THE
MESSENGER
Westminster
Presbyterian Church Albany, New
York 436-8544 Fax 436-8599 January 2001
Study
Groups to Meet
The
Vision study groups that will meet for eight weeks are still being organized, so
anyone who has not yet signed up for one is urged to do so. The weekly meetings are an important part of
Westminster’s mission study which will lead to selection of a new permanent
pastor. By participating in a study
group, you can help determine Westminster’s mission priorities for the
immediate future.
These are the study group leaders, and
meeting times, dates and locations:
Peter McKee, Sundays, 2 to 4 p.m., starting
January 7, 36 Gladwish, Delmar; Tom McPheeters, Sundays, 2 to 4 p.m., starting
January 7, 14 Wilbur St., Albany; Angie Sherman, Mary Jean Tedrow and Claudia
Hartmark, Sundays, 2 to 4 p.m. starting January 7, 597 Highwood Circle, Albany;
Diane Bossung, Mondays and Thursdays, 10 to 12 a.m., starting January 11,
Beverwyck, 40 Autumn Dr., Slingerlands; Peter Leue, Wednesdays, 7 to 9 p.m.,
starting January 10, 696 Hudson Ave., Albany; Lawrie Lierheimer, Jim Thompson
and Eve Ryan, Wednesdays, 2 to 4 p.m., starting January 10, 70 Kenaware Ave.,
Delmar; and Lois Wilson, Fridays, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., starting January 12,
University Club, 141 Washington Ave., Albany.
Are You an Evangelist?
“Evangelism is not a program of the
Church. The Church is a product of
Evangelism.” (Earl Bowers)
The word evangelism has a lot of negative
baggage to it, so let’s forget about it for a minute and talk about
hospitality. Hospitality is about
giving everyone a generous, cordial reception, as well as offering a sustaining
and nurturing environment. In this
sense, evangelism is the responsibility of the whole church.
Think about when someone comes to your
home. You try to make the person feel
as comfortable as possible. You
introduce them to the others present.
You ask them questions about themselves because you are interested in
getting to know them. You don’t talk
about a lot of family matters that are of interest only to your family group,
or spend a lot of time discussing things they wouldn’t understand because they
have not been part of it.
I was once invited to Princeton Theological
Seminary to be a group leader for a conference. When I got there, I had just finished a long, tiring journey on
the train from St. Louis. No one was
there to greet me; I had to go around trying to find someone. When I got my room assignment, nobody
explained how to find it in anything but insider gibberish. The only gracious help I received that
entire trip was from two Korean students whose English was less than
perfect. Perhaps because they were
outsiders as well? Do you think this
experience colors my view of Princeton 15 years later? You bet it does! First impressions are important.
The Westminster Evangelism Committee is
embarking on an ambitious advertising campaign in the New Year and they need
your help. When visitors show up, try
to look at Westminster through newcomers’ eyes, and do your part to make them
feel welcome and appreciated.
All some people will know of God’s love is
what you show them. Remember
that your loving interest is more important than the specifics of what you
say. There are a lot of lonely people
out there who are starved for genuine attention and affection.
“I give you a new commandment, that you
love one another. Just as I have loved
you, you also should love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love
for one another.”
(John
13:34-35)
The
Rev. Sandra Hanna
From the Church Records
New
Members: 12/17/00
James
and Doris McKee, Jr.
40
Autumn Drive #158
Slingerlands,
New York 12159
438-0819
Fran
and Charles MacCulloch
40
Autumn Drive
Slingerlands,
New York 12159
438-8292
Directory
changes:
John
A. Willison
3
Amsterdam Avenue
Glenmont,
New York 12077
767-9133
Heidi
Maurer
391
Second Street
Albany,
New York 12206
Mrs.
Philip D. Bryan (Louise)
Good
Samaritan Lutheran Center
125
Rockefeller Road
Delmar,
New York 12054
Mr.
& Mrs. Robert H. Meyer
52
Cheshire Way
Loudonville,
New York 12211
782-0832
Lectionary for Lord's Day
January
2001
7
Baptism of the Lord
Isa. 43:1-7; Ps. 29
Acts 8:14-17; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
14
2nd Sunday in
Ordinary Time
Isa. 62:1-5; Ps. 36:5-10
I Cor. 12:1-11; John 2:1-11
21
3rd Sunday in
Ordinary Time
Neh. 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10; Ps. 19
I Cor. 12:12-31a; Luke 4:14-21
28
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jer. 1:4-10; Ps. 71:1-6
I Cor. 13:1-13; Luke 4:21-30
–January
Events–
Workshop for Church Boards
This event will be held on Saturday, January
6, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the Assembly Room. The agenda will include orientation for new
board members, training for Deacons and Elders to deliver Communion to those
unable to attend worship services, completion of short biographies by each
board member, and time for each board to meet to plan its 2001 reorganization.
Annual Meeting
Our Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday,
January 21, at 11:30 a.m. The agenda
will include presentation of the financial report and budget for 2001, and a
review of reports from board and committees, including an update on the Mission
Study, a report on the January 27 outreach program at South Mall Towers, and
short biographies from Board members.
No Second Hour Programs
There will be no ‘second hour’ programs sponsored
by the Christian Education Committee during January, due to the events
described above and the joint FOCUS service on January 28. (See next column.)
New
Board Members
Newly-elected board members will be
installed during the worship service on January 21.
Pledge Drive Update
As of December 15, 2000, 123 family units
had pledged $129,950 for use by Westminster during 2001. Based on past practice, the Church budget
will be modified, as needed, to reflect the amount pledged as of January 15.
New pledges may be mailed to the Church
office or left in the collection plate on any Sunday.
Focus on FOCUS
FOCUS Sunday Set
On January 28, starting at 10:30 a.m., the
six FOCUS congregations will join together for worship at Trinity United Methodist
Church, 235 Lark Street. Eric H.F. Law,
Chinese-American, Episcopal priest, photographer, playwright, composer of
church music and international consultant on diversity and inclusion, will
deliver the sermon. Our worship will
include special music from a joint FOCUS choir and the renewal of covenant as
FOCUS churches. A brunch and discussion
time with the Rev. Law will follow the service.
Books Available
In anticipation of FOCUS Sunday, book
discussions featuring the Rev. Law’s writings–Inclusion, Making Room for
Grace–will be offered. Copies of
the book are available from the Rev. Sandra Hanna or any FOCUS
representative. One book group will
meet on Wednesdays, January 10, 17, 24, at 7 p.m., at First Presbyterian
Church, 362 State St., Albany, and all are invited to participate.
Holiday Baskets
More than $1,500 was donated toward the
purchase of food items for the holiday baskets. Baskets were put together and distributed to 132 families in time
for Christmas. Our thanks to the volunteers who showed up to make this happen,
including, from Westminster, Marianne Rings and Mary Jean Tedrow.
Ministry
to the Hungry
In the FOCUS breakfast program, 1,662 meals
were served during November. Thank you
for your quick response to the need for men’s hats and gloves.
Through the FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry,
271 families were each given food for 12 meals (4 days).
Church Library Updated - Check it Out
220 B Bible Holy Bible - King James
940.54 B Brokaw The Greatest Generation
158.1 C Canfield Chicken Soup for the Golden Soul
305.26 C Carter The Virtues of Aging
226 L Lucado He Still Moves Stones
810.8 M Martz When I am an Old Women I Shall
Wear Purple
243.5 S Stanley A Touch of His Wisdom
291.4 W Walsch Communion with God
242 Y Yancey Finding God in Unexpected Places
232 Y Yancey The Jesus I Never Knew
|
By
Mary Jean Tedrow
Your library is finally taking shape. If you haven’t visited it yet, please do so.
I have inventoried and weeded all the
Adult Non-Fiction and Fiction, the Young Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction, and the
Children’s Easy Books. I am in the
midst of doing the Juvenile section.
The new labels should help you find things
better. The card catalog is by author
and title, and sometimes by subject.
All items, except those with yellow “Reference” stickers, can be checked
out. There is no time limit, but you
must sign and date the card in the back of the book and put it in the brass bowl. Return a book at your earliest convenience
by placing it in the return box on the desk.
I
have also added a large-print section with ten books. (See below.)
And – Harry Potter comes to
Westminster! You have probably all
heard of Harry Potter by now. I have
purchased all four volumes. They will
be in the Young Adult area, but they are by no means limited to the young. They really should be read in order, so you
may have to wait your turn.
Year 1–Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s
Stone.
Year 2 –Harry Potter and the Chamber of
Secrets.
Year 3 – Harry Potter and the Prisoner of
Azkaban.
Year 4 – Harry Potter and the Goblet of
Fire.
Years 5-7 – Not out yet.
Health Kits Mailed – Thanks to You!
Thanks to everyone who helped put together
the health kits for Church World Service on December 3. They were sent in two boxes the next day to
New Windsor, Maryland, with a total of 48 kits lovingly wrapped by you. In each kit is a towel, washcloth,
toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, nail file, adhesive bandages and bar of soap.
Church World Service works on behalf of 35
denominations and responds to the emergency needs of people recovering from
natural and human disasters, assists with the special needs of refugees, and
supports programs of long-term development in more than 80 countries. You
responded with your hearts and your hands.
They say it's the little things in life that make a difference, and you
at Westminster made a difference!
Marie
McClumpha
Caregiving Policies Updated by Session
Recognizing that attention to the needs of
all parishioners is important, Westminster’s Session has recently reviewed and
updated our caregiving policies and practices. They include:
Prayer Requests–A prayer chain
consists of people willing to pray for anyone in special need. To activate it,
call the church office. To be included in worship service prayers, or be placed
on the Deacons’ caregiving bulletin board, call the Rev. Sandra Hanna.
Deacon Visits–The Deacons regularly
call upon known persons who are unable to attend Westminster services, and
update their list of people to call upon whenever they hear of any new
needs. Persons who are temporarily
disabled, or need short-term support, may also call the church office to
request a Deacon visit.
Communion–Anyone who would like to
receive Communion at home on a regular basis should contact the church office
or the Rev. Hanna. Two-person teams will deliver Communion as soon as possible
after a Communion service in church.
Special Groups–The Rev. Hanna will
make hospital visits as needed, and needs should be called in to the church
office. Support groups will be formed, for such groups as widows and widowers
or caregivers to spouses and aging relatives, if that is desired by even a few
people.
Trustees Outreach–The trustees send
cards regularly to members in the Albany area and those who have moved to other
parts of the country.
Beverwyck–With
many of our members now living here, Dr. John Knighton and Norman Andrews are
serving as caregiver links, to let us know of needs which may arise at
Beverwyck.
Information
gathered by Lois Wilson
January 2001
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
|
|
1
Office
Closed
|
2
7-9 Breakfast
9:30 am Men’s
Group
10 am Staff
7:30 pm Session
|
3
7-9 Breakfast
7-9 pm Mission
Study Training
|
4
7-9 Breakfast
7:30 pm Choir
|
5
|
6
9:30-12:30 Officer
Training
|
|
7
9:15 am Bible Study
10:15 am Worship
11:30 am Coffee Hour
11:30 am Stewards
11:30 am Personnel
4:00 pm ARISE
Covenanting at 1st Church
5:00 pm Taizé Service
|
8
|
9
7-9 Breakfast
9:30 am Men’s
Group
10 am Staff
7:30 pm CE
Committee
|
10
7-9 Breakfast
7:30 pm Worship
Committee
|
11
7-9 Breakfast
7:30 pm Choir
|
12
|
13
|
|
14
9:15 am Bible Study
10:15 am Worship
11:30 am Coffee Hour
5:00 pm Taizé Service
|
15
Office
Closed
|
16 7-9 Breakfast
9:30 am Men’s
Group
10 am Staff
7:30 pm Trustees
|
