of St. Paul s United Church of Christ, Village of Attica ADVENT - 2011 Advent the four weeks before Christmas is a time of preparation, a time of anticipation of the coming of the Christ Child. The poet Christina Rossetti, poses an interesting question for each of us to consider in her poem entitled The Gift. What can I give Him, Poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would give him a lamb, If I were a wise man, I would do my part --- But what can I give him Give Him my heart! I would encourage you to be part of our Advent worship services, which hopefully will help you prepare for Christ s birth, and what that means to us as 21 st century Christians. Our Annual Choir Festival service will be the afternoon of December 4. Join us and get into the festive spirit! May this season of our church year bring you special blessings! Pastor Judy Excerpts from The Christmas Fund Offering Guide, 2011 For 109 years, the Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund has been a means by which we - as members of the UCC and its predecessor denominations reflect the light of God in the world, individually and in community. The Christmas Fund, one of four Special Mission Offerings received annually in the UCC, is a beacon of light for many who have served, and who continue to serve, our church....christmas Thank You Gift Checks were sent to approximately 900 persons in 2010. Of those who received checks, 20 are over 100 years of age. The oldest person is 107. One person has received Christmas checks continuously since 1976. The 900 gifts total $270,000. SEARCH COMMITTEE Our church profile has been completed and is being reviewed by Marna Pritchard, our area representative. Once she gives her final approval, the New York Conference will begin to send it out to interested candidates. We will also begin to receive profiles over the next several months from people that are potentially interested in coming to lead our church. We have reached a milestone in this process and I want to personally thank the members of the search committee for their hard work and ability to work as a cohesive team. We have made great progress. Please continue to pray for the Church and for the Search Committee as we move forward. ~Justin Kipfer, Chair
Christian Education Committee November 13, 2011 Members Present: Tamara Storch, Marilyn Wilson, Susan McPherson, Tina Harding, Lynda Farnsworth Unicef Boxes The kids collected $90.22 for Unicef. Susan will wait another week and then write a check to Unicef. Basket Raffle We raised $463 on the basket raffle. Thank you for all your contributions and support, it was greatly appreciated! Advent Workshop November 20 th After church there will be a pot luck brunch downstairs and the kids will be making ornaments for the Christmas tree. Each Confirmation student will be in charge of creating a different ornament. Susan will be here early to set up and make sure the ornament stations are all set up. Jesus Birthday Party December 18 th The children will be having a birthday party for Jesus during Sunday School on Dec. 18 th. We will be decorating cut-out cookies and watching the story of Christmas. Each committee member will bring the following items: Lynda & Tamara Cookies Tina Frosting and Sprinkles Marilyn Milk Susan Plates, cups, and tablecloth New Committee Member We need to find 2 new committee members who would like to join Christian Education. Lynda and Marilyn s term is up at the end of the year. A few people have expressed an interest and we will confirm it with them. Next Meeting January 8 th (after worship) Minutes from November 2011 Relay for Life meeting November 6, 2011. Co-Captain updated everyone on the new policy this year. Each person that registers for the 2012 Relay for Life per the national organization for Relay has been asked to raise $100 per person. We are locked in for selling lap beads and Ruth Hopfinger and her girls have volunteered to head this up and work. Need to check if this can be done in the same manner as previous years. We discussed fundraising. Asking for different ideas this year, beside the fish fry and chicken bbq. Coffee hour that was held previously after church, we raised $8.85. We discussed bake sale at the sauerkraut dinner. Any type of baked good or candy would be good ideas for anyone willing to donate items. Please have them wrapped. Susan & Chris will set up. Mary and Chris will sell early and Susan and Ruth will be available also for cleanup. Other ideas that were brought up were: Applebee s - pancake breakfast, Burger King - delectable dollars, Attica Hotel - spaghetti dinner, Susan mentioned feathers for your hair at a local beautician. We are open to any other ideas that anyone might have. Need volunteers to step forward and chair/head each fundraiser. Need someone to take care of the advertising of our fundraiser's as well as Luminaries for our team. Discussed our upcoming fish fry. Dates were talked about. It was decided to do February 3rd, from 3 to 6 pm. Laurie will call Mr. Krolick and set up dates. We talked about sides with the dinner. coleslaw and pasta salad, mac or potato salad and french fries. Discussed tickets, how many we need to sell. It was decided that we each need to sell 8 tickets. Chris Kipfer will take care of the printing and Lisa Neary will do the tracking for the fish fry. Chicken BBQ - dates were tossed around. It was left that Laurie will check with the Methodist church and make sure dates are not the same. We are looking into the month of May. Possibly the Thursday, May 24th before Memorial Day. Memorial Day parade was discussed. Was a good idea from last year so we will be walking in the Attica parade. Paint the town purple - we would like to do this, date when this takes place to come. Discussed advertising in the Attica penny saver. Getting our meeting put on the community page so if more people outside of the church would like to come it would be available for the public. Our next meeting will be December 4th after church. FYI: sales from bake sale at sauerkraut supper we raised $89.55. With the left overs sold after church on the 13th, raised $43.50 with a total from this fundraiser of $133.05 The website address is www.relayforlife.org/wyomingcountyny
October 30th November 6th November 13th November 20th Prayer families Tamara Storch, Laurie Bellucci Dorothy Van Valkenburg Robert Mitzel Sarah, Jake & Chance Watkins Nicole Brazis Rev. Dr. Jay Ebersole, The Brandons Diane Doell Betty Watson Dorothy VanValkenburg Muriel Willard...and others who are physically unable to join us. Why not call or visit, to let them know they are missed? 2011 CHRISTMAS FLOWERS POINSETTIAS Red Marble $9.00 Mark your choice below and include payment IN HONOR OF: IN MEMORY OF: NAME: DEADLINE TO ORDER FLOWERS: Order flowers by to ensure requests: December 11 th Please make all checks payable to: Dorothy Kellogg Bible Study Mondays @ 7pm @ Bev Myers home, 2659 Buffalo RD, 591-3009 Lisa Knerr, Coordinator 716-652-4662 or lr.knerr@gmail.com Wednesdays @ 10 am @ St. Paul s Charles Williman, Coordinator 591-1201 or cwilliman@rochester.rr.com Deacons November 17th Meeting was called to order at 6:56pm. Members present: Tracy, Laurie, Joanne, Diane, Peggy, Chris & Pastor Judy. Pastor Judy opened with prayer. Old Business: ~Membership Letter Letters were sent; we have received some verbal responses, no return letters. ~Picture Directory set up will be done after Dec. 12th New Business: ~Candle Light Memorial Service Rev. Williman & Pastor Judy will both take part in the service ~Christmas Hanging of the greens service will be Sun. 11/27, the first Sunday of advent. ~Announcements received some feedback on the changes made; continue to encourage announcements to be turned in for printing in the bulletin or be given to the lay reader ~Other Search committee would like the following to be a regular part of communion services: No matter where you are on life s journey, you are welcome at the Lord s table. Deacons will step to the sides when wine is being blessed so the congregation can see Pastor Judy. Communion will NOT be served on Christmas Eve, but will be served on Christmas Day. Sunday bulletins will be mailed to our shut ins. Reminder that there is to be no selling of any kind prior to worship. Tables should not be set up until after church is over. Pastor Judy will work on setting up a lay reader training after the holidays. Meeting adjourned at 7:52PM Next meeting will be Thursday December 22nd at 6:30pm at Laurie s house. Respectfully submitted, Christine Kipfer, Deacon Secretary
Sisters in Faith November 10, 2011 Began meeting with the attached devotional given by Lisa Neary. Christmas caroling will be Sunday December 18th. Meet at church at 4:30 for pot luck dinner and leave by 5:30 for caroling. If there is someone that you would like us to visit, please leave their name and address in the church newsletter box or email it to the church by the 16th. Be sure to mention that you would like to carolers to visit that person. Brainstormed ideas for a description of our group on the new church website. Created 7 groups of greeting cards for the shut in baskets. Next meeting will be January 12th at 6:30pm. We will be creating take home bags for Little Dresses for Africa. If you would like to help make the dresses, but aren t able join us for a meeting, these bags will be available, with directions after our January meeting. ' A Picture of Peace ' There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked and he had to choose between them. One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror, for peaceful towering mountains were all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace. The other picture had mountains too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell and in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all. But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest... perfect peace. Website Naming We are in the process of redoing our website and need your help coming up with a new name. We re looking for something catchy & easy to remember that represents our church. Please place any ideas in the newsletter box for council to review. We would to launch the new website at the first of the new year! Which picture do you think won the prize? The King chose the second picture. Do you know why? "Because," explained the King, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace." and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus Philippians 4:7 Peace be with you this and every day Author: Unknown http://www.devotions.co.uk/peace.shtml Congratulations go out to Kathleen Nolan on a job well don't in the Seussical Jr. play at Alexander Elementary the first weekend in November. As the lion & a fish, Kathleen joined other 4th-6th graders to put on this play. They did a fantastic job!
COUNCIL MEETING November 17, 2011 Meeting was called to order by President Laurie Bellucci at 7:55PM, We began with the following spiritual question: If you had a magic spoon, what would you like to spoon into you life or out of your life? PRESENT: Deacons-Joanne, Laurie, Diane, Tracy, Peggy, & Chris Trustees-Jeff, Steve, Dorothy, & Jeremie Also Present Pastor Judy, Treasurer Susan McPherson Agenda was reviewed and accepted on a motion by Joanne, seconded by Peggy Treasurer s Report Questions from Susan: What mission is the $2200 from last month going into Churches Wider Mission. Where is the money for Pastor s Discretionary Fund going? We discussed this and answered. Insurance Steve met with the representative from Church Mutual Insurance. The premiums will be $5,098 per year guaranteed for 3 years, this is about $500 less per year than our current premium. Deductible is the same, but liability coverage will increase. Rep. needs articles of incorporation or how we are registered with the state. Search Committee Report: Would like quarterly meetings to be held with council president, & all committee chairs when we have a new pastor ~Suggest a review of new pastor after 3 months and then annually after that~ council expanded and suggested quarterly for first year and then annually ~committee needs to be set up to write up a job description for the pastor position~ Pastor Judy suggested this be done for all positions within our church; we will set up a committee to do this in January ~Profile is completed and ready for review Deacon s Report Given Pastor s Report Given President's Report ~Letter needs to be sent to Bill Stedman terminating the website as of Dec. 30th; needs to be signed by president & vice-president OLD BUSINESS Website Is just about ready; will review at December meeting for suggestion and then publish it on the web. No suggestions for names have been received! Facebook Is active. Nominating Committee- All positions have been filled. Nominations will be read during announcements for two weeks prior to the annual meeting. Next meeting: December 22nd @ 7:00pm at Laurie s house, bring a snack to share. Reading of minutes. Motion by Dorothy to accept the minutes, Peggy seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:20pm with reciting the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted by Chris Kipfer, Deacon Secretary Please make sure all newsletter submissions are in by this date, in the box outside or e-mailed to: we5kipfers@localnet.com OR stpaulunited@verizon.net Many years ago we had a pastors discretionary fund that has since disappeared. We will be resuming this fund and will start with an initial amount of $300. If you feel called to support this very important fund, donations can be placed in with the offering specially marked pastor s discretionary fund.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 4 10a Worship & communion Coffee hour, Relay for Life 2p Festival of Choirs Justin Staerr Lorraine Wolf 11 10a Worship Sarah Smith 18 10a Worship 4:30p Pot Luck & Caroling 25 10a Worship & communion Christmas Program 5 7p Bible Study 12 6p Boy Scouts all rooms 7p Bible Study 19 7p Bible Study @ church Diane Brown 26 7p Bible Study Brandon Pope December 2011 6 6p Bells 7:15p Choir Dorothy VanValkenburg Michael West 13 6p Bells 7:15p Choir Girl Scouts 20 6p Bells 7:15p Choir Pat Nolan Nikolas Storch 27 6p Bells 7:15p Choir 7 10a Bible Study 11a Women s Fellowship 14 10a Bible Study 21 10a Bible Study 6p Boy Scouts dining rm. 28 10a Bible Study Rebecca Hopfinger 1 George Knab 8 9 15 Randi Prusak 22 11a Preschool program 6:30p Deacons 7p Council Hans Moeller 29 30 2 3 Lynne Jacoby Denis Turton Sr. Megan (Miller) Simonsen 10 16 17 23 11a Preschool program Martha Mengs Jean & Ralph Wirth 24 11p Christmas Eve Service Nicholas Anderson 31
Checking account balance as of October 31, 2011 $47,335.17
St. Paul s United Church of Christ 11 Washington Street Attica, NY 14011 of St. Paul s United Church of Christ, Village of Attica St. Paul s UCC, 11 Washington Street Just around the corner, first block down Main Street Join us for Sunday Worship at 10:00 am Sunday School for children K-7th Grade - Nursery always open! No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey, you are welcome at St. Paul s. Interim Pastor, Judith A. Berges Call the church at (585-591-2705), stpaulunited@verizon.net Website: stpaulsuccattica.org December dates to remember 4th worship & communion, coffee hour, relay for life mtg., choir festival 18th caroling with Sisters in Faith 24th Christmas Eve Service 25th-Christmas Day, Children s program