The Parish Visitor

The First Reformed Church of Fishkill

November 2007

Dear Friends,

At the De Kerk Winkel, our annual Fall Church Sale, there were beautiful pins and magnets made with real maple leaves, in all the autumn colors. I’ve been wearing one the last couple of days, and every time I catch a glimpse of it out of the corner of my eye, or in the mirror, I marvel at the beauty of God’s creation. We have much for which to be thankful.

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, it has been a tradition in this congregation to take a special offering which is used to assist those whose cupboards are not full this season. The consistory has approved for this offering to be divided between two organizations, one local and one international.

First, is the Elizabeth A. Karlson food pantry, operated out of the Dutchess County Department of Social Services. This pantry is used by case managers to assist individuals or families in need of food on an emergency basis. The pantry receives no public or tax moneys but is supplied through DSS employee donations and donations from other individuals. Deacon Judy Michaelis works in the department and made us aware of this need.

Second, the international recipient of this offering is My Brothers’ Table in St. Croix. The director of this food pantry is our former pastor, Rev. Rod Koopmans. Pastor Koopmans tells us that The Virgin Islands have the highest incidence of poverty in the United States. My Brothers’ Table serves over 10,000 meals a year to the hungry in that community.

Enclosed in this Parish Visitor is a special Thanksgiving Offering envelope. I trust that you will prayerfully consider how you may bless others during this Season as we receive this special offering on Sunday, November 18^th.

With praise and thanksgiving,

NOVEMBER CALENDAR

1	Choir 7 pm	14	Bible Study 10 am Women of the Church 7:30 pm*
4	Sunday School 9 am Worship 10 am – Communion Calvin’s Cleaners Team 5 Shoe Boxes due*	15	Choir 7 pm
6	Bible Study 7:30 pm	17	Cleanup Day 9 am*
7	Bible Study 10 am Deadline for Consistory Nominations	18	Sunday School 9 am Worship 10 am Thanksgiving Dinner* Calvin’s Cleaners Team 7
8	Choir 7 pm	22	GIVE THANKS!
11	Sunday School 9 am Worship 10 am – Consecration Sunday Brunch Calvin’s Cleaners Team 6	25	Sunday School 9 am Worship 10 am Calvin’s Cleaners Team 8
13	Consistory 7:15 pm	29	Prepare lunches for homeless shelter*

*See this Parish Visitor for more information.

Notes from October Consistory Meeting

Ø Elder John Houston led devotions on Romans 12.

Ø The Treasurers Operating Report for September shows revenues totaling $21,216.13, and expenses totaling $18,913.94.

Ø The Sunday School Christmas program will be Saturday, December 8^th, co-chaired by Bonnie Chao and Jayne Hoffman.

Ø Pulpit exchange for October 21, between Rev. Taylor Holbrook and Pastor Gloria was approved as part of Hopewell Reformed Church’s 250^th Anniversary celebration.

Ø Preaching Elder Peter Pageray was approved to preach on Nov. 25^th, while Pastor Gloria is on vacation.

Ø Time and Talent Sheets will be circulated in the Spring.

Ø The Finance Committee will over see the financial aspects of restaurant property (1717 Rte 9) and the Property Committee will oversee the physical aspects.

Ø The Fishkill Food Pantry served 4,425 meals in September.

Ø Next Consistory meeting is November 13^th, at 7:15pm.

Ø

Church Website - www.fishkillreformed.org

Check out the pictures on our church website that were taken in worship on October 21^st, when Rev. Taylor Holbrook and “Dominie Rysdyk” visited!

Coffee Hour Hosts

for October and November 2007:

Please note that the first name listed each Sunday should contact the other hosts regarding food share and as a reminder of the date. If you are not available on the assigned date, it is your responsibility to find a substitute or trade dates, put the change on the list in the Education Building, and advise the office for the Sunday bulletin. You may notice that you are being asked to serve at coffee hour more often. With the wonderful attendance each Sunday, we are putting four families on board instead of three. Thank you to everyone for being so gracious.

November December

4 Supan, Chao, Kyzer, Saya 2 Baron, Crawford, Schmidt, Corwin

11 Consecration Sunday Brunch 9 Bodowski, Wright, Dachenhausen, Rygiel

18 Thanksgiving Dinner 16 Twohig, Van Geldern, Rush, Smith

25 Van Nostrand, Purifoy, Gunderson, Byers 23 Barbara & Joan Van Voorhis, Moseman, Kayson

30 Lanni, Binder, Flayter, Heather Hansen

VOLUNTEER NEEDED

 B.J. Lanni wants to be relieved from doing the coffee hour scheduling.  We need someone to step in and pick up where she is leaving off.  B.J. has it organized so that you would only have to add new names or delete any that have left.   If anyone would like to do this, please talk to B.J. Lanni or Judy Michaelis.  If no one volunteers, a sign up sheet will be put up in Fellowship Hall and we will have coffee hours only when people sign up.

Our kitchen in Fellowship Hall is in need of new kitchen towels.  If anyone would like to donate one, please leave it in the kitchen.  We would also like some new potholders.  Everything we have right now is very old, stained and in need of replacement.

Sunday, November 18 is our annual Thanksgiving dinner after church.  Cost will be $8.50 for adults and $5.00 for children 5-12, children under 5 are free.  Sign up sheet will be in Fellowship Hall. We will need pies donated for dessert and 9 people to cook turkeys.  If interested in cooking a turkey, please contact Barbara VanVoorhis at 896-6412.  We will give you the turkey to cook.  We are limited to 120 people, so sign up early.

Thank you

Frank DiNoto would like to thank all those who have kept him in their prayers over the last month. He has greatly appreciated the cards and visits and hopes to be home by the time you read this note!

Thank you to all who contributed in so many ways to the De Kerk Winkel. Thru your generosity and hard work, the church realized a profit of $3247.75.

From the Buildings & Grounds Committee:

The Boy Scouts will be performing a Fall clean-up of leaves and brush, etc. If you are available and want to give a helping hand we would appreciate it. The clean-up is Saturday, November 17th at 9:00 a.m.

Also, if you are interested in joining our committee please see me. We could use some new volunteers!!!!!!!

Ray Van Voorhis

Samaritan's Purse shoe boxes will be collected on November 4th during the church service.   They can also be left in Dubois house during the week of November 4th.

Please pack either a standard size cardboard shoe box or, preferably, a plastic Sterilite shoe box.    They ask us not to use oversized boot boxes because that makes it harder to pack the big shipping boxes to capacity.  Plastic are preferred, because they make another gift.  Sterilite is the preferred brand because it holds up.  Some of the cheaper brands break.  Remember to gift wrap the box and lid separately, if you choose to wrap them. 

Please put crayons, soap, toothpaste, and hard candy in plastic bags.  There have been some instances of these items melting, and it they do, they don't want them to ruin other items in the box.  Toothpaste and toothbrushes are especially desired items in the boxes.  Many of these children have never seen a dentist, and toothpaste can cost over $7.00 a tube in some countries.

The cost of a "ticket" for each shoe box is now $7.00.  This is the first price increase since the shoe box program began 13 years ago, and as we all know, fuel prices have steadily increased every year.

If you do not want to pack a full shoe box, there is a basket at the back of the church where you may donate individual items that will be used to fill a shoe box from the congregation as a whole.  Remember, the first item to put in your shoe box is prayer.  Everything else is a bonus.

Questions - Toni Houston 227-7655

The Women of the Church will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, November 14 at 7:30 pm to wrap socks for Hedgewood Adult Home residents.  We are collecting socks for 150 men and 50 women as a Christmas present for each resident.  If you would like contribute socks for this project, you may place them in a container in either the church foyer or DuBois House.  All women of the church are invited to join us to help wrap the socks.  Come share in fellowship and refreshments.

POINSETTIAS

Believe it or not, it is time to order poinsettias if you would like to place one in the church during the Christmas season.  The cost will be $8.00, payable to Women of the Reformed Church at the time you place your order.  The deadline will be December 2.  There is a sign up in the entry to the Christian Education Building.  You may give your payment to Liz Alexander or Dorrie Hansen.

We have learned from Thea Schallenberg that there is a new Christian book store in Fishkill…Lily of the Valley. It is located in the former Grand Union plaza across the street from the Post Office. She says that not only do they have books, cards and other Christian items but they will serve you a fresh cup of coffee when you visit.

Worship and Music Advent and Christmas Schedule

A. Hanging of the Greens, Dec.2, 2007, following Coffee Hour. Please join us in decorating our church inside and outside. We need you!!

B. Community Advent Service, Dec. 2, 4:00 pm, St. Mary’s Church, Our Pastor Rev. Gloria McCanna will be preaching. All Churches are asked to bring sweets/snack to share.

C. Community Caroling, Dec. 9^th, 4:00-6:00 pm, will take place locally for homebound members of our congregation. Pleased join us in sharing the Celebration of our Lord’s Birth in song with our shut in friends. Following the caroling either sandwiches and hot chocolate or dinner out…to be decided later. A Sign Up sheet will be posted in the Christian Ed. Building on Nov. 25^th.

SAVE THE DATE

As their gift to the congregation,

the children and youth of our church wish to invite you to a

Christmas Program

Pot Luck Supper “The Best Present of All”

“A Gift for Advent” The Christmas Story

Saturday, December 8, 2007

5:30 PM Fellowship Hall

Please RSVP on the sign-up sheet in the Christian Education Building.

On November 29^th our church will be providing about 45 bag lunches for the homeless at the shelter in Poughkeepsie. We will need volunteers to work in a "production line" at the church the day we make them: food-- sandwich meats, bread, sandwich rolls, cheeses, celery and carrot sticks, butter, condiments in packets (mayonnaise, mustard, and catsup), fruit, homemade cookies, potato chips, pretzels or the like so we can make really nice lunches.  Donations of money in order to buy these things would certainly be accepted.

Please consider our Homeless and offer to help. Call JoAnn Supan at 838-2032 for further information and to offer assistance.

George and I are helping a new shelter for battered women and abused elderly get started here in Southern Dutchess.   I am going to be collecting clothing for these people.  They often are brought to the shelter with the clothes on their backs.   Since this is the season for changing clothing please consider talking to me about it.  I will be glad to help get any used clothing you might be willing to donate.  Yes, a tax deduction can be obtained.   This shelter, called House of Faith, will offer the same services as Grace Smith House in Poughkeepsie.   A great need exists here in Southern Dutchess for this service.   Many women are turned away from help in Poughkeepsie due to lack of room.

.   I will be very glad to explain more to you.  Just ask

JoAnn Supan

CHURCH HERALD

As some of you may be aware, General Synod voted in June to discontinue sending the Church Herald to all members without additional charge. If you wish to continue to getting the magazine please subscribe by using the form inside the back cover of your November issue or you may subscribe on line at www.herald.rca.org.

Consistory Nominations for 2008

The Nominating Committee requests that all members prayerfully consider who God is calling in our midst to serve on the 2008 consistory as an Elder or Deacon (see descriptions below). If you would like to suggest someone, please talk with that person to obtain permission and then complete the form below and submit to the church office or give to one of the committee members: John Houston, Jan Utter, Celeste Rudberg or Liz Alexander.

Deadline for submitting names is November 7^th. The slate will be presented to Consistory on November 13th and published in the bulletin November 18^th & 25^th. Elections will be held at a congregational meeting on December 2nd.

The RCA Book of Church Order states:

Nominees must be at least 21 yrs. old, and a confessing member. At the discretion of the consistory a nominee may be 18 yrs. old.

The office of the elder is, together with the other installed elders ad the installed minister/s, to have supervision of the church entrusted to them. They have charge of all matters relating to the welfare and good order of the church. They have oversight over the conduct of the members of the congregation ad seek to bring that conduct into conformity with the Word of God. Elders exercise an oversight over the conduct of one another, and of the deacons, and of the minister/s. They make certain that what is preached and taught by the minister/s is in accord with the Holy Scripture. They assist the minister/s with their good counsel and in the task of visitation. They seek to guard the sacraments of the church from being profaned. An elder may administer the sacraments, if authorized by the board of elders.”

The office of deacon is one of servanthood and service after the example of Christ. In the local church deacons are chosen members of spiritual commitment, exemplary life, compassionate spirit, and sound judgment, who are set apart for a ministry of mercy, service, and outreach. They are to receive the contributions of the congregation and distribute them under the direction of the consistory. The deacons give particular attention and care to the whole benevolence program of the church. They have charge of all gifts contributed for the benefit of the poor and distribute them with discretion. They visit and comfort those in material need and perform such other duties as the consistory may assign them.

_{+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++}

· I would like to recommend the following person to serve as an Elder:

Name: Gifts & Talents:

_____________________________________ ___________________________

· I would like to recommend the following person to serve as a Deacon:

Name: Gifts & Talents:

_____________________________________ ___________________________

My name is ________________________________ Telephone:___________________

I have obtained permission from the above listed people to submit their names: ___ yes ___ no

Croatia Update

November means new digs for Titus family

By Nancy Titus

RCA Missionary in Croatia

Just as we indicated last month, November brings a new rush of heavy work. Our family is in the middle of a move to a new house just in time for the children’s school also to move to its new/old renovated location.

With the truly, crazy busy schedule Eric and I have had the last month, moving is about the last thing we would like to do. But God has smiled down on us and brought us help in the form of fellow RCA missionaries Dick and Carolyn Otterness, who live in Budapest, and with a break in our classes which fell at crucial times.

Some of you must be praying for us to have such an answer to prayer come our way so effortlessly on our part!

The Otternesses came the last weekend in October and packed and hauled our stuff from the old house to the new one and then stayed around to do some heavy cleaning. Carolyn also took me on a couple of much-needed shopping trips to get things for the new place. What a godsend! We have done a lot of moving in our lives together, and rarely do we have people make a point to volunteer to come and help for a whole weekend – especially when coming means a five-hour drive one way!

Also, God has answered your prayers by providing us two different breaks in our class schedule at the seminary. First, classes were dismissed the last full week in October as part of special Reformation Week activities, in which the seminary invites special speakers to make presentations. We took advantage of the break to work on our move and meet with students who we are mentoring as part of the seminary program. The second break is for All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1, which is a national holiday. This is a big one for Croatia, so the seminary also cancelled classes on Friday, Nov. 2. That gives us a couple of extra days to work to put together our new place.

The children also have a short schedule with the All Saints’ Day holiday. Usually, they get three days off of school, but this year they are getting an additional day as their school will move from its temporary location in the old army building to its renovated building, which just happens to be across the street from our new house. So, in the middle of all the chaos, we have some lessened pressure from normal living. That is truly a blessing from God!

The new house is going to be great for us. We have a little more space, including a living room that is completely separate from our dining room. This was the biggest disadvantage of our old house. The dining room table dominated our living space, making it awkward when people came to visit. We feel much less cramped in our new space and consider that a gift from God.

Even so, we leave our old house with some bittersweet feelings. We have been very thankful to have had such a good house to live in for our first year in our new culture. We have enjoyed being so close to the seminary, though we still are at only two and a half blocks away!

Also, I want you to know that Eric and I had a very nice time in Brussels and Prague in mid-October. We were in Brussels so Eric could attend the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches on behalf of the Reformed Christian Church in Croatia, our other mission partner. We were the only non-Europeans in the group, as other attendees were appointed by their various European denominations. It was an interesting experience, and a good chance to get to know more of the church in Europe as well as some of her concerns.

I was particularly grateful to finally get to go to Prague, where Eric is doing his doctoral work at Charles University. It was my first visit though Eric has been there several times. We were graciously received at the home of his doctoral mentor, and we got to spend some personal time exploring the old city. It was nice finally to have some time apart – in between all the other commitments – to just enjoy one another. The trip made a fitting anniversary gift.

Thank you again ever so much for your continued support of our ministry through your faithful giving and heartfelt praying. That is what keeps us going. Blessings to you!

First Reformed Church

1153 Main Street

Fishkill, NY 12524

845-896-9836

www.fishkillreformed.org

“I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but

I have called you friends,

because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.”

John 15:15