrea Steinkamp at ajsteinkamp@gmail.com, or to any other member of consistory or the search committee as you feel comfortable. West End s Consistory: Andy Bishop Elder (andrew.bishop@aecom.com) Madie Ivy Head Elder (ivy.head@gmail.com) Daniëlle Kisluk-Grosheide Elder (Danielle.Kisluk-Grosheide@metmuseum.org) Andrea Steinkamp Elder and Consistory Chair (ajsteinkamp@gmail.com) Nathan Stilwell - Elder (nathanstilwell@gmail.com) Allen Blankenship Deacon (wablankenship@yahoo.com) Richard Bohart Deacon (richard.bohart@barclays.com) Holly Reichert Deacon (msholly_esl@hotmail.com) Narvie Rundlet Deacon (narvie1109@yahoo.com) Christa Scott-Reed Deacon (christascottreed@mac.com)

6 SERMONS January 7 EPIPHANY January 14 Let Mercy and Justice Roll Down New Series - Proverbs: Wisdom that Works Proverbs is full of pithy pieces of wisdom that help us learn how to live life to its fullest. Join us for this six part series in which we explore wisdom that works. January 21, 28, February 4, 11, 18 & 25 On January 19 at 7 p.m. THE BOOK CLUB will discuss Budda in the Attic by Julie Otsuka (This book is just 129 pages!) February 14 Ash Wednesday Service Dust to Dust, Life to Life January 3 and February 7 at 7 a.m. Men s Group will meet to deepen our faith and friendships while we journey through life together. February book to be announced... Another Way to Give to West End We are pleased to announce that you can now make donations to West End via your mobile phone. It s very simple to do. Just text Give to and then follow the instructions for the one time registration process. After you ve registered your account and card, you can then make donations at anytime by texting the amount, with the dollar sign, and what it s for. For example, you can text $100 offering or $50 talent show. You will receive immediate verification and a receipt will be ed to you. That s all there is to it! Thank you for your continued support of our ministries.