The Parish Visitor

The First Reformed Church of Fishkill

October 2007

Dear Friends,

It’s wonderful to hear about the vacations that many of you have taken this summer. You have traveled far and wide – going to other countries, down to the shore and simply “up the road a ways.” You’ve gone for a day, a week and some for more than a month. Hopefully, no matter how far you traveled or how long you were gone, you had time for rest and refreshment.

As we look at the days ahead, there are many opportunities for us to gather to worship, work and play together: all possible because of the service of us all. The Stewardship Committee is planning our fall stewardship program, titled, “I Have Called You Friends”. The committee members are: John Houston, chair, Harold Crawford, John Twohig, Ed Hawkins and myself. Through this program we hope we will all grow in our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ who calls us friends.

One goal of the program is to encourage everyone to make a financial commitment to the church and its work for next year. But the more important goal is to allow this biblical, spiritual, inspirational program to enrich our understanding of what it means to be a generous steward. The program’s focus is not on how much the church needs, but on how much we need to give. We will not be asked to give to meet a budget. Rather each one will be asked to prayerfully determine what proportion of income they are led to give as a sign of faith and commitment to Jesus Christ, rather than having you focus on the number of dollars to be given.

During the coming weeks:

· You will hear from two of our members— called witnessing stewards,

· You will be introduced to our Guest Steward for 2008,

· You will be invited and encouraged to attend Consecration Sunday, on November 11th, as we gather for worship, commit and consecrate our giving for next year, and share a meal together as we celebrate God’s abundant love for us.

We are all stewards in many ways. The call on our lives is to continue to grow as generous stewards. Remember the theme, “I Have Called Your Friends” and plan to gather for worship Sunday, November 11th, so that together we may ask God’s consecration on our entire lives.

Your friend in Christ,

OCTOBER CALENDAR

2	Bible Study 7:30 pm DuBois House	18	Set up for De Kerk Winkel 7 pm* Choir 7 pm
3	Bible Study 10 am DuBois House Activities Committee 7 pm*	19	Set up for De Kerk Winkel
4	Choir 7 pm	20	De Kerk Winkel 9 am – 3 pm*
7	Sunday School 9 am Worship 10 am Communion Calvin’s Cleaners Team 1	21	Sunday School 9 am Worship 10 am Calvin’s Cleaners Team 3
9	Consistory 7:15 pm	23	Bible Study 7 pm DuBois House
10	Bible Study 10 am DuBois House Book group 7:30 pm*	24	Bible Study 10 am DuBois House Book group 7:30 pm – Vassar Temple*
11	Choir 7 pm	25	Choir 7 pm
14	Sunday School 9 am Worship 10 am CROP Walk* Book Group 12:30 pm – Buddhist Temple in Carmel* Calvin’s Cleaners Team 2	28	Sunday School 9 am Worship 10 am Calvin’s Cleaners Team 4
16	Classis meeting	30	Bible Study 7 pm DuBois House
17	Bible Study 10 am DuBois House Book group 7:30 pm – Sikh Temple*	31	Bible Study 10 am DuBois House Book group 7:30 pm – Hindu Samaj* (tentative)

*See this Parish Visitor for more information

De Kerk Winkel

De Kerk Winkel (the church store) will be held this year on Saturday, October 20 from 9 am until 3 pm. Beginning this year we will be concentrating on crafts, fine collectibles, art works, along with potted plants and “Bertha’s Kitchen. (We encourage you to save the toys, books and attic treasures at home, and bring them to the Everything Sale next May.)

As we put the focus fully on arts, crafts and homemade baked goods, we believe people will better understand the costs involved in creating these items and not expect yard sale prices. Although we would like to make the transition smooth and quick, we realize that this will be a transition year.

For those of you who like to make crafts, produce art works, or have collectibles which you now wish to part with, we believe that this is a good opportunity for you to share those in a way that will benefit the church.

Sign up sheets are posted in the Fellowship Hall. Set-up will be Thursday evening and all day Friday.

Any comments or questions should be directed to John Houston, Stewardship Committee Chair.

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.

October November

7 Houston, Alexander, Nolting, Cook 4 Supan, Chao, Kyzer, Saya

14 Skinner, Beaudway, Silverstein, Moffitt 11 Campbell, Rudberg, Utter, Merritt

21 Grassick, Heroy, Teske, Jodlowski 18 Fellin, McCoy, Hawkins, Tagler

28 Schallenberg, Sanders, Hughes, Landanno 25 Van Nostrand, Purifoy, Gunderson, Byers

The Activities Committee is having their first meeting of the year on Wednesday, October 3 at 7 PM, upstairs in the DuBois House. Everyone is welcome to come and join us.

CHRISTIANITY “Let us never forget that there exists no other religious reality than the faith of the believer. If we really want to understand religion, we must refer exclusively to the believer’s testimony. What we believe, from our point of view, about the nature or value of other religions, is a reliable testimony to our own faith or to our own understanding of religious faith, but if our opinion about another religion differs from the opinion and evaluation of the believers, then we are no longer talking about their religion. We have turned aside from historical reality and are concerned only with ourselves”. W.B. Kristensen

“We meet on the mountain height of absolute respect for the religious convictions of each other…”

Hon. Charles Carroll Bonney, Opening address, 9/11/1893, World’s Parliament of Religion, Chicago

JOURNEY TO WORLD RELIGIONS Join us on Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 7:30PM as we begin our journey in the DuBois House. The first night we will discuss our ventures and receive an itinerary for the succeeding weeks. Have you had experiences with other religions (positive or negative)? We’d like you to share them. We will travel to other places of worship in Dutchess County. The final week we will meet at our home and compare Christianity to those religions we visited. You don’t drive at night?.....not a problem, plenty of carpooling available. Stay tuned to your Parish Visitor for your journey follow up.

There will be a blood drive at the Church of the Resurrection, Hopewell Junction. Saturday, October 20^th from one to six-thirty pm. Their address is 182 Rt. 376, Hopewell Junction.

Six blood donors from Church of the Resurrection gave at our blood drive in August. It would be terrific if we supported the drive on October 20, 1-6:30 PM

SEARCHING FOR GOD, THE STORY OF RUTH CARRUTHERS

Ruth, a member of our church, is ninety-five years young, and the story of her life is an enjoyable read.  Please order your copy of this booklet now!  It is $7 a copy.  All proceeds will go to De Kerk Winkel.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if every family bought one? Wow! Call Ronnie Badowski at 724-3499 

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE THANKSGIVING SPECIAL OFFERING…The Deacons have chosen two recipients. For the local gift we will give half the offering to the Elizabeth A. Karlson food pantry that is operated out of the Dutchess County Department of Social Services. This pantry is used by case managers when they find 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. Our own Judy Michaelis works in the department and made us aware of this need.

For the international gift we have chosen 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 of that community.

Please consider both of these services generously when it comes time to make your Thanksgiving offering.

CROP WALK IS HERE AGAIN!  Did you know that Dutchess County has the highest
participation in the Tri-State area?  Did you know that 25% of the funds raised come back into Dutchess County?  Did you know that our church is one of the largest money contributors?  Let's not change that.  See John or Karen Twohig, or Pastor Gloria if you want to walk or contribute this year.  The walk starts and ends at the Jewish Community Center right after church on October 14.
Please join us.

In November we 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.

WOMEN OF THE CHURCH

Warwick Days Open House… Monday, Oct. 15 and Tuesday, October 16. The women of our church will be attending on Tuesday, the 16^th.  We would like to have a good turnout for this special day of good speakers, good music and good food.

Speaking will be Rev. Pamela Ennis, Director of Community Counseling Centers for the Blanton-Peale Institute in NYC.  The program theme is “The Power of Belonging”.     Music director will be Lorraine Nelson Wolf, composer, singer, pianist, and Music Director at the Hopewell Reformed Church.There will be a sign-up sheet in the Education Bldg.  Deadline is Oct. 8^th.  Fee for the day is $15.00.  Please pay Liz Alexander by the 8^th.

SOCKS FOR HEDGEWOOD

The Women of the Church are asking help from the congregation in giving 200 residents at Hedgewood Adult Home a Christmas present. We are collecting socks for 150 men and 50 women. A container will be placed in the church foyer and in the DuBois House. This has been an ongoing project for nearly 20 years and your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Congratulations to our own Willa Skinner, recipient of the Dutchess Award from the Dutchess County Historical Society. As Fishkill Town Historian, an author and a columnist Willa has enriched all our lives with her knowledge of history in the southern Dutchess area. Hats off to you, Willa, and thank you.

3rd Annual FRC Golf Outing

Huge Success

On 9/13/07 we had our 3^rd Annual Golf Outing at Carvel Country Club. It was a beautiful sunny day. We had 92 golfers play!!!! Following a little research, below is a list of over 40 Church members/friends that have helped in some way over the last 3 years in these Golf Outings

Stan & Lola Saya Jay & Helene Wright

Harold & June Crawford Celeste Rudberg

Ray & Joan VanVoorhis BJ & Rich Lanni

Jan & Jim Utter Florence Smith

Dell Buck Barbara VanVoorhis

Pastor Gloria McCanna Helen Deneu

Marilyn Gundersen Marisa DeGregoriis

Gordon & Diane Flayter Barbara Heroy

Jerry Hughes Chris Jodlowski

Betty Johnson Joan Mari

The Alexanders MaryLu Aronow

The Barons The Byers

Sue Bretsch Roy Carruthers

James Covell Barbara Moseman

The Noltings Rich Pucci

The Taglers Hank Taylor

Shirley VanVoorhis Mary Magee

Todd Brinckerhoff Linge/Francis families

Julie Sanders Don VanNorstand

Ryan Van Beek CCS

Women of the Church The Consistory

George Supan

The 2007 – 3^rd Annual Golf Outing netted a profit of $10,300!!!!!!! This will go toward the furnace fund.

Thank you all again- hope to get your support again next year.

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

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

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

Ministers, Elders, Deacons, Church Leaders, Lay People and Youth are

ALL INVITED TO ATTEND

the Fall Meeting of the Regional Synod of New York.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!

WHERE CHRIST IS ALIVE

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2007

9:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

First Reformed Church

Hastings-on-Hudson

KIRSTY DePREE

RCA CO-ORDINATOR for DISCIPLESHIP

&

12 SMALL GROUP LEADERS from the

REGIONAL SYNOD OF NEW YORK

This gathering will explore Where Christ Is Alive by noting:

Where The Spiritual Needs are being met for church members and non-members

How the church is Responding to Meet the Needs of both Church Members and non-Members

Where The Hearts of Church Members are helped to assist interested non-members (“non-attenders”) to come into a Relationship with Jesus Christ

How churches are helped to develop Action Plans to carry out their goals

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED: Please contact the Synod Office, 914-332-1311

Croatia Update

Flurry of activity greets new ETF school year

By Nancy Titus

RCA Missionary in Croatia

October is here, and with it the beginning of a new school year at the seminary in Osijek. And our busy schedule just got busier!

I have been coordinating an intensive English class the last two weeks of September. Eric is our new student dean, and that gives him lots of new responsibilities, especially as the new year begins. In typical Croatian fashion, our kids have almost gotten their finalized schedules for their school year, which at this writing is into its fourth week. In about two weeks, Eric will attend a church conference in Brussels and meet with his doctoral mentor in Prague. I will tag along to keep up his spirits as he is feeling a bit weary from all his summer travel without the family. That will allow the two of us at least to squeeze in some pleasure time around all the work. (I also have several writing assignments I hope to complete while he is attending the conference.) Then when we get back, we will move from our house at the seminary to a new place a couple of blocks away.

Whew!

My head spins just thinking about it. And that is before factoring in all the English testing and placement that needs to be done to get students in the right classes. Together with the administrative tasks of running the English Department and trying to teach my own kids English appropriate to their grade, I am in real need of help! I know and trust God to send me just what I need, but sometimes I wish that help would come before the last minute!

God has been so faithful in providing the help I need in the English Department that I cannot worry too much. He knows what I can and cannot do. He knows that living a balanced life, spending time with my family, is important as well as the things I do at the seminary. I know and trust that He is teaching me to do all these things better.

For example, at this time last year, I didn’t know who would be helping me. Then two volunteers stepped forward. They taught two classes the first semester. Then a young man came from the States specifically to help in the English Department the second semester. He taught both classes and helped with a new newsletter we began for our seminary community. This summer, while I was in the States, a San Antonio woman volunteered to come to help with the two-week intensive. We were joined by three others who helped last year. That has kept me going through these crazy weeks.

At this moment, I need another person to teach an EFL class. Please help me pray one in! Due to family obligations, I can only teach one as I will also teach a new composition class, which I championed as a way to help students understand the basics of writing.

Improving student writing was one of the things that has long been identified as a big need of our students. They have not had to write much in their high schools, even in their native languages. For example, the Croatian high school curriculum only teaches how to write an essay in theory. They never actually write one. They do only descriptive or subjective kinds of writing, but not writing that presents objective facts or that has to weigh opposing arguments and determine which has more validity.

Now the monkey is on my back to deliver the teaching needed in this area, and I have never done any such teaching! Although I have been a professional writer for many years, I am not at all confident that I can teach others to write. So, I need your prayers there as well.

For his part, Eric needs prayer for his doctoral work, which he hopes to devote more attention to this year. He will be writing but also continuing his German studies so that he can pass the big German proficiency exam in the spring. This is all in addition to the many, many other obligations both at the seminary and with the Reformed Christian Church in Croatia.

So, as we stand at the beginning of a new year, we are again ever so thankful for our wonderful partners who pray faithfully for us and support us financially. Because of your ceaseless care, we can confidently say we are excited about the possibilities this year brings. Thank you again!

COME TO DE KERK WINKEL

Saturday, October 20, 9 am – 3 pm

Crafts Plants Art Work

Food Fine Collectibles

First Reformed Church

1153 Main Street

Fishkill, NY 12524

845-896-9836

www.fishkillreformed.org