A Newsletter of the First Reformed Church, Schenectady, New York September Fall Picnic - Sept 10

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1 First Things A Newsletter of the First Reformed Church, Schenectady, New York September 2017 Avery Presents Sept 1 On Friday, September 1 at 7pm, we will show the 1927 silent movie "The General" starring Buster Keaton with live piano accompaniment by Avery Tunningley. One of the most famous silent movies, it is packed with action, comedy and numerous stunts performed by Keaton. Set during the Civil War, nearly the whole adventure takes place on his train, "The General". Please join us for an evening of lighthearted fun. Reception to follow. Committees Forming Have a new idea? Want to cheer on a project? Here are the folks: Adult Education... Marilyn Leach Archives and History... Richard Rose Finance... Fred Daniels Justice Action... Liz Mastrianni Membership & Fellowship James Gonda Mission & Benevolence... Andy Chestnut Property... Ralph Rosenthal Youth Education... Sarah Bachorik Support & Care... Barbara Walton Worship... Amy Brule An Opportunity to Serve Snack Facilitator - duties include coordinating the after-worship treats in the Dirck Romeyn room. A tasty job that promotes fun and fellowship. Contact James Gonda at or jgonda12309@gmail.com. Fall Picnic - Sept 10 All are invited to stay after church on September 10 for a time of fun, food, and fellowship! Please bring a dish to share enough for adults. A side dish, salad or dessert. A signup sheet is on the table in the rear of the sanctuary. The church will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, and cold drinks. In addition, teams are needed for grilling, set up, and take down. Please contact James Gonda at or jgonda12309@gmail.com. Season of Creation One aspect of our Consistory's commitment to prioritize creation care will be evident for a month this fall. We'll depart from our usual use of the Revised Common Lectionary in worship, joining an increasing number of congregations throughout the world in using Scripture readings in Sunday morning worship that emphasize various aspects of God's handiwork. This year s themes are: Forest, Land, River and Wilderness/Outback. Baptisms Over the Summer Ella Marie Pincher Zane Eldine Thuener Salem Gabriel Evan Thuener Salem Bible Sunday - Sept 24 Any child in 3 rd grade or higher that has not received a Bible, will be presented with one during worship on Sunday, September 24. Please let Dorothy Linder know. Living History, Family Fun The Fellowship Committee is sponsoring a trip to the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome on Sunday, Sept. 17 (rain date, Sept. 24), directly after church. In addition to an exciting airshow with World War I airplanes, there is also a visitor center, air museum, gift shop, snack bar, and picnic area. The show starts at 2pm; $25 for ages 18-64, $20 with military ID, $20 for 65+, $12 for youth 6-17, and free for 5 and under. RSVP to James Gonda at jgonda12309@gmail.com or Updated Church Directory Updated issues of the directory will be coming out in soon. Please let us know if your information has changed. Office Closed September 4 for Labor Day.

2 Music & Worship Chancel Choir Resumes - September 7 - Join Us! Chancel Choir rehearsals will resume on Sept. 7 at 7:30pm for the Sept 10 service under the direction of Corine Salon. All singers and voice parts are needed. Please feel welcomed to join us then. If you cannot make Thursday rehearsals at 7:30pm, but can do Sunday morning s rehearsals at 9am, Corine will supply music and any help you may need to ready yourself for your part. Our choir will again be preparing songs to coordinate with creation themed services this fall. Please contact Corine Salon, conductor/ Artistic Coordinator with any questions csalon@nycap.rr.com. Community Meal & Contemplative Worship - Sept 13 This fall we again invite those who are hungry for good food, fellowship, and the holy feast of God to join us at mid-month supper and service. On Wednesday, September 13, join us for simple complimentary dinner at 6pm in the Dirck Romeyn room followed by a quiet, reflective service at 7pm that includes communion and shared prayers in the sanctuary. New Edition of Beverwyck The fourth edition of The Beverwyck Anthology, First Reformed s literary magazine, is printed and bound and awaiting your perusal. Complimentary copies are in the Archives Room /Bookstore and on the table in the back of the sanctuary. First Forum after Worship After worship most Sundays at 11:15am in Dirck Romeyn, we gather to learn about new ideas and existing efforts. See the Sunday chart for details. Suggestions for programs are welcome. Contact: Amy Brule , Peggy King , or Joe Doolittle Like the Jazz Vespers Facebook page Adult Ukuleles Meets Wednesday nights from 7pm - 8pm. No experience is needed. Please call the church office at (518) if you would like to participate so we can have enough ukuleles on hand. This little instrument is guaranteed to make you smile! Columbarium Accessible on Sundays Those wishing to visit the columbarium during construction may do so on Sunday mornings from 11-11:30am. Our sexton, Tom Mahan will be stationed at the church office entrance to provide safe passage to the columbarium during this time. World Communion Sunday Oct 1 On Sunday October 1, in conjunction with World Communion Sunday, we will collect the offering for One Great Hour of Sharing. One Great Hour of Sharing supports projects that break the cycles of poverty, hunger, and thirst, as well as providing aid during times of crisis. Blessing of the Beasts Oct. 1 On Sunday, October 1 at 3pm, all are welcome to bring their furry, finned, or feathered friends to be blessed on the church lawn. We will celebrate God's creation of and care for all living creatures and the unique relationships humans have with our animal companions. If your pet is sick, difficult to transport, or uncomfortable around other animals, feel free to bring a picture or just the name. In the past, we have blessed many dogs, a few cats, a ferret, and even a snake.

3 Groups Group VII Tuesday Ladies We will meet at Inge-Lise Pangburn s house at 2 St Jude Ct, Scotia on Tuesday, September 19 at 7pm everyone is welcome. Please call her at (518) if you plan to come. Group VII will meet for lunch at Connie Young`s home Sept 15 at noon. We hope some new women will join us as we begin a new year of fellowship. Horizons Bible Study The Horizons Bible study guide, Cloud of Witnesses: The Community of Christ in Hebrews. Study guide available from Peg Miller or Marilyn Leach for $10. The study will be held on Tuesday Mornings at 10am in the Mohawk House, from September 19- November 14. In nine lessons, the study invites us to explore major themes found in Hebrew, relate these themes to other parts of our faith tradition, and tie them together with the overarching motif of community. Anyone interested is welcome to participate, speak to Peg so we have study guides for everyone, including those who follow us from home. Archives and Historical Concerns Casting Call The Archives and Historical Concerns Committee is sponsoring a play reading on Sunday, Nov. 5 and we need voice actors. No memorization required! This post-civil War drama, We All Become Brothers and Sisters, explores the uphill climb of the newly freed slaves. The script calls for seven men and one woman. Please contact James Gonda at or jgonda12309@gmail.com. Kerygma Church History Exploration Continues This fall we hit the trail again for a robust walk through church's history, from the Reformation to present. Meetings held each Wednesdays, beginning Sept 15, 9:30-11am. Those wishing to join the journey part at this point will be warmly welcomed by those who started this trek last fall! Copies of the acclaimed resource book we will use, The Story of Christianity Volume 2 by Justo Gonzalez, will be available for perusal in Faith Bookshop/Heritage room in early September. Prayer Shawl Knit Group Beginning September, we will be meeting on the 4 th Thursday of every month at 10am in the home of Gini McDermott at 21 Carrie Ct, Niskayuna. Short-Short Writing Group The FRC Short-Short Writing Critique Group meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 7pm. Short- Shorts include fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, essays, and travel pieces told in 1,000 words or less. The group s mission is to help one another improve as writers. Out to Lunch Bunch Gay Doolittle On the last Friday of the month any and everyone is invited to discover small, ethnic, locally owned restaurants in the surrounding area and share in warm fellowship with each other while doing so. We have tasted a lot of international cuisine during the past year, but have not tried my personal favorite, Italian. Stella Pasta Bar and Bakery at Focastle Farms, 166 Kingsley Road in Burnt Hills is our pick for September 29 at noon. New owners emphasize homemade pasta and bread, as well as, locally sourced food in this casual, authentic, Italian restaurant. Stella's comes highly rated (4.7 out of 5) with a welcoming country atmosphere coupled with the well-known and loved Focastle Farm gift store. Please join your friends and make some new ones. Let me know you are coming (overdoo@msn.com) or just show up. Stitch Group Our church PHD Stitch Group meets every Thursday from 10am to Noon in The Mezzanine. Come and finish a project or start a new one. Enjoy good company and conversation. You can work on any project you choose. All are welcome. For more info contact Joan Lindsay

4 Youth Summer is ending and school is about to begin already. We have mailed out our annual youth registration forms along with Kinderwyk and Youth Group information forms. Please return them to the church office so we have up-todate information on all of our church youth. We are planning some fun family activities including a Parent s Nights Out to benefit our Sr. High Youth Group Mission Trip. Our youth can have some fun playing games and doing fun activities together while the parents have a date night or just relax for a couple hours without the kids around! We look forward to seeing all the youth and their families at the Fall Kick-Off potluck dinner on Sunday, September 17 at 6pm. Kids Sunday Morning Schedule 9am Kids Ukulele 10am Come to Worship, Leave for Church School during worship, stay there until 11:15am. 11:15am Children s Music Kids Learn about Communion Sept 24 Daniel Carlson will teach the Children s Preparatory Communion Class on Sunday, September 24 from 11:15-12:15pm in the Walton House. Communion Class is offered to our Third Graders and any older children who are anxious to learn about the Lord s Supper. This class will prepare them to participate in World Communion Day on Sunday October 1. Please contact the church office if you would like your child to participate or if you have any questions. Children, Youth and Family Kick-Off Dinner Sunday September 17 All families with children and youth (birth - 12th grade) are invited to a Fall Kick-Off potluck dinner on Sunday, September 17 at 6pm here at church. Come meet the new staff and leaders, sign up for events, and hear about what we have planned for the year. The older youth group (6th-12th grade) will break off at 6:45pm for our annual photo-scavenger hunt, with the whole evening concluding around 7:30pm. Families with last name A-K please bring a salad/side dish; L-Z please bring a dessert. Church will provide the main courses. If you have any questions, please talk to Pastor Jonathan or Dorothy Linder Mitchell - our new Interim Children s Ministry Director. Children s Music Will meet Sundays after church school in the mezzanine until noon. Children ages 6-18 can join us for singing, ringing chimes, and playing Orff instruments. Chords of Love Our children's ukulele group will meet Sunday mornings at 9am in the mezzanine. Children ages 8-18 are welcome to join us. No experience is needed and we have ukuleles available to try. New Church School Curriculum We will be introducing new curriculum this year for Church School programs. Sarah Bachorik and Dorothy Linder- Mitchell have been researching curricula that will be a great fit for our church. Kinderwyk and Church School Volunteers Needed Come get to know the youth of our church by volunteering in Kinderwyk or Church School as a teacher or an assistant. Our church family is your extended family; support the education of our youngsters. Senior High Youth are encouraged to volunteer too. You just need to be at least 14 years old. All volunteers will be trained and showed the ropes. Fill out your information on the sign-up forms in the Narthex, table by the Dirck Romeyn room, or the church office. Sign up for once a month or a full month at a time. Any questions, contact Dorothy Linder- Mitchell at or 1stReformedEducation@gmail.com.

5 Making Room Progress Report #3 Excavation and pouring foundation for new elevator Removing asbestos and recovering 1 st floor space New door finishes Rotted flooring discovered and replaced in Mohawk House Exposing 3 rd floor ceiling in Poling House Things are proceeding well on our construction. On part of the project, the Mohawk House renovations, should be ready for use and to look at by the church picnic on September 10. Every Tuesday at 8:30am, a meeting of workers, architechts, and about 5 of our members meet to make sure things stay on track and to resolve new problems. We did encounter unanticiapted roof and AC problems quite apart from the renovation project that will cause a $70,000 problem in this year s budget. There are also a number of items that you might be interested in helping with like upgraded patio, upgraded ADA doors and side lift, china for new space, and big kitchen items.

6 Volunteers Needed for Stockade Walkabout Each Stockade Walkabout, First Reformed Church opens its doors to the community. This year s Walkabout is Saturday, September 23. One theme of this year s event is transformation. Even though fewer doors may be open, FRC still has many stories of transformation to share including the history of six church buildings, the founding of Union College and the current building project to serve the future. We are in need of volunteers to greet and share stories in the sanctuary, Dirck Romeyn room, Heritage rooms and Mohawk House. Our stories will answer what was contained in the 1862 cornerstone time capsule and who painted all the history in the Heritage room. If you can participate for 2.5 hours between 11-5pm, please sign-up in Dirck Romeyn or by calling church office. Volunteers will be given talking points so not required to be an expert, just friendly. Questions? Contact Carol DeLaMarter or Laura Lee. The first 10 volunteers to sign up are eligible for free Walkabout tickets. FRC will also have a hospitality room for visitors to enjoy refreshments. Mary Jewett is the contact for this but use sign-up sheet if interested. Support and Care If you are able to occasionally provide a meal for members who are recuperating or who are homebound, please let us know. Contact Kim Burgoyne at or Vickie McGowan-Horan at Where Does This Go? As you may have noticed, there's now three dimensional help in figuring out what goes where when you are done with it. Color coded signage is now affixed to the three distinct bins in the Dirck Romeyn. The big green container is our compost bin; the medium blue container for recyclables, and the place of last resort is a small gray trash bin. In addition, we have a growing cadre of Compo-pros, members of our congregation promoting composting, recycling and responsible disposal of rubbish. They are on hand each such Sunday to assist us in doing what is right. Thanks for doing your part in taking better care for God's creation--and stay tuned for new developments is this area of prioritization in our common life! The Home Furnishings Program NEEDS OF THE MONTH Furniture: small dressers, love seats, coffee & end tables. Furnishings: kitchen towels, medium to large sauce & frying pans small to medium coffee makers, toasters as always: spatulas, can openers, 6 & 8 oz. drinking glasses, and cereal bowls. To donate call Jamie Doriguzzi, Program Director, at to arrange for pick-up or warehouse drop-off of useful items or us at homefurninc@aol.com UPCOMING SALE: Little Italy Festa Sale from 10-3 on Saturday, September 9. Rossi/Ditoro Funeral Home parking lot. SAVE THE DATE: 50 Year Celebration Saturday evening, November 4, at the Renaissance Restaurant Justice Action Council On July 13, 2017, the Capital District Truth Commission on Poverty for New York witnessed testimony from the Capital Region s poor and their allies. Veterans sought health services and work. Criminal histories rendered potential wage earners useless. Citizenship status led to exploitation. Those suffering from debilitating chronic illnesses wondered, Why don t they care if I live or die? The stories of hardship proved how poverty knows no color, no creed, no religion, no political party, no borders and no mercy. Jesus instructed to go the extra mile (Matt. 5: 40), love our enemies and our neighbors (Matt. 5: 43-4), and be surrogate shepherds for his flock (John 21: 16). In light of that, there is only one thing to do something. Even if it is just a little more than you are already doing, wonderful. An extra thank you. Be a mentor or tutor. Listen to the unheard. Speak up. Aid organizations need voices, minds, hand, and feet like yours to uplift the least of these. Let us offer more than what is asked of us (Matt. 5: 41). An accumulation of small increases in compassion will unlock the gates of division and inequity. For more information or to share your perspective visit ttps://kairoscenter.org. Justice Action Council meets regularly before Consistory at 6:30pm on the 2 nd Tuesday of each month. All are welcome. Entered into Eternal Rest Herm Lintner - 7/20/2017 Peter Ten Eyck - 8/6/2017 Elyne Schulte - 8/16/17

7 Creation Celebration & Preservation Retreat at Camp Fowler We are so very excited to be able to offer this interactive, immersive, educational, and inspirational retreat on October at no cost to those who wish to more fully enjoy, explore and protect God's beloved world, our common home! This time away in the Adirondacks is open to singles, couples and families of all ages and stages. Worship in the woods, walk the trails, figure your carbon footprint, care for creation in the kitchen, engage in ecological advocacy, green your home and camp, and more! All meals, lodging (Chi Rho, Pine, Troost), and activities are covered through the budget of the Adult Education and Nurture committee as well as a generous gift of the Tercentenary Fund Committee; whatever contribution retreatants may choose to make will help cover future Creation care practices and programming at Fowler and First. Registration for this event can be found on Fowler's website: See Rev. Carlson, Bill Clock, or Lisa Ettkin, with questions. Don't delay, sign up today, as we expect this retreat, which has attracted our denomination's attention, will soon be fully subscribed. Congregational Roundtable Report On August 20 after worship, about 40 members met to gather thoughts in broad terms about next steps for professional staff and our music program. We sketched the possibilities available with the transition of Rev. Stacey Midge and Julie Panke, to review function and direction for Youth, Outreach and Music ministries. Ideas raised: New position should be filled by a trained Christian Educator with experience. New person should be a woman. We need to know the plan as it is now. Job descriptions will be posted. Salary should attract good candidate. Should have new emphasis on youth and family ministry. A second, more contemporary worship should be added to be more attractive to Youth and younger families. Need to engage the Community with the position. What have we learned from Stacey s ministry, and the experience of Missioners and Covenanters? What have we learned from the rich building project planning that would apply? Bill might retire someday. How should that fit in to our next position? Music Ministry: Corrine Salon will serve as Interim Music Director. Also looking for a director of Bell Choirs. Suggestion that we need music that s fun to sing and rehearsal that accommodates life schedules and level of music. People had mixed ideas about silence in worship, but in prelude and offertory, folks preferred music. Process/Communication: Plan to have congregational meetings like this every two months. There will also be a working committee. Plan to keep conversation open, communicate well, and seek diversity of opinion. Target for next meeting late October. People interested in serving on the staffing committee should contact Dr. Levering. Senior Moments - Dr. Bill Levering What an exciting time to be in this church! In the next year we will have new spaces and new leadership that will fling us into the future with joy and strength. You can be a part of this new movement and I invite you to talk with Daniel Carlson or myself about where you might fit in. Decades from now, you will be able to see your mark on our world in this place. Conflict and chaos in other places getting you down? Jump in where the future is bright. September Preacher Liturgist Reader Theme Forum Vespers at 5pm 3 Bill Levering Daniel Carlson Norm Kuchar Forest No First Forum Nat Phipps, Pete Toigo, Tom D'Andrea 10 Bill Levering Jonathan Vanderbeck Liz Mastrianni Land All Church Fall Picnic Mike Lamkin, solo piano 17 Daniel Carlson Cathy Lewis River Roots & Wisdom Peg Delaney, Bill Delaney, Tom D Andrea 24 Bill Levering Daniel Carlson Christine Daniels Wilderness Records Preservation Laura Lee Dave Gleason, solo piano

8 First Reformed Church 8 North Church Street Schenectady, NY (518) stReformed@gmail.com Address Service Requested Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Albany, NY Permit No. 736 September Birthdays September Timothy Cleworth Allison Tebbano 2 Sarah Collins Virginia Foster Elizabeth Veeder 4 Eric Bachorik Ann DiSarro 5 Donna Bundy Maria Torres 6 Glenn Blinckmann Pamela Silvano 7 Susan Houpt 8 Matt Jones Peggy King 9 Lauren Cannizzo Elaine Springsted 10 Mary Jane Dike Caroline Welch 11 Deborah Dingman Thomas Kiesow 12 Diana Bennett Anne Middleton Liesl Nydegger Dom Santabarbara Michelle Smallwood 13 Joyce Beland Jack Bestgen Adam Kerwin 14 Chris Kuchar 15 Alex Mancuso 17 Cynthia Phillippe Tess Sheremeta 19 Hendrick Arnold 20 Peggy Ridgway 21 Kimberly Burgoyne Jennifer Gallagher Janet Landis Helen McCary 24 Sarah Evans Cherie Gallagher Carol Harvey Jonathan Vanderbeck 25 Emilia Cannizzo Julia Mason Rosemarie Pierce Joanne White 26 Joan Ipsen Austin Nydegger Curtis Robbins 27 David Bundy 28 William Clock Rebecca Williams Thomas Hali 29 Elsie Dotter Richard Restina William Rickard 30 Dale Brown William Collins Eileen Herring Every Sunday Choir Rehearsal, 9am Cord Of Love, 9am Worship, 10am Church School, 10:15am Children s Music, 11:15am Forum, 11:15am Vespers, 5pm Weekly Monday: Men s News Group, 9am Tuesday: Morning Prayer, 10am Horizons Bible Study, 10am Wednesday: Kerygma, 9:30am Adult Ukulele, 7pm Thursday: Bible Bunch, 7:30am Stitch Group, 10am Ensembles, 7pm Chancel Choir, 7:30pm Monthly Support & Care, 1 st Tues., 11:30am Writers Group, 1 st & 3 rd Tues., 7pm Archives, 2 nd Tues., 6pm Tues. Ladies, 3 rd Tue., 7pm Consistory, 2 nd Tues., 7:30pm Archives, 2 nd Wed., 1pm Stephen Ministry, 3 rd Thurs., 7pm Group VII, 3 rd Fri., 11:30am First Friday Performance, 1 st Fri., 7pm New Member Class, 1 st Sun., 3pm (to resume in October) Upcoming Events 1: Avery Presents 4: Office Closed Labor Day 7: Choir Begins 10: Fall All-Church Picnic 12: Committee Meetings 12: Consistory Meeting 13: Archives 13: Contemplative Worship 15: Communityl 15: Group VII 17: Children & Youth Potluck 17: Living History & Family Fun 19: Horizon Bible Study Begins 21: Stephen Ministry 24: Bible Sunday 24: Prep Communion Class 29: Out to Lunch Bunch 28: Prayer Shawl Knitting Group