september 2011 epistle

8/3/2019 September 2011 Epistle

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THE EPISTLEVolume 16 Issue 8 SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

he town of Perinton will celebrate its 200 thanniversary next year and a number of activities are planned.

The faith communities of Perinton have been making plans as part of the larger celebration. As the firstchurch organized in the town, we have been a part of this planning process. Pat May, Toni Thompson and

Pastor Cedarleaf have attended meetings and been involved in making plans for celebrating this importantanniversary.

At the present time two events are scheduled. The first will be an interfaith service entitled Celebrating OurFaith Communities. This will be held on Sunday July 1 from 2-3:30 pm at the Center Park amphitheatre and willinclude prayers, readings and music from the various faith communities. A massed choir will also be involved.The second event will be held on Sunday July 8. It will be a Holy Hunt. This scavenger hunt will focus on ourhouses of worship. Each participating church will also have available material which introduces themselves to theguests who come. This event will be held from approximately 1-3 PM

Do you feel that you would like to contribute by being a host on July 8 or how about singing in the massedchoir? Speak to Pat, Toni or John.

or many September marks the beginning of the church year. Ofcourse we know that the real church year begins with the FirstSunday of Advent, this year November 27. Still, the program year

gets started in September when Christian Education classes resume andfolks come back to church after enjoying a more relaxed summer.

As we begin anew this month, there are some changes to note.After much discussion, we have decided to go back to the schedule we oncehad as far as Christian Education goes. Children and young people willattend classes during the worship service, following the childrens message.The senior high class will not meet on the first Sunday of the month so that

they might join the rest of us when we celebrate Holy Communion. Ofcourse they might also attend worship on the first Saturday at the 5:00 PMservice, which will also include Holy Communion.

Let make it clear that the reason this was chosen was purely practical. The reality was that often familiesdid not stay for Church School following worship. It is not an ideal format, but it is what we have to do at thisparticular time. I wont go over what we all know about Sundays, what with various other activities etc. This isthe reality and we are seeking to deal with the reality. At the same time, Im disappointed that those who teachChurch School miss worship on a consistent basis and that children and young people are absent for the majorityof our worship service. I still firmly believe that worship is for the whole family of God as is education.

T

F


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This month also marks a new emphasis on welcoming in our church family. All of us are committed to beingan open and welcoming community of faith. Your membership committee has a new program of welcomers atworship. These folks are not ushers, but rather focused on seeking out visitors and making them feel welcome (aswe all should do!) We have a new visitor center in Fellowship Hall with a computer that will allow visitors toaccess our web site and the information it holds. Remember you dont have to be an official welcomer to offer a

word of welcome to folks who might visit us.Finally, a reminder that a congregation like ours needs each and every member to pitch in and do what needs to

be done. This means more than serving on boards or committees, important as these are. It also meansvolunteering to be a nursery worker, teach a rotation for Church School, host a fellowship time and the list goeson. We are not a mega church which provides services to those who walk through its doors. We are, rather, acommunity of faith, the Body of Christ, which seeks to witness to the work and word of Jesus Christ as best weare able and which seeks, as we say on the front of our bulletin, to be the people of Christ here and now. Inorder to do this we all need to do what needs to be done.

See you in worship,

John

WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

We resume our Saturday Live worship services onSaturday October 1 at 5:00 PM in the sanctuary. These informalservices of word, sacrament and music offer an opportunity tothose who may not be available for worship on Sunday. They arealso a good way of introducing the church to friends who be

looking for a church home.Mark your calendars now for the first and third Saturdays

of the month at 5:00 PM. Of course, there is nothing that says thatyou cant attend both Saturday and Sunday! The first Saturdayservice will always include the Lords Supper.

NEW MEMBER SUNDAY SET FOR OCTOBER 30TH

On Sunday October 30, we will welcome new members into our congregation. October 30 is ReformationSunday, the day when we celebrate the special gifts of the Protestant reformers to the whole Christian Church. Itis appropriate to welcome new members into the faith and family of Jesus Christ which we call FirstCongregational United Church of Christ.

If you are interested in becoming a member of First Church by letter of transfer or re-affirmation of faithwe would love to have you. Please call, speak to or e-mail pastor Cedarleaf: [email protected], to let himknow of your interest.


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SUNDAY WORSHIP9:30 AM Sunday

5:00 PM, First and Third Saturdays

September 18Jonah 3:10-4:11; Matthew 20:1-16

Economics of Grace

September 25Exodus 17:1-7; Matthew 21:23-32

My Two Sons

October 2-World Communion SundayI Chronicles 16:23-34; Acts 2:42-47; John 10:11-18

One and Many

October 9Matthew 22:1-14An Invitation

October 16-Laity SundayTim Tindall preaching

October 23

Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18; Matthew 22:34-46Sum it up

October 30-Reformation Sunday

Jeremiah 31:31-34; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36Pilates Question

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION & FAMILY NEWS

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CLASSES BEGIN

SEPTEMBER 18TH

CE classes for pre-K through senior high will be held during the

worship service (aprox. 9:45 - 10:40am). Children will join the adults inworship and be dismissed to their classes after the pastor's "children'smessage". Pre-school students through 5th graders will be in ourrotation program. Look at the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall each

week (near the sanctuary entrance) to see which room your child will be assigned to that day. Junior High students will meetin the second floor classroom near the CE office. Senior High students will meet in the basement classroom.Topics being covered in the classes are: The Lords Prayer for rotation students, the 10 commandments in junior high and"Backstage Pass to the Bible" in senior high.


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UNDIE SUNDAYWhen: Sunday, October 2

Where: Collection Bin in Fellowship HallBring: UNDERWEAR (Childrens small & medium sizes for boys and girls 5-6) Also needed are hats,

socks, warm gloves, jackets and sweatpants (size small).Donations will go to the kids at School #33 in Rochester

WORLD COMMUNION IS OCTOBER 2ND

In observance of World Communion Sunday, the rotation classes will be learning or reviewing the sacrament of

communion. They will also be joining the congregation and people the world over in celebrating the Lords Supper.

WEDNESDAY ADULT BIBLE STUDYPlease join us again this year for Wednesday morning Bible study which meets in the Snow Room from 11am - noon. The

study is followed by a brief communion service.

COMING UP IN THE ADULT FORUMThe adult forum will continue to meet Sundays from approximately 10:45-11:45 in the Snow Room. Here is theschedule through October:September 18: Back to Basics: The Church and the United Church of Christ.September 25: Back to Basics: The Church and First Congregational Church.October 2: Donna Ecker, Executive Director, Bethany HouseOctober 9: Rob Bell video and discussionOctober 16: The Christian and War: OverviewOctober 23: The Christian and War: PacifismOctober 30: The Christian and War: Just WarPick up a cup of coffee or tea and join us in the Snow Room.


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COMMITTEES AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

BOARD OF FAMILY MINISTRIES EVENTS

FALL FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT!The movie "Rio" will be shown in Upper Fellowship Hall on Friday October 21 at 7:15 PM. Drinks, popcorn and candy will

be provided. Kids are invited to wear their pajamas and bring a pillow! Friends are welcome!

LONG ACRE FARM VISIT-OCTOBER 16TH

Families are invited to Long Acre Farm on Sunday October 16 from 1-5pm for some fun on the farm! Admission is $4 per

person which includes the corn maze, a hayride, the cow train ride and the "Back 40" which includes a number of attractions.This event is subsidized by the Board of family Ministry and is based on the purchase of 20 tickets or more. If you are

interested please sign up on the family events bulletin board in Fellowship Hall

THE RACE TO NOWHEREFeaturing the heartbreaking stories of young people across the country who have been pushed to the brink educations

who are burned out and worried that students arent developing the skills they need, and parents who are trying to do whatsbest for their kids,Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic in our schools: cheating has become commonplace, studentshave become disengaged, stress-related illness, depression and burnout are rampant, and young people arrive at college and

workplace unprepared and uninspired.Race to Nowhere is a call to mobilizefamilies, educators and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to

best prepare the youth of America. The Eastside Youthworkers are presenting this film on October 2 at the Burgundy BaskinInn from 6-9 PM. Advance tickets are $7, tickets at the door are $10. For advance tickets contact Karen Hamill at 746-9275

or sign up in Fellowship Hall.

FELLOWSHIP TIME HOSTS NEEDEDOne of the things that helps to strengthen our community is the opportunity to come together following worship. We do thisat what we sometimes call coffee hour, although you can also have tea and it doesnt last an hour. If this is an importantpart of our common life, then please step up and sign up to host a fellowship time. The process is simple and the rewardsgreat. You dont need to provide food. Coffee, tea and lemonade mix for the children is provided. Sign up now on themoveable bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.

SAFE JOURNEYS OCTOBER EVENTSOctober is domestic violence awareness month and to mark the occasion, Safe Journey is organizing numerous

events. Please show your support by taking part. Remember... 1-in-4 women will experience domestic violence inher lifetime and 1-in-3 teens will be abused by a dating partner. Virtually everyone knows someone who's life hasbeen touched by domestic violence.

Saturday, October 8th, 7:30am - 11:00am: Safe Journey 5k & Family Fun Run/Obstacle Course in the villageof Fairport and along the canal path. For details, go to www.safejourney.org.


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Saturday, October 8th, 5:00pm - 8:00pm: Pasta Dinner to support Safe Journey at Church of the Assumption, 20East Ave, Fairport. $10/adult, $5 kids under 12, Free under 3. For details go to www.safejourney.org or call 585-388-0040.

Wednesday, October 13th: Join Safe Journey and the NYS Coalition Against Domestic Violence as we "Shinethe Light" on the domestic violence by turning the state of NY purple. Do your part by wearing purple on

Wednesday and find a reason to tell people why."

TO BE OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS KEEPER

Jesus has challenged us to look after our brothers and sisters as we would hope someone would look after us; Do forothers as we would have others do for us. Now is the opportunity to do thisa couple in our church family could useyour support and help.

Beth Maybee has ALS and increasingly needs someone with her at all times. Gary is her primary caregiver, but, like allcaregivers, needs to have a few hours a week for some time to renew and refresh himself. During these few hours, Bethneeds company.perhaps itsyourcompany.

Beth likes to play board games, watch TV, go for a ride, take a walk while in her transport chair, or just have a niceconversation. While she has difficulty speaking, she can communicate very well with the use of her IPOD.Could you offer a couple of hours to get to know this charming and courageous lady? If so, please contact Gary Maybee.585-425-2312 or [email protected]

For those who are interested, you may want to familiarize yourself with ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease) which can be easilydone on the internet or at the library. Gary would be happy to share more information with you.

Sondra FranzenBoard of Deacons;Meals and More

EVENING CIRCLE

Evening Circle is very excited to be hosting Michael fromKittelbergers Florist in Webster on Monday evening, October17th at 7PM. Michael will be demonstrating how to puttogether a wonderful fall centerpiece. He will be makingseveral and we will raffle them off at the end of the evening.Raffle tickets are two for $5.00 or five for $10. If you havebeen thinking of attending a circle meeting, this would be anexcellent one to try.Please join us!

MORNING CIRCLE

Morning Circle would like to invite you to join us on October

11 for our next program. Don Naetzger II, project director forthe new Finger Lakes Museum to be built at Keuka LakeState Park, will be our speaker. This museum, which willinclude outdoor exhibits, will be somewhat similar to theAdirondacks Museum. Don will speak at 10:45. Circlemembers, please come at 10:00 for our business meeting.


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NEIGHBORS-IN-NEED OFFERING

On Sunday October 9 we will anopportunity to participate in the Neighbors-in-Need offering of the United Church of Christ.This offering supports the UCCs ministries ofjustice and compassion throughout the UnitedStates. Two thirds of the offering is used bythe UCCs Justice and Witness Ministries tofund a wide array of local and national justiceinitiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct serviceprojects. One third of the offering supports theUCCs Council for American IndianMinistries. Historically, forebears of the UCCestablished churches and worked with Lakota,Dakota, Nakota, Mandan, Hidatsa, and Hocakin North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, and

northern Nebraska. Today there are 20 UCCcongregations on reservations and one urbanmulti-tribal UCC congregation inMinneapolis. These churches and their pastorsare supported by the Council for AmericanIndian Ministries. Please check out theMission Bulletin Board for more Neighbors-

in-Need information. As with all special offerings in our congregation, your participation is purely voluntary. Nobudgeted money goes to any of these offerings.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

NEW WELCOMING INITIATIVEWe would like to make the congregation aware of a new initiative,

just started by the membership committee, intended to assist visitorsin learning more about our church. We will have 1 to 2 "Welcomers"available at every worship service to welcome visitors to our churchand answer any questions these visitors may have. Welcomers willbe wearing green name tags. We also have a new Welcome Center at

the back corner of Fellowship Hall and at the front Narthex of thechurch, where visitors can get information on the many offerings and happenings within our faith community. Please assistus in this initiative by welcoming visitors and referring them to the Welcomers with green name tags for more information.


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October 20th

2011

WELCOME TOTHE NEW

ARRIVAL!Tristan Harper

arrived on August24, 2011. He is theson of Nathan andCharlotte Harper, and brother of Brianna Harper.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE

NEWLYWEDS!

Karen Dorr and Daniel Holland were united inmarriage on September 2, 2011 at our church.

Karen is the daughter of Kay andGeorge Dorr. The new coupleresides in W. Hollywood, CA.

Kyle Preston and Dana Muirwere married on September 4,2011 at the Willard Chapel in

Auburn, NY. Pastor Cedarleafofficiated. Kyle is the son ofCarole Preston. The newlywedsnow reside in Ithaca, NY.

Renee Eaton and Randall Whitlock were marriedat our church on September 10, 2011. Rev.

Cedarleaf officiated. Renee Eaton is the niece ofJanice and David Coon. The couple will reside inRochester, NY.

Our sympathy isextended to Ted and SandyGood on the recent death ofTeds mother, MaryElizabeth Good in Indiana.She passed away onSeptember 5, 2011. Amemorial service will beheld for her in Indiana at a

later date.

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS

Bill Cobb, Grand Vie, Caring House

Barbara Eaton, Crest Manor

Charlotte Jackson, Fairport Baptist

Home

Shirley Sumner, Perinton Park Manor

Dwight and Mildred Turner, Fairport

Baptist Home

Les Warren, Fairport Baptist Home

september 2011 epistle

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