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The Newsletter of Gilead Presbyterian Church, Carmel, NY October 2014

Dear Friends, One of my favorite daily meditations is Philippians 4:4-9, which reminds us to rejoice in God, not worry about anything, and stay in contact with God. If we do, we’re told, peace beyond understanding will be ours. Specifically, this peace is not about understanding things. We don’t know God, and we can’t control the universe, so we have to stop relying on our own understanding of things (see also Proverbs 3:5), and simply be in God, and rest in that peace. Sounds easy, right? But it’s not at all. Our minds race on, and our brains don’t want to let go of figuring things out, and having our way. Of course, that tendency is also a gift from God, because God wants us to seek after truth and justice. But we must seek the balance of resting in God while we proceed. We speak our truth, take the action we feel is right, and then let go worry and stress, letting God sort out the rest. For me, when my brain is racing non-stop, like a hamster on a wheel, it helps me to remember that peace comes when I let go my own need to understand and control everything, and rest in the knowledge of God’s love and guidance. The other day, I was walking the dogs when they spotted a squirrel, and they strained at their leashes, wanting so badly to chase it. I said gently, “No, we’re not going to chase the squirrel. We’re going to wave at it, and move on with our walk.” And it popped into my head that I should make that my mantra

when my brain wants to rush around aimlessly chasing squirrels. I acknowledge the thoughts, but turn to God’s peace. Philippians 4:8-9 tells me how. “Beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is

anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.” Focus on what’s beautiful and good, and peace of heart will follow, even while the squirrels race by.

In “Our Daily Bread” last week, we were reminded how important it is to listen for God among the misleading voices and distracting noises that compete for our attention. How do we know when we’re hearing God? When we’re hearing peace and love. That is Christ. That is truth and life. All the rest is distraction. Father, it is a noisy world. Thank you for always calling to us above the din and ruckus that distracts us. Help us to recognize Your voice and follow Your leading. (Mart DeHaan, September 24, 2014, Our Daily Bread, RBC

Ministries: Vol. 59, Numbers 6, 7 & 8) Peace and love,

Martin

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A Note from

Gilead Music Department October 2014

Our fall music schedule is in full swing. On September 14, the Senior Choir and Senior

Bells resumed participation in Worship. BUT You Haven’t Missed Your Chance……. You can still join either group. I try to rehearse materials for the Senior Choir six weeks in advance of the time we

sing that particular anthem in Worship. In that way, if you are unable to make every rehearsal, you will be familiar with the music. Of course, weekly attendance is preferred and we always have fun singing together. Senior Bells need new ringers. We also have a Substitute List for those times when one of our 14 members is ill or has another commitment. We don’t have an “instrument” unless all ringers are present. Please contact me if you are interested in joining the group or being a “Sub”. We will be playing again in Worship on October 19Th. (once a month or more often) Our Gilead Gospel Group (“3 G’s”), is an inter-generational group of singers (5th graders--adults) and instrumentalist (guitars, harmonicas, and percussionists). We will be singing/playing again on October 26. Rehearsals---TBA. Praise Makers (pre-school thru 4th grades) will be singing once a month in Worship. They will be rehearsing with Ms. Penny Cameron during Church School every Sunday and will sing once a month or more in Worship

We have a very enthusiastic group of young ringers in the Junior Bell Chimes. They will be rehearsing on Wednesdays at 3:30 PM (or as soon as you can get there after school). We will be playing in Worship on October 5. Flute Choir ---- we welcome new and returning members. TBA As you can see….things are a-hoppin’. Come join us. I guarantee you will be Welcomed and have lots of fun. Sing/Play to the Lord! Let the music sound! Mary Temple (225-6958)

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Gilead Youth Group News

October 2014

Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean

not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your

paths straight. Sometimes it's hard to find trust in such an untrustworthy world. We actually teach our children not to trust people, we are skeptical in our own lives of nice people, strangers, help from others and a good deal. It's important to not get hurt, but we learn with age who we can rely on and those of us that can trust are better people for it. This is a life lesson we must talk over many times with our children and hope they develop a good sense of the whole idea of trust. It is also important to trust in those you love, your family and your friends. We would think it would be easy for our kids to trust in God, but adolescence sometimes has them questioning everything. Many of our Gilead Youth are post confirmation and are making their own choices about the need for worship and service to others. Another group of our youth are just beginning to explore their Faith on a new level and learning about time management of school, activities, worship, and service projects. Parents you are the leaders; guide, encourage and sometimes insist they trust that keeping the church in their lives will give them the strength to accomplish great things. As you all embark on the journey of Tweens and Teens remind your kids to

“Trust God, Live Good, Do Good, Stay Blessed.”

Warm Regards Fran

Calendar of Activities Sunday, September 28

Trust Activity & Snacks following worship

Friday, October 3

Midnight Run - sign-up lounge Saturday, October 11

Youth Social Night Activity TBD Sunday, October 12

Youth Serve Coffee Hour Apple Fest Monday, October 13

Rescheduled Beast Trip RSVP Fran $10.00 per person Leave Gilead 9:00 am

Saturday, Saturday, October 25

Super Heroes Halloween Party Grades 7-12

Sunday, October 26 Family Fall Scavenger Hunt/Halloween

Party Pre-K-6th grade following worship Sign-up lounge

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Youth Service Opportunities Project

Youth Service Opportunities Project (YSOP) is an organization committed to helping young people become part of solution to societal problems by showing them how even their smallest actions can make

a difference in the lives of others..

YSOP’s intense immersion program of Workcamps helps student volunteers to understand service and homelessness. During Workcamps, students, in small service teams, volunteer at different sites around the city. YSOP Volunteers prepare and serve meals at soup kitchens; they provide recreational activities and companionship to young, formerly homeless children; they distribute food and supplies at food pantries; they socialize and bring snacks to people in drop-in centers. Occasionally they join in special projects we

have been asked to staff, such as painting a new shelter with residents or distributing clothing at a clothing bank. YSOP carefully and regularly monitors all worksites where we volunteer. This ensures that the sites are organized and safe, that YSOP volunteers are utilized efficiently and that everyone is treated with respect. We have the opportunity to participate in a

weekend Workcamp either March 6/7 or March 20/21 in NYC. We welcome both youth 7th grade and older and Adults. The cost is minimal and the payoff is priceless. If you would be interested please let me know as we need to secure the date. This project will replace our Spring Midnight Run.

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Church School Teachers Needed

Teachers are still needed for this year’s

church school for all grades. Experience

is not a requirement. We will provide you

with the necessary curriculum materials

and support. We use a team approach, so

no one needs to make a commitment to

teach every Sunday.

Substitute teachers are also needed.

“Start children off on the way they

should go, and even when they are old

they will not turn from it.”

Proverbs 22:6

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Putnam County Crop Hunger Walk We walk because they have to. Help fight world hunger in third world countries and here in Carmel! Join the walkers from other local churches on Sunday, October 19, at 2:00 pm at the Mahopac Methodist Church. The walk will take place on the bike trail and last for a total of 5 miles. If you don't think you can do the whole walk that's okay. Just get out and walk. Get a donations envelope from Margaret Karell and sign up sponsors for a fun event and a worthy cause. CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by local congregations or groups to raise funds to end hunger at home and around the world. With its inception in 1969, CROP Hunger Walks are "viewed by many as the granddaddy of charity walks," notes the Los Angeles Times (Oct. 26, 2009).

CROP HUNGER WALK is a program of Church World Services, the relief, development, and refugee assistance ministry of 36 Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican denominations in the United States. Working in partnership with indigenous organizations in more than 80 countries, CWS works worldwide to meet human needs and foster self-reliance for all whose way is hard.

Within the United States, Church World Service assists communities in responding to disasters, resettles refugees, promotes fair national and international policies, provides educational resources, and offers opportunities to join a people-to-people network of local and global caring through participation in CROP WALKS, the Tools and Blankets Program, and the "Gift of the Heart" Kit

Program.

CROP WALKS form the foundation for the work of Church World Service -- without them they are not in a position to respond immediately to the victims of natural disasters, such as Superstorm Sandy and the recent floods in Colorado.. Thanks to this support CWS has staff trained in emergency response immediately available and can begin shipping material assistance (Kits and CWS Blankets) to the affected areas within hours.

Locally, 25% of the monies raised will go to Putnam County food pantries, with half of that going to the one at Gilead.

A number of our members are currently recruiting walkers. Each CROP HUNGER WALKER obtains sponsors to support this drive.

Please volunteer to be a walker – it’s a lot of fun and you can even walk with your leashed dog. If you can’t walk for whatever reason,

please be a sponsor for one of our walkers.

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WORSHIP AND MINISTRY Pastor McGeachy generally follows the lectionary each week, but there are occasional exceptions. We are making these available for those who may wish to read the likely scripture readings in advance of Sunday worship. The daily lectionary and the Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study are available on our website: www.gileadchurch.org.

Lectionary for Sundays and Festivals Scripture Reference October 2014

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost—October 5 Twenty–seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Proper 22)

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost—October 19 Twenty–ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Proper 24)

Semicontinuous Exodus 20:1–4, 7–9, 12–20 Psalm 19 Philippians 3:4b–14 Matthew 21:33–46

Complementary Isaiah 5:1–7 Psalm 80:7–15 Philippians 3:4b–14 Matthew 21:33–46

Semicontinuous Exodus 33:12–23 Psalm 99 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 Matthew 22:15–22

Complementary Isaiah 45:1–7 Psalm 96:1–9 [10–13] 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 Matthew 22:15–22

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost—October 12 Twenty–eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Proper 23)

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost—October 26 Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Proper 25)

Semicontinuous Exodus 32:1–14 Psalm 106:1–6, 19–23 Philippians 4:1–9 Matthew 22:1–14

Complementary Isaiah 25:1–9 Psalm 23 Philippians 4:1–9 Matthew 22:1–14

Semicontinuous Deuteronomy 34:1–12 Psalm 90:1–6, 13–17 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8 Matthew 22:34–46

Complementary Leviticus 19:1–2, 15–18 Psalm 1 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8 Matthew 22:34–46

10/5 Cindy Kosacz

Renae Lent Louis Lent Phil Engler Bridget Kessman

10/12 Warren Behan

Dolores Knapp Roy Knapp

10/19 Annina Celli Bart Casabona Emma McLean

10/26 Paul Francis Rob LoAlbo Rob D'Ascoli

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GILEAD NEWS Young Adult Volunteers of the PC(USA)

On August 24th Gilead Church commissioned Jordan Akin, Sam Susain, and Hanbyeol Nam, who will be giving a year of service to communities of need in the United States and around the world.

Lay Readers Friends, we are updating our Lay Reader list for the upcoming year. We want some new people to participate! Several people have moved or retired, and I’ve called on a few people to step in, but for some reason, some people like to know ahead of time that they’re going to be called on to read in church! The way it works is this. We publish the scheduled list, and if you’re on call, you arrive just a few minutes before the hour, preferably in reasonably nice attire, and read the opening prayer, the unison prayer of confession, and a Scripture reading. If you’re the kind of person who likes to be prepared, remind me during the week, and I’ll email the upcoming readings to you. And of course, if you’re scheduled, and can’t make that Sunday, either switch with someone on the list, or let me know.

Revised Ushering Schedule There have been revisions made to the 2014 Ushering Schedule, a copy of which will be

distributed separately. If you are unable to usher on your scheduled date please call someone from this list to substitute for you. Thanks!

Renae Lent 282-8052

Louis Lent 282-8052

Roy Knapp 225-9559

Dolores Knapp 225-9559

Emma McLean 225-7518

Bart Casabona 228-7331

Day Light Savings Time Ends

November 2

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Church Directory

The out of date Directory is being updated. To facilitate the project, the Deacons will be calling or talking to everyone on the list to check for correctness and update any out of date information. The following people will be contacting you

sometime in October or November. Stephanie Gould

Cindy Briley Lindsay D'Ascoli

Paul Francis Bart Casabona

Martin McGeachy Eric Koehler Renae Lent

Thank you so much for taking time to talk to us so we can make a more accurate directory!

Farm at Holmes

The Farm at Holmes is offering a Fall CSA Membership. Starting

on October 16 through December 4, plus a bonus week before Christmas, nine weeks in total. They will be growing vegetables like carrots, beets, potatoes, turnips, leafy greens (like lettuce; arugula, mizuma, swiss chard, collards, pac choy, spinach), winter squash, fresh herbs and other vegetables (like broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, scallions). A full share for 2014 Fall CSA season is $350.00. Half shares are not sold directly, but may be arranged privately. It must be paid in full by October 2, 2014. The Farm at Holmes is a new addition to the Holmes Camp and Conference Center. The Holmes camp is approximately 55 miles north of New York City in the town of Holmes,

New York. The 550-acre camp and conference center is set among pristine forests, lakes, cliffs, trails and wetlands in the hill country of northern Putnam County/southern Dutchess County in the lower Hudson River Valley. The camp property supports two year-round conference centers, three year-round retreat cabins, two seasonal youth facilities, a rustic camping program, several tent/trailer and day group areas, and an environmental science and arts program. The property includes three lakes and was the site of the original Peter Kent farm. We are excited to expand the community gardens at the camp into a fully operational Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm. At the farm we will grow a wide selection of seasonal vegetables, fruits, and herbs. We will also have fresh eggs available from our chickens. For more information about the Farm go to: http://thefarmatholmes.org

Are you in the loop?

Stay abreast of Presbyterian events, resources, grants, and opportunities. Subscribe to

Hudson Happenings, the bi-weekly online newsletter of

the Hudson River Presbytery. Subscribe by emailing noelle@hudrivpres.org or by clicking this link http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=jupymrgab&p=oi&m=1106537889417&sit=xehoquegb For a hardcopy HH sign-up sheet that you can use, click here. If you do sign-up people by paper, please be sure to return them promptly to Noelle Damico, noelle@hudrivpres.org or fax, 914-941-2263.

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The other day while I was at the Hudson River Presbytery meeting out at the camp in Holmes, I came across this poem which was framed and hanging on the wall in the Lodge, and I was struck by the beauty and wise suggestions offered in the lines Cindy Kosacz

"Slow Me Down Lord"

Slow me down Lord Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind. Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal march of time. Give me amid the confusion of the day, the calmness of the eternal hills. Break the tension of my nerves and muscles with the soothing music of the singing streams that live in my memory. Help me to know the magical restoring power of sleep. Teach me the art of taking MINUTE vacations, Of slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to pat a dog, to read a few lines of a good book. Slow me down Lord and inspire me to send my roots deep into the soil of life's enduring values that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny. Author: Wilfred A. Peterson

Help Needed Our fine Coffee Hour Servers

are in great need of assistance!

A couple of our regular helpers

have had to take some time off.

This is a wonderful way to share

your time and talents with the

church, and a great way to get

to know more of our members.

If you can help out even a couple of Sundays a

month, please see Lucy Ojeda.

Anyone wishing to provide flowers for a Sunday morning worship can do so by signing up on the chart right outside the office door.

Please note that the price has increased $5 for flowers ordered through the church, so the total price is now $48 ($40 plus $8 delivery). People are always welcome to bring their own flowers, if they prefer.

The Deadline for the November

Shingle is

October 22nd

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Session Summary Session met in the church lounge on Tuesday, September 9, 2014. Pastor Martin McGeachy opened with a devotional based on Romans 12:9-18 and on the hymn “God of Our Fathers” written in 1876 by Daniel C. Roberts to commemorate the birthday of the Declaration of Independence. It is #573 in the gray hymnal. The theme was living peaceably with all and trying to achieve unity in the midst of our diversity. Rabbi Sol Acrish from Temple Beth Elohim in Brewster was warmly welcomed as our guest. Our congregations have had a longstanding positive relationship and both congregations would like that to continue. Rabbi Sol expressed his concern and hurt feelings over content on the PCUSA website and the recent PCUSA Assembly vote to divest pension funds from certain companies with business in Israel. Session members, Pastor Martin and Rabbi Sol engaged in conversation. Before leaving, Rabbi Sol said he is not concerned about local good will and expressed the belief that our friendship will last despite what happens on the national level. The Building and Grounds Committee thanked the volunteers who have recently devoted much time and energy working on our lawns and plantings. The property looks great! Thank you Cindy Kosacz and her friend Maura Cornish., Erik and Alex Vandenberg, Paul Verdesi, John Vangor who just put in 2 new rhododendrons by the manse, and Lisa Carpenter who did all the annual plantings by the azaleas and dogwood tree in the spring/early summer. The Missions Committee reported that October 15 is the last day to donate soccer balls to the Soccer and Smiles mission, BESP will hold a volunteer thank you luncheon on October 4, and the materials will soon be available for the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child shoebox project. Session’s next regular meeting will be Tuesday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the church lounge. Have an idea or a concern you would like to share with Session? Please ask any elder to

bring your thoughts to Session or ask Pastor Martin if you would like to attend Session. As Session makes decisions for Gilead, your input

will be welcomed and valued.

Deacons’ Corner Welcome to Deacon’s Corner where you’ll find out what the Deacons have been up to each month!

The Deacons met Sunday, September 21st, 2014 and discussed the following:

Donations to be given to Coffee Hour and the Food Pantry in October

Bart and Brenda Verdesi have established a new tracking system for special donations that are received. The system seems to be going well but please let us know if we missed you!

We have had less homebound congregants to visit but if you or someone you know might need a visit-let us know.

Ushering continues to go well. Please let Renae Lent ASAP if you are unable to fulfill your duties -the emergency call list is available to make switches.

2 Ushers will be needed for the Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service(which Pastor Martin will be presiding over-please see Renae if interested)

A special prayer chain for newly graduated/college aged Gilead Youth is in the process of being created.

In the next few weeks Paul Francis, Renae Lent, Stephanie Gould, Erik Koehler, Cindy Briley and Lindsay D’Ascoli will be making calls to Gilead Congregants to update the directory/membership list.

34 Prayer Requests were received for the months of June-September.

If you have any prayer requests(joys or concerns) you may email them to lsutton.dascoli@gmail.com or post them directly on the Gilead Group Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/164333380282707/

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OUTREACH AND MISSION

Midnight Run The next Midnight Run will be held on October 3rd. Volunteers are needed to participate in the run, as well as to make sandwiches. Also, we will be collecting gently

used warmer clothing for men and women, but please no children’s clothing. Please see Martin or Fran for more information

Soccer Ball Mission

Our current mission is to send soccer balls to children in refugee camps on the borders of Syria and Iraq. Our Clerk of Session, Cindy Kosacz

heard Fouad Abdulameer speak at the Hudson River Presbytery meeting at Holmes Camp and brought this mission request to session. Soccer balls can be placed in the large box in the church lounge. They can be new or used and either inflated or deflated. Messages of peace can be sent with or written directly on the balls to let the children know they are cared about by people in the USA. Financial donations are also welcome and can be given directly to Cindy, Pastor Martin or Margery Amato or placed in the offering clearly marked for the Hamada Soccer Ball Mission. Checks should be made out to Gilead with Soccer Ball Mission on the memo line.

All donations of funds or soccer balls are due by October 15.

The slogan for this mission is: Soccer Balls and Smiles – Not Weapons and War!

Gilead Food Pantry The Gilead Food Pantry is open Friday mornings from 10:00 am until noon to offer food to those who are in need. Donations of food or funds are always welcome. Food items can be placed in the basket in the lounge,

while funds are best given directly to Marj Williams or placed in the offering basket with the notation “Food Pantry” on

the envelope or memo line of your check. The Food Pantry could especially use donations of complete pancake mix, syrup, cake mix, frosting, instant potatoes, and pet food. Thank you! For more information on this important ministry, please see Marj Williams. While the goods received during the Kid’s Kitchen Collections have been a great help to the food pantry, please remember that other things continue to be needed, so

please continue to bring other items on

non-communion Sundays. Thanks! .

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Gilead Church

School Kid’s

Kitchen

As has been our tradition, children bring an offering for

the food pantry on the first Sunday of each month. We are expanding upon this tradition by introducing the Gilead Church School Kid’s Kitchen. Each month will have a different theme, and children are requested to bring up an item related to that theme with them during “Time for the Young at Heart”. In September, the children will receive a new calendar for the next 12 months to remind them what to bring each month. Please help your child to remember to bring this important offering for our food pantry ministry. The calendar for this school year follows, and will be also posted on the Church School Bulletin Board by the Church School entrance. If you have any questions about this offering project please see Diana Drake Behan. The theme for October is Spaghetti Sauce and Pasta, and for November is Cake Mix and Frosting.

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is part of our church mission. There are volunteer opportunities on house sites or off site work. Steve Biolsi is the

Project Manager for Habitat for Humanity of Putnam County. He can be reached at 914-774-9314. You can get more information on the web at www.habitatputnam.org and you can find them on Facebook

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance enables congregations and mission partners of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) to witness to the healing love of Christ through caring for communities adversely affected by crisis and catastrophic events.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is the emergency and refugee program of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. The core budget, including staff and administrative costs, is funded through the One Great Hour of Sharing, and its program work is additionally funded through designated gifts

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Financial Report

As of 7/31/14:

Regular Income Year to Date 106,332

Expenses Year to Date 104,980

Surplus (Deficit) 1,353

We have paid off the loan that we received from the Presbyterian Church

(USA) to renovate and rehabilitate our educational wing! However, we also borrowed $40,000 from our own long-term investment account, with the full intention of repaying ourselves. So please continue to make contributions

to the building fund.

We also have other capital needs, including a new boiler and repaving the parking lot. Your contributions can be directed toward these needs also.

Please see Brenda Verdesi if you have any questions.

.

Online Giving Is Now Available Online giving is an easy, secure way to support Gilead Presbyterian Church. You can conveniently make a donation at any time. Just go to the Gilead website www.gileadchurch.org, and click on the “Donate” button, and you will be taken to the PayPal website to complete the transaction. (Please note that PayPal keeps 2.2% plus $ .30 for each transaction as a processing fee.)

You can also click here

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GILEAD GROUPS

Gilead Designers

Gilead Designers will be meeting at Gilead at 6:30 pm on October 17th. Anyone

interested in creating craft projects is invited. Please see Mary Temple or Ellen Nielsen for more information.

Our Daily Bread Please note that the current issue of our Daily Bread is now available in the lounge. Pick one up for some daily inspiration.

Stretch Exercise Classes

Stretch Exercise Classes are being given every

Monday and Thursday at 11:00 am at Gilead. Annina and her friend Brigitta have organized this ongoing class. There is a charge of $1.00 per class which is

being donated to Gilead every month. Those with physical problems would especially benefit by these classes. Everyone is welcome. If further information is needed, please contact Annina at 845-225-7012.

Young Adults of Gilead

Calling all Young Adults of Gilead - there is now a Facebook group just for you "Gilead

Presbyterian Young Adults". What age group are the Young Adults of Gilead? People post confirmation through college graduation. The group is brand new. It was created 4/24/12 and comments are appreciated. it is a place where you can find support and help when you need it or provide support and help when someone needs it. it is a way to stay connected to Gilead or reconnect with Gilead.

Links to the Gilead website and PCUSA are there and events will be added they become known. Look for scripture and postings by Micah Rose Emerson, a former youth director of Gilead. Use the group as a way to keep God by your side as you find your way in the world. Come and have a look!

SpiritWalkers (Ecumenical

Hiking Group)

God spoke, “Let us make human beings in our image,

make them reflecting our nature

So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,

The birds in the air, the cattle, and, yes, Earth itself, And every animal that moves on the face of the earth.”

Genesis1:26-28 Join us this month on Saturday, October 4th, for our hike at Arthur W. Butler Memorial Sanctuary in Bedford. "This land’s rugged outcrops and boulder-strewn hills provide a solid foundation for deciduous forests, flowing streams, and swamps teeming with flora and fauna" (nature.org). It is a popular stop for birders watching the migration of raptors, so we hope to catch a glimpse of hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey. As usual, we'll meet at 10:00 a.m. in the back parking lot of Drew UMC for caravan/carpool and a prayer. We'd love for you to join us! Please see Mariah or John Warren if you have any questions, and visit the Spirit Walkers Ecumenical Hiking Group page on Facebook. Happy trails! .

We look forward to seeing you as we explore the beauty of God’s creation!

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Your Concrete Weekly Devotionals

by Rob LoAlbo

Join us in spirit every Thursday at 9:00 PM, and pray with us for 10 minutes. These devotionals are posted on

Facebook at that time every week to assist. For those not on Facebook, below are some of those weekly

devotionals. Use them with us as a way to join our prayer group. We look forward to “seeing” you there!

October 2: If you have children, you know the

drill. Getting ready for sleep can be a lengthy

process with a dozen or more activities to get

through before your child actually allows you to

leave. Despite what our child may think he

needs for bedtime (desserts, television, and

outside running around time), as his parents

we can better meet his needs. We usually

need to start the routine about an hour or so

before the time we actually want our child to

sleep. We need to read our books to him, let

him read a book to us, discuss what we are

grateful for in our lives, followed by what our

best part of the day is, then smooth out covers,

get a drink, turn on more than enough night-

lights (to the point where it actually

seems like daylight in the room),

sing three goodnight songs, give

kisses and get kisses, and tell him

that we love him most of all. Other

than the obvious fact that we love

our son, why do we go through these

labyrinthine practices? A big part is because

we know what he needs to calm down from his

action-packed day, and each of these activities

is geared towards calming him. Many good

children authors understand this idea, too.

(See Margaret Wise Brown's "Goodnight

Moon" and Sherry Duskey Rinker's

"Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site" for

beautiful prose that slowly relaxes and lulls

children to sleep.) Our God also knows how to

rev us up during the day with praise and

worship, but He also knows how to meet our

needs at night: "By day the Lord directs his

love, at night his song is with me — a prayer to

the God of my life" (Psalm 42.8). Like a

watchful and loving parent, God fills our nights

with song and prayer, practices that calm us

down and ease us into our needed sleep. He

knows how to fulfill our lives, even when we

aren't awake. This week, live with the

comforting knowledge that God is watching

over us at every moment, and as our Heavenly

Father, knows what we his children need better

than we do, ourselves. Amen. ________________________________________________________

October 9: For many of us, the car horn is a

weapon. As soon as we see another driver

acting in a seemingly insipid and perplexing

fashion, we are quick to lay on our steering

columns and let them know what they are

doing wrong, hopefully publicly ridiculing and

shaming them in the process. Their actions

incite us to such anger. It's a quick and

thoughtless reaction on our part, though, not

taking a variety of possibilities into

consideration. Perhaps the driver of

the other car is having a bad day

and is dealing with something that is

hard. Or maybe the driver was

distracted by something someone

else in the car said to them that hurt

them, and now we are blowing our horn,

adding insult to injury. Maybe they are lost and

in desperate need of help, and we just yelled at

them. Whatever the case, unless the horn is

warning them of impending danger or to avoid

an accident, it does no good to use it. Yet we

are so reactionary in our decisions.

Ecclesiastes 7.9 addresses the issue in a

similar fashion: "Do not be quickly provoked in

your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools."

It's interesting to note that the author suggests

that anger and foolishness are the result of

provocation. Rarely are we provoked to

anything else. Too often we suddenly react in

anger when the individual's motives and

actions are so innocent. Hence, we take a

sinless situation, and dollop sin on top of it.

How many moments and relationships have

been hurt or destroyed because we were

provoked to unnecessary anger? How many

times do we get angry with someone close to

us as a reaction, when a kind word or

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encouragement might have helped that person

through the moment? One way we can avoid

these results is through patience. (Isn't it

amazing that patience is almost always the

answer?) This week, before reacting in anger,

consider the needs of others instead of the

need for you to be angry, and replace that

anger with a kind word. Amen.

________________________________________________________

October 16: In these uncertain economic

times, it's important to have some money put

away. Recently, I met with a financial adviser

who helped me set up a retirement fund, where

money would be taken out of each of my

paychecks and placed in a financial portfolio,

earning money from a variety of stocks. I knew

next to nothing going into this meeting, and I

had to ask him to define some very basic and

rudimentary terms for me (including "diversify"

which I found out means to invest in a variety

of items for a stronger growth potential), but I

still trusted him enough to hand over my

money to him. A little while later, I looked up

what those deposits have been doing, and to

my surprise, they had made money. That

amazed me, as all I had to do was give him a

deposit and he was able to get me more

money, as a result. Timothy makes a similar

request of his investors when he writes to the

church: "Guard the good deposit that was

entrusted to you — guard it with the help of the

Holy Spirit who lives in us" (2 Timothy 1:14).

God has made a deposit in us of the Holy

Spirit, where it now lives in us as a result of,

and at the time of, our conversion. It has

literally been placed in us. But, this deposit is

only the beginning. Much like my investors

whom I entrust my money to, we are expected

to make this investment grow. Too often, we

consider ourselves changed from this religious

encounter of conversion, but we do little with

that change, sometimes even reverting back to

our old ways. Yet, there is an expectation of

growth from God. We are to develop that

deposit. This week, take a true evaluation of

yourself and the deposit made in you, and see

if God's investment in you has grown. If not,

perhaps it's time to diversify and help it to

grow. Amen.

October 23: As the weather begins to crisp, and the leaves change color, one of my favorite fall traditions begins: pies. Anyone who really knows me knows that I love them. (On my birthday, I prefer a pie more than cake.) And in the fall, some of my favorite pies start to come out. In my family, I've always looked forward to my mother's pecan pie, with its crunchy nuts and gooey, syrupy center. Topped with a little whip cream, it's a perfect dessert. Having a young child around whose share of pies has been limited to a few years and whose palate is still developing, I've encouraged him to try these things that are new to him. Thankfully, he is up for anything, and is brave enough to try anything once. Perhaps it was the lunchroom chants he's been exposed to, and joined in with, of, "Try it! Try it! You might like it!" Or maybe it's that his parents have never fed him anything so awful that he doesn't trust us. He knows that we would only give him food that would make his life better. The reliable author of Psalm 34 also encourages us to "Taste and see that the Lord is good," encouraging us to trust him because the end result is excellent: "blessed is the one who takes refuge in him" (Psalms 34.8). Like the psalmist, the tasting of those pies will give our son a great experience. When trying to encourage our son to try a new food, we don't pressure him to eat the whole thing. We allow him to discover how great it is on his own. The psalmist doesn't command us to worship all the time, or pray unceasingly; he only encourages us to "taste", trusting that our own judgment is sound, and that we will discover how great God is with just that little exposure. Yet so many Christians don't trust in their product and try to force feed non-Christians with verses, a barrage of evangelism, and every wrong approach out there. As a result, they are turned off to Christianity and are resentful of us. Instead, let's trust and allow God to hook them on the product. Instead of beating people over the head with our faith, let's just give them a taste and trust that God will do the rest. Amen.

Continued…

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October 30: This week, my students learned the difference between sympathy and empathy through a grammar article about drinking and driving. It was a typical non-fiction article, detailing how someone got caught over the legal limit, what he had to go through as a result, and what could have happened had he been involved in an accident. Most of the time, students read this type of material (intended as a warning towards future misbehavior in them) and quickly dismiss it because they feel it could never happen to them. Yet, they connected with this piece on a much deeper level. In a lesson meant to show how changing one word can alter an entire piece, the students noticed that the author made the unusual choice of using second person when writing the article. So, instead of the usual 1st person “I”, the author swapped it for “you” as in: “You feel the cold hardness of your new manacles, and the hardness of the back seat of the police cruiser, which is made of plastic.” When discussing this piece with them, they noted that the article moved from sympathy, feeling sorrow and pity for one's misfortunes, to empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. As written, the students were able to put themselves in the shoes of the narrator, feeling as he did throughout, increasing its power over them. Our God is much the same. He could have just watched us from afar, keeping His emotional distance and feeling sorry for us, but He loved us so much that He sent His son to experience what we go through so that He might feel as we do: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4.15). The ability to move from sympathy to empathy, from “I feel sorry for you” to “I know how you feel,” makes a world of difference in helping to understand what one is going through. Many of us, when we see someone suffering, we feel sorry for them but are also secretly glad that it is happening to someone else and not to us. God loves us so much that He dismissed that feeling and choose to live as us. This week, when you see someone who is suffering, know that God would easily take that person's place because He loves us so much. Amen.

Gilead Prayer Chain The prayer chain organized by the Deacons is an avenue of support for congregation members who are experiencing joy, pain or dealing with

unexpected situations. Currently there are 19 members who have volunteered to be on the prayer chain and are emailed/called about prayer request as they come in. The Prayer

chain is a fast way to gain a community of support when you need it! If you have any joys/concerns you would like us to hear about, Prayers can be emailed to:

Prayer Chain Coordinator: Lindsay D’Ascoli :

Lsutton.dascoli@gmail.com

If you would like to volunteer to be added to our prayer chain email list

Email Lsutton.dascoli@gmail.com or contact (845)225-0221

Prayer requests can also be posted on the Facebook page. I will be checking in with anyone who submits a request by phone, in person or email if they would also like the request posted on the Facebook page. I've noticed sometimes it helps to get comments of encouragement and support when you have a prayer! If you have any questions, always feel free to ask.

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PET PRAYER CHAIN AND

PET KORNER

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

God cares about His creatures, and so do we. If your pet or you is in need of prayer due to your concern over your pet, please do not hesitate to call one of us: Alicia Briley 845-228-4672 Mary Lou Cassidy 845-225-7268 Shirley De Vries 845-279-8688 Joyce Scott 845-225-7293 Sue Surovic 845-225-2988 Eric Koehler 845-225-6355

Watch out for ticks! There is information concerning the prevention of ticks on the

church bulletin board.

Sermon Podcasts: www.gileadchurch.org/multimedia.html or gilead.sermonpodcasts.com/. They are also available through iTunes software.

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/GileadChurch#p/u

Facebook: Public Page: o http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gile

ad-Presbyterian-Church/139888512714485

Facebook Closed Group: o http://www.facebook.com/groups/16

4333380282707/

When you click on the Gilead Facebook page, please make sure you click on the “Like” button – it’s another way to keep up with events at Gilead.

The Shingle October 2014 Page 20 of 22

The CNS Pre-K Program is Gilead's nonsectarian school for 2 1/2 to 5 year olds. Since it was founded in 1949, the Pre-School has been a respected community resource for early childhood education. Our staff consists of three teachers and an aide with many years of experience at CNS between them. All are active members of the community and volunteers in the school district.

The school offers two, three and five day programs. They follow the same calendar as the Carmel Central School district.

In preparing a child for Kindergarten, their philosophy is teaching the whole child to grow. They provide a daily routine balanced between academic skills and lessons, crafts, free and structured play time, music, story time, computer time, snack, and outdoor activities on the large playground. The curriculum was developed in conjunction with the area kindergarten teachers to best prepare the child for kindergarten and instill an enthusiasm for learning in a fun loving environment. Utilizing the team teaching method, three teachers give a student to teacher ratio of approximately 8 to 1. For children scheduled to enter public school in September of the year, we routinely prepare a detailed evaluation of Kindergarten readiness.

For more information, please call the school at 845-225-8044, or visit them at www.carmelnurseryschool.com, or on Facebook.

Used with permission. Copyright Gospel Communications International, Inc.

www.reverendfun.com

Used with permission.

©Communication Resources, Inc. www.churchart.com

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FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES

Tastefully Simple So far you helped raise over $100 for Gilead, simply by ordering The Food That You Love!

The Tastefully Simple Fundraiser will continue each month with a featured special. A link has been posted on the website, so you can order anytime.

If you would rather place your order with me or have any questions, please call me!

Cynthia Davern Tastefully Simple Senior Consultant

"the food you love, the time you deserve" 845-225-3878

cdavern1@verizon.net

There is an easy way to help Gilead’s finances if you shop at Amazon.com. Gilead receives a commission from Amazon if you enter their site through Gilead’s web page. Just go to www.gileadchurch.org and click on Gilead Staff Recommendations on the left side menu – the bottom choice just above the church’s name.

You can also reach that page directly at www.gileadchurch.org/marketplace4.html . You can bookmark the page for easier access!

From that page you can view books, music, and other items recommended by Gilead staff members, or search Amazon directly.

The Shingle October 2014 Page 22 of 22

Please accept our apologies if we have missed you during the year. If you wish to share these events, please either send an email to gilead@gileadchurch.org or leave a write it on a slip of paper and leave it in The Shingle mail slot in the office.

For more information about Gilead Church, please visit our web site: www.gileadchurch.org

Please remember that the deadline for submissions is the 20th of each month. Submissions preferably can be emailed to Martin McGeachy at the church office: gilead@gileadchurch.org with a copy to Warren Behan at TheShingle@gmail.com, or you may drop off a hard copy at the Office.

Gilead Presbyterian Church 9 Church St.

Carmel, NY 10512 845-225-4586

Email: gilead@gileadchurch.org

Martin McGeachy Pastor

Fran Croughan Youth Director

Mary Temple Music Director

Acknowledgements: Some Images © FaithClipart.com or ©Communication Resources, Inc. www.churchart.com

Birthdays

10/1 Emma McLean 10/23 Bailey Foard

10/6 Martin McGeachy 10/25 William Surovic

10/7 Tina Annunziato 10/25 Paul Verdesi

10/8 Elizabeth Haywood 10/30 Carly Devlin

10/9 Thomas Pulley

10/10 Christopher Newe Anniversaries

10/15 Austin Hill

10/17 Callum Halliday 10/14 Lisa & Erik Vandenberg

10/19 Alexis Gould 10/19 Elaine & Charlie Cole

10/19 Trevor Spinnelli 10/21 Mariah & John Warren Sandy & Bill Regan 10/21 Robert D'Ascoli

10/22 Jaclyn Seals 10/25 Carolyn & Dave MacLeod

10/22 Roger Schwerkolt 10/26 Christine & Dave Cosmo

Gilead Presbyterian Church

October 2014