epistle 2009 05

8/14/2019 Epistle 2009 05

1/10

THE EPISTLEVolume 14 Issue 5 MAY 28, 2009

NEXT EPISTLE DEADLINE 3 PM JUNE 18, 2009

CHURCH SCHOOL PARENTS

As we conclude another Church School year and look forward tothe beginning of the fall program, we invite all Church School parentsto gather with Pastor Cedarleaf and Karen Hamill. We want to makesure that we as a congregation do all we can to help parents fulfill thepromises they made at their childs baptism: to grow with this childin the Christian faith, to help this child to be a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ by celebrating Christs presence, by fur-thering Christs mission in all the world, and by offering the nur-ture of the Christian Church, so that he/she may affirm their bap-

tism. This meeting will be offered twice: Sunday June 21 following

worship and Wednesday June 24 at 7:00 PM. Both sessions will beheld in the Snow Room.

8/14/2019 Epistle 2009 05

2/10

2

PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE

Here and There I mentioned in a note to church school parents that May is the new June. It used to be

that we could count on programs continuing through June. Now we conclude church school inMay. Frankly, the problem is that there are too many things going on. This can be frustrating aswe try and schedule things at this time of year. Maybe it is because we live in a place where thewinters are cold and sometimes dreary and as soon as the sun comes out and the temperaturesrise we want to be outside. Just remember that we still gather for worship each Sunday, twelvemonths a year.

Our annual program meeting was held on May 17 and we elected new officers, boardand committee members. I want to thank all those who have served our church over the pastyears. Many are continuing in leadership positions, while, at the same time, we welcome newfaces. Hank Ralston has served two years as Moderator and now Crista Deniz takes over. Ed

McGrattan, former Trustee chair becomes our Assistant Moderator and Jim Franzen once againbecomes Chair of the Board of Trustees. Jerry Thompson becomes Chair of the Board of Dea-cons, but Roger James, former Chair continues on the board. Jim Dudley continues as Treas-urer. Im looking forward to working with all our leadership new and old in this our 185 th anni-versary year.

Weve also transitioned in our ministry of Christian Education as Kelly has retiredand Karen has become our Director of Christian Education and Family Ministry. Weve beenfortunate to have such dedicated leadership in this area and are grateful that it will continue inthe years ahead. Plans are well underway for the fall, even as our youth prepare for their mis-sion trip this summer to West Virginia. We have a committed group of youth and they are a realblessing to us as a congregation. What a joy to see these young people blossom in their faith.

As we move forward in our anniversary year, I continue to feel blessed to be your pas-tor. Weve a story to tell to those who are seeking a church family that cares for one anotherand seeks to live out its faith in word and deed. How might we tell that story in our communityand in its telling invite others to become part of this church family?

What do we have to offer those who are seeking a church home? Let me suggest thatone of the things we have to offer is a community that reflects joyfully and thoughtfully on itsfaith; a community that is not afraid to ask questions, and yes, even to express doubts. When wegather for Bible study, adult education and in many other settings, we seek to make real thephrase used by the early church father, St. Anselm: Faith seeking understanding.

Do you know someone who is searching in his or her faith? Invite them to share lifewith us. Remind them that wherever they are on lifes journey they are welcome here.

Your pastor,

John

8/14/2019 Epistle 2009 05

3/10

3

June 7: Trinity Sunday

Celebration of Holy CommunionSudan Celebration Sunday

Salve Dot from Water for Sudan will be with us to accept our check for the well

Isaiah 6:1-8; Romans 8:12-17; John 3:1-17

June 14: Graduate Recognition Sunday

We will honor our high school graduates

Ezekiel 17:22-24; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17; Mark 4:26-34

June 21:New Member Sunday

New members will be received into our community of faith

Job 38:1-11; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41

June 28:

Lamentations 3:22-33; 2 Corinthians 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43

WORSHIP DURING THE MONTH OF JUNESunday Worship at 9:30 AM

Fellowship Time and Christian Education follow

First Congregational United Church of Christ26 East Church Street Fairport NY 14450

8/14/2019 Epistle 2009 05

4/10

4

Mid-Week Class! The Shack-Bible Study Series

Have you read The Shack by William P. Young? So many people have ex-pressed an interest in discussing the theological issues raised in this book, that we willbe offering a four-week Bible study based on these issues.

Issues to be studied include:Revelation How DOES God reveal Himself?

Is Jesus the ONLY way to Heaven?The Trinity Understanding the mysterious 3 in 1Forgiveness Is this always possible?And more!

These Bible-based discussions will be held on May 13, 20, 27 and June 3 bothat 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. in the Snow Room. We hope you join us!

Sunday Mornings Summer Adult education classes will be on summer recess from

May 17 Sept. 13. Classes will resume on Sept. 20.


8/14/2019 Epistle 2009 05

5/10

5

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS:

Martha Bowman, St. Johns Home

Barbara Cobb, Fairport Baptist Home

Louise Deller, Aaron Manor

Barbara Eaton, Perinton Park Manor

Our condolences are extended toKenneth Harris on the recent death of his son,

Kenneth Harris, Jr. He passed away on Friday,April 17, 2009. A funeral service was held forhim in Atlanta, GA, and a memorial servicewas held for him in Fairport on May 9, 2009.Pastor Cedarleaf officiated.

Our Christian sympathy is extended toBeverly and Chic Gray on the recent death of Ella Mae Whitmore, Beverlys mother. Shepassed away on May 15, 2009 in Ohio.

THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone for theirthoughts, prayers, flowers and cards concerningmy recent back surgery.

Thank you.Barbara Connelly

CONGRATULATIONSON THE NEW ARRI-

VAL!Don and Donna Maxwell welcome a newson, Peyton Robert , born on April 4,

2009. He is also the brother of Holly andKayla. His baptism. officiated by PastorCedarleaf, will be at our church on May24, 2009.

MANY THANKS...

Many thanks to my First Church

family for your kind words, gifts and thewonderful coffee hour this past Sunday,May 10. It has been my pleasure to work as a First Church staff member with somany kind and caring folks over the past15 years. How blessed I've been! And, itwill continue to be my pleasure to work with you as a volunteer in the years tocome.

With a grateful heart,

Kelly Weidman

8/14/2019 Epistle 2009 05

6/10

6

Canal Days Parking The weather is nice, the sun is shining, and

its almost our favorite Fairport weekend Canal Days! The youth group will again beraising money for the Mission Trip with Canal

Days parking at our church. Parking is stillonly $5! We appreciate your support of thisfundraiser. (Dont worry we wont charge

for parking during church!) Please contactBrian Sherry at 425-7336 if you have anyquestions.

EVENING CIRCLEThe Evening Circle will meet on June 8,

2009 at Janice Coon's home for ourSpring Picnic. Time will be 6:30PM. Please bring a picnic dish to shareand your table service. We will be tour-ing Janice's beautiful gardens, before orafter dinner. Please come and join us forthis exciting event. This will be our lastgathering until fall. Call Judy Baxter orCathy Steffen if you have any questions.

"ADVANCE NOTICE -- Mark your calendars now for ournext sittings for our

185th Anniversary Picture Directory!

LifeTouch will be taking pictures on the following datesat the Church:

Wednesday, September 30, 2009 2:30pm - 9:00pmThursday, October 1, 2009 2:30pm - 9:00pmFriday, October 2, 2009 2:30pm - 9:00pm

Saturday, October 3, 2009 9:30am - 4:00pmIf you would like to help coordinate this great opportunity

to Celebrate our families from First Congregations UnitedChurch, please see Maureen Campolieto or WhetherlyGharzouzi for more information and find out ways you canhelp make this a success.'


8/14/2019 Epistle 2009 05

7/10

7

FAIRPORT COMMUNITY VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!

**Registration HAS STARTED!!**

FCVBS will be held from August 10 through August 14 . Registration and volun-teer forms ARE NOW AVAIABLE available at your church! Teen and adult volun-teers are needed! Examples of jobs we need filled are classroom teachers andhelpers, musicians, recreation crew, and crossing guards. We truly have a job foreveryone!

FCVBS still needs YOUR help to fill a few necessary leadership positions! a music

leader (someone excited about sharing Gods music with youth during the VBS)and a missions director (someone interested in setting the mission focus ofFCVBS 09 and presenting the mission to youth during VBS).

Fairport Community Vacation Bible School is a fun-filled week of music, games,crafts, spending time with old friends, and meeting new friends! Children from age3 to entering 7th grade are welcome to come spend five exciting mornings in

SON-ROCK KIDS CAMP! Come ex-perience Gods love in action!

Please contact Heather Moore byemail [email protected] , or byphone at (585) 259-0122 to get in-volved with this wonderful ministry!

8/14/2019 Epistle 2009 05

8/10

8

June 5-7 Canal Days Parking We Need Your Help!

Everyone going on the Mission Trip should sign up to work at Canal Days

Parking on June 5-7 . This is our biggest Mission Trip fundraiser of the year. We

have five shifts available: Friday evening, Saturday & Sunday mornings, and Sat-

urday & Sunday afternoons. It will be a lot of fun. The sign up sheets are posted

on the Youth Group bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. Please contact Brian

Sherry (425-7336) if you have any questions.

JYF/SYF NEW SYF/SYF NEW S

June 14Graduation Sunday

Come congratulate and share your good wishes withour graduating seniors

Brian DeLong

Courtney GoodrichJustin MatzLoreal PrystajAlex ReidEvan TieslinkHillary Tieslink


8/14/2019 Epistle 2009 05

9/10

9

Family Newsamily News

August 10 August 14 Fairport Community Vacation Bible School

Dont miss the fun of this multi-denominational, community-based Bible school! Thisprogram brings the message of Gods love to children age 4 7 th grade. The daily program in-cludes Bible lessons, crafts, music, mission projects, skits, snacks, recreation and more.

The program is run entirely by volunteers from area churches, representing many differ-ent Christian denominations. Nursery care and a 3-year old class are available for children of our volunteer staff.

Due to the size of the program, FCVBS cannot be housed by one church alone. Thechurches used are within walking distance of each other, centered around the four corners inFairport. This year, classrooms are located at Fairport United Methodist Church, BethlehemLutheran Church, First Baptist Church and First Congregational United Church of Christ.

The cost is $20 per participant ($50 max. per family). You can pick up a registrationform off the easel at the back door of our church, or at other participating churches. Registra-tion closes on June 30.

For more information or to volunteer, contact director Heather Moore at 585-259-0122or email at [email protected] .

*****CHURCH SCHOOL CLASSES WILL BE ON SUM-

MER RECESS FROM MAY 17 SEPTEMBER 20.

CHILDRENS CHAPEL WILL BE OFFERED ALL SUMMER .*****

8/14/2019 Epistle 2009 05

10/10

10


ADVENT HOUSE

GARAGE SALEDonations are now being accepted for the annual Advent House Garage Sale. We ac-

cept household items and furniture in good condition. New for 2009: No TVs or Infant CarSeats. Please: No computers, clothing, sofabeds, mattresses, large appliances, tires, books(except cookbooks and children's books).

Please drop off your donated items between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. from Tuesday to Satur-day each week until August 15th at the Advent House garage located at 1010 Moseley Road,Fairport.

We are also in need of volunteers to help sort items and work at the sale---please call

223-6112 to volunteer. Thank you for all you do as a congregation to support our Home!

MEALS ON WHEELS NEEDS YOU!Meals-On-Wheels is looking for volunteers to deliver hot, nutritious meals to elderly

and homebound individuals this summer. Newly retired? Looking for a family volunteer ac-tivity?

Routes are available in all areas of Rochester and Monroe County and delivery takesabout an hour or so at lunchtime. You can volunteer either weekly, monthly or seasonallyschedules are flexible. To join Meals On Wheels team call 787-8326 for more information.

Celebrating 50 Years of Service1958-2008

HAVE FUN AT DARIEN LAKE AND HELP SAFE JOURNEY!

Purchase a Spring Spin ticket to Darien Lake Theme Park Resort for only $19.95(normal ticket price is $35.99) and get 2 visits to the park this season. Thats 2 visits to Darienfor almost half the price of one normal ticket! Your first visit to Darien Lake has to be on May29th, 30th or 31st, the second visit can be anytime between September 12th - October 18th.Check out Darien Lakes rides and attractions at www.godarienlake.com ! Safe Journey willearn $5 for each ticket sold, so get your friends and family and enjoy a great day out at DarienLake. Call our office to purchase your tickets today, 585-425-1580!

epistle 2009 05

Documents