The Parish Visitor September, 2007

The Parish Visitor

The First Reformed Church of Fishkill

September 2007

Dear Friends,

As the temperature drops a bit and college students drive by in cars packed to the ceiling with luggage, lamps, and pillows, I am amazed that the grass is still green and even more amazed that the deer have not eaten all of my hosta!

The summer harvest is God’s gift given as a result of early spring care and diligent summer weeding. The harvest is a great reward for those who have toiled in the gardens and it is richly deserved. But the blessings are so abundant that they splash over onto us who can’t seem to keep even a single tomato plant alive.

How wonderful it is to dine on the most delicious garden tomatoes that grace my dinner plate, topped with mozzarella and fresh basil picked from huge patio pots, and blueberries that make into the most wonderful muffins and kuchin – if they last that long.

Surely these blessings are a sure sign of the community of faith. God’s blessings are abundant and God is not stingy, pouring out buckets of blessings that splash onto those whom we believe deserve them and even those we may not be so sure about. To me this is a very good reason to hang around faithful people – you never know when you might get splashed/blessed.

The months ahead will be full of opportunities to serve, to be served, to learn, to celebrate, to gather at the table, to care, to worship, all in the name of Jesus. So let us all gather, the faithful and those struggling to be faithful, and enjoy the showers of blessings that God desires to pour out on all of us.

With great joy and peace,

SEPTEMBER CALENDAR

2	Worship – Communion 10 a.m.	19	Bible Study, DuBois House 10 a.m.*
4	Bible Study, DuBois House 7:30 p.m.*	20	Choir, DuBois House 7 p.m.*
6	Choir, DuBois House 7 p.m.*	21	OCT. PARISH VISITOR NEWS DUE
9	Sunday School, 9 a.m. Worship 10 a.m Chime Choir 11:30 a.m.*	23	Sunday School 9 a.m. Worship 10 a.m. Chime Choir 11:30 a.m.*
11	Women of the Church at Hopewell – 11:30 a.m.* Bible Study, DuBois House 7:30 p.m.*	25	Bible Study, DuBois House 7:30 p.m.
12	Bible Study, DuBois House 10 a.m.*	26	Bible Study, DuBois House 10 a.m.
13	Choir, DuBois House 7 p.m.*	27	Choir, DuBois House 7 p.m.
16	Sunday School, 9 a.m. Worship 10 a.m. Chime Choir 11:30 a.m.*	29	RCWM Fall Conference, New Hackensack Ref. Church 9:15 a.m.*
18	Bible Study, DuBois House 7:30 p.m.*	30	Sunday School 9 a.m. Worship 10 a.m. CCS Anniversary Celebration 11:30 a.m.*

* See this Parish Visitor for more information.

De Kerk Winkel

Fall is fast approaching, and with it, thoughts of the upcoming “De Kerk Winkel.” “The Church Store” has always been different from the Everything Sale which is held in May, and now the Stewardship Committee and Consistory have made the decision to make the distinction even greater.

Beginning this year, the De Kerk Winkel, Saturday, October 20^th, will not have toys, attic treasures, or book tables. Rather we will use the space for crafts, fine collectibles and art works. 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. We will also continue with potted plants and “Bertha’s Kitchen.”

Thank you for your support of this change. Any comments or questions should be directed to John Houston, Stewardship Committee Chair, or other Consistory members.

Children's Community Services
25th Anniversary Celebration
Sunday September 30th 11:30 AM
After church that Sunday, there will be a reception and a special "blessing of the rooms" liturgy; there will be a memory book and time to meet with old friends. Past and present students, staff and friends are all invited. If you know someone who might come, please invite them,(and to facilitate planning, let us know you're coming 896-9836).

Supportive Poetry Group Beginning Soon If you are interested in sharing and improving your poetry, this is the group for you. We will meet once a month on a day and time that is the best for the majority of those interested. Please call Ronnie Badowski at 724-3499. Leave a message on my answering machine. Please include your telephone number. (Editor’s note: Be sure to read Ronnie’s poem on page 10)

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.

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Coffee Hour Hosts

for September and October 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.

September October

2 Minot, Hoffman, Lane, Gorba 7 Alexander, Vasquez, Cook, Deneu

9 Saunders, Binder, Taylor Gallo 14 Skinner, Beaudway, Silverstein, Moffitt

16 Perry, Wesley, DiYeso, Deneu 21 Grassick, Heroy, Teske, Jodlowski

23 Aranow, Michaelis, Covell, DeGregoriis 28 Schallenberg, Sanders, Hughes, Landanno

30 Houston, Vasquez, Merritt, Wisst

SAVE THE DATE: Activities committee will be having their planning meeting on Wednesday, October 3 at 7 PM in the upstairs room in the Dubois House. All are invited to attend, bring suggestions and help us set up out calendar of events.

The Women of the Church are invited to join the women of the Hopewell Reformed Church on Tuesday, September 11. The church is located on Beekman Road in Hopewell Junction. Their schedule is: Gathering and business 11:30 AM; Lunch : 12 noon; Program: 12:30 PM.

The women who attended the Women's Conference (formerly Triennial) in Chicago will be speaking about their experiences there. Feel free to come at any of the times listed. If you plan to come for lunch bring a sandwich. Dessert and beverages will be provided.

Reformed Church Women's Ministries The RCWM Fall Conference will be held at the New Hackensack Reformed Church, Route 376, Wappingers Falls on Saturday, September 29. Our guest speaker will be Mary Lou Grott, Parish Health Nurse at New Hackensack. Her program title will be "Are You Connected - Body - Mind - Spirit?". Registration will begin at 9:15, breakfast at 9:30 and program at 10:15. The cost will be $6.00. If you plan to attend, please sign up in the Fellowship Hall entry by September 23.

Mary Lou Grott, R. N./B.S.N., graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh and has worked in Dutchess County for 33 years in various areas of nursing, including Spinal Cord Injury, Home Care, Rehabilitation, Medical/Surgical, and Geriatrics. She has been the Parish Health Nurse at N.H.R.C. since 2002, when she received a specialty certification in Parish Nursing from Pace University. She finds her diverse nursing role as a resource and support to our Congregation both exciting and immensely satisfying, working part-time in a dynamic Health Ministry with many truly wonderful and talented volunteers who help keep it all going. She has been a member of this community of faith for over 27 years.

If you have questions about either of these events, please talk to Dorrie Hansen or Liz Alexander.

Even though her Girl Scout Gold Project is long over, old habits die hard. Elaine Houston and her family are still collecting all types of aluminum to be sold for recycling. The profits go to Shriners Hospital, where Elaine is a patient. Anything made from aluminum counts, including pop tops from soda and beer cans, non returnable cans like iced tea and juice, crushed cans that can't be returned, clean foil and one use pans, old kitchen pots and pans, and anything else aluminum, up to and including ski poles, window frames, and old storage sheds. There is a collection box in DuBois house, or call 227-7655 for big items.

Thanks to all faithful and new donors.

TUESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:38

God promises that his love is shown in the gift of Jesus Christ. Paul tells us that there is therefore nothing in creation that will separate us from the love of this same God – not ourselves or anything else! Yet sometimes as I come week after week, day after day, to confess my sins before God, I wonder how it is that he does not grow tired of hearing these things from me. Do you ever wonder how is it that our actions don’t ultimately separate us from the love of God? C. S. Lewis said, “Though our feelings come and go, His love for us does not. It is not wearied by our sins, or our indifference; and, therefore, it is quite relentless in its determination that we shall be cured of those sins, at whatever cost to us, at whatever cost to Him.” (Mere Christianity, bk. III, p. 118). That cost was paid. God will never allow the price he paid to be cheapened by our mistakes or the circumstances of the world. When we approach his love in the midst of trials or sins I think it affirms that the cost is still worth it to us!

Paul reminds us that God’s love endures through all things – even when it seems that the whole world is against us.

Come join us as we finish up the last few chapters of Romans and share how God’s love is at work in transforming our lives. We continue to meet on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 P.M. in the parlor of the DuBois house. Our meeting dates through early October are: September 4, 11, 18, 25, October 2. (No meeting on Consistory night – Oct. 9). Each of the chapters of Romans is its own study, so newcomers are always welcome!

Peace and blessings to all! Ed

WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY September 12, 2007 we will begin our study on the Book of Hebrews. The LifeChange Series states, “The Epistle to the Hebrews reigns unchallenged as the best New Testament commentary on the Old Testament and its relationship to Jesus Christ.” According to the Life Application Bible commentary, “Hebrews is a call to Christian maturity. It was addressed to first-century Jewish Christians, but it applies to Christians of any age or background. Christian Maturity means making Christ the beginning and end of our faith.” Please join us Wednesday mornings at 10 am. in the DuBois House Parlor. We will also study the Book of Hebrews in the Adult Sunday School Class at 9am Sunday mornings in the Library Room of the Education Building. If you have any questions please call Maryann Fellin at 896-6734.

The RCA General Synod of 2007 met in Pella Iowa June 7 to June 12, 2007. The theme of the Synod was to explore the interracial, intercultural being of our denomination and each daily session was opened with an inspiring worship session. The service was conducted by Rev. C. J. Grier a black minister from Holland Mich. The sermon was delivered by Rev. Dr. Jackie Lewis of the Middle Collegiate Church in the West Village of NY City.Three major legislative topics were considered (1) the Belhar Confession (2) The Missional Structures and (3) The Church Herald.

The Reformed Church in America has three historic confessions, the Belgic Confession, the Canons of Dort and the Heidelberg Catechism all dating back more than 3 centuries. These three confessions, as theologically rich as they are, speak to us from our past. The future is addressed in the Belhar Confession which has its roots in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. This outcry of faith and call for faithfulness was first drafted in 1982 by the Dutch Reformed Mission Church and adopted by them in 1986. Belhar’s theological confrontation of the sin of racism has made possible reconciliation among Reformed churches in South Africa and has aided the process of reconciliation in that nation. It is the Mission Church’s gift to RCA. Belhar’s relevance is not confined to South Africa. It addresses three key issues of concern to all churches: (1) unity of the church and among all people, (2) reconciliation within church and society and (3) God’s justice. There is concern over the implied but not specifically stated inclusion of homosexuals in Belhar’s statement of unity which states “True faith in Jesus Christ is the only condition for membership of this church.” The GOOD NEWS is that June 11, 2007 is an historic date for the Reformed Church in America with the provisional adoption of the Belhar Confession. A study guide has already been prepared and has been used in this congregation. It is hoped that each of you will participate in the study of this important document over the next two years. The Holy Spirit is indeed alive and well and lives in the Reformed Church.

At the Synod of 2003 “Our Call: Following Christ in Mission” was adopted committing our denomination to fresh involvement in mission. It has five goals (1) The revitalization of congregations, (2) Church multiplication the planting of 400 new churches by 2013, (3) Discipleship following the Lord in all he said and did, (4) Build our future in deploying people with gifts of leadership and (5) Mission to reach out to people with the gospel. Simply put we should be looking outward, not inward.

A budget calling for a $610,000 increase in spending for Our Call was passed. A MISSIONAL task force was formed. This newly coined word was defined as the intentional crossing of boundaries in word and deed to share the Love of God known in Jesus Christ. Another word for MISSIONAL is evangelical. The task force has proposed reorganizing the denomination to accomplish the stated goals and is still a work in progress. Since 1992 the Church Herald has been made available to all church families the cost of which has been included in our denominational assessment. All who desire it will be able to subscribe at a cost of approximately $30 per year. Alternately each Church can get copies for the entire congregation at about $15 per year per year.

SENIOR CHOIR As Minister of Music at the First Reformed Church, I would like to invite those of you who are interested in singing with the Senior Choir to join us on the first rehearsal held on Thursday, Sept. 6^th at 7 pm in the DuBois House Parlor. The choir will sing on Sunday, Sept. 9^th after rehearsing at 9 a.m, and continue thereafter with rehearsals on Thursdays at 7 p.m. All voices are needed and will be much appreciated. As Director of Senior Choir, I very much appreciate the time and dedication of the Senior Choir members, not only every week but extra time during the holidays. They are members who are active in other ways in the church, but manage to find the time to give to the choir. They have all really earned their angel wings. Be sure to thank them on Sundays after the service.

CHIME CHOIR The First Reformed Church is fortunate to have a beautiful set of Malmark Handchimes. As Minister of Music, I have accepted the position of Chime Choir Director, an I am looking forward to presenting this choir in church services in October, November and December, as well as next year. I would like to invite anyone who might be interested in playing in this choir to speak to me on Sundays at church or to call me at home (897-5962). The choir rehearses most Sundays at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the parlor in DuBois House. If you think you are interested, but cannot commit a lot of time, we also have a need for substitutes.

Connie Lacey

THINK GREEN – RECYCLE! Please place any unwanted Sunday bulletins on the table in the narthex. They will be picked up for recycling.

CROP WALK IS COMING – 32^nd Annual CROP Walk – Sunday, October 14, 2007

The Lebardi family wants to thank everyone who prayed for their daughter Michelle who was in a coma due to a car accident. She is slowly recovering. THANK YOU ALL. Marie Nikkels

Thank you to all who donated at the August blood drive. Forty-one units were collected (including 10 units of packed red cells from five donors). Ten donors were from our church community and six donors were from the Church of the Resurrection, Rt. 376, Hopewell Junction. The Church of the Resurrection will have a drive Sat. Oct 20, during the day and would like donors from our and other churches to attend. The date is tentative as attempts are in progress to coordinate the various church drives and this might have an effect on their date. There will be more on this as information comes in. The following restaurants donated meals or certificates for our August 7 blood drive raffle: Laconda, Chibos, and Jackalope. Toni Houston won the Jackalope meal for two.

Those who need rides to medical appointments, to church, or for other needs, please call JoAnn Supan at 838-2032. If you can't reach her you may call Dorrie Hansen at 896-8307.

Denominational Financial Responsibility (DFR) - The First Reformed Church is part of the Reformed Church in America, a denomination of over 900 churches across United States and Canada. To finance Our Call (new church starts and revitalization), missions, administration, education, commissions, ecumenism, etc. dollar assessments are voted on every year by:

General Synod, the annual gathering of representatives from all the classes,

Regional Synod, we are part of the Regional Synod of New York, and

Classis, our church is part of the Mid-Hudson Classis, the 35 RCA churches in Ulster and Dutchess Counties.

Each classis is assessed according to total church membership. And it is the responsibility of each classis to decide how that amount will be paid. The Mid-Hudson Classis calculates each church’s DFR with both membership and financial components: 5% of the church’s income over $100,000, $72.20 for the first 50 members of the congregation and for any members over 350, and $82.51 for members between 50 & 350. This means that the total 2008 DFR for the First Reformed Church of Fishkill will be $12,747.27, based on membership rolls of 149. Of this total assessment approximately 48% goes to General Synod, 46.5% goes to Regional Synod of New York, and 5.5% to the Mid-Hudson Classis.

HOPEWELL REFORMED CHURCH CELEBRATES 250 YEARS September 15 at 7 pm. Come time travel from 1765 to 1057 with music, history and drama (“special guests”)

All are welcome to join the fun! Reception to follow.

THE SCHOOL FOR CHIRSTIAN LIVING AND SERVING

A Ministry of the Mid-Hudson and Orange Classes

Desiree Albizu, SCLS Board President

575 County Rt. 19 Hudson, NY 12534

(528) 537-4221 albizu@valstar.net

www.needclarity.com/scls/index.html

ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP

Mondays, Oct. 15^th & 29^th.

New Hurley Reformed Church, 1145 Rt. 208, Wallkill 7 – 10 pm $35 + books and materials

Rev. Ken Kobza, instructor $35. plus books and materials *General Interest; PE requirement.

AN INTRODUCTION & SURVEY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

Tues: Oct. 2, 9, 23, 30; Nov. 6 & 20

Wurtsboro Reformed Church, 143 Sullivan St., Wurtsboro 7 – 10 pm $100 + books/materials

Rev. Ann Rost, instructor *General Interest; Assoc. in Ministry & PE requirement

A SURVEY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

Weds: Sept. 19, 26; Oct. 3, 10, 17 & 24

Hurley Reformed Church, 17 Main St., Hurley 7 – 10 pm $100 + books/materials

Rev. Roger Leonard, instructor *General Interest; Assoc. in Ministry & PE requirement

THE SACRAMENTS

Thurs: Sept. 27, Oct. 4, 11, 18 & Nov. 1, 8

Ellenville Reformed Church, 188 Canal St., Ellenville 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Rev. Jay Vogerlaar, Instructor *General Interest; Consistory Training requirement

HOW TO BEGIN A HEALTH MINISTRY: THE NUTS & BOLTS

Saturday, Nov. 10^th

Plattekill Reformed Church, 622 Kings Hwy, Mt. Marion 9 am – 12:30 pm $25.

Rev. Keith Tamlyn, Mary Lou Grott (Parish Health Nurse at New Hackensack Reformed Church)

and Beverly A. Kipp (Health Ministry Coordinator at St. John’s Reformed Church), instructors *General Interest; Consistory Training requirement

THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER

Saturday, October 13^th

Meadow Hill Reformed Church, 211 Fletcher Drive N., Newburgh 9 am – 12:30 pm $25.

Ellen Ratmeyer (RCA Coordinator of Consistory Training & Ministry Services, Certified Spiritual Director and ordained Elder), instructor

* General Interest; Consistory Training requirement

FOUNDATIONS FOR GROWING A HEALTHY YOUTH MINISTRY

Saturday, Sept. 15^th

The Reformed Church of New Paltz, 92 Huguenot St., New Paltz 9 am – 4 pm

Kevin Phillips, (Youth leader at Hopewell Jct. Reformed Church for 20+years; Youth Ministry Instructor and Educator in area school, churches & colleges), instructor

$35 plus $25. for manual (for each participant) * General Interest; Assoc. in Ministry requirement

THE FUNERAL: AN OPPORTUNITY

Monday, Oct. 22

New Hackensack Reformed Church, 1580 Rt. 376, Wappingers Falls 7 – 10 pm

Rev. Ryan Nace, instructor $20. plus books & materials

* General Interest; Preaching Elder and Consistory Training requirement

(Editor’s note: more information on each of the above courses AND REGISTRATION FORM are available in the DuBois House)

Notes from August Consistory Meeting

Ø Elder Lola Saya led devotions on Identity Crisis, I Peter 2:9-10.

Ø The Treasurers Operating Report for July shows revenues totaling $14,805.51, (plus $5,000 transferred to Capital projects), and expenses totaling $17, 822.61.

Ø The Food Pantry Committee is discussing the implementation of requests from the Finance Committee, and other issues involving the operation of the Food Pantry. The pantry served 4,860 meals in July.

Ø The De Kerk Winkel, October 20^th, will focus on arts and crafts, plus the homemade baked good and the kitchen foods.

Ø CCS’s 25^th anniversary celebration will be held on September 30^th.

Ø Pastor Gloria will be on vacation September 17 – 30^th.

Ø Approval was given to purchase chairs for fellowship hall and the DuBois House parlor. The money will come from the Memorial Fund.

Ø CCS was given approval to pursue grant monies to cover the cost of security doors and hardware for the second floor of the Education building.

Ø Vacation Bible School had over 50 children registered and the special offering for a windmill in Ethiopia was $901.

Ø Next Consistory meeting is October 9^th, at 7:15pm.

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What A week! Thanks to everyone who helped make VBS a grand success. Fifty-three children were registered and our average daily attendance was 44. The youngsters loved the lessons from Rabbi David in the synagogue, flip-flopped around Fellowship Hall in their homemade sandals, enjoyed barley flour Poor Lad’s bread from the bakery, and had fun casting nets and playing marbles.

Here’s the really great news! Over 50 members of our congregation contributed to the program in a variety of ways from the drama team to cutting and sewing materials, from baking Hamentaschen to sawing and drilling sailboats and menorah’s, from teaching and song leading to managing attendance or lending us shells or golf balls. In all areas we were blessed with conscientious, loving volunteers who did whatever needed to be done to make each facet of the program successful. What an exciting and exhausting week!

During our closing program on Friday, $901 was received for our VBS mission project in Ethiopia. This is more than enough money to build a windmill for one Daasnanech community. It will improve their lives by pumping water from the Omo River to irrigate garden crops for food, to grind grain, and to sharpen tools. What a great way to carry out Tuesday’s lesson to “do to others whatever you would like them to do to you” (Matthew 7: 12). Hugs of gratitude to all! Jan Utter

Sunday School Resumes September 9^th At 9 AM on September 9^th, we will resume our Sunday morning program in the Christian Education building. Classes for all ages look forward to an enjoyable learning experience. Jayne Hoffman will teach the preschooler – third grader class. The young children will have an opportunity to experience God as they use the Children and Worship program. JoAnn Supan will teach grades 4 – 7, and Sheila Jodlowski will teach the girls in grades 8 – 12. Group Faithweaver materials will guide the Bible study & life applications for both of these classes. Jan Utter will teach the boys in grades 8 – 12. They will continue their study of the Apostle’s Creed using HC and Me, The Heidelberg Catechism for Christian Living. MaryAnn Fellin will lead the adults in a study & discussion of the book of Hebrews. During the 10 AM worship service, youngsters, ages 3 – 12, are dismissed to Children’s Church after the Children’s Message.

“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge;

the ears of the wise seek it out.”

Proverbs 18:15

Join us as we expand our knowledge and understanding of God.

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