Church Events
Barry Named
At the October meeting of the Administrative Council action was taken to name Matthew Barry as "our" Peer Minister, Cornerstone Protestant Campus Ministry, The University at Albany. Matt is a senior at the University and President of Cornerstone Campus Ministry. You may remember him as our Liturgist for morning worship on September 20th. Each Peer Minister that works with Chaplain Sandy Damhof has a specific responsibility. Matt is the Interfaith Liaison for the Campus Ministry. His job, as he explains it, "is to organize events between the different faith groups on campus." In naming Matt, we have accepted a pledge of five hundred dollars to support the peer ministry program (not Matt specifically) at the University. For us, this pledge is a non-budget item. For many years The United Methodist Church has been a strong supporter of higher education and if you are interested in helping continue that support by giving to meet our pledge for this ministry program, you can put a check in the Sunday morning offering plate. Be sure to mark the memo section, "Cornerstone Peer Ministry". Thanks to some early supporters one hundred seventy five dollars has already been raised toward our pledge.
Cornerstone Campus Ministry Bake Sale
T' is the Season for Giving Thanks!
Thanksgiving is a time when we spend a little more thought and time on the gifts God has provided us. A time to reflect on all the bounty laid before us: our lives, our talents, our homes, our families, our friends, our possessions, and all that God has blessed us with. It is also a time for us to think about the giving and sharing of these blessings. The Thanksgiving Coffeehouse is Friday November 20, 2009. It is a time to share our talents with one another, to share food with each other, to share time with those people who are important to us. It is also a time to share our bounty with those less fortunate. All of our coffeehouses are free of charge. We do collect a free-will offering, and the one for November is for the Regional Food Bank. We hope to help in some small way to feed the hungry among us and provide them another reason for thanking the Lord for their blessings. So please come and share with us your presence, your talents, and your love. And consider sharing further with those whose Thanksgiving you can make that much more thanks-filled. See you in the Fellowship Hall at 7:00pm sharp!
Church Memorial Gardens
Special thanks to Dick Pearce for planting at the Original Church Sign with fall flowers for us to enjoy this fall and new bulbs for us to enjoy next spring; to Mary Comstock and Lois Heyer for transplanting herbs into the Herb Garden located outside of the kitchen for us to also enjoy next year; to Mary McIntosh for helping to keep the Memorial Island weed free; to Carrie Larson for helping to keep the weeks away at the Fellowship Hall Entrance; and to Laura Clark, Rachel Giso and the Youth Group for planting garlic this fall for harvest in the early autumn next year.
On behalf of the congregation, the Trustees thank ALL who volunteered their time and experience maintaining and beautifying the Church and its grounds this last spring, summer and fall. Your work in mowing, painting, carpentry, planting and weeding, repairing engines and electrical systems reflect a caring for what we have been given and what we can share with our community.
Staff/Parish News
Hazel Volke, our church's Administrative Assistant is planning on retiring in mid-December. To honor Hazel and this major event in her life, we will have a special Coffee Hour following morning worship on December 6th.
Len Finke, chair of SPRC, announced Helen Gustafson will retire from her position as director of Sanctuary Choir in January, 2010. She will keep her position as church organist and accompanist of the Sanctuary Choir. He then thanked Helen for her years of service to the church. The congregation followed with a strong round of applause.
Calling All Email Addresses!
In an effort to reduce paper waste and church expenses, the Eco Team is asking for your name and email address so that you can receive your copy of The Church Bell electronically. Each month, sending The Church Bell by mail costs the church $125, and requires 2 1/2 hours of labor for 2 to 3 people. (That's just the mailing part of the process. It does not include the editing and printing time and expense.) You can help reduce this effort by sending your NAME and email address to the church at this address:mail.egumc@verizon.net. Remember, the word "mail" is part of the address. Be sure to include it. The Church BELL will still be sent to those who don't respond to this request. Also indicate if you would like to receive George Herrick's preview of the upcoming Sunday worship service. You will love it! If you are already receiving George's preview email, please send your email address directly to the church again and include your NAME. We are doing this to clarify and update that current email list. Thanks, The Eco Team.
2009 Stewardship Campaign
Consecration Sunday: November 15, 2009
Each week for four weeks this fall a member of the laity of our church has been scheduled to speak on behalf of our Stewardship Campaign at the beginning of Sunday morning worship.
November 15th - Consecration Sunday: Pastor's sermon centers on Christian giving; On this Sunday estimate of giving cards will be distributed during the service. Families and individuals will have the opportunity to fill them out and then they will be placed on the altar.
Doing the estimate of giving cards at our November 15 worship service has us considering our commitment to God and the Church in the context of worship. Giving is a part of our life of faith, and so we sing and hear Scripture and pray and give- and plan our giving- in the context of our life together, of worship, of prayer. Let us be about our Father's business.
Thanksgiving Holiday Worship
Two Different Services
We will have a Thanksgiving Prayer Service for the Ecumenical Community here in our church on Sunday, November 22nd beginning at 6pm. There will some singing, scripture reading, time of prayer, time of reflection – all of this followed by a pot-luck supper. Here is a chance to worship and feast (lighter than Thursday) with members of our congregation and with others in the community. All are welcome and invited to attend.
The Capital Area Council of Churches will sponsor the 73rd Annual Community Thanksgiving Day worship service beginning at 10am at the Episcopal Cathedral of All Saints on November 26th. Rev. Dr. Harold M. Delhagen, Albany Synod Executive, Reformed Church in America will preach the sermon.
A Tool For Personal Meditation
A couple of years ago a meditation tool was suggested to many at Thanksgiving time. Here is that invitation once again. The labyrinth is still available and our need to take time and give thanks is still present. You are warmly invited to journey through the ten stages of an on-line labyrinth, devised by the Methodist Church of Great Britain, but offered to all. A labyrinth is an ancient spiritual tool that leads the traveler along a meditative path. Through images, words, music and actions we hope that you are able to consider your spiritual journey and be inspired and challenged. The labyrinth can be found at: www.lostinwonder.org.uk
New Outdoor Worship Center
Have you seen the new outdoor worship center just off the east side of the parking lot? Our thanks to Jack Moulton for this, his Eagle Scout project.
Bishop Matthews Waiting in the Wings
Bishop Marcus Matthews, Resident Bishop of the New York West Episcopal Area, will become Bishop of The Upper New York Annual Conference, the proposed name for our new Annual Conference which will come into being in 2010. Bishop Susan W. Hassinger, our current Bishop, introduced Bishop Matthews to a crowd of about one hundred people at Christ Church, UMC, in Troy on October 19, 2009. (There is a picture of both Bishops on the bulletin board in the church foyer.) Bishop Matthews came to the gathering to introduce himself and he did so by telling us something about his life growing up in the south. He spoke of three key ideas important in his growth. First he suggested interdependence is the key to survival. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 explains this idea is pointed words. He told of all those who became role models for him and how they help him grow into adulthood. A second idea was the importance of positive thinking. His uncle told him how important it was that he surround himself with positive people. And his third idea was to develop the ability to look at road blocks in life not as stalling blocks but as challenges. Challenges provide an impetus for growth. He concluded his remarks with a request to all of us present. In our morning prayers, pray for support of the new Upper New York Area. Ask that whatever we do to prepare for the transition from four annual conferences to one, that it be God's design, God's will. The change in conference structure will take place on July 1, 2010.
The Giving Tree
The Giving Tree is back on November 22 and again the gifts will be for the Concerns-U Christmas Store. It is easy just pick a slip or two form the tree and buy the items bring it back by December 16 and place it in the basket in the foyer. The clients and staff at Concerns-U and the children thank you.
Mark Your Calendar
The Sanctuary Choir is preparing an evening of fun and fellowship for the whole family on Friday, December 11th, starting at 7pm. We hope that you will join us for a Christmas program of carols, cookies and more.
Wanted – Student Information
Do you have a college student in your family? We would like to compile a list of these youth so that the church can maintain a contact with them while they are at school either in our local community or miles away. Please send names, addresses and college names to the church office.