October 2013 Greenville Church October 2013 Newsletter I love you. John 15:9 Jesus told his friends that he loved them. I ve been hearing that kind of thing more and more lately. In the past, I don t think I heard people say, I love you, as often as I hear it today. These days, I hear people say into their cell phone, I love you. I hear parents say the same to their children in the church parking lot, on the way to Seely Elementary School. In fact, I hear myself say, I love you to family and friends more than ever before. It s good to express our love with words. Without words, we re not sure where we stand. It s easy to jump to wrong conclusions without clearly expressed words. Nighttime Prayer God, I love you with all my heart. Thank you for keeping me safe today. Forgive the wrong and accept the good I have done. Maybe that s why the Bible often refers to giving blessings. Our words have power to build up or tear down. It s important to make use of that power, especially when we want to see our family and friends prosper. We can lift people high with our words. We can create a new, safe place to dwell with carefully chosen comments. Take care of me while I sleep. I encourage you to remember that next time you are in Greenville Church on a Sunday morning and, after the children s sermon, when we say together, You are God s precious child; God is pleased with you! Amen. At Greenville Church, we are raising children in a positive and caring atmosphere of faith. Our children will grow strong and faithful through hearing, year after year, our heart-felt words. Pastor Edward May your grace always be with me and all my loved ones.
A consistory meeting was held on September 14. Dotti Han led opening devotions. Spiritual concerns of the church were considered. Dotti Han gave a treasurer s report. As expected, donations were down during the summer and there was the expense of installing a new heating and air-conditioning system in the manse. Even so, there is optimism that Greenville Church will break even for the full year. There was a discussion on the condition of the lounge and the need for new carpet and furniture The possibility of establishing the church cemetery as an historical landmark is under consideration. More details are needed on the precise terms of landmark status. Rich Freyer is taking photos of church members and friends, and has computer software to format the photos with family information into a directory. A congregation meeting was set for Sunday, October 6, for the purpose of approving new consistory members. The candidates are Muriel Rose, as elder, and Karie Brown, as deacon. A major donation was received for a new columbarium, to be used for the burial of cremains. Tentative design plans are made. Preliminary construction might begin soon. Pastor Edward will be away for two Sundays in November for a trip to Turkey and California. There will be a special program for children on September 29, on the topic of communion in preparation for welcoming children to receive the sacrament on World Communion Sunday, October 6. Closing prayer was said by Fred Philipp. The next meeting will be held on Saturday, October 12, at 9:00 a.m. We will honor our long-term members with a special worship service on Sunday, October 20. Plan ahead to attend. Invite friends of Greenville Church to join us. It will be a day to hear stories of years ago and celebrate the heritage we have at Greenville Church. 2
Church News You are invited to take a walk in the Old Dutch Cemetery of Greenville Church on Sunday, October 6, after the worship service. We will car pool together for a narrated tour. Join us to see tall obelisk monuments and massive granite markers with familiar names like Seely, Underhill and Chatterton, as well as restoration projects ready to be undertaken. The Confirmation Class will meet on Sunday, October 20 from 5:00 6:00 p.m. The topic is Is it a sin to think about sex? The Book Club will meet on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 7:30 at the Manse. Divergent by Veronica Roth will be discussed. All are welcome! Plan ahead to attend an All-Church Retreat on Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27. Enjoy fall colors! Go for a canoe ride. Walk a rope bridge. Take time for renewal. Get close to God and to one another. Contemplative prayer will be held again Thursday, October, at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary. Pastor Edward will lead a liturgy and guided exercise that makes use of silence for prayer. Everyone is welcome to attend, especially those who are not familiar with prayer practices but would like to experience more of God. Thank you to Yasmin Thomas for maintaining the choir robes. Yasmin has systematically taken the robes to be repaired and cleaned. Some zippers were loose, wax was spilled, other spots found, but all was repaired and cleaned. Now the choir is ready for a new year of joyous music. Thank you again, Yasmin! 3
The Scarsdale-Hartsdale Womenʼs Interfaith Council fall luncheon will be held on Oct. 24 at Church of Our Lady of Shkodra. If interested, please contact Joanne Fernandez for tickets. The guest speaker will be Danielle Butin, Executive Director of AFYA Foundation. AFYA means good health in Kiswahili and is a medical supply recovery organization based in Westchester County. AFYA asks recipient hospitals and organizations for their wish list and attempts to match as many items as possible with those available for donation in the NY metropolitan area. Since its inception in late 2007, Afya has shipped 6,000,000 pounds of medical and humanitarian supplies to clinics, hospitals and disaster assistance groups throughout the world. These donated supplies, valued at $26,000,000, have been diverted from landfills and incineration a fascinating topic and organization! The new HVAC system has finally been installed at the Manse. The old system was years beyond its normal life span. We are grateful to Tamera and Edward for their sweat labor in making this happen. Yes, consistory is aware that it is their home, but it is Greenvilleʼs house and our responsibility for such work. Thank you Schreurs! 4
Servant Duties Date Reader Ushers Greeters Coffee Hour Oct 6 P. McCuen N Laird, D. Atkins,J Williams D&K Fitzsimmons Oct 13 R.Freyer K.Brown, V. Webster, G&J Rho DS&JJ Rho G&J Rho Oct 20 R. Freyer F&G Philipps M. Rose Fellowship Comm Oct 27 K.Quinn P.McCuen, D.Read, M. Hanks M. Hanks Church October Birthday s & Anniversaries October 1 Aad Zeeuw October 3 Jaye Freyer October 4 Griffin Rho October 8 Victor Han October 10 Fred Brandi October 14 Janet Williams/Paul Lapierre October 16 Connor Parker October 18 Gisella Philipp October 22 Parker Rho October 23 Edward & Tamera Happy Anniversary October 26 Heidi Krautter October 27 Dan Cecere October 31 Javon Watkins October 31 Dae Sik & Joung Ja Rho Happy Anniversary