![MC900299585[1]](Parish%20Visitor%20August%202011%20website%20version_files/image008.gif)
The Parish Visitor
First Reformed
1153 Main
Street,
(845) 896-9836
August
2011
Dear
Friends,
On a warm July evening, (which could have been any day
this July!) 12 folks from our church attended the program, “Spirituality and
the Environment- Christian and Jewish Perspective,” out on Beacon’s Dennings
Point at the new Center for Environmental Innovation and Education. Guest
speakers were Sister Brigid Driscoll, former President of Marymount College,
and currently the U.N. Representative
for the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, and Rabbi Lawrence Troster, the
Rabbinic Scholar-in-Residence for GreenFaith, and one of USA’s leading Jewish eco-theologians and religious
environmental leaders.
The discussion began with the Beacon Institute
Director John Cronin reading an email from a supporter who stated how
disappointed they were that the Institute, which had worked so hard at keeping
its scientific focus, was now mixing myth with fact. But it was quickly pointed
out that the perceived struggle between religion and science is relatively new,
with most of the early scientists being people of faith. The presentations that
followed were
Sometimes we shy away from hearing what people of
other faith traditions or interpretations or from no religious bent, have to
offer. When that happens, I hear my college philosophy professor, Dr. Holmes
say, “All truth is God’s truth.” This perspective enables us to receive wisdom
from others, place it alongside our Scriptures, compare it to who we believe
our God is and who we are called as God’s children, and learn from one another.
The world is a big, beautiful place and we are blessed
to live in this little corner of God’s creation. And we have also been given
the responsibility to care for and nurture all that God has created and
redeemed through Christ Jesus. The challenge comes to us not to do on our own,
but to join our Creator in this holy task.
So, as the heavens open and an afternoon shower waters
the parched land, my prayer is that we may all join together to do what is good
for all of creation and pleasing in God’s sight.
With praise to God from whom all blessings flow,
AUGUST CALENDAR
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2 |
Worship & Music Committee - |
16 |
Consistory - |
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3 |
Bible Study - |
17 |
Hymn Sing & Potluck Supper - |
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6 |
Food ShopRite, Fishkill |
21 |
Worship - |
|
7 |
Worship - Communion - |
28 |
Worship - |
|
14 |
Worship - |
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Summer Eve Hymn Sing and
Potluck Supper, Wednesday,
August 17 at
Hall. Bring a friend and come join us for “A Journey in Faith Through Music.” We will be singing hymns and hearing some
background stories of how they came to be.
Please sign up in the
Sunday School:
This fall our Sunday School Programs will meet at
3-5 years, 5 yrs. old - 5th grade and 6th
grade & up. Children and youth will be excused after the
Children’s Message, except on Communion Sundays (1st
Sunday of each month), when they will
worship with the congregation.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
o
Bible Study resumes Wednesday,
September 7th at
o
Lorraine Nelson Wolf concert, Saturday, October 22
SAVE THE
DATE! 2011 Annual Golf Outing on Monday, September 19
******
The last page of this
publication contains registration information. ******
COME JOIN
US !
August Food Drive
As in years past, we ask that you bring
items each Sunday in August to replenish the shelves at the Food Pantry. This
year the need is greater, as requests for help have been up significantly --
46,185 meals January-June this year, as compared to 33,915 this time last year.
Donations have been down, and some government grants not yet received due to
changes politically in our country. The Pantry spent $10,000 in cash so far
this year to keep services at the needed level. Please help as you are able. --
Thank you!
August 7
- Breakfast foods, August 14 - Lunch
foods, August 21 - Dinner
foods
August 28
- Snacks or toiletries
Donations may be dropped off in the church or the Food Pantry,
Monday -
Friday,
If you or anyone you know needs, on a
temporary basis, a ride to a doctor, a
meal delivered, a friendly supportive visit or phone call , please call a
deacon closest to you:
Linda Baron (evenings),
Barbara Harty,
John Houston,
COFFEE
HOUR
In the list of dates and names
below, the first name on the list serves as the host. This means calling the
other names on the list for that day and seeing who will bring what, including
juice and milk.
If someone on the list has a commitment before
or after worship, than the group can make arrangements as to who will set up,
who will keep the creamer pitcher full and who will clean up.
Maisie Minot makes sure the coffeepots are on
and full. Those serving make sure the coffee pots are cleaned and all the
tables and counters wiped down with the water/bleach mixture found in the spray
bottle. Please take the dirty dish towels home for a wash and bring them back
the next week.
If you are not
able to do the coffee hour on your scheduled date, please find a replacement
and call the church office with the name of your replacement. If you have any
concerns regarding your availability at this time to do coffee hour due to
health or other large issues, please contact
Karen Twohig.
If
anyone plans to bring food to coffee hour for a special occasion,
please notify the host for that date. Thanks
to everyone for your continued hospitality!
AUGUST SEPTEMBER
7 - Ice Cream Social 4
H - Twohig, Skorewicz, Lane
H - Hoffman, Carruthers,
Teske 11 H - Houston, Nolting, Minot
14 H -
Van Nostrand, Fellin,
DiYeso 18 H - Baron, Campbell, Rudberg
21 H - Utter, Landanno, Simmons 25
H - Harty, Vasquez,
Sanders
28 H - Kayson, Rush, Silverstein
Lost and Found - A variety of jewelry, keys, etc.
have been turned into the church office.
Please call or stop by to identify them.
Claudia of Hedgewood sends “Happy
Summertime” greetings to our church ladies
with God’s blessings.
Dear First Reformed Church,
Thank you
so much for the money, I am eternally grateful to all of you. It means a lot to me.
Sincerely,
Molly Hoffman
Dear Friends in Christ,
Greg and I
want to thank you from our hearts for the incredible love and support shown to
us
during my recent
heart attack and ongoing recovery.
Thank you for
your prayers, I felt so protected, loved and comforted through it all. I truly
experienced
firsthand what the bible calls ”the peace that passes all understanding”. The visits,
phone calls and
cards and further extensions of your love meant so much to us.
Our wonderful
Pastor Gloria’s swift appearance in the emergency room to be by my side and
heartfelt
compassion and prayer was such soothing consolation for my family and myself.
We are truly
blessed to be a part of this wonderful body of Christ. May God bless you all dear
ones for your
kindness and love in our time of need.
Thank you from the heart,
Carol & Greg McGann
Thank you to the
First Reformed Church Family for the generous scholarship to help with my
education
expenses. It is greatly appreciated. My goal is to educate children in the
elementary
school setting as
an Elem. Teacher, then continuing my studies to include teaching Art and or
Special ED.
Thank you,
Krista
Tucholski
Remembering our Lenten Study, “Life Defeats Death” and the discussion
from John 13 titled,
“Love & Betrayal,” I
received a reply to the question, “Who washes Jesus’ feet?”
Kay Schell, coauthor of NBS wrote,
“As for who washed Jesus’ feet, I don’t remember that
we came to any conclusion on
that! I find Jesus’ graciousness
convicts me of my failure to
constantly have his attitude as
my instant natural response in situations.”
I can still hear Marilyn
Kunz reply to a challenging question, “now only God knows the
answer.”
Kay Schell and the late
Marilyn Kunz are included in the book, “100 Christian Women who
changed the 20th Century,”
by Helen Kooiman Hosier. If anyone would like to read this very
interesting book, I have my copy
to share.
Juanita Nolting
Notes from
July Consistory Meeting
· Elder Rich Lanni led
devotions. Scripture lessons included Psalm 139:1-12;
Genesis 28:10-19 and Matthew 13:36-43. A time of
prayer reminded us that God, the
one who hems us in, behind and before us, is the
Sower of good seed and the one who
guides us in all our work and play.
· The Food Pantry activity has exceeded all
other years, FEMA grants have been delayed
and more food drives are being planned. Another 3
year approval was given on the use of
the building as our Food Pantry.
· Treasurer’s Operating Report
shows June revenues totaling $20,028
expenses totaling $18,374.
·
The Brinkerhoff Foundation gave the church a donation of $750.
·
Repair on the church steeple, stain glass window & the addition of
storm windows will
be included in a 50/50 grant proposal to the NY
State
Historic Preservation.
· Church doors and windows
have been repaired and painted.
· Sunday school classes will
be held from
· Next regular
Children’s Community Services
Children’s Community Services offered two weeks of summer program for
preschoolers. Both weeks
were
enjoyed by all who attended. We are currently registering more students for the
fall and have
openings for Parents and Tots,
friends know about us and have them give a call if they think we can be
of help. Enjoy the rest of the
summer.
Heather
Hansen, Director
from your Stewardship Committee… Energy Audit
Ideas
If you dread the arrival of your
(getenergysmart.org or energysavers.gov), but professional services are also available through several
sources.
Most New Yorkers qualify for a FREE or reduced cost comprehensive home assessment through the NY
Home Performance with Energy Star Program from NYSERDA. After contacting them, you will be asked
to fill out an application which includes your income, electric and heating costs for the last one to two years
(available online at Central Hudson/bill usage). They will then contact you within three to five days to provide a registration number and list of participating contractors to perform the audit.
When you participate in a professional home energy audit, a contractor will test your home and identify
where energy efficiency upgrades can be made. During the one to three hour assessment, he will perform a
visual inspection and tests using special diagnostic equipment (such as a “blower door”) to measure how much air is leaking out of your home. He will also perform health and safety tests to ensure that the furnace,
boiler, stove and hot water tank are operating properly. You are encouraged to accompany the contractor and share concerns (drafts, hot/cold spots, moldy or moist spots, strange smells, even physical symptoms such as headaches and flu-like symptoms.) After examining your home, he’ll prepare a report to identify areas where improvements can be made and develop a detailed project proposal and estimate of costs. Low
interest financing for upgrades is made available when you use a recommended BPI (Building Performance
Institute) contractor. Rebates for energy efficient appliances, on heating equipment, home sealing, insulation, and new central air conditioning are also offered (see CentralHudson_SavingsCentral.) There is
no obligation to have any of the recommended work done.
Contact
Information for NYHPwESP: HPWES Energy Audit -
Another energy audit program is offered through the Weatherization Assistance Program. Under the WAP, services are available to both homeowners and renters, with priority given to senior citizens, families
with children and persons with disabilities. The Regional Provider for WAP is the Dutchess Community Action Agency, Inc. (www.dutchesscap.org) Assistance may also be provided through RESTORE
(Residential Emergency Services to Offer (Home) Repairs to the Elderly).
Contact
Information for WAP: Thomas Carey, Director, Energy and
Rehabilitation Services,
Arnon Adler, Capital
Region contact person,
Online contacts: www1.eere.energy.gov - to find out more about how WAP works and to determine
your eligibility. dhcr.state.ny.us/programs/weatherization
assistance.
Your local telephone directory yellow pages also provide information about local contractors who will
perform audits (see Energy). Before contracting with a service you should:
* Get several references and contact them to see if the work was done satisfactorily.
* Call the Better Business Bureau about complaints.
* Ask if the contractor uses a calibrated blower door or does a thermographic inspection.
Not only can reducing your home energy consumption benefit you financially, but it can improve the
health and safety of your home and help our country reduce its dependence on foreign oil. An energy audit
is the appropriate place to begin.
Reformed
Church in
A new free devotional booklet, Every Mountain Made Low, is now available online. Written around
the crucial themes in Martin Luther King
Jr.
members of the RCA with viewpoints from various races, both genders, and different generations.
The document link is: http://images.rca.org/docs/multiracial/EveryMountainMadeLow.pdf
The August Our Call Prayer Calendar is now available online.
The document link is: http://images.rca.org/docs/OurCall/PrayerCalendar-0811.pdf
Dear Friends,
July 2011
When I was in medical school, my mom gave
me a sign for my bulletin board that said, “I try to take one day at a time but
lately several have attacked me at once!” These last six months have felt a bit
like that but I am grateful for God’s sufficient grace. Each time that I was on
the verge of being overwhelmed I watched as He carefully orchestrated events
and timing so that it all fell into place. I would like to share with you an
overview of what we’ve been up to, particularly in the medical aspect of our
ministry. Overall we have seen our ministry and relationships reinforced and
advanced particularly through the enthusiastic and energetic participation of
many volunteers.
January kicked off with the enormous blessing
of a visit from my mom and our friend and mentor, Lori Adams. While my mom kept busy squeezing the girls
and helping to teach sewing to a group of young women, Lori worked with
Christian educators, her specialty. We continue to see the fruit of both of
their work. While they were here, our annual team from the
Our next volunteer arrived
at the end of January, a family medicine resident from
In the midst of all the
volunteers, I finished first semester and started the second, again
teaching Medical English to the first
and second year medical students and the internal medicine residents. The
Medical English Club had a slow start, as did activities in general at the
faculty as the professors were on strike for nearly two months at the beginning
of the year. The club is planning to kick off activities in a few weeks when
all of the students have finished exams. They, and we, are excited by the
excited by the presence of two first year medical students from the
I can’t forget that we were also blessed in
June to host Jeremy’s twin brother, Jason, his wife Sarah and their 15 month old daughter Miriam. They live in the
What’s next? I’m hoping to squeeze in a bit
more time with the girls as they are on break until mid-August. I’m still seeing
patients three half-days per week with the nurse we hired in February. With the
med students’ help, I hope to get our “lab-in-a-suitcase” operational.
In addition, I am organizing a trip to
Thank you for your prayers and caring and
patience when lack of time and poor internet access keep us from communicating
as often as we should! Pray that we would daily be reminded of who we are as
His children and to keep our eyes on what’s important and not just urgent.
Please pray for God’s continued direction as the clinical ministry develops.
Pray for greater ownership by the EERN of this ministry. And pray for Jeremy as
he continues in the construction of the guesthouse, developing a vocational
training program, a demonstration garden at CADR, etc. We know that it is by
prayer that God’s power is released and His will is accomplished in our lives
and in those of our colleagues and supervisors.
In Christ,
Susan (For
Jeremy and Susan Beebout work with the
Evangelical Church of the Republic of Niger (EERN) to build ministry programs,
enabling Nigerien Christians to share Christ’s love with the people of
BSA Troop 65
Venture Crew 65
First Reformed Church
Fishkill,
June & July News
The First Annual Scrap Metal Drive on
June 11th and 12th was a huge success! Over the course of
(2) days, Troop and Crew members, along with adult and sibling volunteers,
collected and processed more than 17,900 pounds of scrap metal. Special thanks
to Dagar Group, Eastern View Landscaping and Royal Carting for their support.
Plans for next year’s scrap drive all already underway. Look for flyers and
announcements next Spring.
As the school
year gives way to summer, the scout program eases into a more relaxed schedule
in July and August. Community service projects and scout activities are scaled
back but the Troop and Crew are still active.
On July 16th
and 17th, the Troop and Crew set-up a Wake Break and provided free
coffee and baked goods for travelers at the I-84 rest stop.
From July 24th
to 30th, scouts and leaders from Troop 65 will attend summer camp at
the Hawk Mountain Reservation in
If you would
like more information regarding scouting opportunities, activities, or service
projects, please check out our website at www.troop65fishkill.scoutlander.com or contact Ed Tucholski, Scoutmaster, or Venture Crew Advisor Stacey Tucholski.
Chartered
Organization: First Reformed
Church
MK camp
bonds kid far from native culture
By Samuel Titus
Camp in Severin na Kupi is the place to be if
you are an MK – missionary kid. The mountainous grounds, within sight of the Slovenian border on
Valerie, Penny and I went to camp last month.
I had been twice before. Just like normal American kids at camp, we walked
around and compared countries. Conversation is riddled with phrases such as “So
what dialect of Hungarian do you speak?”
and “Oh yes, once
Such is the common vernacular of MKs who
venture from as far as
Camp at Severin lasted five full days in
which we scrambled to do all we wanted to do. This time, in addition to the
program, I had two special privileges. I was asked to write an entry on the
Camp days began with Bible study, led by each
room’s assigned councilor. For this my group usually went up to the nearby
castle in a place where we were able to see the mountains of
Severin na Kupi is a prime location. The
river, the hills, and the open space provide venues for rock climbing, mountain
biking, and, my favorite: canoeing. More down-to-earth sports included volleyball
and archery.
Every evening, we settled down and
congregated in the main room. This part was the life of the camp. When asked,
“What was your favorite part of the week,” the answer more often than not was,
“Worship, hands down!” It was not without reason. Something in the gathering of
so many English-speaking missionaries, united in cause and in experience, so
scattered throughout the continent yet so compact in that room, singing song
after song with passion, burned a lasting nostalgia into the hearts of any
willing to be humbled. That is what most people bring back with them. For me it
was that failed attempt to sing “Amazing Grace” around the campfire that I
cherish most. Just four people off to the side: one on violin, one on the
banjo, one of the councilors and me singing, and the rest of the camp
storytelling and remembering what God had put in their hearts. I recall
laughing when trying to get the rest of the campers to sing. The four of us
simply continued on without them for another five minutes with the light of the
fire rising and falling to the melody.
I have wonderful memories from this year’s
camp. In nearly everything we did I saw how small were my aspirations and how
much grander was God’s plan for myself. In the light of His love, all else
dwindled. Camp was a time to marvel at the gift of love, and what a magnificent
value it holds. With so many godly people around me, it was easy to aspire to
be better. That is why I plan to go back to Severin a fourth time next year,
where I have been invited to become a member of the staff and to participate in
this camp on a higher level.
Eric and Nancy Titus are RCA missionaries in
First Reformed
Seventh Annual Golf Tournament
McCann Memorial Golf Course
(845)471-3917
Scoring format will be a 4-person Scramble
Donation per golfer of $120.00
will include:
Golf, cart, goody bag gifts, breakfast,
lunch, dinner (at Christos), prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd
place team finish, longest drive and closest to pin contests, and a hole-in-one
prize! There will also be a raffle during dinner with great prizes.
Golfer Registration
Please list guests/team members below : BREAKFAST
SPONSOR - $250.00
DINNER SPONSOR - 3 @ $500.00
NAME: __________________________________
4
GOLFERS and a SIGN - $525.00
ADDRESS: _______________________________ TEE OR GREEN
SIGNS - $75.00 each
_________________________________________
PHONE: _________________________________
Yes, please reserve _______
golf ticket(s)
NAME:
_________________________________
at $120 per person
ADDRESS: ______________________________
_________________________________________
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend.
PHONE: _________________________________
Enclosed
is my donation of $ __________
NAME:
__________________________________
as a contribution to
ADDRESS:
_______________________________ First
Reformed
_________________________________________
PHONE: _________________________________
Total
enclosed _____________
NAME:
__________________________________ NAME:
_____________________________
ADDRESS:
_______________________________
COMPANY:
_________________________
_________________________________________ ADDRESS:
__________________________
PHONE: _________________________________
_____________________________________
PHONE:
_____________________________
Make Checks Payable
to: First Reformed
Questions? Contact
First Reformed
Parables on the Road
Don’t have much time? Here’s the course for you!
Pick & Choose! Eight parables,
eight different locations, eight different instructors.
Ì
Expand your Biblical
knowledge Ì Visit
other churches.
Ì The price is right! Tuition is $5.00 per class Ì
Time is right!
October 3 The Reformed Church, Saugerties
Parable: Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders; Matt. 7:24-27,Luke 6:46-49
October 10,
Parable:
The Sower; Mark 4:3-20
October 12 Hurley Reformed Church, Hurley
Parable: The Weeds; Matthew 13: 24-30; 36-43
October
17 Faith Reformed
Church, Slate Hill
Parable: The Prodigal Son; Luke
15:11-31
October
19 Walden Reformed
Church, Walden
Parable: “You Name the Parables”; Luke 12:13-21 and
Luke 14:15-24
October
Parable: The Great Dinner: Luke
14:15-24
October
26 New
Parable: The Good Samaritan: Luke 10:
25-37
November
7
Parable: The Great Judgment, & the
Sheep and the Goats; Matt. 25:31-46
Registration: