The White Spire Summer 2015

Transcription

1 The White Spire Summer 2015 Meditation & Taizé First Presbyterian Church The life of faith ultimately relies on the power of the Holy Spirit working through us. Seen or not, the Spirit is present with us in worship, in service, in study, and in fellowship. Our job is to open ourselves to the Spirit as best we can, relying on God s grace to carry us through the good times and hard. In the fall, our congregation will offer two special ways to open ourselves to the Spirit. Beginning Wednesday evening, September 9th, we will resume the monthly Taizé services. Through the late winter and early spring, we averaged slightly more than 20 worshippers a time, and the response was generally positive to very positive. In the fall, we will begin to advertise this service as a spiritual service to our community. This service will continue to offer song, prayers, scripture, and meditation in the atmosphere of our beautiful sanctuary bathed in candlelight. As always, we are encouraged to take part and to bring someone along who might benefit from this form of worship. at 7:00 pm, Also in the fall, Dr. Lee Vance is offering to coordinate a Meditation Group for members and friends of the church. The organizational meeting will take place on that same Wednesday, September 9th, at 6:00 pm, at Andover House. The style of meditation is called insight meditation, which has a long, rich Christian tradition as well as being one form of Asian meditation. Meditation practices contribute markedly to our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being because they are a time-tested way to open ourselves to the Presence of the Spirit. This is a group for beginners as well as those with some experience in meditation. If you can t make this meeting but are interested, please let Herb know N. State Street Lowville, NY preslow@frontiernet.net Rev. Dr. Herb Swanson, Pastor Jennie Kelly, Admin. Assistant Trina Stahl, Music Director Rodney Rubar, Custodian Inside this issue Front Page 1 From Herb's Desk 2 Study Groups 2 New Members 3 4 Summer Worship 4 Session Notes 5 Memory Joggers 5 Youth News 6 Thanks Page PW of the Year 7 Good Bye 8 Misc. 9 Outreach/Community 10 Poem 11 Food Pantry 12 If you are receiving the White Spire by mail and would like to receive it by , please contact the office so we may include you on our list.

2 UTG6 To Begin in July From Herb s Desk Our church s first UTG ( Unbinding the Gospel ) group started in the summer of We called it UTG1, and it led to four other groups being established in the months afterward. UTG1 and UTG5 have since merged to become UTG1.5. It has been awhile since we started another group, but this July nine or ten individuals will meet regularly for six weeks. They are UTG6. Please keep this group in your prayers. Summer is a good time, or at least it can be. We can spend a little more time with those we love and do a little more of the things we love to do. For many of us, it offers chances to boat, fish, read, go camping or to a ball game, take a trip, and just recreate. I have to confess that I look forward all year to the ten days or so that Runee and I spend camping in Vermont. It is a time to not do all of the many things that we do the rest of the year. For me, personally, there is time to sit just sit and breathe in the forest or to sit just sit and enjoy the bright red embers of a quietly dying campfire. Study Groups: Looking Ahead Our spring study groups have come to an end. We had fifteen individuals take part, and the discussions were as lively as ever. Summer is now upon us, and it is time for a break. In September, the Theological Study Group will begin a yearlong study of a book entitled, Essentials of Christian Theology, edited by William Placher. The book contains a series of chapters written by 1 8 theologians on nine key topics, two writers per topic. Our goal is not to teach the participants what they should think, but rather to encourage them to reflect for themselves. This group will begin on It s not that the rest of life is somehow bad, because it isn t. But, we need the different pace of summer to balance the rest of life. Taking time to smell the roses is just as important as all of the busy-ness of planting, pruning, watering, and tending them. In the summer, there is time for just smelling the roses. Monday evening, 7:00 pm, September 7th. At Andover House. God is Present with us in a lot of different ways. One of those ways is in the summer things we do, especially those that help us get away from all the things we usually do. My prayer for all of us this summer is that we have a bit more slow time, quiet time, restful and relaxed time for smelling the roses. Be safe in your travels, keep you and yours well, and Meanwhile, the Bible Study Group will begin its own yearlong study of the Gospel of Mark by working through a book entitled, Mark As Story, written by a team of authors. Written in plain English (!), it uncovers how the gospel was intended to be read and heard originally. In the New Year, this group will then begin to read the Book of Mark for itself. This group will begin Wednesday afternoon, 4:00 pm, September 2nd, at Andover House. Blessings on the journey, Herb 2

3 New Members On Sunday, May 31 we welcomed new members into our church family. Joining by affirmation of faith were Steve and Joan Ropel, Karen Jones and Matt Lehman. Meet Karen Jones! It is especially heart-warming for me to introduce my mother, Karen Jones, as one of the newest members of our church family. I have been a member of our congregation for nearly 1 8 years and it was always endearing to me to see generations of the same family amidst the congregation and part of me always wished that I could share in that legacy. So when my mother accepted an invitation and then began attending I was beyond thrilled, but not for the reasons you might think. Here s the deal, my mom is getting all the love, support, and insight of a community of faith that our amazing church has to offer. She is going to make life-long bonds with our congregation and she is going to continue to grow spiritually. It is a rebirth in many ways. The church is gaining a gentle, kind-hearted, loving woman who has many talents (I think she is an amazing baker and she does a great job making Christmas centerpieces too!) My mom is a retired nurse, she has 5 children and 3 stepchildren. There are over a dozen grandchildren. She is soft spoken, but has a contagious smile and laugh. I know that you are going to love her because I certainly do. Congratulations and Welcome to your new church family! of watching Matthew grow from a bashful red-headed child into the mature and phenomenal young man that he is now. As a former youth group leader, I can attest that Matthew has a can-do attitude and is always a willing participant when help is needed. Matthew is finishing his Freshman year at Lowville Academy (incidentally he is quite the academic scholar!) Matthew is also an active member of the Lowville Boy Scouts (I am willing to bet a future Eagle Scout!) Perhaps that is why he is such a great camperphe certainly knows how to enjoy the great outdoors. Matthew is passionate about history and loves discussing topics such as the Civil War and other major battles. I have often been blown away by his in-depth knowledge of historical battles, such as his ability to rattle off various types of assault vehicles and weaponry. Don t let him fool you, he can be quite the conversationalist when you get him started. Matthew resides in Watson with his parents, Kathy and Daryl Lehman and has a younger sister, Madeline. It is truly wonderful to welcome you, Matthew, as a member of our church family. Respectfully submitted, Kelly Adsit Sincerely submitted, Kelly Adsit, Daughter of Karen Jones Meet the Ropel s! This couple has been coming to our church for quite some time now and recently joined our church what a wonderful addition to our family here at FPC! Meet Matthew Lehman! It is an absolute honor to welcome Matthew Lehman as an adult member of our church family. I have had the privilege 3 (continued on page 4)

4 (continued from page 3) Joan and Steve live out in the Chase Lake area with their two horses and loveable dog, Willie. Both are horse enthusiasts so they ve chosen a perfect place to live near the Otter Creek Horse Trails. Joan and Steve have lived all over the U.S. and have chosen to retire to the North Country. Summer Worship Schedule Worship during July and August will be at 1 0a.m. with the exception of August 16 and 30. There will be coffee hour in July only. The nursery will be open for parents to take they children to and remain with. Joan has a BS from Penn State in Home Economics Education, while Steve has a BS in Agricultural Business Management from Penn State and a MBA in Food Marketing from Michigan State University. Before retiring, Joan worked as a medical assistant for many years and then as a customer service representative for Aetna Dental for 1 3 years. Steve worked as an Agricultural Statistician for the U S Department of Agriculture for about 38 years his assignments have taken him through 5 states, Washington D.C. and to two foreign countries. His last assignment was here in N.Y. as State Director of the N.Y. Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. July 5 July 12 July 19 July 26 August 2 August 9 August 16 August 23 August 30 Joan is into pottery and gardening. Steve is into hunting, hiking, fishing and just about anything to do with the outdoors, that is, except for shoveling snow! So, the Ropel s are snow birds that spend the warmer months here and now have a home in South Carolina to escape to when the snow starts piling up. Both Joan and Steve participate in our Theological Study Groups, UTG, and are invaluable in their support of our Stone Soup mission dinners! Herb preaching, communion celebrated and Special Military Remembrance Herb leading worship Lee Vance leading worship Tracey Koss leading worship Heidi VanZandt leading worship Herb leading worship Worship at Lowville Fairgrounds at 1 0a.m. Covered dish dinner at 1 2 noon. Steve Vance leading worship Worship at Lyons Falls Park at 1 0:30a.m. Go across Black River, stay on Laura Street and take first right. Service followed by covered dish dinner. Please bring a dish to pass and table service. Coffee hour will be held in July and resume in September. Please look for the sign up sheet to sign up. Joan and Steve: We are so blessed to have you as friends and as members of the FPC family! Rolly Meeks 4

5 time of recognition on June 28. The worship and personnel committees are working together to search for a replacement for Trina. Approved to accept Leon Austin as Interim Choir Director until a permanent is found. Leon Austin has agreed to serve as Interim Choir Director. Session Notes The following notes were taken from the regular session meeting that was held along with the Deacons on June 16. Herb welcomed Rev. Tim Coombs. Session members and Deacons shared how UTG has affected them and the impact on personal lives as well as the life of the church. Everyone agreed that small groups are important to the spiritual life of the church and they help to promote personal faith growth and development. * Old Business: Property update-jim Schlieder and Carole Dunbar 1. Addition to the North State Street entrance- contractors are being interviewed and plan to start in late September or October or spring of * * Tim introduced a new program which his church has recently used Freeway- A not so perfect guide to Freedom by People of the Second Chance. Tim outlined the format of the 7 week program and shared DVD clips and slides of the workbook that accompany the guide. Members may visit the web site at 2. Clock- works! (for 2 hours at a time). Wally Beiler and Jim Schlieder working out the kinks this week. 3. Culvert on W. State Street to be replaced by the Village of Lowville this summer. New Business: Approved baptisms on June 28th for grandchildren of Sally Paulsen- Alexander James Paulsen and Amelia Clare Paulsen, children of David and Emily Paulsen. * The plan to move forward is Mary Anne Kingsley will order the book and DVD and preview with help from Kelly Rohr. At the September 13th UTG Rodeo the Freeway program will be introduced and we will ask a group to pilot the program. * PDA Responds to Midwest Flooding Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is helping communities impacted by the massive flooding in the Midwest, especially in Texas and Oklahoma. One Great Hour of Sharing funds have been sent and eight members of the National Response Team are currently in Texas. Please pray for those affected by flooding and those responding to needs. * Policy discussion- Trina Stahl s resignation. Approved to accept Trina s resignation with regrets as of June 28, All wish Trina well on her relocation to North Carolina. Approved to recognize Trina s time of service with a gift and a 5

6 Nursery News The nursery is taking July and August off from providing weekly nursery care. However, the nursery is always available to parents to take your child to and remain with. Sunday school News Special thanks to... There will not be Sunday school during the summer. It will resume in September. During the year children brought in their offerings. They were put together with matching funds from the Christian Education Committee and donations from the congregation to be used for the purchase of animals from Heifer International. This special offering totalled $820. The children decided to contribute the following amounts toward the purchase of: a water buffalo ($250), heifers ($50), pigs ($1 20), sheep ($1 20), goats ($1 20), rabbits ($60), bees ($30), chickens ($20), ducks/geese ($20), and fish ($30) for a total of $820. Thank you to everyone for your contributions to this wonderful effort to help others. Thank you for Giving On Sunday, June 1 4th, we took a special offering for the Heifer Project, which the Sunday school participates in. Members of the congregation that morning gave $ in addition to $63 from the Sunday school. In addition, thus far the church has received nearly $1,400 in contributions toward the Loving Lewis County stay-home mission trip. Thank you. Delaware Work Camp Attendees We send prayers with Scott Bingle, Lindsey Golas and Dylan Terry as they attend the Delaware Workcamp from July Please keep them in your prayers. 6 * All who contributed to our Pentecost Offering, received on Pentecost Sunday, May 24. The proceeds will support the Delaware Work camp trip. * Pat Homer for hosting the June 14 choir picnic at her home. * the Presbyterian Women for acknowledging our high school and college graduates. * The Deacon's for all their preparations and graciousness in serving us at our June 21 Ice Cream Social. * Our fantastic Sunday school teacher Cindy Young, and all our Sunday school students. * The Presbyterian Women for underwriting another year of nursery care. And to our special nursery care providers Natalie Sweeney and Heather Adsit. * Jim Schlieder for his continued dedication and work on the bell tower clock repairs! * Our choir members Runee Swanson, Holly Aucter, Jan Cook, Pat Homer, Cathy Williams, Julie Fields and Kay Laribee for their contributions of music to our worship service for the past year. * Our music director Trina Stahl for her talents in keeping the level of worship music at its best! * Our June worship participants: Kelly Adsit, Tracey Koss, Roger Quay, Lee Vance and Steve Vance. * Sandy Terry for doing certificates using her talent with calligraphy. * Nat Virkler who along with the Village of Lowville repaired the church parking lot after the storm in the early hours of June 23.

7 kindergarten. She has been a faithful member of FPC for several years and has been part of the monthly Mary Esther Circle meetings from the start and is now our secretary. She is a regular at our twice a month Tuesday morning craft group where we create items to be sold at the annual Bazaar. In addition, Sheila has supervised the ordering and sale of SERRV gifts (nonprofit items to benefit families in third world countries) for the past few years. As a member-at-large of the coordinating team of Presbyterian Women of the Utica Presbytery, Sheila uses her love for and skill with needlework to make lap robes for shut-ins and nursing home residents. She enjoys attending the yearly retreats at Vanderkamp and at the Synod level. In fact Sheila is a member of the committee that is planning this year s Vanderkamp gathering which sounds like a not-to-be-missed event. One thing you may not know is that Nat and Sheila together have spent many hours improving the appearance of our church inside and out - cleaning, trimming, pruning, planting, and mulching. Not to mention the many hours spent at the Community Garden in past years keeping those pesky bugs away from potatoes! She brings so many gifts to our church, but one more that I'm not sure many are aware of is Sheila s faithful and loving care of some in our congregation as well others in the community who are in need of some extra attention. This is all done graciously with no desire for any praise or thanks. As one of our PW sisters recently said, When two or more Presbyterian Women are gathered together Sheila will be one of them! Thank you, Sheila. You are a very special and much loved person! 2015 Presbyterian Woman of the Year Sheila Virkler It is the tradition of the Women's Association of our church to honor, at our annual Spring Gathering, a woman who has shared her talents, time, energy, and dedication to First Presbyterian Church of Lowville. This person is decided upon by women who have received this honor in the past. So before this year s honoree is announced, I think it is appropriate to hear the names of past Presbyterian Women of the Year. (see next page) This year our honoree is someone who unfailingly, graciously, and gracefully gives her time in many ways, some of which many of us are unaware. She is always ready to step up to the plate by helping and/or organizing the many events and activities in which the women of our church participate. So now it is my pleasure to announce that Sheila Virkler has been chosen as Presbyterian Woman of Sheila first came to Lowville to take a position as assistant dietician at Lewis County General Hospital. It was not long before she met Nat Virkler who was to become her husband! They moved to a home on Stewart Street, their children Michael and Cynthia were born and they eventually moved to their present home on Elm Street. Sheila worked at home for many years providing child care for many lucky kids! She later worked as a substitute teacher at BOCES for several years. Her obvious love of working with children led her to a position as pre-school teacher at St. Peter's School where she developed a curriculum to help prepare the children for 7 Phyllis Rohr

8 Past Presbyterian Women of the Year awards were given to: Trina Stahl has worked with the church choir for 5 years. She is the smiling face that greets us each Sunday morning, never missing a week. She has an incredible gift of remaining calm when the choir gets a little out of control (i.e. excellent "herding cats" skills!) She picks out a variety of music to appeal to many different parts of our congregation and choir. She encourages us, works hard and has a beautiful voice. Dorothy Steinbrenner Marian Holliday Jane Thomas Ruth Schneider Sue Siegel Mary Rhode Penny Moncrief Marion Barnes Dorothy Payne Esther Windover Tricia Kennison Patricia Homer Betty Schlieder Irene Bowen Phyllis Rohr Patricia Parker Carole Dunbar Cindy Young Jean Puddington Kelly Rohr Sylvia Virkler Sheila Virkler Women s groups in the Presbyterian Church have a powerful history. Since the early 1 800s Presbyterian women have organized themselves to support mission and combat social injustices nationally and internationally. While the levels of involvement and recognition from the denominations has varied, women s dedication to living out God s call through women s organizations has remained steady. Presbyterian Women (PW) is an independent organization within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) of more than 300,000 women. The programming and resource options for the organization offer a variety of ways for women to live out their faith in an inclusive, caring community. Presbyterian Women exists today because women are adaptable, determined, proactive, charitable, generous and dedicated to God. All in all, we will miss her (and her son, sweet Ethan) greatly. We wish her a safe journey south and hope she gets to visit "up north" on occasion. Sincerely, Cathy Williams, Choir member Where to send cards... Cards to Lori Windover may be sent to Cleveland Clinic, Cardiac Unit, Room J731 2, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH Lori is a sister-in-law of Shirley Aucter and was a former nursery care provider for our church. Cards to Anna Rubar may be sent to Loretto Fahey Rehabilitation Skilled Nursing, 700 East Brighton Ave., Syracuse, NY Though I may speak with bravest fire, and have the gift to all inspire, and have not love, my words are vain as sounding brass, and hopeless gain.

9 Communion Celebrated While the Pastor is Away Herb will be on study leave from July 13th 26th. He will then be on vacation from July 27 August 1 and August 9 30th. For serious pastoral needs you may call Clerk of Session, Kelly Rohr at and the church office on Thursdays at In August Herb is in Lowville on vacation. He will not be available for regular pastoral duties but for pressing emergencies don t hesitate to call. July 5 September White Spire Deadline August 24 Lori Windover (Ohio), Anna Rubar (Syracuse), Esther Feldmann (Rochester) Lewis County Nursing Home - Marian Holliday #434 East Road Adult Home Mary Rhode, Don Virkler, Ray Kennison Serving in the Armed Forces Jennifer The church office is closed the first week in July. After that it is open Thursdays only from 8:30-1 :30p.m. starting July 9. Regular office hours will resume on August 31. Torres at Goodfellow AFB, TX, Petty Officer 2rd. Class Lance Gormley USN, (Grandson of Jean & Dave Puddington), Sgt. Jamie Byrd in Afghanistan (son-in-law of the Davey's) Church Contact Information 7707 N. State Street, Lowville, NY Visit us on Facebook Office Phone: Fax: preslow@frontiernet.net Website: Treasurer: Carole Dunbar, call (home) leave a message Church Secretary: Jennie Kelly Prayer Team: Mary Lou DeMinck (mldeminck@gmail.com), Facebook Editor: Mary Lou DeMinck Craft Group Craft Group will meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays in the summer at 9:30a.m. at church or possibly the Andover House. So put July 14 and 28 along with August 11 and 25 on your calendar! NO PW Circle during the summer. PW Vanderkamp Retreat Utica PE Retreat at Vanderkamp Center August The theme is The Good News of Music with Rev. Dr. Nancy Young as speaker. To car pool meet at the Andover House parking lot at 11 a.m. Cost is $65 and includes meals, lodging and fees. Contact Sheila Virkler at to register. Herb s Contact Information Office Hours: Tues. & Thurs., 9a.m.-1 2:00p.m. Study Day: Monday Day off: Friday Home Phone: herbswanson@frontier.com Pastor s Blog: Session members: Kelly Clark, Carole Dunbar, Pat Homer, Mary Anne Kingsley, Kelly Rohr, Roger Quay, Jim Schlieder, Joanne Vance and Heidi VanZandt Board of Deacons: Kelly Adsit, Jan Cook, Barb Golas, Daryl Lehman, Phyllis Rohr and Bonnie Tarasek Baptism We extend congratulations to Alexander James and Amelia Claire Paulsen, children of David and Emily Paulsen and grandchildren of Sally Paulsen on their baptism on June 28. 9

10 SACC Program Stone Soup Update During July and August there will not be any stone soup dinners served in Lowville. The Hand in Hand Summer SACC (School Age Child Care) Program begins June 29 in the church basement. It runs MondayFriday, 7:00a.m. to 5:30p.m. all summer, ending on August 28. Questions and Answers from May Spire Knitters at Andover House A local group of knitters will be using the Andover House on Monday mornings from 8:45-11 :30a.m. Which two wicked cities were destroyed by God in Genesis? Sodom and Gomorrah Delaware Work Camp and Bottle Drive Dylan Terry is carrying out a year round can and bottle drive to help finance trips to build and repair homes for the poor and needy. There is a bin in the social hall where you can bring your returns. Who tried to dispose of baby Jesus by making a decree that all baby boys should be killed? (Tiberius, Pharaoh, Herod, Augustus) Herod What animal is mentioned most frequently in both the New and Old Testaments? Sheep School Kits The Presbyterian Women are once again collecting materials for school kits, a project sponsored by Church World Service. These kits give children in impoverished schools, refugee camps, or other difficult settings some of the basic tools for learning. We hope that you will find it in your heart to contribute some of the items needed for this worthy project. Items are being collected in the narthex. Please drop off the following items to include in the kits: How much time did Jonah spend in the belly of the whale? Three days and three nights What language is Jesus believed to have spoken? Aramaic Who were the parents of King Solomon? David and Bathsheba What were the names of the three wise men? Balthazar, Caspar and Melchior One pair of blunt scissors (rounded tip) Three 70- count spiral notebooks totaling pages One hand held pencil sharpener One large eraser One box of 24 crayons (only 24) Six #2 pencils What fruit is depicted in Leonardo's Last Supper, even though it did not arrive in the Holy Land until long after Jesus' death? An orange Who said this? "Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (a Sadducee, a rich ruler, Simon Peter or a publican) A rich ruler For how many years did the Children of Israel wander in the wilderness? 40 years 10 Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud. Maya Angelou

11 The following poem was read by Madeline Lehman on Mother's Day, May 1 0. Author: Mary Rita Schilke Korazan 11

12 LOWVILLE FOOD PANTRY Side Dishes Snacks\Children Soups Spaghetti\Pasta Spices\Herbs Stuffing Mix Sugar\Sweeteners Syrup Tuna\Beef\Chicken Helpers Bring your donations for the Food Pantry during the month of August and place on the steps at the front of the sanctuary. Your support of the needs of the pantry are greatly appreciated. The pantry is located on the corner of Forest and Trinity Ave. Clip list and take with you when you go shopping! Baby Food\Cereal\Formula Baking Items Beans, Canned and Dried Beef Stew Bread Mixes Breakfast Cereal Cake Mix and Frosting Canned Fruit and Vegetables Canned Pasta Canned Chicken\Meats Chicken and Beef Broth Chili Coffee\Tea Condiments Crackers\Cookies Cranberry Sauce Drink Mixes or Juices Ensure\Protein Drinks Evaporated\Shelf Stable\Dry Milk Flour Gravy Jell-O or Pudding Jelly or Jam Mac-n-Cheese Muffin Mixes Noodles Oatmeal Pancake or Baking Mix Peanut Butter Pork and Beans\Baked Beans Potato Products Ramen Noodles White or Brown Rice\Rice Products Sauces Salmon\Tuna\Mackerel We also accept Fresh Vegetables and Fruits along with Fresh Eggs from Local Growers Other items: Shampoo and Conditioner Tooth Brushes and Tooth Paste Soap Baby Powder Deodorant Cologne Razors and Shaving Cream Toilet Paper Paper Towels Kleenex Hand Sanitizer Band Aids Diapers Lotions Paper Plates and Cups Plastic Silverware Dish Liquid Pet Foods Q- Tips Wash Clothes Towels Napkins We collect in August! 12