The Parish Visitor
First Reformed
1153 Main Street,
(845)
September 2011
Dear Friends,
The phone just rang with an invitation to go to a
Yankees game. They are leaving in 15 minutes to catch the train. And it’s one
of those perfect evenings for a baseball game - with just a hint of autumn in
the air. The sun is bright, but not hot, the breeze is blowing and Wednesday
night is a perfect time to take a break.
But…I already have a commitment for this evening, yet
maybe, just maybe, if I start making some phone calls I can get it changed.
Though, I must admit, it’s probably not the best model of leadership to ask a
dozen folks to rearrange their schedules just so I can play hooky.
And anyways, I’m not that great of a baseball fan. I
get as much enjoyment watching one of the local league games as I do watching
the pros. Though I don’t remember the last time I bothered to add a local game
to my calendar.
But still, the night is perfect, and friends are going
and it sounds like so much fun and….
Has this ever happened to you? You know where you’re
suppose to be and yet the temptation to not show up gets so strong that you
work overtime to create excuses that hold no water. And in the end, we often
create more work for ourselves and loose all the benefits from the alternative
plan.
What happens when we do this with God? We can be
acutely aware of what we should be doing in accordance with how God has called
us to live, and yet we create such elaborate excuses as to why we should not do
God’s will, that we almost convince others, if not ourselves, that this is just
how it’s suppose to be.
Our God wants us to have life and have it abundantly,
so there’s no need to fear that we might miss out on something. Both work and
play are part of God’s will for us and we can trust our Creator God to lead us
down the path that includes both. May we be blessed with the trust and wisdom
to follow.
“I
will instruct you and teach you the way you should go.” Psalm 32.8
Peace and joy,
P.S. – I kept my evening appointment.
SEPTEMBER CALENDAR
|
4 |
Worship - Communion - |
18 |
Worship - Sunday School - Chime Choir - |
|
5 |
Labor Day Church Office Closed |
19 |
Annual Golf Outing (*) McCann Memorial Golf Course |
|
6 |
Worship & Music Committee - |
21 |
Bible Study - |
|
7 |
Bible Study - |
22 |
Choir - |
|
8 |
Choir - |
25 |
Worship - Sunday School - Chime Choir - |
|
11 |
Worship - Sunday School - Chime Choir - |
28 |
Bible Study - Women of the Church - |
|
13 |
Consistory - |
29 |
Choir - |
|
14 |
Bible Study - |
30 |
DCCH Shelter Meal (*)
|
|
15 |
Choir - |
|
|
The Dutcher Fund committee received a
2011: Thank you for sending me to
Love,
Heidi Smith
The camp photo is on the church bulletin
board; both Heidi and Joanna Houston are in the picture
Thank you again for
helping to feed the homeless in July. We
will be feeding the homeless again on September 30th. This time we decided to do one main dish of
stew (chicken or beef with lots of vegetables), bread and brownies. If you are able to make a stew or brownies,
please call one of us. If you do not have a disposable container, please call
and we will be more than happy to provide one for you. Thank you to all who
have helped in the past and in the future.
Your help and generosity are greatly appreciated.
Linda Rush and Nellie Briggs
Women of the Church
Covered Dish Supper - Sept. 28th at
Clara Woodson will be the speaker and Lorraine
Nelson Wolf will do the music.
“Spirituality and the Environment, Part 2”, from a
Buddhist and Islamic perspective,
Thursday, Sept. 15, 7-9pm, at Beacon Institute, Dennings Point, Beacon.
The first meeting attended by a number of our members was very thought -
provoking and worthwhile. We can car pool as needed, and if there is an
interest, we will plan dinner beforehand, somewhere in Beacon. Please
pre-register online at www.bire.org; The
event is free. Please contact Karen Twohig if interested.
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, Wappingers Stan
Saya,
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!
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
4
H - Twohig, Skorewicz, Lane 2 H
- Byers, McCoy, H. Hansen
11 H -
Houston, Nolting, Minot 9 H - Badowski,
Chao, Silverstein
18 H -
Baron, Campbell,
Rudberg 16 H
- Saya, Suggitt, Hughes
25
H - Harty, Vasquez, Sanders 23 H
- B, J & R VanVoorhis, Moseman
30 H - Doerr, Alexander, Skinner
Save the Dates!
We will
host a “Song Gift Weekend” on Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23. Lorraine Nelson Wolf,
her husband, Godfrey Nelson and their daughter, Lauren, will present a concert
of inspirational music on Saturday evening in our sanctuary. The concert will
conclude with a song which the performer has written especially for our church.
That song will be presented to the congregation during worship on Sunday.
Singer, composer and instrumentalist,
We are indeed fortunate to have the
opportunity to share the talents of this fine performer. Please come and join
us.
News from Children’s
Community Services
As the new school year approaches, we look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones.
There is a sense of anticipation and excitement as the opening days come closer. The Before and After School Program will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 6. De Kinder Preschool begins on Wednesday, Sept. 14th and the Parent and Tot program will begin Wednesday, Sept. 21st.
Our
Heather Hansen, Director
Senior Choir
& Chime Choir News
Senior choir will start rehearsals on Thursday, Sept. 8th at
Sunday, October 23rd is also special in that Lorraine Nelson Wolfe will have a new Hymn to dedicate to help us celebrate our 300th anniversary in 2016.
Another Save Date is Sunday,
God loves a cheerful giver, give it all
you
awkward spot; When the odds add up against you it's time to
stop and sing. Praise God!
To praise Him is a joyous
thing.
We also have a Chime choir which meets
pretty regularly at
Director of Choirs - Connie Lacey
Notes from
August Consistory Meeting
· Deacon Linda
Baron led devotions with a theme of peace, based on John 14:27. God gives us
peace, but what is that peace and how do we extend that peace to others? When we share the peace of Christ on Sunday
morning, may our touch remind others of God’s peace.
· Treasurer’s
Operating Report as of July 31 shows the year-to-date actual revenues totaling
$171,363 and our year-to-date actual expenses totaling $127,431.
· The grant
proposal to the NY State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic
Preservation for restoration of our church is almost completed, though the
state is now funneling these applications through the Regional Economic
Development Agency.
· Food Pantry is
working with a variety of groups to conduct more food drives.
· Children’s
Community Services will hold the afternoon 3 & 4 year old classes only if
the registrations increase.
· The De Kerk
Winkel will be held Saturday, October 15th.
· Next regular
Consistory meeting is September 13th,
+ + + + +
Cancellations:
A reminder that we try to notify people in several ways: Church answering machine
greeting,
Radio Station WHUD 100.7
(whud.com), Prayer Chain,
Facebook, our website, e-mails, and
www.
cancellations.com. If you want an
e-mail, please make sure we have your e-mail address.
John
Houston
" Room for All "
National Gathering
An organization of Reformed Church in America members and pastors
working for full inclusion of persons of all sexual orientations and gender
identities in the life and ministry of the RCA, Room for All, will hold its national gathering,
"Making Room for All 2011," Thursday - Saturday, October 27-29, at
Central Reformed Church in Grand Rapids. The event will feature
workshops, worship, keynote speaker, plenary sessions, entertainment and
opportunities to receive support and information. The event is
underwritten by enerous grants.
For further information,
go to the Room for All website, www.roomforall.com.
The direct link to the online registration form is https://www.regonline.com/makingroomforall2011.
Questions may be addressed to info@roomforall.com,
or RfA Coordinator Marilyn Paarlberg
De
Kerk Winkel is coming!
![MC900002011[1]](Parish%20Visitor%20September%20%202011%20website%20version_files/image013.gif)
A Dutch treat
Help us celebrate the Dutch heritage of our church
Saturday, October 15 9 – 3
Fine Art Jewelry Needlecrafts Lunch
Photography Baked goods Seasonal crafts Snacks throughout the day
Collectibles* Books Dutch treats Plants**
*If you are planning to donate collectibles you need to get them to John Houston by October 1.
**Do you have houseplants or perennials you can divide? Plants you can start from cuttings?
Bulbs you saved from last spring? Attractive planters you no longer want?
If you are planning on
chairing one of the above booths the Stewardship Committee would like to meet
with you briefly during coffee hour on September 11. If you cannot attend this meeting, please let
Celeste Rudberg, Linda Baron,
from your Stewardship Committee…
September brings the return to school for our
children and their teachers, ripening apples, the beginning of colorful leaves,
cool evenings and … mailboxes stuffed with catalogs. If you have a credit card
or have ever ordered from a mail order catalog, chances are you are getting
deluged with catalogs you don’t want.
BUT.. if you have a computer there is an answer for
you: catalogchoice.org. This
non-profit organization can help you control the downpour. By registering and following their directions
you can save countless trees and have fewer catalogs to carry down the street
for recycling. It costs nothing to join and get rid of unwanted catalogs. Phone
books, too! Log on and follow the
directions to begin cutting back on wasteful junk mail.
It may take a month or two for the flow to stop, but
it will eventually. Just think of the trees you’ll save!
PSALMS BIBLE
STUDY
Wednesday September 7th at
If there’s anything we can learn about prayer from the Psalms, it’s that God simply wants us to acknowledge what He already knows to be true about our circumstances, our hopes, desires, and most of all, how we feel about all those things.
The
The Bible study is open to all. We have interesting and fun discussions as we attempt to apply what we are learning to our everyday life situations and experiences. If you have any questions, please contact Maryann Fellin.
BSA Troop 65 - Venture Crew
65
First Reformed Church, Fishkill
August News
Summer camp is one of the most anticipated portions
of the scout program each year. From July 24th to 30th,
21 scouts and 4 adult leaders from Troop 65 attended summer camp at the Hawk
Mountain Reservation in
As summer draws to a close, planning for
next year’s program gets underway. The Venture Crew is looking forward to a
year of fun-filled activities including camping, rock climbing,
bowling and community service projects
just to name a few. The Crew is hosting the 2nd annual Venture Fellowship
weekend at the end of September. The weekend has a tropical theme- Aloha
! Venturing in the Tropics. The weekend’s planned activities are geared
toward outdoors skills, advancement, fun and fellowship with a Luau to
close out the weekend.. The Crew hosted the first Venture Weekend last fall
with great success.
The Troop 65 2011/2012 program planning
meeting is scheduled for Saturday August 27th. Assistant &
Senior Patrol Leaders will meet with adult leaders to plan the troop’s calendar
of activities and events for the upcoming year based on suggestions submitted by
the members of the troop. Once again, members of Troop 65 can look forward to a
fun-filled year of camping trips, outings and service projects.
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
Prayer Pals
On Youth and Children’s Sunday, June 12th, a “reverse offering” was given and each adult present received the name of a child in our church family. The challenge offered to each adult was to support this child as a “Prayer Pal” - praying for them throughout the year.
In the Sacrament of Baptism we “promise to love, encourage, and support … in fellowship, prayer and service.” So, this is one way to help us carry out our baptismal promises. As Frank C. Lauback wrote, “Prayer is the mightiest force in the world.”
Now, there is a chance, that one or two of us have forgotten this challenge. So, this is a gentle reminder to nurture your “Prayer Pal” by praying for them, sending a note, e-mail, or giving a phone call to tell them of your support. Ask about their birth date and special interests or talents. For children of
missionaries, use the family e-mail address to connect with their children.
Parents and grandparents, please help us pray for your children. When you learn who your child’s Prayer Pal is, help your child connect with this person and share their joys, successes and needs. These connections and prayers will bring us all blessings and strengthen relationships with our church family.
Fishkill Food Pantry
We received a report from the Feinstein
Foundation regarding their 2011 $1
Million Giveaway Challenge to fight hunger held during March and April. The Pantry participated in this fund-raiser
and listed $9,000 in donations of food and money. (All of this food has since
been distributed and the money has been spent)
Nationwide, the Challenge
raised a grand total of $183 million for over 1700 participating anti-hunger
agencies. Because of the great success of this fund-raiser each participant’s
portion of the Foundation’s $1 million
is relatively small. The Pantry received
$278.00 as our share. There is a maximum as well as a minimum award that
any individual agency can receive. However, our 3 percent bonus on the monies
we raised, is still very welcome.
Director
Sunday
School
Hi Parents and
Children of the Church!
We hope you
had a great, fun, summer and can’t wait to see you all this year! We have an exciting change to the time for
Sunday School, and wanted to be sure everyone knows about it.
Sunday School
will start on Sunday, Sept. 11th. The children will come to church
with their parents /grandparents and will be dismissed to Sunday School with
their teacher at approximately
If you are
coming to Sunday School but don’t make it to church, please meet us at the
If you have
any questions, please feel free to call or email me.
Thank you,
Wendy Doerr,
Christian Education Committee
Titus family to end mission, return to
U.S.
By Rev. Eric Titus
After more than five years in
Among our back and forth conversations about
The foremost question on everyone’s mind
will of course be the reason that we decided to leave. While that question is
easy to ask, it is not easy to answer. There is, in the end, no one reason
that finally ruled, or final straw that broke the camel’s back. Rather, a
number of factors came together, some of course weighing more heavily than
others, but none being the lynchpin of the decision. Still, while not getting
into great detail, we do feel we want to share with you some of the elements
going into our decision.
To begin with, there have been changes
with our partners here in
There have also been changes within the
seminary. We are one of (if not the last) remaining missionaries on the
faculty. More and more, the seminary is being funded, both intellectually and
economically, by regional personnel and financing. More often than not students
are paying tuition rather than being sponsored by western scholarship money.
This is a good thing as well. These are very different realities from our
arrival five years ago and show the ways the seminary is adjusting to its
changing environment. While the seminary would like to see us stay for years to
come, we have to ask if our missionary task is done. We believe that it
is.
There are also issues within our family
that we had to consider. As many of you know, the education of our children has
been an ongoing struggle. We did our best to make the public schools in
We have been proud to represent the RCA
as missionaries. We have received unimaginable support from you, our
partner churches and individuals. There is no possible way for us to thank you
enough, or to tell you how deeply your spiritual and financial support was and
is appreciated. Your remembrance of us as we were so far away from you was
simply overwhelming, moving us often past the point of tears. Those of you at
the grassroots level of the RCA are simply marvelous. No less so was our
supervisor Duncan Hanson who met us at every crisis, supported us through every
need, and did all that he could to make sure that we realized our full
potential. Truly, the RCA is a remarkable mission agency with which to
work!
We have gained and been enriched by our
time here and will always grateful to you for making this possible. We also
thank you in advance for standing with us through all the details to come as we
transition home.
Eric and Nancy Titus are RCA missionaries in
First Reformed
Seventh Annual Golf Tournament
Monday, September 19, 2011
McCann Memorial Golf Course
155 Wilbur Blvd.,
(845)471-3917
9:00am
Registration
10:00am
Shotgun Start
3:00pm
Buffet Dinner and Awards
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 Ray VanVoorhis
First Reformed
School for Christian Living and
Serving Course Offerings - Fall
2011
(Detailed
course descriptions available on Christian Ed Bulletin Board)
New Testament Tuesdays, 9/27, 10/4, 10/11, 10/18, 10/25, and 11/8, 7 - 10 PM
Hurley Reformed Church,
A
Sacred Trust: Boundary Issues for Clergy and Spiritual Leaders Saturday, October 1,
St. John’s Reformed Church,
Christmas Pageants Without Stress
Wednesday, October
19,
Saturday,
What’s
the Least I Can Believe and Still Be a Christian: A Guide to What Matters Most
Wednesday, November 9,
The
Funeral Service: Pastoral Care & Outreach
Saturday, November 12,
Our
first Webinar! No Piles of Electrons: An Introduction to Managing Electronic Records (E-Records)
Wednesdays, November 2 & 9,
Parables on the Road (
All parable classes held
Oct. 3 Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders; The Reformed Church, Saugerties
Oct.
10 Parable of the Sower;
Oct. 12 Parable of the Weeds; Hurley Reformed Church, Hurley
Oct. 17 The Prodigal Son; Faith Reformed Church, Slate Hill
Oct. 19 “You Name the Parables” ; Walden Reformed Church, Walden
Oct.
24 The Great Dinner; Fair Street Reformed Church,
Oct.
26 The Good Samaritan; New
Nov.
7 The Great Judgment & The
Sheep and the Goats;