The Visitor First Baptist Church, DeWitt Park, Ithaca, NY

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1 A note from Rev. Richard Rose The Visitor First Baptist Church, DeWitt Park, Ithaca, NY October, 2007 Dears Sisters and Brothers, There s something new on the South door of the church. No it s not a new coat of paint or a present from a neighborhood fowl; it s something to really celebrate! Next time you re on your way into the church, pause for a moment to glance at the South door window. There you will see a decal featuring a map of Tompkins County and proudly stating that The First Baptist Church of Ithaca is a Living Wage Certified Employer. Why is this something to celebrate? I m glad you asked. With this distinction, we now join 44 other businesses and organizations in the county, including Loaves and Fishes, St. John s Episcopal Church and St. Luke s Lutheran Church, who are committed to valuing our workers by paying them a Living Wage. For those of you who don t know, a Living Wage is the amount of income and resources (such as health insurance) needed for an individual or family to meet its basic needs without public or private assistance. According to a study done for 2007 by the Alternatives Federal Credit Union, a single individual without children needs $20, for the year ($9.83/hour for a 40-hour week). Without health insurance, a Living Wage would be $11.18/hour (or $23, for the full year). This is based on what it would cost for a person to purchase Healthy New York. For more information, please see: (Thanks to the Tompkins County Workers Center for providing this information and for certifying us as a LWCE). As a church committed to the teachings and love of Jesus, and as members of this community, I believe that we have a responsibility to be leaders in economic and social justice. This designation is one step toward that goal. May God guide our path so that we may discover additional opportunities to enact justice on the journey. Peace be with you, Rich Going to a junkyard is a sobering experience. There you can see the ultimate destination of almost everything we desire. Roger von Oech, Author, Speaker The Visitor Page 1 September 2007

2 New Board of Education Schedule Adult Education October 7 11:30-12:30 The Heart of Christianity, continued October 14 11:30-12:30 NO ADULT ED Board Meetings & Brunch October 21 11:30-12:30 Immigration Issues- Rev. Rich Rose or Dr. Kirsch October 28 11:30 12:30 Immigration Issues- Rev. Rich Rose or Dr. Kirsch Children s Education Activity bags are available for children during our 10:00 a.m. worship service. A children s table is also available in the sanctuary for use after children s time. Toddlers are invited to join in at the Nursery. During the 2 nd Sunday of the month brunch, there will be a special church school table. On all other Sunday s, church school will begin at 11:30 downstairs with snack and continue upstairs with snack, music and story, and continues upstairs with games and activities. Church school ends at 12:30 p.m. Church School News Church school started up with a gathering Round the Table on Sept. 23 rd. We spoke of community as the heart of the church and made ice cream together. Gathering Round the Table will be part of our new schedule for each upcoming Second Sunday Brunch. On Sept. 30 th, like most Sundays, many gathered round the children s table in the sanctuary and in the nursery area. Those at the table built churches as a follow up to last weeks lesson and started on footprints for an upcoming focus on prayer. Afterward, we met downstairs for snack, followed by worship music with Janet Cotraccia. We then opened with light, an offering, and heard parts of the Letter to Timothy about praying in every way for everyone. We are flowing up this week with prayers and a postcard exchange. The church school has also been invited to participate in a combined children s choir singing Get On Board That Train at the Interfaith Music Celebration to be held November 4 th from 3:30-5:30 at the Presbyterian Church. So, you will hear strains of that floating upstairs for the next several weeks. On October 7 th, the church school will be combining with our choir for a processional. We have also been given a set of tone bells to use with our music. Through the end of September, church school will be sharing a pizza snack, more music and then learning more of Timothy and the generosity that God calls us to in our lives. One of our follow up activities will be delivered to the Friendship Center. ***Church School Appeal*** Church school attendance is blossoming! Currently, we have only two teachers committed on a regular basis. We are truly in need of a few more teachers and substitutes. If you are interested in participating or assisting with church school, please contact Lou Carlucci at Thank you. The Visitor Page 2 September 2007

3 Fall Clean-Up October 13 This year, our Fall Clean-Up day will be Saturday, October 13, beginning at 9:00 AM and going until we leave! (Most likely around noon.) Coffee and donuts will be provided by your friendly, considerate, and most grateful trustees. Come one and all to this great team-building activity! If you have noticed any areas of the church that need to be cleaned, we may have missed them and would like to try to put them on our list for that day. Please contact the office and let Beth know of any cleaning concerns you have. Thank you! Inter Faith Music Celebration Congregations of all faith traditions in Ithaca are invited to participate in an Interfaith Music Celebration on Sunday afternoon, November 4. Through the joy of music, this community event will bring us together in unity even as it demonstrates and lifts up our rich diversity. Please circle the date on your calendar and plan to come to the First Presbyterian Church in Ithaca at 3:30 pm for a program that will be followed by a time of fellowship and light supper. This event is for people of all ages and is being sponsored by Area Churches Together and Pastoral Counseling Services. For information, please call Kris Scott. The annual CROPWALK will be held on Sunday, October 14, Registration and entertainment (Vitamin L) begins at 1:30 pm in DeWitt park. The walk begins at 2:00 pm The Visitor Page 3 September 2007

4 Marcus J. Borg will be in Ithaca the weekend of October 12 to 14. Marcus Borg retired this Spring from the Philosophy Department at Oregon State University, where he held the Hundere Chair in Religion and Culture. Internationally known in both academic and church circles as a biblical and Jesus scholar, he is the author of fourteen books, including the best sellers Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time (1994) and The Heart of Christianity (2003). Saturday, October 13 the First Presbyterian Church will sponsor a seminar with 3 lectures by Borg from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The titles are "A Tale of Two Christianities: American Christianity Today," "Telling the Story of Jesus Today," and "God's Passion and Ours." The cost is $25 if postmarked to the Presbyterian Church by October 6. YFOFFI (Young Folks, Old Folks and Folks In-Between) is a musical group that started in The desire was to get the youth involved in and bring alternative spiritual music to our worship services. We play a blend of gospel, blues, and rock. Our musical ideas come from our group members, as well as from members of the congregation. We often write new lyrics for music we like, or vice-versa. YFOFFI comes together as the spirit moves us usually providing 2 or 3 songs for a worship service 3 or 4 times per year. We have a fairly erratic practice schedule which attempts to blend the different schedules and availabilities of our members with those of our church sanctuary practice space; usually 2 or 3 practices on Saturdays/Sundays prior to our performances and some weekday evening sessions for the vocalists. For the last 2 years we have played benefit dances ( sock-hops ) for Katrina disaster relief in Mississippi and building a children s school in Sierra Leone. If you are interested in learning more about YFOFFI or participating in some of our musical offerings, please contact Danny Scott ( ). Peace, Danny Do you have a current address, phone number or address for the individuals listed below? The church has been trying to locate them in order to stay in touch. If you can help, please call the church office at or fbdewitt@verizon.net Thank you for your help! We need an address for: Byron Breese The Visitor Page 4 September 2007

5 Lectionary Readings for October October 7 Lamentations 1:1-6, or Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4~Lamentations 3:19-26 or Psalm 137:1-9 II Timothy 1:1-14~Luke 17:5-10 October 14 Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 or 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c~ Psalm 66:1-12 or Psalm 111 II Timothy 2:8-15 ~ Luke 17:11-19 October 21 Jeremiah 31:27-34 or Genesis 32:22-31~Psalm 119: or Psalm 121 II Timothy 3:14-4:5 ~ Luke 18:1-8 October 28 Joel 2:23-32orSirach 35:12-17or Jeremiah 14:7-10, ~ Psalm 65 or Psalm 84:1-7 2 Timothy 4:6-8, ~ Luke 18:9-14 Join us on October 11 th for a visit and discussion with Daniel Chetti, who serves at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Beirut, Lebanon. Daniel Teaches Theology, coordinates graduate studies and provides administrative assistance to the academic dean. He has also been involved in ministries in a local prison and with the Sudanese Congregation that meets at Fanar Baptist Church. Please join us in welcoming him at 5:15 with a pot-luck dinner, followed by discussion. First Baptist Youth! Here are dates to put on your refrigerator: October 14- October 27- Come walk with our youth CROP walk 1:30 PM Children and their families are welcome to meet the FB youth group at the Iron Kettle Farm from 1-3 PM. November Expect the Unexpected. The American Baptist Youth Convention will be in Liverpool, NY this year. FB youth will be attending. Registration deadline is October 9 th. If you would like to go, please call Tony. November 24- Youth will be accepting used winter clothing for our first annual winter clothing drive. For information about any of these events, please call Tony Cotraccia at The Visitor Page 5 September 2007

6 October 2007 Calendar The following weekly events are not listed in the calendar. If new to these gatherings, please call to confirm dates & times. For New Creation Singers rehearsals (David ) Morning Meditation (Wednesday at 8:15 a.m. (Tony ) Bible Study at 7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsals, Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. and Sundays at 9:30 a.m. (Jennifer ). Tuesday Oct 2 5:30 12 Step Meeting 7:00 Area Churches Together Thursday Oct 4 6:00 Cornell Gender Alliance Friday Oct 5 7:30am PCS Breakfast Saturday Oct 6 1:00 YFOFFI Practice Sunday Oct 7 9:30 Choir Rehearsal 10:00 WORSHIP- Communion- Solidarity Sunday 11:15 Coffee/Fellowship 11:30 Church Classes 1:00 YFOFFI Practice 2;00 Sacred Harp Singers Tuesday Oct 9 5:30 12 Step Meeting Wednesday Oct 10 7:00 Southern Tier Gender Alliance Thursday Oct 11 5:15 Visit with Rev. Daniel Chetti- potluck and discussion 6:00 Cornell Gender Alliance Saturday Oct 13 9:00 FALL CLEAN UP DAY 9:00-3:00 Marcus Borg Lectures- Presbyterian Church 1:00 YFOFFI Practice Sunday Oct 14 9:30 Choir Rehearsal 10:00 WORSHIP-New Creation Singers 11:30 Board Meetings 11:30 Brunch/Church School Round the Table 1:00 YFOFFI Practice-Cancelled 2:00 CROP WALK (Registration and Entertainment in DeWitt 1:30) Tuesday Oct 16 5:30 12 Step Meeting Thursday Oct 18 6:00 Cornell Gender Alliance Saturday Oct 20 1:00 YFOFFI Practice Sunday Oct 21 9:30 Choir Rehearsal 10:00 WORSHIP 11:15 Coffee/Fellowship 11:30 Church Classes 1:00 YFOFFI Practice 2:00 Sacred Harp Singers Tuesday Oct 23 5:30 12 Step Meeting Thursday Oct 25 5:30-7:30 All Boards Meeting 6:00 Cornell Gender Alliance Saturday Oct 27 10:00-7:00 Finger Lakes Community Orchestra Festival 1:00-3:00 Youth Outing at Iron Kettle Farm Sunday Oct 28 9:30 Choir Rehearsal 10:00 WORSHIP- Invite a Friend To Church Sunday 11:15 Coffee/Fellowship 11:30 Church Classes Tuesday Oct 30 5:30 12 Step Meeting The Visitor Page 6 September 2007

7 BRING A FRIEND TO CHURCH SUNDAY OCTOBER 28 Know someone who might like to become a part of the First Baptist family? Have a friend who might be interested in our worship service? Bring them along with you on Sunday, October 28, for "Bring a Friend to Church Sunday." This is an opportunity for us to let others know what we have found at First Baptist. We are hoping to expand our numbers, and to share the warmth and energy we find here. The service will be designed with our visitors in mind, and we will have a special coffee hour following the service. If you have questions about this special event, check with Pastor Rose or any member of the Cabinet. World Mission Conference will be held the weekend of October at the United Church in Canandaigua, NY. It's YOUR chance to rub shoulders with the world as you interact with international guests, conference leaders and ABC missionaries. Information and forms are available through the ABC website at Registration forms and flyers are available at the South door entrance at First Baptist Church. The Visitor Page 7 September 2007

8 The Visitor Non-Profit Organization First Baptist Church U.S. Postage Box 254 PAID Ithaca, New York l485l Permit No. 373 Ithaca, N. Y. l485l { Return Service Requested } Bring A friend to Church Sunday is October 28! Who will you Bring? Kitchen Cupboard News Kitchen Cupboard funds are currently down because use of the Cupboard is up and more supplies need to be bought. Cash donaions go a long way and are much appreciated. Every Tuesday, Tops gives away a free item to Senior Citizens. These make excellent donations to the Cupboard if you do not need them. CROP Walk would like a few people to help as crossing guards for the walkers on Oct. 14 th at 1:30 p.m. for about 2 hours. Please contact Danny Scott or Amanda Ufford if you can help. Please provide items for Sunday bulletins no later than the Tuesday prior to the Sunday you wish to have them included. The deadline for items for the Visitor Newsletter is the 15 th of the month. If items are not received by this time, we cannot guarantee that they will be included. Thank you The Visitor Page 8 September 2007